The long awaited season two of Code Geass has finally begun after months of waiting in anticipation by Anime fans everywhere. Now I haven't been paying much attention to all the details that's been revealed since the announcement of the new season and the early premiere so, I watched this without knowing what to expect. All I remember is what happened from season one and the little hints from the PSP dating sim.

Anime fans everywhere will be blogging about this show I'm sure but, no matter. This will be for my own future reference. I will try to blog about it same way I'm doing with Persona Trinity Soul just now. By doing this, maybe I won't buy another "Complete Guide" like I did for season one if one is ever released because, I'll have my very own detailed episode guide here. Well, not really... I'll buy it anyway just to show support and have a nice book to look at. Lets just hope they improve it this time.

So episode one begins with a nice warning. Another attempt to discourage distribution over the internet! I've seen this kind of warning before in Anime shows but they are rare. This time they're asking viewers to remember that it is forbidden by law to redistribute television programme recordings over the internet without prior consent from its owners. Oh well, foreigners watching fansubs can't read that anyway.

Episode 1 Summary, The Day the Devil Awakens

It is the year 2018 and a blip hovers above the Britannia Settlement, Old Tokyo. C.C. smiles after gaining permission to enter the airspace safely while a group of Black Knights gather together behind her. There were not many of them left but they were not going to give into despair and were keen to make the plan they were about to execute succeed. Drinking up their Sake, they shout "Long live, Japan!" and throw down their cups.

Meanwhile at Ashford Academy, Lelouch was on the run from Villetta for skipping PE classes. His classmates, particular the females, cheer him on as he tries to get away and runs into one of the lab rooms. Just when Villetta thought she had him cornered, Lelouch tips over one of the chemicals and creates a smoke screen for himself to escape. He rushes down the stairs just as Milly throws him a sandwich. She apologises when Villetta shouts at her.

Villetta immediately rushes to the window and leaps out hoping to catch Lelouch only to find it was Rivalz in disguise. Lelouch had already gotten on a bike and was speeding away thanking Rivalz for his help. Shirley stares out the window as she watches what appears to be the usual routine.

Speeding along the road with his younger brother Rollo, Lelouch wished they would leave him alone after school. Rollo says they probably would if he didn't skip classes but Lelouch didn't care. He halves the sandwich he got from Milly and holds it out for Rollo. Seeing how delicious it looked, Rollo stretched out his neck to eat it and almost loses control of his bike.

After Rollo steadies the bike, Lelouch silently thinks about what's been happening to himself. It's been one year since Zero's attempted "Black Rebellion". Area 11 had now settled down but many rumours were still spreading. Lelouch had thought about returning to their home in Britannia before.

Rollo interrupts asking if he handed in his evaluation questionnaire to let Villetta know what his plans for the future was. Lelouch hadn't decided yet and since he's had enough of being a student, he wanted to do something else where he could be the one giving the commands. Rollo laughs meekly saying it was very like Lelouch. Then he thinks to himself that it probably won't be possible. Even if he goes out into society, the higher positions would only be occupied by adults of high superior status and he would just have to work under them.

They drive by a large display showing the execution of Elevens. The man in charge claims he wasn't discriminating the Elevens but was just trying to let them understand their own status. They had attempted to side with Zero to reclaim their names as the "Japanese" which, is an act deemed dangerous activity by Britannia. Thus it was their job to take action to govern and educate such Elevens.

Hearing the speech, Lelouch thinks to himself the Elevens lost because they had no power. If they just stayed the way they were then, the Elevens area would never have been demoted to a Remedial Area. He remarks Zero was a fool for trying because the world in his opinion was already helpless.

Governor Carares was now preparing to meet representatives from the Chinese Frederation. He asks how the knights operation was going on and the soldier answers it was taking place at the Babel Tower. Carares really doesn't understand what the Emperor was thinking. Did he still consider the Black Knights a threat even though Zero was considered dead?

Meanwhile, Lelouch and his brother had passed the gates outside Babel Tower, unaware what Britannia had instore for him. There was just one more character that had to appear before they could take action.

Inside Babel Tower, Lelouch suggested his brother went home since what they were about to do was illegal. Rollo answers it just doesn't feel right leaving his brother alone. He doesn't understand why his brother wanted to gamble. Lelouch laughs and answers it was obvious. He just wanted a stronger player to play against. However, while heading up on the lift Lelouch knew it was a lie. He was really just bored. There must be something better he can do.

