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ローゼンメイデン 
Well, this pretty much 'concludes' the Chinese Federation arc for the time being, which is about time because there's no much time left if the writers want to conclude the series at the end of this season. Much to my dismay, however, next week we are back to Ashford High shenanigans again. Of course it's possible that a new development will emerge next week but I remember that this kind of episode usually only shows some kind of a twist at the end of the episode. I do hope that there'll be no new character introduced between now till the end of the season. I don't think there will be enough time to develop said character and giving him/her all sorts of relationship with other characters. On the other hand, I like what the writers have done so far with Anya. When she started, she was just like Gino, an additional grunt to help Suzaku with his job. Now, however, she seems to be tied closely to both Lelouch and C.C as far as background story goes.
Continuing from the previous episode, Ashford students are standing in front of the student council, wondering if Milly is safe. Inside, 'Lelouch' tells the other student council members that Milly apologized because it seems she won't be able to buy souvenirs. The others are relieved to hear this so 'Lelouch' suggests that they probably should let the other students know about this. Upon seeing Shirley crying from relief, 'Lelouch' offers her his handkerchief, surprising Shirley in the process. Upon seeing this, Rolo tells 'Lelouch' that he wants to talk. As the student council announces Milly's safe escape, Rolo and 'Lelouch' are talking about 'Lelouch' performance as the real thing. The two then enter the briefing room, where 'Lelouch' reveals that he's actually Saeko wearing Lelouch mask. Sayako is informed by Villetta that Zero is facing a crisis. Saeko is surprised to hear this since the last she heard, Zero achieved a stalemate with the Chinese Federation but Villetta tells her and Rollo that Schneizel and Knights of Round are now involved in the battle.
Back in the Chinese Federation, Tamaki asks everyone what to do since reinforcement is clearly not coming. Ougi asks him to calm down since they have Tianzi, believing that their enemy would not foolishly attack them. His theory is proven to be false when tremors are felt around the area. Zero guesses correctly that the Chinese Federation are bombing all 88 Imperial tombs with the intention of crushing them. In other words, the Eunuchs have forsaken Tianzi completely. Zero is not the only one who's unhappy about this. Li orders the Eunuchs to stop the attack, reminding them that Tianzi is still inside the area. Instead of heeding the request, the Eunuchs tell him that the place is a resting place for all of the previous Tianzis so they plan to bury the present Tianzi over there and replace her with a new Tianzi. Li is enraged to hear this but before he can do anything else, he's been blocked by Gino and his frame. Meanwhile, C.C tells Lelouch that he'll help the others in Akatsuki. Before she left, Lelouch asks her to run away if things get dangerous.
Things get worse when the second unit air-strike arrives, causing the crew to believe that their Ikaruga won't stand if things continue as they are. Outside, Ougi expertly dodges air missiles using his new wing pack. C.C realizes that they are outnumbered since the MP units are also here. True enough, Modred then comes and unleashes its lasers to the enemy. In the control room, Nina points out that if Modred canon to the grave, it can destroy the enemy. Schneizel explains that while this is true, they can't do this because others will see them as Tianzi's killer. Because of this, the last attack must be delivered by the Eunuchs. Meanwhile, Zero informs the Eunuchs that he's going to surrender but they claim that they don't want Tianzi anymore since she's just as system that can't be used for trading now. Zero realizes that the Eunuchs just want to be Britannian nobles by giving their territory and making unfair laws. Zero is angry to hear this because they abandoned their people and sell their country. Meanwhile Ikaruga reaches their limit since the 2nd and 5th radiation shield has stopped. This means that Deck no longer has protection.
Meanwhile, Tianzi has had enough and decides to go out to stop the battle. Of course no one is stopping on her order, instead they want to kill her. As a result, Li has no choice but to protect Tianzi with Shenhu's remaining armor. Li then asks Tianzi to leave since she's outside but hasn't seen much yet. Tianzi refuses because she wants to come with him. Li feels sad that he can't safe Tianzi and wishes that someone would just come and save her. Much to his surprise, Zero comes out and tells him that he'll reply to his wish. Just as the Eunuchs deliver their last devastating attack on the area and Ikaruga, something emerges from the smoke. Everyone is shocked because it's actually a Knightmare Frame which is capable of protecting not only Li but also Tianzi. Zero wonders if the Chinese Federation is still going into battle with him. When the Eunuchs orders the troops to attack him, Zero uses the same druid system used by Gawain. Laksharta then introduces her latest creation, Knightmare Frame Shinkirou, the absolute defense in the world. Zero then uses his canon to blast all of the Chinese Federation's troops and the Eunuchs.
