Two cents

[spaleween.livejournal.com]

First off, I like this anime because it involves war, political intrigue, friendship, and betrayal. Then I was miffed at the stereotypical characters--bad protagonist, heroic antagonist/best friend/greatest enemy, sexy and mysterious girl with mystical powers, helpless sister, megalomaniac king.

And then, as other LJ people have mentioned, they're not stereotypical after all. They're not completely good/bad people...most of them anyway.

There were two things I hated: (1) the Pizza Hut product placement, but this has already been beaten and murdered in other posts so I won't do it, and (2) the god-awful deus ex machina.

There were plenty of deus ex machina in Code Geass (read: V.V.), but what annoyed me most was when Euphie dropped out of nowhere and into Suzaku's arms. Somebody explain to me why a princess would drop out of nowhere? Ah, *forehead smack* convenient plot device...of course.

Many people don't like Euphie because she's a Lacus clone. I initially agree. But when she became a killing doll, I liked it. She became one of Lelouch's many accidental pawns in that last-8-minute chess game of his. This confirms Euphie's purpose in the series: convenient momental plot device.

Now Nina. Everyone is creeped out. But I like it that there's a one-sided-stalker-worship-dirty-love going on with Nina. She never really had anyone care for her before, and here comes this radiant glowing princess that values Nina's life so much that she's willing to exchange her life for hers. Nina is so awestruck because no one ever does this for her before that she entrusts her never-ending and never-wavering loyalty and devotion to her. Someone actually treasured her, in Nina's view. So the girl who was never appreciated before becomes obssessed with the radiant princess because she's afraid no one would appreciate her life again. I kinda understand it.

Suzaku. Agree with the initial Kira-clone impression. Agree with the later omg-he's-actually-two-dimensional-because-of-that-patricide impression. I truly appreciate characters who are not one-dimensional. I don't like perfect characters. I like it that he's a contradictory character. I like it that he's trying to convince himself of doing the right thing, justifying himself of his father's murder. He's haunted by all the bad things he did, but he still weaves the illusion onto himself that "this is for the good". He has a mask, just like Lelouch's Zero, but Suzaku's mask is harder to remove as it's from childhood. I agree that he keeps repressing all that emotion. Once, he managed to let a bit out in front of Lelouch, but that's just a bit. His guilt is slowly eating him and he doesn't notice it. Euphie was, once again--convenient plot device--, the trigger to release all that pent-up emotion since childhood. He doesn't care anymore. He doesn't care that Nunnally is in danger. He doesn't care that Japan is in complete chaos. He doesn't care that Lelouch is his best friend. He doesn't care. All he cares about is killing this guy, riddle him with bullets and make sure he's DEAD.

I haven't read Suzaku of the Counterattack, you see.
A favor? Would anyone mind doing a character sketch of Suzaku? I really want to understand him more.

Comments

[arabesque]

You have some good points, but I think you might be confusing deus ex machina with just plot device. Euphie conveniently trying to escape from her school or whatnot right when Suzaku's walking by is a (somewhat cliched) plot device to get them to meet, but it doesn't improbably solve any difficult situations, which is what a deus ex machina does. Annoying, yes, but deus ex machina, not really.

And while Euhpie does basically serve as an emotional trigger for people like Suzaku and Nina, I think she's also important because she emphasizes Lelouch's unwillingness to let go of the past. Also, she makes Britannia's side seem a little more human, at least to me. I DUNNO your mileage may vary, etc etc.

[spleener.livejournal.com]

There were two things I hated: (1) the Pizza Hut product placement, but this has already been beaten and murdered in other posts so I won't do it

I actually liked the Pizza Hut product placement because it got to the point where I considered it to no longer be mere product placement but rather a running gag. I get the feeling that the creators of the show had the same mindset, they weren't doing it for the money so much as because they found it amusing to try and cram Pizza Hut in every scene they could (though the money probably helped a bit.)

[luinthoron.livejournal.com]

But when she became a killing doll, I liked it.