The lift stops and they enter a room full of gambling equipment with everyone in elegant dresses and suits. Lelouch walks over to where two brothers are fighting each other as the commentator's voice is heard over the speakers that only one could live. Rollo didn't want to watch but Lelouch wanted to him to know the truth. The Britannians were the ones laughing while the Elevens were the ones being laughed at. No matter how nice the Britannians try to pretend to be on the surface, that was the cruel truth.

To Lelouch, the Elevens had lost twice. Once when Kururugi was the Prime Minister and the second time was when they sided with Zero. He continues to speak as they walked on until a girl in a pink bunny suit bumps into him. It was Kallen in disguise. She apologises and tries to dry Lelouch's trousers but he says it's all right as if he didn't know who she was. Kallen insists saying she had to because he was of a higher Britannian status. Hearing this, Lelouch kneels down to stop her saying how he hated people belittling themselves.

However, Kallen replies sometimes those who are powerless just have to struggle this way to survive, even if they know the way they are being treated is wrong. Lelouch did not want to hear their philosophy. She apologises and tries to secretly pass something over to him but gets her head yanked away by a large rough looking man. He looks closely at her and says what a fine good she was. Kallen continues her defenceless girl act and looks away, retorting she wasn't a trades good.

The man answers those who have no power has no right to speak back. All they can do is submit to the stronger side just like the Emperor said. It was just the way the world works, the weak are consumed by the strong. Hearing this and the mention of his father who he hated, Lelouch challenges the man to a game of chess to see if he wanted to know how it feels to be the weak, despite knowing he was a Mafia boss. The man laughs at how clueless students were but Lelouch knew exactly who he was and his skills at chess. The Black King clenches his fists, not happy to hear that Lelouch dares to challenge him.

Meanwhile in a prison somewhere, Tamaki was being escorted into his cell as he cries out that this wouldn't be happening if Zero was still around. One of the already imprisoned members Nagisa tell him to stop talking about the traitor but, Ougi tries speak up saying there must have been some reason why he disappeared at the most crucial moment. Todo quietens them down saying that no matter what happened, it didn't change the fact Zero was now reported dead.

Back in the Babel Tower, Lelouch had won his game of chess much to everyone's disbelief. However, the Black King wasn't going to let such news threatening his reputation leak out. He announces that Lelouch had cheated even though it wasn't possible in chess and tells his men to frame him. Lelouch stands up in anger at how the adult was falling back on his word but it was useless. Suddenly the tower shakes violently. Kallen uses the chance to knock out the Mafia boss and his subordinates.

The blip from earlier was attacking the roof and the survivors of the Black Knights were infiltrating Babel Tower. While everyone was panicking, Kallen takes the chance to lead Lelouch away. However, Britannia's own "Secret Intelligence" were also on the move with their Operation Baruhara 775.

Outside, representatives of the Chinese Federation were already meeting with Governor Carares who was surprised they had already heard of Britannia's trouble with Zero. Two guards approach them trying to disarm the body guard Xingke but ends up getting their own belts slit and dropped to the floor. Xingke apologises saying he thought it was a good way for them to understand the people of the Chinese Federation quickly. Governor Careres wasn't happy but his attention is diverted by the explosion heard in the distant Babel Tower.

Amongst the chaos in Babel Tower, Kallen had lost Lelouch and so had the Black Knights. With the Britannia forces heading in, they decide to mobilise their Knightmare Frames.

Lelouch and Rollo were now on the run for safety. As they ran, Lelouch hears the announcement that the terrorist Black Knights were here and can't help wonder what they were after. Suddenly, one of the Black Knights' Burai units drops through the roof and extends a hand towards Lelouch. Without any time to react, Britannia's own forces break in too. At first, Rollo was pleased to see them but his expression changes to horror as civilians nearby are shot dead.

By now, Kallen has reunited with the other members of the Black Knights and activates her own Guren Knightmare.

Lelouch and Rollo had managed to escape somewhere quiet but Lelouch couldn't help wonder why that Knightmare Frame was after him. Rollo on the other hand, was worried if they could escape or not. Lelouch assures his brother they will but just as they were about to relax, someone shoots at them. Lelouch dives in to knock his brother away but there is another explosion. The ground crumbles beneath Lelouch's feet and he falls, unable to grab his brother's hand in time.

Back at Ashford Academy, Shirley was complaining about Lelouch's antics but both Milly and Rivalz knew exactly how she really felt. She was worried about Lelouch. Gettings teased, she blushes and looks away.

