C.C. (Code Geass)
| C.C. | |
|---|---|
| Code Geass character | |
 | |
| First appearance | Season 1, Episode 1 |
| Voiced by |
Japanese Yukana English Kate Higgins |
| Profile | |
| Nickname(s) |
Immortal Witch Pizza Girl Zero's Mistress |
| Aliases | Gray Witch |
| Information | |
| Allegiance |
Geass Order Black Knights Holy Britannian Empire |
| Knightmare Frame |
Gawain (co-pilot) Akatsuki Command Model Zikisan Lancelot Frontier |
C.C. (シー・ツー Shī Tsū) is the pseudonym of a fictional character in the Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion anime series by Sunrise. C.C.'s real name is never shared with the audience, despite eventually being learned by protagonist Lelouch Lamperouge. Her Japanese voice actress is Yukana Nogami while she is voiced by Kate Higgins in the English dub. In the 29th Anime Grand Prix, she was awarded third place, then first place in the following two. She was chosen the most popular female character of 2007 at Animage magazine's annual Anime Grand Prix.
Character Outline
C.C. is an immortal girl who outwardly appears to be little more than a young adult. She is willful almost to a fault, usually doing whatever she wants regardless of whether or not it inconveniences others, particularly with her accomplice, Lelouch. She also likes to withhold information, usually telling people just enough to leave them wondering. C.C. has a strong penchant for pizza, especially Pizza Hut's (which sponsors the show in Japan, though the logo is blurred out or digitally removed in the English dub).
C.C. is initially introduced as a mysterious, calm, collected and cool-headed young woman that carries herself with an endearing sense of pride, playful self-assurance and nonchalance. She also demonstrates a dry, mildly sardonic and somewhat peculiar sense of humor, often finding amusement in things that others do not. As the series develops, however, it is revealed that C.C.'s experiences over the course of her considerable lifetime, compounded by the implications of leading an immortal existence without death, have led her to gradually adopt a seemingly mocking and unsympathetic, though logical view of the world, and even perhaps what might be described as a somewhat nihilistic outlook on life and existence. Despite the often nonchalant manner in which she conducts herself, it is revealed that C.C. is, in actuality, quite sensitive on the subject of her own humanity, and is, incidentally, scornful of her immortality, which she describes as 'merely an experience' in accordance with the idea that existing and living are mutually exclusive, as living implies that there is an end. C.C's experience with her immortal condition has left her with a deep and sorrowful sense of loneliness and isolation, and is ultimately a fate that she is implied to be seeking final restitution from throughout the series.
The vast majority of her interactions within the series are with Lelouch, as she is kept hidden from the rest of the world early on. This begins with a contract made between the two, wherein she grants Lelouch a supernatural power known as Geass. The two form a close relationship, albeit with dubious altruism on both ends.
When left alone, she sometimes appears to talk to herself. This is later revealed to be telepathic communication, Lelouch's deceased mother Marianne being among the recipients. She gave Marianne the power of Geass, and therefore had the same relationship with her as she has with Lelouch.
Appearance
C.C. has long, almost waist-length green hair and gold eyes. She is of average female height, being approximately as tall as Kallen.
C.C.'s outfits are both plentiful and varied. She is seen wearing a wide assortment of different clothes, often dependent on the situation or time period. She often wears Lelouch's own clothes, including his Zero costume should Lelouch ever require a decoy.
However, in the first season, C.C. primarily wears the outfit she initially appears in—a white straitjacket used to restrain her during her time as a test subject for the Britannian Empire prior to the series beginning. These suits contain many means of restraint, including various straps and zippers and a high collar capable of gagging the wearer. When not set to fully bind the wearer, the suits have rather long sleeves that flare outwards closer to the cuffs. A number of these bondage suits are seen in the Geass research laboratories. The reason for C.C.'s common use of the suit is because she isn't free, instead being a slave to the world. She is seen wearing it through most of the first season and the end of the second season.
