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code_geass
verity-isle.livejournal.com in code_geassInteresting little bits from the Animage November interview with Ookouchi and Kawaguchi (Series producer). There's more in my main journal for those wanting the original Japanese article. I only left the relevant parts in this one, since production details are nifty to know, a pain to translate, and rarely adds anything new. Though Ookouchi-san wanting the Eye of Geass himself is actually rather cute.
The themes of 'means' and 'ends'
Q : What are the themes used in this production?
Ookouchi : One of them is 'ends and means'. For example, there's a game you want to win at all costs. Sure enough, you gave your all to practicing hard enough that you'll win, but you find out that you can't. When that happens, do you bribe the judges, or do you fight honestly and lose? For Lelouch, 'to lose because of pretty words is the end', and for Suzaku, 'it's no use to win with those means'.
Q : 'Means' as Suzaku and 'Ends' as Lelouch, so to speak?
Ookouchi : Yes. If the viewers see these two make their way through different standings and think of many things, I'll be happy.
Q : The setting is a fictional occupied Japan, but what is the reason you chose it?
Ookouchi : The Japan conquered by Britannia is split into two sides. One is to please the Britannians, and the other is to live without throwing away your pride. It's simple for the former, if it means you have no trouble getting bread on the table, a wounded pride is small price to pay---they live for the 'ends'. But for the latter, happiness as something other than a Japanese is meaningless. They're those who choose the 'means'.
The reason for Lelouch's battle
Q : Ookouchi-san, can you give us a clear image of what Lelouch and Suzaku are like?
Ookouchi : The first image I had for them was 'wrath' and 'sorrow'. Like this : A crime or a terrorist attack happens in front of them, and the one who grows angry and faces it is Lelouch; the one who's sad and remembers it wistfully, that's Suzaku. And they're also each other's opposites. Suzaku's the brawn type and Lelouch's the brains. Lelouch is heavily theoretical, but Suzaku is more sensible. Lelouch's prudent and Suzaku's bold. And if they want to find something good to eat, Lelouch would study all the gourmet guide maps, collect all the data before going out and---more often than not getting the wrong shop. *laughs* Suzaku, though, just goes into town, enters a place that catches his eye, and it usually turns out to be a secluded but famous restaurant...of course, none of these appears in the story itself, but that's how they are for me.
Kawaguchi : Since Lelouch's---you know, like that, we have no idea how the younger fans would take to him. It'll be really nice, though, if our viewers can identify with their feelings somehow.
Ookouichi : Not just as a 'cool' character, but as someone you share an affinity with---I'll be happy if that happens. The story belongs to the 'hero gets strange power, will go do things' warhorse with all its orthodox history, after all. But though he doesn't use it for justice and his ways seem evil at first glance, I don't think what Lelouch does could be easily categorized as evil.
Q : It is a story about Lelouch and Suzaku's interpretations of justice, I see. Now that we know Lelouch is actually a Britannian Imperial royalty, we've got a better idea of what he's fighting for.
Kawaguchi : His mother died from getting mixed up in a power struggle in Britannia or something along the lines, and his sister was wounded in the same incident. That much is clear. It's clear, too, that one of the reasons he fights is for his sister, Nanaly.
Q : Nanaly seems to be a very important person that he wants to protect at all costs.
Ookouchi : Lelouch has lost many, many things up to now. The homeland he called Britannia is stolen from him, his mother, even his friends. If he loses the modest life he finally has with Nanaly in Japan, he'll have nothing left.
Q : C.C.'s role is that of the mysterious character, but can you give us some hints?
Ookouchi : Behind a world torn up with revolutions and robots, there is another world where strange powers like the Geass exists. C.C's existence is the entry into that world, that's all I can say right now...
---ed : I find the 'means' and 'ends' theme interesting to translate this time around, it's much more subtle than last time. I've had some idea that neither Susaku nor Lelouch are actually that clean-cut in their ideals. There are things that Lelouch won't do no matter what even if it's better for his goals---like letting a friend die even if it means putting his plans into jeopardy---and he's very utterly tenacious to his principles and pride. Suzaku, on the other hand---while his moral principles are top-notch, was he actually thinking 'the end justifies the means' when he entered the Britannian military, and giving up his pride for the greater good and far-off harmony? And now we have the whole national pride concept. At least I think it's more interesting that they chose this instead of being mainly "USA Evil! Non-subtle jabs ahoy!"
ahem. There's enough rant for the day. *scurries*
p.s. Elsewhere : When asked, Ookouchi-san was at a loss on what category to put Code Geass in. "A robot story, a success story, a revenge tragedy, an ESP fantasy---it's like all those, but it isn't." Interesting directions for the story. Does that mean that the Gakuenmono will be considerably lessened?