Recovering from his fall, Lelouch calls out to his brother but there was no answer. He tries his mobile but there was no signal. He wasn't going to give up though. He believed he had at least the power to save his one and only little brother. Lelouch desperately rushes back up the stairs and soon comes across a large number of dead corpses. He couldn't stand the sight and wondered if this was all because of the terrorist Black Knights. Then he saw there were Elevens amongst the corpses too and someone holding a picture of Zero.

Lelouch becomes aware of a Black Knights machine before him. He was unsure of what to do. He was horrified that he might be killed. However, C.C. appears but again he didn't seem to recognise the people who he once fought together with. She tells him she was on his side and that they had a pact. Their enemy was Britannia and they were accomplices. She knew who the real Lelouch was. Hearing this, Lelouch begins to approach C.C. slowly but a gunshot is heard. C.C. falls over weakly calling out Lelouch's name as he rushes over to catch her.

Someone runs over to burn the corpses and a woman's scream is heard. Lelouch cries out for the man to stop saying that someone was still alive but more gunshots are heard immediately afterwards. He turns round to see the leader of the Secret Intelligence appear before him. They had been keeping him under secret surveillance all this time in an effort to lure the "witch" C.C. out for them.

Not understanding what was going on, Lelouch tries to demand an explanation but the baron wasn't going to speak to some lowly lure. He orders his men to prepare execution so that there will be no witnesses left to talk about the event. Lelouch continues holding C.C. in his arms as he faces his doom but wasn't ready to accept death yet. If only he had the power. The power to get him through this. The power that can take on the world.

Just then, C.C. recovers and kisses him. She tells him to remember who he really is and breaks the seal of oblivion to release the "King's Power" he once had. Lelouch now understood all those memories of his everyday life had been a lie. He remembers his showdown with Suzaku about a year ago and of his words. Suzaku wasn't planning to seek forgiveness from him because they were good friends.

Lelouch gets up and lets C.C. onto the ground. He steps towards the troops asking if being powerless is a crime and that power was justice. Is revenge bad and does friendship mean one must give into justice? The baron answers there is no evil and justice. Lures only have the path of death to follow. Hearing that, Lelouch uses his reawakened power of Geass to command the troops to their deaths. He couldn't accept the fact he had been living a false daily life all this time and that his memory has been replaced. It was now his belief that he will be the one to change the world which he thinks is wrong. He will destroy and create a new world.

Meanwhile, Suzaku was swearing his allegiance to the Emperor saying that he will not let anyone but himself kill Zero.

Next episode, "Operation Independent Japan".

Thoughts

So, right from the start we're given a number of mysteries. Somehow Villetta is now a school teacher at Ashford and Lelouch appears to be leading a normal student life again but, has forgotten his other identity until C.C. comes along and kisses him again. It makes one wonder if the first kiss from season one was what sealed his memory. After that, maybe Suzaku was kind enough to let him live since they're such good friends but, I doubt it after what happened to Euphie. Then there's also the question of what happened during that gunshot.

As for the other new mysteries, what's happened to Nunnally? Where did Lelouch's younger brother Rollo come from? Has both he and Villetta given the duty to spy on him? I won't be surprised since Lelouch was used as a decoy here to lure C.C. out. With the plan failed, Villetta may return to her duty but I'm not sure what Rollo would be doing. Maybe Lelouch will play along since everyone else at the academy seems to have accepted him.

Other than that, it was kind of a deja vu of how season one began with Lelouch playing chess, finding himself in trouble, C.C. getting shot and then ending with the troops shooting themselves. Still, a good episode for introducing the aftermath. Now we just need to see how the rest of the plot goes and hope they don't spread the mystery too thin like Persona Trinity Soul although I'm sure they won't.

Can't say much about the OP "O2 " and ED "Shiawase Neiro" just now, which are both sung by Orange Range. I might end up with "Shiawase Neiro" on my player because it sounds pretty good. Maybe it's because when I heard the very beginning of "Shiawase Neiro" I suddenly thought they had switched to their other song "Hana" (great song by the way!). Also, nice artwork from Clamp as usual.

Well, next episode Lelouch is ready to show Britannia that Zero is back to rebel against them. Lets see if he returns to the academy afterwards.

Oh, and if you're also currently watching Persona Trinity Soul, did you notice Akihiko's voice? Looks like his voice actor Hikari Modorikawa has bagged himself another role as the body guard Lee Xingke here.