C.C.'s predominant outfit in the second season is her Black Knights uniform which is significantly different from those of the other Black Knights. Rather than the usual Black Knights jacket, C.C. wears a sleeveless black uniform with a high collar, gold trim, and a silver Black Knights symbol on the chest. The lower end of the uniform splits off into four long pieces that nearly extend to the floor. A long, adorned red sash is also worn around the waist. C.C. also wears long black gloves with gold trim kept on with red bands on the upper arms as well as long white and gold high-heeled boots. Underneath her uniform, C.C. wears a cropped sleeveless white turtle-neck and white boyshorts. She is often seen wearing only these undergarments.
Character History
Before C.C. gained the power of Geass, she was a ten-year-old orphaned slave. A nun gave C.C. the power of Geass that made everyone fall in love with her. She grew tired of the love without limits and focused more on the nun, the only one who was above C.C.'s power. However, when C.C.'s power evolved to its highest point, the nun revealed that she never cared for C.C. and was only using her so that she could escape her immortal life. A shock sequence in the first season finale shows memories of her past, including repeated "deaths" of different types spanning centuries. In a special feature included in the series' fifth DVD, she and Lelouch discuss Washington's Rebellion, during which she speaks of participants such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin as if she had been close friends with both. She claims to have entered into contracts with hundreds of people over her lifetime, almost none of which could reach the point of taking on her immortality.
One of her previous contracts was with Marianne, Lelouch's mother. When she aided Marianne with helping Charles achieve his goal, C.C. was made head of the Geass Order, a secret organization that studies and produces Geass users. However, when news of Marianne's death came to her, C.C. left the order, leaving V.V. to take over the operations. It would only be later that C.C. was captured by a Britannian envoy under Clovis, who took an interest in the girl's immortality and intended to bring her to Pendragon. However, that led to a chain of events to occur in the ruins of Tokyo.
First Season
C.C. is introduced in the first episode, where she emerges from a fake gas capsule seized by Japanese rebels. She saves Lelouch Lamperouge from the Britannian soldiers trying to recapture her, taking the shot intended for him, and grants him the power of Geass on the condition that he grant her greatest wish. Lelouch accepts and is granted the power to control people's actions. Since she appears to have died following this, he leaves her body behind.
She unexpectedly reappears in the fifth episode, casually folding origami with Nunnally. From this point on she passively oversees Lelouch's missions as Zero, wanting to keep him alive so he can fulfill his contract, often going as far as wearing his clothes and impersonating him when situations become life-threatening.
When C.C.'s existence is revealed to the Black Knights, she gains considerable unofficial standing, as she is seen by other members to be one of Zero's closest advisers, if not his top adviser. However, her willful attitude and lack of an official posting annoys some veteran members and causes confusion as to her role within the Black Knights. At one point, Tamaki goes so far as to accuse her of being a member only because she's Zero's lover, a claim which she coldly denies. When the Black Knights gain possession of the Knightmare Frame Gawain, she becomes its pilot while Lelouch operates the weapons.
In the season finale, she uses the Gawain to battle Jeremiah Gottwald's Siegfried so Lelouch can save his sister. She kisses Lelouch before she drags both the Siegfried and herself to the ocean floor to end the battle while narrating that the spark of Lelouch's actions was the core of human motivation: the desire for just a small amount of happiness. According to Yukana in a conference memo, C.C. was crushed by the water pressure, but being immortal, ultimately drifted to the surface and revived; it is stated that it was too gruesome to be shown.
Second Season
At the start of the second season, C.C. appears to be commanding the Black Knights. She and the rest of the surviving Black Knights initiate an operation to unlock Zero's memory that was sealed away by the Emperor of Britannia. Despite the Intelligence Agency having followed Lelouch in anticipation of that exact outcome, she is successful in restoring his memories by the kiss. She takes up her old position following this.
After pinpointing the location of the Geass Order, Lelouch orders C.C. to lead the attack against it. She reluctantly kills V.V.'s direct subordinates when they attempt to escape by bullet train in order to bury the existence of Geass, apologizing for leaving them to their own devices. C.C. later reveals her wish to Lelouch after he is transported to the Sword of Akasha to face the Emperor, explaining that her greatest wish is to die and as Lelouch is not ready, she is offering it to Charles. Lelouch tells her she shouldn't die looking unhappy, promising he will make her smile while saving her. However, in the attempt, C.C.'s memories of everything past the day she acquired her Geass are lost, reverting her to a frightened slave girl. Believing himself to be responsible, Lelouch confines C.C. to his quarters and attempts to make her comfortable.