I did not. It somehow seemed that to prove that she was not another Lacus, they turned her into another Stellar. Not fun. :(

[sapphynashi.livejournal.com]

Yay, Suzaku! I am always willing to discuss him. :D What you've said already sums him up quite nicely - his need for justification, his repression of his true nature. The 'white knight' image doesn't suit him at all when you get down to it, he just wishes it did.

Including some copy&paste from my ship manifesto:

Suzaku is impulsive to the extreme. If Lelouch is all about planning and manipulation, Suzaku is all about reaction and passion. Whenever a problem arises, he throws himself into the middle of it, and all the better if it’s dangerous. He has a hero complex, a need to do the right thing and take responsibility. We can tell from flashbacks that he really was a kind-hearted kid, but now he relies on an exterior of compassion to hide a much less noble nature. "At first, I thought he was a truly kind person. But don't you think his reactions towards human lives is a little abnormal?" remarks Cecile in episode 14.

His self-sacrificing is a pretense, to mask and make up for the sin of killing his father. He excuses it when given the chance. His guilt is so tremendous that he is passively suicidal, putting himself in situations where he might die for a good cause. Suzaku lies to himself; on the outside, he's open and friendly and honest, but inside he's nothing but instinct. He doesn't question himself, he just goes through the motions. Suzaku can't acknowledge what he wants because his wish is such a selfish thing, it's better to coat it with illusions of righteousness.

But then Euphemia dies, and Suzaku's idealism shatters to pieces. He finally starts to accept his ill-intentions, not entirely, but he's beginning to be honest with himself. Up until the end, Suzaku has had blind faith in his friend even though he has identified the similarities between Lelouch and Zero. He'll fight for vengeance now. He acknowledges that it's his fault for allowing Lelouch to live, that it was a mistake and he's going to fix it by killing him.

I like to think of Suzaku in layers, because you can't deny he's got that soft, gentle side, so his "boku" persona isn't entirely fabricated. Lelouch knows something's different with him, but he's still Suzaku. Have you read the translations for the sound episodes or the picture drama about the season finale? They're incredibly insightful when it comes to Suzaku. I should go over them again myself before launching into an analysis XD;

Regarding the end where he and Lelouch face off - I think it's more than just a release of everything he's repressed, I think it's all the more violent just because it's Lelouch who did it. I admit, I'm a Suzaku/Lelouch fangirl, but shipping aside I still think their relationship is significant to the betrayal scene.

Suzaku sees his own selfishness mirrored in Lelouch, hates it, and needs to put an end to it. He has come to rely on the affirmation that he's a good person, that everyone can be good, and puts that faith in Lelouch. This is exemplified by his frequent rescuing of Lelouch, and how he suspects Lelouch is Zero early on, but never does anything about it - even by the end, right before Euphemia's death, Suzaku tries to win Lelouch over rather than call him out. His justification only works through peaceful, non-violent means. But Lelouch rejects him. Killing Euphemia is only the physical aspect of the betrayal, because the essence is that Lelouch shattered his trust, his ideals, and to an extent destroyed everything Suzaku had built himself to be.

(Also important to note Euphemia represented a lofty ideal for both of them, and Lelouch tried to honestly accept that - but the part of him that's Zero can't have that, so we get the Geass triggering and everything breaking down.)

Don't forget the phoenix theme going on with Suzaku. :3 In Eastern lore it's a symbol of loyalty, honesty, justice, obedience, fidelity, and the union of yin and yang. The Western version of the phoenix most commonly represents rebirth through self-immolation. Suzaku recreates himself after his father's death to fit an ideal. When that image is destroyed, he changes once more (plus, Lelouch gets the opposing/complimentary dragon association).

...Sorry for the babble, Suzaku is my favorite and I find him to be the most fascinating character. XD;

[haiiro.livejournal.com]

I think reading this and realizing that these points you made are so very true has made me actual like Suzaku a little. I never considered these kinds of details. <3

[sapphynashi.livejournal.com]

:D That's extremely nice to hear! I'm always sad when people write him off as just a hypocrite, because that's exactly what makes him so interesting and complex. You don't have to like him, but he's most certainly a multi-faceted character.