The themes of 'means' and 'ends'
Q : What are the themes used in this production?
Ookouchi : One of them is 'ends and means'. For example, there's a game you want to win at all costs. Sure enough, you gave your all to practicing hard enough that you'll win, but you find out that you can't. When that happens, do you bribe the judges, or do you fight honestly and lose? For Lelouch, 'to lose because of pretty words is the end', and for Suzaku, 'it's no use to win with those means'.
Q : 'Means' as Suzaku and 'Ends' as Lelouch, so to speak?
Ookouchi : Yes. If the viewers see these two make their way through different standings and think of many things, I'll be happy.
Q : The setting is a fictional occupied Japan, but what is the reason you chose it?
Ookouchi : The Japan conquered by Britannia is split into two sides. One is to please the Britannians, and the other is to live without throwing away your pride. It's simple for the former, if it means you have no trouble getting bread on the table, a wounded pride is small price to pay---they live for the 'ends'. But for the latter, happiness as something other than a Japanese is meaningless. They're those who choose the 'means'.
The reason for Lelouch's battle
Q : Ookouchi-san, can you give us a clear image of what Lelouch and Suzaku are like?
Ookouchi : The first image I had for them was 'wrath' and 'sorrow'. Like this : A crime or a terrorist attack happens in front of them, and the one who grows angry and faces it is Lelouch; the one who's sad and remembers it wistfully, that's Suzaku. And they're also each other's opposites. Suzaku's the brawn type and Lelouch's the brains. Lelouch is heavily theoretical, but Suzaku is more sensible. Lelouch's prudent and Suzaku's bold. And if they want to find something good to eat, Lelouch would study all the gourmet guide maps, collect all the data before going out and---more often than not getting the wrong shop. *laughs* Suzaku, though, just goes into town, enters a place that catches his eye, and it usually turns out to be a secluded but famous restaurant...of course, none of these appears in the story itself, but that's how they are for me.
Kawaguchi : Since Lelouch's---you know, like that, we have no idea how the younger fans would take to him. It'll be really nice, though, if our viewers can identify with their feelings somehow.
Ookouichi : Not just as a 'cool' character, but as someone you share an affinity with---I'll be happy if that happens. The story belongs to the 'hero gets strange power, will go do things' warhorse with all its orthodox history, after all. But though he doesn't use it for justice and his ways seem evil at first glance, I don't think what Lelouch does could be easily categorized as evil.
Q : It is a story about Lelouch and Suzaku's interpretations of justice, I see. Now that we know Lelouch is actually a Britannian Imperial royalty, we've got a better idea of what he's fighting for.
Kawaguchi : His mother died from getting mixed up in a power struggle in Britannia or something along the lines, and his sister was wounded in the same incident. That much is clear. It's clear, too, that one of the reasons he fights is for his sister, Nanaly.
Q : Nanaly seems to be a very important person that he wants to protect at all costs.
Ookouchi : Lelouch has lost many, many things up to now. The homeland he called Britannia is stolen from him, his mother, even his friends. If he loses the modest life he finally has with Nanaly in Japan, he'll have nothing left.
Q : C.C.'s role is that of the mysterious character, but can you give us some hints?
Ookouchi : Behind a world torn up with revolutions and robots, there is another world where strange powers like the Geass exists. C.C's existence is the entry into that world, that's all I can say right now...
---ed : I find the 'means' and 'ends' theme interesting to translate this time around, it's much more subtle than last time. I've had some idea that neither Susaku nor Lelouch are actually that clean-cut in their ideals. There are things that Lelouch won't do no matter what even if it's better for his goals---like letting a friend die even if it means putting his plans into jeopardy---and he's very utterly tenacious to his principles and pride. Suzaku, on the other hand---while his moral principles are top-notch, was he actually thinking 'the end justifies the means' when he entered the Britannian military, and giving up his pride for the greater good and far-off harmony? And now we have the whole national pride concept. At least I think it's more interesting that they chose this instead of being mainly "USA Evil! Non-subtle jabs ahoy!"
ahem. There's enough rant for the day. *scurries*
p.s. Elsewhere : When asked, Ookouchi-san was at a loss on what category to put Code Geass in. "A robot story, a success story, a revenge tragedy, an ESP fantasy---it's like all those, but it isn't." Interesting directions for the story. Does that mean that the Gakuenmono will be considerably lessened?
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haha, that's an understatement, if I've ever heard one. yet, if stripped to its bare bones, this actually is the case for the story.
muchos gracias.