After Lelouch's identity is exposed to the Black Knights and he is evacuated by Rolo, Marianne takes over Anya's body and uses it to locate C.C. and restore her memories. The two then leave for Kamine Island, rescuing Suzaku along the way. Marianne enters the Sword of Akasha, while C.C. stays behind to speak with Suzaku. She compares herself to him, as both have a death wish they cannot fulfill. Suzaku denies this and has C.C. take them to the Sword of Akasha. C.C.'s presence allows the Emperor to begin the Ragnarök Connection. When Lelouch turns the tables and the collective unconsciousness destroys Charles and Marianne, C.C. is spared their fate because she has turned against their plan.
Later on, after Lelouch seizes the Britannian throne, C.C. comforts him when he is troubled on what to do about Nunnally being aligned against him. Before heading into battle, C.C. asks Lelouch if he hates her for giving him Geass and changing his fate. Lelouch explains that he's grateful, both to Geass and her, for allowing him to move forward. She smiles and says this is the first time she's ever met a man like him. Lelouch says her name and they begin walking toward each other. They are interrupted when Kallen attacks in the Guren, ready to kill Lelouch. C.C. intervenes in her Lancelot, buying Lelouch time to escape, telling him to come back so he can make her smile. She engages in battle against Kallen. During their battle, Kallen questions her lack of motivation, and asks if C.C. loves Lelouch. C.C. isn't sure about the matter, still wanting to put an end to her unending life. C.C. is easily defeated, but ejects to safety, surprised that she even cares about winning or losing. During Lelouch's planned assassination, she prays for him at a church, shedding a single tear while commenting on the price he's paying for using Geass on others.
During the epilogue, C.C. is seen traveling the countryside in the back of a cart. She talks about how the Geass is supposed to bring loneliness, yet Lelouch proved this wrong. With the knowledge that Lelouch did not hate her for giving him the Geass, she is now able to express her true feelings addressing Lelouch.
Abilities
C.C. has the power of the "Code", which renders her immortal, capable neither of aging nor of being killed by conventional means. She has been shot fatally a number of times, crushed by water pressure, burned at the stake, beheaded by a guillotine, and placed in an iron maiden, and each time she survived and eventually recovered. C.C. also has the ability to bestow people with the power of Geass, which manifests differently in each person but generally carries the ability to affect the minds of those it is used on in some way.
When touching another person, C.C. can afflict them with a hallucinatory experience (if need be) of chaotic and ominous images, pertaining in part to the memories of the target involved; the content varies with the afflicted. Physical contact, either direct or via a Knightmare Frame, may facilitate the process. Suzaku is shown images of his father (whom he murdered) as well as parts of C.C.'s memories, driving him into a panic. It tends to activate involuntarily at various points, such as when Lelouch's Geass becomes permanently active. This effect is described as 'a merging of consciousnesses'. The Geass sigil on her forehead glows whenever she manifests this power.
She is also able to cancel the effects of Geass from a person, this power being the reason she was being studied by Bartley Asprius. The only time she is seen using it, however, is when she releases Lelouch from his father's Geass. Bartley successfully copied this ability and from this created the Geass Canceler, which he then implanted into Jeremiah Gottwald. It is unknown whether this power manifests itself in any "Code" bearer or C.C. is a special case.
Apart from her psionic abilities, C.C. is a capable leader, able to rescue Lelouch from Britannian traps, handle firearms with some proficiency, and seems to be a skilled unarmed fighter as well. She is also an accomplished Knightmare pilot, able to pilot both standard Knightmare Frames as well as copilot the Gawain with Lelouch. In the Picture Dramas, during a discussion with Kallen, she states that she has the ability to do almost anything but chooses to let others do it.
Before becoming immortal, C.C.'s Geass, as contracted with a nun during apparently medieval times, granted her the power "to be loved," which allowed her to make anyone love her unconditionally. She originally started with a Geass symbol in her left eye, but as the power matured, she eventually developed another in her right eye, and became unable to control it, causing everyone to love her except the nun. After she became bored by the entranced society around her, the nun who had bound the Geass contract to her forced her "Code" into C.C., as signified by the Geass sigil on the nun's forehead transferring to hers. The ordeal also burned a similarly-shaped scar under her left breast. The nun, freed of the "Code", dies, and C.C. takes up the "Code" and everything that goes with it: the loss of her original Geass, immortality, immunity to other Geass, and the ability to bestow Geass on others.