Zero then tells Li that the only one he can rely on is Zero and his troops. Li doesn't think that Zero can defend them all using his frame but Zero assures him that what determines the outcome is not real-time tactics but strategy. He then informs the Eunuchs that there's a revolt in Shanghai. The Eunuchs realizes that Zero has broadcasted their conversation to the people of China. The revolt is not just in Shanghai but spreads to other province like Beijing. The enemy thinks this is just a plan without backup but Diethard thinks otherwise. He thinks the people are their backup. Chiba and C.C then flank Anya from both side, making it impossible for her to attack anyone else. Despite this, they find it hard to penetrate her shield. For some reason, however, C.C makes an unintentional mind-link with Anya, seeing her memory of Lelouch and Marianne. The two of them are shocked but the effects are more profound on Anya, who drops her guard, letting another Black Knight to attack her from behind. Tristan orders the ground troops to protect Modred but the Black Knight then comes out with the ground troops to attack the troops that are about to protect Modred.
Britannia thinks they can win if they attack using their air troops but Schneizel wants them to pull out. He realizes that Black Knight has the support of the people of China. As a result, the Eunuch has no right to represent the Chinese Federation to join their union. Inside his frame, Lelouch realizes that this is the kind of decision that his brother will make having said that...Schneizel wonders what the Emperor would have done instead. Meanwhile, Li has attack the Eunuch's base and kills them. Zero then comes and asks what happened to Kallen but as it turns out, the Eunuchs has handed her to the Knight of Seven, aka Suzaku. Lelouch is angry to hear this since he realizes that Suzaku wants to take everything away from him. Meanwhile, V.V and Jeremiah are in a land far from Britannia. They also bring with them the general who last experimented on Jeremiah to tune him again. Back in the Chinese Federation, Tianzi and Li renews their vow by using pinky fingers again. Li promises to protect her from now on. Diethard suggests that they marry Tianzi to a Japanese but all the girls including Kaguya, C.C, and Chiba are against this since they want Tianzi to choose because of love.
When Tamaki insists on talking to him, Zero uses the opportunity to think the decision through. Tamaki, of course, wants Zero to decide his position in the group but Zero sees that Shirley has called him. As it turns out, Shirley just want to talk about Milly's graduation party. She thinks if they do it in the classroom, Rivalz will leak it to her. Lelouch uses the opportunity to ask her how to break up a couple. Upon finding out that the couple doesn't want to break up, Shirley tells him not to do it since love is power. Lelouch realizes that he too has done something because of his love for Nunnally. Because of this, Zero goes out and tells Tianzi that her future belongs to her. He explains that whether it is the people of China or the Black Knight, they're still standing because the powers of their heart. Back in Ashford, Shirley thinks how the current Lelouch behaves strangely in that he sometimes acts kind to her. Just as she thinks about this, she bumps into fake Lelouch in the library. Because 'Lelouch' wants to ensure that she doesn't see the secret door, 'he' decides to kiss her. At the same time, the real Lelouch decides to move back to Area 11 to solve Kallen's situation.
Lelouch also wants to investigate the cult of Geass users. He thinks if they can influence the cult, they can win against the Emperor. C.C reminds him that the existence of the cult has been hidden. Also, everytime the leader changes, the cult moves. Lelouch thinks that the current hideout is in Chinese Federeation. C.C tells him that's what the leader after her, V.V says. Upon hearing this, Lelouch asks C.C to stay in the Chinese Federation and inform him if she finds anything about the cult. Back in Area 11, Rollo uses the intelligence secret hideout to greet Lelouch, who's back to the country. Lelouch immediately asks Sayako if something happened while he was gone. Rollo is happy to have Lelouch back and asks him if he'll be around for a while. Lelouch confirms this but tells the guy that he has to find a way to deal with Knights of the Round. When they get inside, Lelouch is surprised to see a depressed Shirley. Lelouch and Rollo, however, are more surprised when they see Anya and Gino in the school uniform. It seems from here on, the two of them will become a student at the Ashford High School as well.
Highlights
* Sayako revealing herself as the 2nd Lelouch. Not really a surprise anymore for me but it's still nifty to see.
* Lelouch being concerned for C.C's safety. It's kind of nice to see him starting to care about the people around him. I mean he was kind of like that too before but it was a bit too focused on Nunnaly and to a certain extent, Suzaku.
* The toilet paper analogy used by the Eunuchs was LOL-worthy and kind of sad. It's nice to know that your leader care about you. Not.
* Shinkirou. A much better frame than Shenhu. It seems built like a tank with the absolute defense power.