[volfield.livejournal.com]

Wooow, some nice description of our favorite Jesus! Although I still think Suzaku wasn't always a kind hearted person. That's why I think Lelouch is always saying he "sure is different".

(Also important to note Euphemia represented a lofty ideal for both of them, and Lelouch tried to honestly accept that - but the part of him that's Zero can't have that, so we get the Geass triggering and everything breaking down.)

Oh WOW never though about that! I think what made Lulu upset when Suzaku turned into Euphie's knight wasn't only Nunnally... It's obvious he still loved Euphie, it was the only sibling he couldn't really kill for the same reason as the others. Because he really felt she wasn't to blame, he considered her as close as Nunnally. And even after she chose Suzaku rather than Lulu, he (like you said) accepted it and moved on. But that geass theory is really neat! Maybe that's why later on Lulu finally manages a way to overcome it. Needs April now.

But there's still something I don't get.. About what Lulu said on the last episode, why didn't he tell Suzaku the truth? The reason why Suzaku hates Lulu so much is because he REALLY thinks he planned all of it and even used Euphie as a pawn (in the end, he really did it... but it's not like he WISHED for it like say, the way Suzaku wished his own father's death!). If I were Suzaku, I'd probably react the same if facing a revelation like that one. But that wasn't the whole part of the story and Lelouch could've explained why that happened but he didn't... My SuzaLulu fangirl side tells me Lulu did that so poor Suzaku-kun wouldn't have a brain explosion ;_; He'd probably start blaming himself for falling in love with Euphie or something. *bricked*

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Lelouch is obviously still very attached to Euphie to me. He can't kill her during the hotel-jacking though he did have time. Despite the fact you can interpret his eventual killing of Euphie as a mercy killing even (because she became the antithesis of all that she wanted to be) Lelouch does feel guilt over it vs. Lelouch doesn't seem to show a jot of guilt over murdering Clovis.

I think by the last episode Suzaku is not going to believe Lelouch anymore. I don't think he could have explained at that point and a part of me thinks he is also that Lelouch refuses to show weakness. He doesn't want Suzaku (and Kallen) to know he could make a mistake. That this was not all some huge plot he had all figured out.

I think Suzaku, even when he was a kid was a relatively nice person. Was he rude when Lelouch and Nannally first came to live with him, yes, but I think most 10 years would be a little resentful to suddenly have some strange prince and princess coming into their lives like that. It's clear that before the invasion, Lelouch and Suzaku had become friends, they had a secret meet me on the roof signal, and Suzaku helps Lelouch up the hill and won't leave him behind.

I admit, I get sick of people harping on what a "hypocrite" Suzaku is particularly in regards to the murder of his father. He's 10 years old, they were fighting and it was an accident. Except in that one version of it where he murders his father because his father plans to murder his two best friends This is not a premeditated murder, this wasn't even an intentional murder and he is 10. ~.~ Suzaku's not a hypocrite, he's just not a single note character and is in fact a bundle of contradictions. Suzaku has intense guilt, because whether it was an accident or not he killed his father and maybe if he hadn't Japan would not be subjugated as it now is. Unlike Lelouch (who one could argue just as easily is a hypocrite) he does actually care about the Japanese people. I think that one flashback where we see the two boys walking through the field of dead Japanese is very telling, both about the guilt Suzaku feels and what has made him the person he is in Geass.

Personally, if people want to find another character in a series to compare Suzaku to, the character he is MOST like to me is Sumeragi Subaru.

