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Émile Durkheim

Lelouch vi Britannia

Lelouch vi Britannia (ルルーシュ・ヴィ・ブリタニア, Rurūshu vi Buritania) is the enigmatic and cunning protagonist of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion and its sequel Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2. After being exiled by the Britannian Empire, Lelouch adopts the alias Lelouch Lamperouge (ルルーシュ・ランペルージ, Rurūshu Ranperūji) to hide his royal identity. He is the Eleventh Prince of the Holy Britannian Empire, the son of the ruthless 98th Emperor of Britannia, Charles zi Britannia, and the mastermind behind the rebellion against his own family. As the leader of the revolutionary group The Black Knights, Lelouch assumes the role of the masked vigilante Zero, determined to overthrow the Britannian Empire and create a better world for his sister, Nunnally.

Émile Durkheim
Born
David Émile Durkheim

(1858-04-15)15 April 1858

Épinal, France
Died 15 November 1917(1917-11-15)(aged 59)

Paris,France
Nationality French
Alma mater École Normale Supérieure
Known for Sacred–profane dichotomy
Collective consciousness
Social fact
Social integration
Anomie
Collective effervescence
Scientific career
Fields Philosophy, sociology, education, anthropology, religious studies
Institutions University of Paris, University of Bordeaux
Influences Immanuel Kant, René Descartes,Plato, Herbert Spencer,Aristotle, Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Auguste Comte. William James, John Dewey, Fustel de Coulanges, Jean-Marie Guyau, Charles Bernard Renouvier, John Stuart Mill
Influenced Marcel Mauss,Claude Lévi-Strauss, Talcott Parsons, Maurice Halbwachs, Jonathan Haidt, Lucien Lévy-Bruhl,Bronisław Malinowski, Fernand Braudel, Pierre Bourdieu, Charles Taylor, Henri Bergson, Emmanuel Levinas, Steven Lukes, Alfred Radcliffe-Brown, E. E. Evans-Pritchard, Mary Douglas, Paul Fauconnet, Robert N. Bellah, Ziya Gökalp, David Bloor, Randall Collins, Neil Smelser[1]

Appearance

Lelouch is tall, with a lean, almost delicate frame, reflecting his aristocratic upbringing. He has jet-black hair, which falls elegantly across his face, and his sharp violet eyes exude a commanding presence. His school uniform gives him an unassuming look, blending in with the common students at Ashford Academy. However, as Zero, he wears a striking black and gold suit, complete with a flowing cape and a featureless helmet, creating an imposing and almost theatrical presence that hides his identity while commanding loyalty from his followers.

A collection of Durkheim's courses on the origins of socialism (1896), edited and published by his nephew, Marcel Mauss, in 1928

In a dramatic unveiling, Lelouch vi Britannia stands before his allies, the mask of Zero finally discarded, merging his two identities as he prepares to reshape the world with his revolutionary vision.

Personality

Lelouch is a complex character, driven by his brilliant mind and fierce determination. He is cool, collected, and analytical, often staying several steps ahead of his opponents. His charisma and tactical genius are his grea strengths, making him a feared opponent on the battlefield. However, beneath his calm exterior lies a deeply emotional side, especially when it comes to his sister Nunnally, for whom he’s willing to do anything. His quest for justice often puts him in morally gray situations, where his pursuit of a peaceful world through violent rebellion challenges his sense of right and wrong.

Despite his noble intentions, Lelouch can be manipulative and ruthless, making difficult choices that lead to immense sacrifice. His deep-seated hatred for his father and the Britannian aristocracy fuels his rebellion, but as Zero, he must grapple with the weight of the lives lost in pursuit of his revolution.

Powers and Abilities

Cover of the French edition of The Division of Labour in Society

Adorned with the crown of Britannia, Lelouch vi Britannia embodies the duality of royalty and rebellion, poised to challenge the very foundation of an empire in his quest for justice and freedom.

Lelouch’s most significant power is his Geass, a supernatural ability granted by C.C., an immortal witch. His Geass, also known as the Power of Absolute Obedience, allows him to command anyone he makes eye contact with, forcing them to follow his orders without question. This power gives him an overwhelming advantage, but it comes with a major limitation: he can only use it on each person once.

Beyond his Geass, Lelouch is a master strategist and tactician, often outwitting even the most powerful enemies through meticulous planning. He orchestrates military campaigns as Zero, frequently leading The Black Knights to victory against overwhelming odds. Lelouch is also skilled in piloting Knightmare Frames, humanoid combat mechas used in battle, though he prefers to fight using his intellect rather than brute force.

Relationships

Nunnally vi Britannia

Lelouch’s younger sister is his emotional anchor and primary motivation for his rebellion. After she becomes blind and disabled following their mother’s death, Lelouch swears to build a world where she can live in peace and happiness.

Suzaku Kururugi

Suzaku is Lelouch’s childhood friend and later rival, serving as a soldier for the Britannian Empire. Their friendship becomes strained as Suzaku represents the ideal of working within the system, while Lelouch believes in overthrowing it by force.

C.C

The mysterious, immortal girl who grants Lelouch his Geass. C.C. is both an ally and a confidante, sharing a deep, almost mystical bond with Lelouch as they navigate their complex relationship. She often serves as a foil to Lelouch’s calculating nature, providing a counterbalance with her own enigmatic motivations.

Kallen Stadtfeld

A key member of The Black Knights and one of Lelouch’s most loyal followers. Kallen greatly admires Zero but struggles with her feelings when she learns of Lelouch’s true identity. Her relationship with Lelouch is marked by loyalty, admiration, and occasional tension.

Trivia

  • Lelouch’sGeassreflects his desire to control and reshape the world according to his ideals.
  • The character was votedMost Popular Male Characterin Animage magazine’s Anime Grand Prix for three consecutive years (2006, 2007, and 2008), making him one of the most iconic anime characters of all time.
  • Lelouch’s Japanese voice actor,Jun Fukuyama, won theBest Actor in a Leading Roleaward at the first Seiyū Awards in 2007 for his portrayal of the character. His English voice is provided byJohnny Yong Bosch.
  • Lelouch’s masked alter ego,Zero, became an enduring symbol of rebellion and freedom, often referenced in discussions about revolutionary anime protagonists.
  • His alias, “Lamperouge,” is French for “red lamp,” symbolizing the revolutionary spark he ignites within the series.