* Zero playing the saviour role. It's kind of amusing since he was the one who started this whole mess.
* OMG, Lelouch does have a sister complex. When thinking about the person that he loves, he's thinking of Nunnally.
* The power of the heart and Diethard's lack of it. LOL
* The way Lelouch and C.C addresses each other as "Little boy" and "Witch".
Impression
That was a pretty good conclusion to the Chinese Federation arc. It looks like Lelouch had planned it all so that the people of China will revolt against the Eunuchs and he also knew that Schneizel will react just as he predicted. Now that this arc is over, I hope we can now move to the real meat of the story, which is C.C's and the occult story. First thing first, however, I was surprised to see C.C being able to mind-probe Anya. I wonder if there is some kind of connection between the two. I can't remember why she could read Suzaku as well. Is it because Suzaku had traumatic childhood that he keeps that guilty feeling inside of him? In that case, Anya's memory of Lelouch and Marianne must be quite strong to the point that C.C can also pick it up immediately. Moving along, shame about them not being able to save Kallen but I suspect the writers intentionally do this so they don't have to give her a role while Lelouch deals with the situation back in Area 11 and while the whole cult storyline plays out. Personally, I think it's likely that she'll be used against Zero by Suzaku although I have no idea in what capacity or if she'll actually go against Zero.
Preview
Shinkirou rocks! With that and Guren (once they get Kallen back), Black Knights have some seriously powerful frames on their hand. And the nice thing about it is that they are all different in style and purpose unlike the ones that hack Lloyd designs (Lancelot and its ilks).
Is that Nunnaly holding Arthur in the preview? I recognised the dress.
Seems like a rather boring episode. I don't really like this particular part of the story. But next week looks interesting and funny again.
Any theory as to why C.C can connect with Anya? Does she just automatically read every single memory she comes into contact with or does she just read specific people? What triggers this?
argh i need kallen back!! damn suzaku, well i cant wait for the subs cuz i saw it raw and yah... i wonder how cornelia will appear in the next episode..
I think Anya could be one of the Emperor's childrens (how many women did he sleep with?) It would explain why she has memories of Lulu and Marianne.
And Kallen is so screwed. I'll bet Suzaku will give her the same mind lobotomy that he gave to Lulu.
Finally Lelouch gets a Knightmare frame that he can use well. Shinkirou rocks. (But still, no Knightmare Frame or Gundam mech is a match for a Valkyrie VF fighter.)
@Wererat. Considering how much she resembles the young Marianne, I would not be surprise if she turns out to be a clone of Marianne spliced with the genes of C.C. (Hench the comment "Evangelion? Eat your heart out"
Well, Sayoko IS the Super Ninja Maid. The 'moment of unexpected yuri' is kinda screwed up, though... especially once Shirley confronts Lulu later with the kiss that he doesn't know about.
What the hell do they have on their heads in the next episode?
@anna_w
That is the girls uniform for the jr. high students at Ashford. So it could be anybody.
I don't know if the writers would have Nunnaly go back to Ashford because I don't think that she would be able to keep up the act of pretending that Lulu isn't her brother. Not that she would have to because she was never geassed, but it would be too much of a give away for Lulu. But if it really was Nunnaly holding Arthur it would mean that she IS back (or going back to) Ashford Academy. Or, she just developed a new love for cosplay... Or (and I'm going with this one), it's Anya.
I don't see why Sayoko had to kiss (because I'm asuming that's what she did...) Shirley. I mean, there were a million other ways to stop her from seeing the secret door. ...Well, someone is trying to screw Shirley's life up again...
Given that Sayako's only seen Lelouch's interactions with Shirley - and not the rest of his harem - it's not too unnatural for her to make moves on Shirley on Lelouch's behalf.
As for the preview picture with Arthur, it's more likely it's Anya, given that the person seems to be standing in the shot and the number of scenes between the feline and Anya.
People, Cornelia is back. Take a look at the preview for next week's episode carefully. If you have slow motion playback you may want to use it.
The frame after the image of someone holding Arthur and the one before Lelouch and Sayako switch places in the Elevator to the secret room in the library.
A MASK! Hahaha! Oh god, this show gets more ridiculous every week.
After watching this episode, I realized 2 things.
1) Suzaku has completely lost it. He has no way of redeeming himself anymore unless he offers his head on a silver platter to Zero.
2) Concerning Suzaku I am reminded of two quotes:
a)"Absolute power corrupts absolutely." -Drago Museveni
b) "It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it." - Aung San Suu Kyi
Ooo! I thought about the Anya being Marianne's clone too. Thank goodness the series is back on track. Last week was so disjointed and chaotic...