[sapphynashi.livejournal.com]

The thing is that Lelouch is grounded in reality - this is made visually obvious when Euphemia announces her plan from high atop the Knightmare Suzaku is piloting. Both of them are placed against the sky, representing a dream that cannot be reached. Meanwhile, Lelouch is literally crouched low to the ground, in disbelief at this spectacle and angry at how Euphemia is derailing all his carefully-laid plans. The shot of Euphemia's happy face is eerie to me, like she's a child who is earnestly trying to make things better, but doesn't have a full understanding of what's going on. She is blissful, honestly wanting to help, and clearly very loving towards Lelouch, Nunnally, and Suzaku. On one hand, this is ridiculous to Lelouch, but he also finds himself wanting to believe.

I'm not sure he's overcome it so much as it's just been taken away from him... But we'll have to wait to find out. D:

Lelouch believes in "the end justifies the means" - the fact is, he did use Euphemia, and had planned to use her from the start. He doesn't think of himself as a nice person at all, he sees the truth and acknowledges his sins, and probably doesn't expect to convince Suzaku by spilling all these things. Especially with the way Suzaku is now, he'd just be more determined to fix all the wrongs. Lelouch wants to win Suzaku over, he states that he won't use the Geass to control him, and really hinges a lot on obtaining Suzaku's loyalty. Lelouch is also clearly attached to his friends and tries very hard to keep them separate from the conflict, expressing extreme guilt when they do get involved. Even at the very end, Lelouch clings to the hope that Suzaku will side with him and doesn't raise his gun until Suzaku denies his existence. That one line is what really shatters him, and implies that he's feared rejection all this time. It easy if Suzaku hates Zero, because Zero is not the whole picture. But Suzaku denying Lelouch, his childhood friend, his closest friend in the world? Totally different story.

edit: Agreeing with the above about Suzaku's kindness as a child - that scene where they walk among the dead and little!Suzaku is crying his eyes out is what I had in mind when referring to his kindness. He's a brash, violent kid, knocks Lelouch down when they meet, but backs off in surprise and guilt when he sees Nunnally. When they do become friends, they grow very close, very quickly.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

I've not watched the series since it aired however I'm actually pretty sure Suzaku's suicidal tendencies are not just passive and are made obvious in the series as I remember there being one episode that clinched it for me that Suzaku was in fact an X character. lol For me, Cecile seemed more to be remarking on the compassion that Suzaku seems to display in not wanting anyone else to die. While chasing Zero in episode 2, he stops the battle to save the falling woman and child. It's this over-compensation to make up for the guilt that Cecile had taken to just be Suzaku being kind.

I guess I also see his guilt as not just over his father's death, but also the state Japan has fallen into. He and his father were arguing over how best to save and protect Japan.

I definitely agree that Lelouch shattered his trust and that's what is really bringing about their confrontation and I agree that the "nice" persona is also a part of him.

[sapphynashi.livejournal.com]

I think I mean that at the beginning his suicidal tendencies are completely masked by his desire to Protect Others At All Cost, because he doesn't want to own up to his guilt throughout half the season. By the time he's able to say it aloud to Kallen, that does change.

I can't wait to see how he's doing in R2. @_@ I hope he's not in serious-face mode 24/7, that would kill his intricacies.

[rainbow-cnxn.livejournal.com]

Just commenting to say that I agree with everything. And that your ship manifesto is magnificent. Like many others, that thing really helped me conceptualize Suzaku as a character.

[ryosato.livejournal.com]

Wow your arguments here made me like Susu a bit more. XD I am also a Lulu/Susu shipper, but I generally don't like Suzaku's 'character type.' However, your points here really make me change my way of thinking about him.

This is a dumb question, but I've had a REALLY hard time finding all the picture dramas and cd dramas translated... do you have links? D: I'd love to see all these, especially if they're important to the plot.

[darkfox200.livejournal.com]

random fly-by to mention that I loved/adored the Suzaku part of your manifesto. *A*b

=darkfox200

[volfield.livejournal.com]

I don't fully agree with you there, but that's what discussion is all about, right?

As to Pizza Hut, it was a somewhat smart comic relief move. I'd say that they were the main sponsors, and it actually turned out into something more due to fandom reaction.

