The Code Geass franchise is filled with a cast of interesting and compelling characters who do a great job of supporting the intricately laid out plot in each anime series. While they can hardly rival the amount of thought and character development worked into main protagonists like Lelouch, Akito, and Rozé, they still managed to leave their mark among Code Geass’ slew of unique personalities.
From the original Lelouch of the Rebellion series to 2024’s Rozé of the Recapture, these characters carved their own plot within a complex story of war, human strife, and questionable moralities. They enrich the franchise by showing the scope of the consequences of needless conflict and supernatural abilities that are beyond one’s own understanding. That, and they are simply a downright pleasure to see on-screen.
10. Sakura Haruyanaginomiya Breaks Free From Her Puppet Strings
Sakura, from Rozé of the Recapture, is the loyal childhood friend of Sakuya Sumeragi, as well as her body double who acts as a decoy during desperate situations. In the wake of Neo-Britannia’s uprising, she was captured in Sakuya’s place when they were children. Believed to be the real Sakuya, Sakura was held at Abashiri prison for years before she was forced to ascend as the empress of Neo-Britannia’s puppet regime.
Sakura starts out as a weak and powerless character; however, her devotion to Sakuya and the Japanese people lend her the courage to take the reins herself rather than sitting around waiting for instruction. Sakura, trapped in a position where she is surrounded by enemies, manages to use what little power she holds and realize that she is capable of far more than being dressed up as a decoy or figurehead.
9. Villetta Nu Opens her Mind to Happiness
Villetta Nu is one of the Britannia purists, referred to as the “Purebloods,” who fought under the command of Lord Jeremiah Gottwald before he was presumed dead after the Battle of Narita. She later falls in love with Kaname Ohgi after an incident with Shirley Fenette (Diethard in the rewritten timeline of the recap movies) left her with amnesia.
Villetta’s character growth is often overlooked in the series because of her role as one of the less integral—but no less important—figures of the story. She begins as a Britannian noblewoman whose primary concern was to rise in station before meeting Ohgi in her amnesiac state. Regaining her memories did not stop her feelings for him, and eventually, she came to value something more than her noble status in the Britannian Empire.
8. Kaname Ohgi Kept His Best Friend’s Memory Alive
Kaname Ohgi is the leader of the resistance group that would later become the very first iteration of the Black Knights. As the group grows, Ohgi is appointed deputy commander by Zero, becoming the General Secretary after the formation of the United Federation of Nations, and, later, he holds a position as the Prime Minister of the United States of Japan by the end of R2.
Kaname Ohgi is a pacifist by nature who often prefers to solve things diplomatically, but he isn’t above using force or violence when he sees no other option. In truth, holding a leadership position was never on his agenda, as he always wanted a simple life as a school teacher. It was the death of his best friend, Naoto, that kept him going through hard times; Ohgi wanted to honor Naoto’s memory by fighting for his dream of seeing Japan freed from Britannia’s tyranny.
7. Lloyd Asplund is a Mad Scientist by Default
Lloyd Asplund is the scientist and engineer responsible for the development of the Lancelot, the world’s first seventh-generation knightmare frame. He becomes Suzaku’s commanding officer in the first few arcs of the series and becomes engaged to Milly Ashford due to his status as an Earl, which is later called off after Milly graduates from high school.
Lloyd is a self-proclaimed sociopath who seems to put science and research above all else. He’s a strange man who often does what he pleases in the name of breaching scientific limits and rarely questions situations as long as he’s able to accomplish some form of scientific feat or conduct research. However, he does show the subtleties of genuine concern for those around him, particularly Cecile Croomy and Suzaku Kururugi.
6. Anya Alstreim Wins the Simple Life She Needs
Anya Alstreim is the Knight of Six of the Round Table, a faction of elite knights who serve directly under the Britannian Emperor. She is one of the youngest people to have held a title as a Knight of the Round, with the other being Ash Phoenix, and is often seen in the company of Gino Weinberg. She has Geass-induced amnesia, caused by Marianne vi Britannia transferring her consciousness into Anya when she was young.