I really enjoyed Shirley's little speech about what it's like to be in love with someone. Knit a scarf? Jump off a waterfall screaming their name? Haha. Got kind of worried there though... Lelouch going out of his way for someone... like he did for Kallen? ...But he thinks about Nunnally. Phew.
Also thought it was really cute how Lelouch picks up after CC... he's such a housewife!
I want Suzaku to just die already. His tactics are disgusting and actually uses people who are important to Zero. Zero might be many things but he has never used people that Suzaku knew knowingly, Euphemia included since that was an accident.
Anya is Marianne clone? I wouldn't discount that considering how Sunrise likes to borrow elements from other popular anime. But then again this series is more supernatural based than science based so I don't think we'll go to a cloning territory. The only things that's close to technology in this show are just the frames. Everything else are either political or supernatural.
Shinkirou should be renamed Strike Freedom. I mean what with the keyboard and the multiple unit aiming and all right?
It would be cool if Anya were actually the 'real' nunally in disguise while the current 'nunally' is actually a fake! But who knows.
I hope the next episode will show more Gino and Anya. I think they are underrated and can be a bit more fun than Suzaku.
How old is Tianzi? I can't help but creep out that for some reason this series think it's okay for her to crush on XingKe, who's at least 2 times older than her real age.
metatron_220:
LOL don't get me started, I have had elementary kids disliking me because they had a crush on their teacher who happens to be my wife.
Back to the main topic: From the preview shown, I wonder what will happen when Sayako (as Lelouch) somehow starts showing athletic abilities that Lelouch doesn't really have. And I bet that weird thing that everyone seems to be wearing on their head is another 'romance couple' contest (we already know from the pictures that Lelouch was looking at in a previous episode that there has already been a contest like that where Rivalz won) and judging by the fact that Milly returned safe from her trip to the CF, I bet it's an event to celebrate her return and most likly Shirley and Lelouch(Sayako's) kiss.
Few comments on this ep:
Aw, Lelouch calling Shirley for advice on relationships.... so cute
Few comments on this ep:
Aw, Lelouch calling Shirley for advice on relationships.... so cute
XingkeXTianzi.... very cute too. I don't mind about the age difference for some reason. I wonder how old she is too though...?
I'm so excited that Cornelia (apparently) is back though! I've missed seeing her.... she's been away for so long I thought she might have died but they just didn't tell us or something.
Lastly, Orenji-kun with the same powers as CC? Did they really say that?
Quite an interesting review like always.
Thanks Garten for all the time you take ^^
Judging from your summary and from the pics I think this episode is quite interesting. I'm disappointed to see the preview cause it looks much like a filler episode.
@anna-w
I don't think that this is Nunnaly holding Arthur the Cat. Judging from the uniform it could be everyone but I highly believe that this is Anya.
About the issue with XingKe X Tianzi.
I think it's just a development which is quite often seen in some anime. I don't mind the age difference I mind more about the fact that she was going to be forced to marry that old man from Britania. Comparing both man I would say that XingKe is the best choice ^^
I also don't believe that this is really love what connects the both of them. I strongly believe that's only a deep friendship with some kind of calf love on the site of Tianzi. On XingKe's site it seems more like a deep gratitude.
I hope that makes sense cause english is not my first language. Sorry for the gramatical mistakes :)
Gartan: Correct me if I am wrong, but in my opinion and from what was said in the episode, I don't think Zero is entirely responsible for organizing the entire rebellion in the chinese Federation.
1) Xingke said that ever since he made the promise to Tianzi 6 years ago he has been working to fullfill that promise
2) Zero said that he was using 'his other plan' (as in Xingke's other plan I think) so it's most likely that Xingke had for the past years secretly planning to commit a coup against the eunuchs and at the same time have mass rebellions all over their territories.
So I think Lelouch had somehow managed to find out (in Episode 10, in the elevator with CC Lelouch mentions something about using a truth serum called Geass to find some secret from Xingke's troops) about Xingke's intention to overthrow the eunuchs and use it to the advantage of the Black Knights. All Zero did was just sped up Xingke's plans and used mass media to reveal the evilness of those not-men, not-women pigs.
Novan, more or less. I believed that Zero was the one who came up with the plan to use the people to rally up behind him. I think Li planned to overthrow the Eunuchs but he was doing it using simple means (attacks, etc). Zero basically added the fine details that makes the victory irrefutable.