I completely hate Nina because of her racist behavior and as a person herself, but I do have to agree with your description...

As to Suzaku, that was one of the best summary of his character interaction and relation towards this show. At first I didn't really like him (and to tell you the truth, as a person? I don't really like his hypocrite side) but on another hand, he's just a stupid sexy Jesus. I probably wouldn't go as far as Lelouch (it's obvious he cares for him deeply, he never really gave up on him) but still... I don't think he stopped caring about Nunnally... I just think he "went back to his old selfish self" that used to pick fights with whoever he wanted. You see, when they were kids Suzaku was really different. I'd say, Suzaku used to be a little more like Lelouch and Lelouch as Suzaku. Suzaku loathed the Britannians, was violent, aggressive... a punk and a brat, really. Lelouch was quite calm, believed that they could all live together without violence. Lelouch isn't really that different, but Suzaku... I think that something changed him greatly in his past, not only his father's death. Remember back on some picture drama, Suzaku said he once knew a girl that had a moto like Rivalz. He also said back at the hotel hijacking that "it was happening again, I couldn't save them"... What I think is that he experienced a more traumatic event than his father's death and that made him join the army and change completely his way of living. But in one point, you're right - he now is completely different again and his 'not amused expressions' he's been pulling out scare me a little. Also, there's this thing I don't really get. He'd rather believe a walking test tube weird and totally strange fellow (read V.V.) than his childhood friend... The boy has some issues. I think I can picture it already when he finds out Euphie's dead was not entirely planned...

Although, I must admit - I find the fight between those two really pointless. They're in fact very similar, have the same purpose but just followed different routes. In the end it sounds something more like INTERNET ARGUMENT ("U!!!" vs "NO U!!") than anything else. I reeeeeeeally, really hope they get over that quickly and join forces to beat some bad guys or something.

tl;dr and esl, sorry!

1/2 (LJ thinks I'm too wordy)

[rainbow-cnxn.livejournal.com]

Yes, Code Geass relies a bit heavily on mere coincidence to move the plot along. Lelouch's initial gain of his geass powers aside, we have two major, major plot points that happen by pure accident (IMO)--Euphemia falling out of a window (???) and Lelouch losing control of his geass right as he's saying something jokingly to Euphemia. It's my biggest complaint with the series, but whatever. I'll overlook them.

But other commenters are right when they say that you shortchange Euphie by simply casting her as a "convenient momental plot device". What we must keep in mind is that within the frame of the series, Euphemia and Nunnally are the driving forces for both the boys--not the liberation of Japan, nor the destruction of Britannia. And no, I'm not saying that Nunnally is solely Lelouch's motivation and that Euphie is Suzaku's. The two boys have complex, meaningful relationships with both the girls, and I have no doubt in my mind that the boys always meant for these two girls to jointly be their ladies-in-waiting. They are both the girls' knights, and it is their responsibility to ensure that they stay safe.

She is so much more than a convenient plot device. She is also one of the few people in the world that Lelouch trusts absolutely. She is his first love, and aside from Nunnally (and maybe Cornelia), she's the only remaining member of his family that he gives a shit for. She is a symbol of trust, and I think that when he killed her, he broke his own sense of trust. I think his final act of betraying their relationship pushes Lelouch into a bit of "Suzaku" territory. It doesn't matter what he thinks or feels. He must keep the facade going and do what he can from this point on.

She is also Suzaku's sense of self-righteousness. She absolutely believes him to be a good man; she doesn't know his flaws, nor does she care to know because she has complete faith in him. As Suzaku is forced to face his own guilt head-on in different situations (C.C. hax, Nunnally kidnapping, on the island with Kallen), he entrusts more and more of his self-belief that he is a good man in Euphemia--that if he believed himself to be good, he can eventually convince himself of it, and that doing good is equivalent to being good. When she dies, his walls come tumbling down. His anger, his emotion--the grief and indignation and hurt that he carries--all spill out without his bulwark.

I don't particularly care about Nina, so I'll skip over her.