Appearances in Other Media
Lost Colors
In Code Geass: Lost Colors, the video game for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable, there are a several different endings and clips of C.C. involving the main character, Rai. C.C. usually meets with Rai involving his memories and his Geass and is often concerned about him.
After C.C. left Lelouch's room with a box of pizza and entered Rai's room, C.C. then eat at his bed and encountered him. Depending on the first and the second choices the player makes won't affect the ending of the scene. In the first choice, if the player chooses either to "recall the incident at the airport" or "get angry", Rai unknowingly used his Geass on C.C., which she commented that because of her time with Nunnally has Rai manage to remember how to use Geass. C.C. later offered Rai to join the Black Knights, which caught Rai by surprise, and C.C. commented it would be easier to watch over him. This next scene involves the second choices, which won't affect the end. If the player chooses to accept C.C.'s offer, she becomes surprised as she thought he would refuse, which led Rai commenting her knowledge about Geass and trusts her decision. If the player chooses to refuse C.C.'s offer, she tells him not to bear a grudge on her if he unconsciously used Geass on Nunnally, which Rai suddenly thought about it and becomes upset if he were to unknowingly used geass. This led to Rai deciding to accept her offer if he would prevent others from getting involved.
Nightmare of Nunnally
In the manga spin-off series, Nemo appeared in a capsule with C.C. by its side and was picked up by Nunnally. When Nunnally is about to be killed, Nemo grants her a Geass ability that turns her body into Knightmare-like armor. During the process, C.C. sees Lelouch's plan to destroy Britannia with the newly formed Black Knights and acts as his double. In this continuity, it is revealed that once C.C. was known as the "Witch of Britannia" and was the rival and foe of Joan of Arc, known as the "Witch of Orleans", during the Hundred Years' War.[1][2]
In Chapter 13, it is revealed that in this timeline, it was C.C. who killed Genbu Kururugi, not Suzaku; she did this to protect Lelouch and Nunnally, whom Genbu planned on killing.
Code Geass (manga)
C.C. is present in the manga with only a few differences in her appearances. She is discovered in a plane crash and she appears before Lelouch creates a plan to save Suzaku.
Suzaku of the Counterattack
Despite the plot differences, C.C.'s role is nearly identical to that of the anime. She is freed by Lelouch and Suzaku and gives Lelouch his Geass. Lelouch then takes C.C. back with him to Ashford Academy. Due to being grievously wounded shortly after freeing her, Suzaku does not recognize C.C.
Renya of Darkness
Set in the Edo period, C.C. appeared in an armor that was said to resemble that of Portuguese Jesuits and witnessed the attack led by Isshin Sumeragi on Renya's village. She later appeared before an injured Renya when he saw his friends being captured and threw his Shuriken at her. C.C. remained alive, however, which shocked Renya. She offered him a contract in exchange for the power to save his friends, which Renya accepted, and C.C. started the process. In the middle of it all, C.C. was surprised by a spark that appeared to be hurting Renya and by the appearance of an unknown long-haired figure bearing a resemblance to Lelouch. After that she asked Renya his name and revealed that he had somehow "failed".
Another Century's Episode: R
C.C. will make her appearance in the forth upcoming title, Another Century's Episode: R video game in her Knightmare Frame, Akatsuki Command Model C.C. Custom.
While in battle with Lelouch and the Black Knights in their respective world, an unknown black energy has sucked her in with Lelouch and Kallen and transported in Eria, the A.C.E. R's main world.
Super Robot Wars Z 2 Hakai-Hen
C.C. and the rest of the Code Geass R1 cast will make their debut to the Super Robot Wars franchise in this game, using their R1 Knightmares.
Nunnally in Wonderland
In a special OVA parody episode, based on the Alice in Wonderland story, C.C. appears in the role as a fitting and enigmatic Cheshire Cat.[3]