Garten: Even Schneizel himself said that it seems Zero had used a plan which was already set in motion, and then Zero said 'Your other plan' (meaning Xingke). Because even Kanon thought that for Zero to have organized such a large scale rebellion across so many areas within 10 days of just arriving in the CF was too fast. So actually I think it was Xingke originally planting the seeds of dissent against the corrupt callous government and Zero just provided 'Super grow formula A+' by having Diethard spread the word and Zero trapping the Eunuchs into revealing just how big of a pigs they were. Zero took Xingke's plans and made use of it to his advantage.
Anyway, in my opinion of Xingke though he may be as intelligent as Lelouch, Xingke's forte is in tactics rather than strategies, while for Lelouch it is the opposite. The two of them combined would make a dangerous pair and a significant threat to Britannia now.
Looking at the opening sequence of R2, when Lelouch is riding on his white horse and over looks a shipyard and sees an ocean full of warships, I think those are Britannia ships coming to attack the United States' Alliance.
My opinion of Code Geass: of all the animes ever made, I think this series has a strong impact and opinion of real world politics and international relationships.
I want suzaku to eat dirt for once and for all.
damn it DAMN IT suzaku MUST DIE HE MUST BE WIPED OUT OF HIS EXISTENCE
HE IS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE IN THE ANIME
>:[
I hope that authors don't decide that Kallen will be killed like Euphemia was in first season x_x'
Like all events remember the first season, this is possible ¬¬'
@Garten: umm, there are actually new characters about to be showing in the incoming episodes and in fact they are 2 members of the Imperial family...and also the other four Knights of Rounds....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Code_Geass_characters
And also, I'm guessing that Suzaku might bring Kallen to the emperor and have her memory modified (like what he did to Lelouch) and if that's possible, I swear I'm gonna kill him.....btw join the Kururugi Suzaku must die club here: http://myanimelist.net/clubs.php?cid=476
XingkeX Tianzi pairing is cute!!!
Sayako kissing Shirley, shojo-ai anyone?
oh yeah, 4got to mention: the music video of Code Geass R2 ending is released
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcT722ngVEI
LOL with Diethard, He is so HEARTLESS XDDD
The heart powah part reminded me to the "life is like a glass part" seriously, the writers must be on crack.
I must be the only one who was cringing during the whole "Love is power" part. It sounds like an after-school special where Lelouch learns that love is better than force. Gag me.
And yeah, it's time for Suzaku to go. I seriously have no idea how they can reconcile him back with Lelouch. There's just too much bad blood between them now. I don't think they can go back to being friends again.
As I said before, Suzaku has gone bad rotten.
In R1, he was idealistic and naive, now he is just plain retarded.
He was willing to accept the fact that a 14 year old girl was to marry someone old enough to be her grandfather for the sake of 'peace' and later he was willing to accept the fact that the same girl should be sacrificed.
Also remember when he returned to Ashford and on the night of the school festival where he told lelouch his desire to become Knight of One so he can rule over Area 11...well what makes him believe that he would be a capable governor to the oppressed Japanese people, it would still be britannian territory and if the emperor ordered him to kill the Japanese he would still have to do it since he is under the chain of command.
Also how better will it be for the Japanese if he was governor instead of a brit, sure they may be safer and may have more freedoms, but still they are in the end under the rule of the Britannian empire. I also doubt if any Japanese would accept him as governor, for the Japanese it would be like out of the fire, but still in the frying pan.
Well we can't blame Sayako for acting the way she is, in the CG picture books she thought Lelouch and Suzaku were having a relationship (yaoi), that Lelouch is into incest and that he cross dresses. Sayako's Diary segments are just so funny.
So yeah she would go kiss Shirley as Lelouch, LMAO.
To everyone who ever wondered...
Tianzi is 13. (Kagura is 14.)
"The power of heart and Diethard's lack of it."
ROFL Good one, Garten!!
I've seen sketches of Marianne when she was younger (21 years younger, to be exact) and she looks exactly like Anya. I mean, hair and everything. Oh, please, Sunrise, please don't turn this into another cliche plot and make Anya turn out to be Marianne's clone!! Please!!! At least make her Marianne's little sister...or...even daughter is even better than a clone (for me, anyway...).
@Novan
By "picture books" do you mean the manga?
suzumi: they are in the DVD releases, not manga
@Novan
Then it's probably just parody.
Has there been information about this cult prior to this episode? I just feel that all of a sudden C.C is talking about the cult like Lelouch has already known it for a while. I didn't even know that she used to be the leader of the cult and was replaced by V.V.
suzumi: they aren't parodies, they are part of Code Geass, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Code_Geass_media
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sayoko_Shinozaki
That surprised me was how this revealed Lulu's total lack of manliness. Both C.C. AND Sayoko have now acted as him...and no one seems to have noticed any physical differences. WOW.
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