Re: 1/2 (LJ thinks I'm too wordy)

[volfield.livejournal.com]

Fully agreeing with this too. The influence those two have over them is really meaningful to the plot. No matter Suzaku and Lelouch's ideals, convictions or plans, they've been moved by them along the entire series.

She is a symbol of trust, and I think that when he killed her, he broke his own sense of trust. I think his final act of betraying their relationship pushes Lelouch into a bit of "Suzaku" territory.

Brilliant.

2/2 (I think so, too)

[rainbow-cnxn.livejournal.com]

As for Suzaku, I think that sapphira_angel's ship manifesto for Suzaku/Lelouch (http://community.livejournal.com/ship_manifesto/183946.html#cutid1) does a fantastic job of analyzing Suzaku's character (and his relationship with Lelouch). The funny thing is that I don't even ship Suzaku/Lelouch, but I think that her character sketches are right on.

I'd just like to add that I don't think that all hope of reconciliation is lost for these two boys. Lelouch has always been willing to accept Suzaku back ever since they were 10, and I think that having killed Suzaku's lover (in an emotional but probably not physical sense) weighs heavily on his conscience. Lelouch went a little psycho at the end of episode 25, but a lot of things have recently happened--he killed a beloved sister and first love, he found out that his other sister had nothing to do with Marianne's death, he lost his little sister who means the world to him, and his best friend is raging mad, disavowing his existence, and pointing a gun at him. I'd be surprised if anyone made it through that without cracking.

As for Suzaku, he is pissed. And understandably so. His best friend just killed a girl in which he had invested everything good about him--his dreams, hopes, modesty, sense of justice... But I don't think that those things are something you apportion and lose. Despite his deep-seated flaws, there is a good man inside Suzaku, and that man did not die at the end of episode 25. He simply snapped. But that's not the end. I think it will take him longer to come down from his rage than it will take Lelouch, but I think that it will eventually happen. Suzaku has begun to come to terms with himself by the end of season one. I don't think that that will be permanently reversed. He may try to shut himself into a shell, but I don't think he can, anymore. Nor does it particularly seem like he's willing to. By keeping himself open, he lets his rage fuel him. The boy may have a shit-ton of rage, but I think that eventually it will simmer down to a more manageable level. That is, at least in my opinion. The way I see it, Suzaku's development in the second season has two avenues--1) lose his mind permanently, or 2) deal with himself. Personally, I hope for the latter. Part of that is that I have a bit of Suzaku-fangirl in me, but I think most of it is that it makes for a better story. I don't want to see a dead-end in character development, and I don't want to see any character (aside from maybe the Emperor) be cast as a straight-up "bad character". We got the Kira similarities. Please don't turn him into Shinn. In short, I think he'll come around.

Re: 2/2 (I think so, too)

[volfield.livejournal.com]

The problem here is that I really suspect they'll only manage to accept each other by the end of R2, covered in blood, etc. You see, Sunrise really enjoys this kind of thing, but it's so old and cliché, do not want ;_; But like you said, it WILL happen... It's bond to happen. Unless some plot twist makes its own way, of course. Actually, I'm keeping my hopes really high... Despise all comparisons, I don't think I've EVER watched a show with this kind of characters. We might get a really good surprise on R2's plot.


Gah. Live Journal, what do you know... If I liked Suzaku, now I'm liking him more.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Like has already been stated, while a plot contrivance, I believe Euphie first meets Suzaku while trying to escape from her rooms so she can explore the city. It's just destiny/fate/pick your Clamp tm term that he happens to be right there when she does.

Going onto character similarities, one could just as easily claim Lelouch is "Raito" and C.C. is "Ryuk" but you don't see that as often because Lelouch is most people's favorite character ~.~

To me the only similarities between Euphie and Lacus are the physical. ^^;; Lacus is a much stronger character and really refuses to let herself be manipulated by others. Euphie is also more willing to overlook the flaws of those she loves in a way Lacus is not. Euphie loves all her siblings (with a particular fondness for Cornelia, Lelouch, and Nunnally) and mourns the loss of Clovis, who we've already seen cold bloodedly order the liquidation of the Shinjuku ghetto. Lacus would never overlook something like that. lol Euphie is more than just a pawn since she is one of the few people Lelouch actually cares about. If you want to find a character to compare her to, she's really more like Meer.

