Writing Tips and Reviews

Let's Look At C2

C2 from Code Geass is the most well done immortal character I've ever seen.  And honestly the only one that doesn't piss me off. She's likable and her personality matches her backstory and what's she's been through. She's doesn't brag about being immortal, she doesn't brag about her tragic backstory, and she doesn't think she's better than everyone else.

Imagine if she said things like "I can't die", "I'm the embodiment of death and destruction", "I was raised to be a psychopathic killer". She'd not only be a laughing stock, but no one would take her seriously. No one brags about their tragic backstory, they don't want anyone to know. C2 is a likable character despite of the common thought of characters in war needing be dark and edgy. She's the exact opposite of these traits. 

She's seen the world change around her and watched her friends and family die while she's still alive. What's there to brag about being immortal? Maybe when she first got her power she thought it was cool, but after thousands of years, sometimes the want is to just die, end the suffering. Her master wanted death so badly and she even said that she wanted to die until her mind was changed.

Just because she's immortal and a bad ass doesn't make her invincible. She's been shot in the head and beaten almost to death. Being immortal doesn't mean damage can't be done, it means she can't die from it.

Not even real "dark characters" go into "I'm the embodiment of death and destruction". C2, even with her tragic backstory and emotionless look, does not make her a dark edgy character. She has her serious moments as "Zero's mistress" and fun moments, especially with pizza. One of her first scenes at the school is her just walking around and spinning in circles. That doesn't ring "embodiment of death and destruction" to me. Her personality goes back and forth between serious and calm, to happy and cheerful. It what makes her so interesting. As a viewer, you wonder which one is her real personality and which one is an act.

She doesn't brag about being anything, to her, she's just another person in the world. And she doesn't care. What matters is everything that comes in the present and future. She's not a queen of darkness or death, she's not a super villain, she's not "if I can't trust you I'll kill you". She's just a girl, and it's really hammered in during the ending of Code Geass. She has a power that transcends human capability, but in a world of machines and a royal family who have taken over the world with cruel dictatorship, what matters? She's a support character while Lelouch plays as the main character.

Lelouch himself is a chess master, he's a master manipulator and a professional planner. He takes the lead because it's not only his story, but his journey. He's not anything but a well written character, and with C2 at his side, they become an amazing duo. Back to C2.

A "serial killer" who can't wield a knife and has never killed anyone can't be called a "serial killer". Just pointing that out.

C2 is anything but a psychopathic killer. Despite her emotionless look, again, it doesn't make her a psychopath. Sure she's killed a bunch of people, but it doesn't make her whole character. It's just a part of life in war. She's shown fear, happiness, sadness, all emotions that she's hidden because of her past. Emotionless doesn't need to equate to "psychopath" and, unless mentally ill, people just aren't normally psychopathic killers. So stop it. If you can say you're insane, you're not.

I think what makes C2 just so amazing, is the fact that she's done so well. Her character could have been annoying, she could have been the least liked character if she followed that outline, but because she doesn't, she's just so good. She's been done with the thought of the Code Geass world and her backstory just makes sense with who she is. Her arc isn't just about her, it's also about the ones who's lives she has effected. Lelouch included.

She's ruined lives and others made better, she's a character who has lives her life and knows what she wants. She doesn't care about herself, because in the long run, she's just another life in a big world. She's not special, she doesn't brag about being better than others, and I think that's why I like her over other immortal characters. I don't want to hear how much better they are for being immortal and that they can't be hurt and they kill everyone but can't be killed, blah blah blah. I don't care. I care, when the character's pain and suffering is shown, when they are really just normal people who don't know what to do, when they have to figure out what they want to find happiness. Flaws kids, put flaws in your characters.