Anya is a quiet but entertaining character, most loved for the cluelessness that causes her to do borderline insane things, such as using the Mordred, her knightmare, and a massive military weapon, to participate in a simple school event. Anya also possesses a slightly ruthless apathy in battle, as she doesn’t seem to flinch when it comes to matters of taking life despite being so young. Fortunately, she gains her memories by the end of Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 and retires from military life to run an orange farm with Jeremiah Gottwald.
5. Yukiya Naruse is a Ride or Die for His Friends
Yukiya Naruse, a character from Akito the Exiled, is a young Japanese man who lived in the gutters of society in the European Union, as did many other Japanese citizens when they fled in the wake of their country’s defeat at Britannia’s hands. He is an expert on explosives and is one of the three surviving members of the Japanese rebel group of teens who were simply trying to find a way to survive in a political climate that constantly trampled on their freedom.
Yukiya may be small and skinny in stature, but he possesses a fierce—and occasionally unhinged—loyalty towards those he considers his friends. For example, after the attempted kidnapping of General Smilas, Yukiya attempts to try to save Ryo and Ayano by strapping multiple explosives to his chest and threatening to blow himself up if his friends weren’t immediately released.
4. Li Xingke is a Man of Great Talent and Honor
Li Xingke was a faction leader in the Chinese Federation that resisted the tyranny of the High-Eunuchs. He later became the general commander of the Black Knights before presumedly dying from an unknown disease after the events of Lelouch of the Rebellion R2. Xingke was noted to be a man of great intelligence and exceptional combat prowess, rivaling both Lelouch and Suzaku in either regard.
Xingke’s only hindrance was the unknown disease eating away at his life, as well as the moral code he strictly abides by. Xingke is highly devoted to the underprivileged masses of the Chinese Federation and more loyal to Tianzi, the child empress who had once saved his life. He made it his life’s mission to protect her and see her dreams realized, going as far as nearly giving his life to save her from the attacks of Britannian forces.
3. Schneizel El Britannia Was Lelouch’s Greatest Foe
Schneizel el Britannia was the second imperial prince of the Holy Britannian Empire as well as its acting prime minister during the events of Lelouch of the Rebellion. He was also known as the White Prince for his charismatic nature and considered a cold-blooded strategist for his political ruthlessness. However, after the empire’s fall in the wake of 99th Emperor Lelouch’s death, Schneizel becomes the ruler of the newly formed Principality of Britannia.
As a manipulative and conniving figure, Schneizel was considered to have been Lelouch’s greatest adversary in the series. He came close to victory in their rivalry multiple times before he was finally stopped. Though he did not possess Geass, his mind was sharper than that of any other character in the series. By the end of the series, he is left as a tragic figure; loyal to his mother but despised by many others due to the ruthless decisions he made to uphold the empire’s ideals.
2. C.C. is a Complex Character with Hidden Depths
C.C. is a witch-like figure who grants Lelouch his Geass powers; however, her character does not simply serve the function of providing him with his abilities. C.C. is a complex character with a long history, which she often reminisces on throughout the series. Although she appears cold and detached at times, she cares deeply for Lelouch, wanting to protect him even from himself.
Her character explores themes of love and sacrifice, often suffering great losses throughout her life. She yearns for companionship, revealing a vulnerability that is both surprising and relatabd by power. Her depth and emotional resonance make her one of the most memorable side characters in the series.
1. Suzaku Kururugi Grows from His Unrelenting Beliefs
Suzaku Kururugi is often seen as the most crucial supporting character throughout the entire series. He starts off as the embodiment of justice, believing in a world where people can be saved without the need for violence or destruction. However, as the story progresses, his naive beliefs are challenged repeatedly, forcing him to confront the harsh realities of the world.
His journey is one of growth, wrestling with the moral complexities of war, loyalty, and his friendship with Lelouch. Ultimately, Suzaku’s character highlights the struggle between idealism and pragmatism, and his choices shape the narrative in profound ways. His evolution from a simple soldier to a complex figure trapped between his ideals and the reality of his actions makes him an indispensable part of the Code Geass franchise.
The side characters in the Code Geass franchise contribute significantly to its richness and depth. From their growth arcs to their relationships with the main characters, they serve as both foils and allies, adding layers to the complex narrative. The franchise’s intricate web of motivations and consequences continues to resonate with fans, ensuring that these characters will be remembered long after the final credits roll.
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