I somewhat disagree with you on Nina. Milly (and Shirley to some extent) are shown caring about her and one could argue that until Euphie appears Nina has something of a hero crush on Milly. Euphie is a gorgeous princess, and then after saving Nina's life Euphie actually seems concerned about her. I really don't think her obsession is that odd to take a real life example look at how many people posted to LJ about how awful it was that Heath Ledger died. I seriously doubt any of these people had met him in person let alone had him save their lives.

As for Suzaku I really don't see him like Kira at all, and long before the big reveal about his father. One minor thing, Kira as a coordinator can pass. In Orb he faced little discrimination as coordinators and naturals lived together in peace, but no one can tell he is a coordinator just by looking at him. Suzaku is Japanese. His people have been completely subjugated since he was about 10 years old and forced to live in ghettos. He can't hide his difference and has had to face LOTS of racism. He's also in a more difficult position from the start, as the son of the last Prime Minister, it makes sense that the Britannians want to co-opt him into the system as an "Honorary Britannian", but it's clear next to no one sees him as an equal and he is still faced with constant bigotry. I am sure part of the "boku" personality and control over his emotions comes from the fact he is now always on display. He is a public figure so to speak, particularly after Euphie makes him her knight. He has a responsibility to give a good impression of the Japanese and its obvious he really wants to find some way to save his people.

Kira does not have a death wish/suicidal tendencies. While eventually Kira develops guilt for the people he is not able to save, he's not actually the person who killed them and he doesn't want to die because of it. He also doesn't really develop this guilt until quite a few episodes in.

Personally, the character from another series that most reminds me of Suzaku with his selfish wishes hidden under a kind exterior is Sumeragi Subaru of X.

Suzaku of the Counterattack

[chickee1.livejournal.com]

what needs to be said about Suzaku already has been... But I do want to add one thing.

Do not read Suzaku of the counter attack, especially if you want to get a good picture of Suzaku. It is full of SUE! Lloyd has an assistant girl Suzaku's age instead of Cecil who is a nobleman's daughter as well and really smart, Taking Cecil's part in the story. She is also the one who makes Suzaku go to school, and Suzaku swears to avenge her when Zero kills her father. So we have a girl who takes Cecil, Euphie and Shirly's place, and is obviously the author's self-insert-SUE!

< /rant>

[kill-me-faster.livejournal.com]

...that almost makes me want to read it just to make fun of it.

[faye-naruse.livejournal.com]

I think Suzaku does care...in a way :]

23.95 has got to be the best Picture Book out there because I feel that it gives you a real insight on the way Suzaku thinks and feels. He blames himself for making Lelouch become like that and is outraged with himself for letting it get so far as to getting Euphie killed. So, I guess what I'm saying is that he cares enough to kill Lelouch because if it wasn't for him, he wouldn't have become like that ^_^;;
(It's also a form of cowardice, it's like he's ridding himself of his own "mistake" >_> [But I still love him and Lelouch just as much!!! Although that Picture Book really made me wanna hug Suzu *o*])

Jeez, did that make any sense? My own thoughts are all jumbled around now X_X

[tatooine.livejournal.com]

Euphie wanted to fall on Suzaku, the first of her many actions that rely upon Suzaku to stand up to Britannia/Cornelia. Prove me wrong!

[chickee1.livejournal.com]

but that doesn't make sense as she doesn't know Suzaku yet. BUT Euphie does show herself to be impulsive and throws herself into danger when the impulse takes her. No doubt she saw Suzaku, knew who he was, and decided to investigate if he really did murder Clovis herself. Thus throwing herself out the window as an excuse.