Lelouch's AU twin?

[nayami.livejournal.com]

Mods, you can delete if you think this veers a little off-topic.

So a friend and I were having a random Clamp/Geass conversation the other day and it got me thinking. I know how people love comparing Lelouch to X's Kamui because of his looks. I've done it too numerous times. And some have even tossed in Seishirou and Subaru comparisons recently. But this time, my strange mind went an entirely different direction. Thus, I give you Lelouch's true AU clamp twin. Needless to say, major spoilers for both X and Geass. Oh and long. :(



MONOU FUUMA.

Now I know some of you may be thinking WHAT? But Lelouch and Fuuma are actually surprisingly similar. But before I go on, credit goes where credit is due, and I owe much of the following interpretation to ideas bandied about by the original X fandom, specifically Murasaki. I'm going to refer to this interpretation as a loose translation of their theories since my memory is bad and for all I know, I may be butchering them horribly. Also, this ignores both X the movie and Xtv because both were owwie -- they had nice music though. So manga only, folks.

Let's start with the easy points of similarity between Fuuma and Lelouch. Dearly beloved sisters? Check. Lost mothers? Check? Mothers who are crazier than junkyard dogs and a little too friendly with the ladies? Check. Adorable childhood friendships? Check. Best friends turned rivals? Check. Flare and smile? Check. Cocky bastards? Check. [Read: Fuuma and Seishirou vs. Lelouch and every royal ever.] Sexy bitches? Check.

Enter the tough point. We all know that Fuuma goes a little crazy somewhere into the story after Kamui decides to become a Dragon of Heaven, thus becoming a Dragon of Earth and Dark Kamui. Oh yeah and he also kills his sister Kotori, tortures Kamui endlessly, decapitates people Kamui knows and generally causes chaos in his wake. Now, canon's claim or rather the claim of the characters is that Fuuma is possessed by Dark Kamui and never again to be himself. This is, after all, what Kamui seeks to reverse. But some interpretations say that Fuuma is not possessed at all and is merely forcing Kamui to act because it is not in Kamui's nature to do so. Kamui, for all his snark and defensiveness, is a kind person. And nobody knows this better than Fuuma.

It is worth noting that despite everything Fuuma does to hurt Kamui, he never kills him. It is almost as though Fuuma is pushing him, as though Fuuma has become the villain so Kamui will choose the right side. And here, I'm going to be twisted and say this is done out of love. Fuuma is focused on wishes, giving everyone what they wish for, but what does Fuuma wish for? Fuuma is more than Kamui's enemy, more than his friend; he is his destiny, his Twin Star. And I sometimes wonder if Fuuma does it all for Kamui. There is more than enough evidence to support it.

Is this that much different than Lelouch's endless spilling of blood as the demon emperor? As his cruelty to his sister and his former comrades? As his suspicious failure to capture Cornelia or the other leaders of the new rebellion, although they could pose a potential threat? As the way he must ultimately hurt Suzaku to give him his wish? As his wish for Nunnally to live in a better world? As his wish for Suzaku to live? As his wish for a future?

Dark Kamui and Emperor Lelouch may very well be clever disguises from two men, who cannot risk the truth. Who care too much about everyone beyond themselves.

Under this interpretation, it becomes possible to compare two loving persons who are willing to demonize themselves for the sake of another, for the sake of a better world. Though, it gets tricky in X since the choices are: a.)Save the world; humanity dies or b.)Save humanity; the world dies. But the mere notion of becoming the villain to protect those most important to you is so beautifully tragic. And so perfect for Clamp.

That said, there are significant differences between Lelouch and Fuuma. Fuuma is generally more mature than Lelouch, as evidenced by his understanding of wishes. Fuuma actually does consider how others feel; it matters to him. Whereas Lelouch is always about wanting what's best, no matter what. Fuuma also made the choice Lelouch never could. Fuuma sacrificed his sister for his purpose and because it was her wish. Fuuma is much less selfish than Lelouch and quite possibly the most selfless character in the story. Also, Kotori is like Euphie and Nunnally combined, but that's another essay. And just so we don't skip the obvious difference. Yes, Fuuma can run two feet without getting winded. Still, I'd argue Lelouch is smarter.

But I think one of the most interesting similarities between the two, and one that requires no interpretation, is the connection with the innocent. Though both have no qualms about killing, this killing is kept to fighters, those who have taken a stand. Despite this, Lelouch will still resort to smoke and mirrors and scaring the bezeebus out of lolis, while Fuuma seemed to be merely following a little girl's wish.

And there you have it. Lelouch and Fuuma: Twin Stars of Another Dimension.

Clamp influence or just mere coincidence? You be the judge.

Comments

[lyto.livejournal.com]

...Lelouch and Raito of DN seemed pretty similar...

[nayami.livejournal.com]

On surface levels, they do. But so many people have taken on that analysis so much better than I could.

[kiriska.livejournal.com]

No. Light is a megalomanic sociopath. Lelouch has a soul.

[nayami.livejournal.com]

I love how succinctly you put that. ♥

[ayumui.livejournal.com]

I totally love you for this connection <3

The Lelouch-Kamui comparison has been getting old, and I do agree that Lelouch is closer to Fuuma and that Euphemia and Nunnally have alot in common with Kotori. This post of yours also gave me a few new points on both Fuuma and Lelouch, especially the one about motivating their other halves to act.

[nayami.livejournal.com]

I'm usually in the former camp, but we were discussing what Lelouch would think of Fuuma and I realized OMG HE WOULD TOTALLY *GET* HIM. And thus, this insanity was born. I truly love the interpretation of Fuuma acting like an ass to force Kamui to realize his actual wish and doing it because he loves him.

Drat, I miss my Fuuma icon.

[ayumui.livejournal.com]

XD He totally would! [darnit, all I have are sei/sub icons]Thanks for giving me a new way of looking at Fuuma =) I liked this analysis.

Now if only some publisher would pick up X again @__@

[realms-of-life.livejournal.com]

I've never heard about this interpretation of Fuuma. It's far more interesting than the mainstream one. :) Thanks for sharing! I think it's a bit hard to tell for sure what was going on in X, since Clamp needs to finish it. :( On the other hand, you make very interesting points all over your essay, and I think that now I can see Fuuma as a more stable, more mature Lelouch in some aspects. I also like what you say about Fuuma being more selfless than Lelouch. If he is playing the game you said he is playing, he is not only more selfless, but crazier as well. XD I truly love the idea of both Fuuma and Lelouch as catalysts in their friends' life.

Anyway, keep writing. I live to read your essays and you know that. I really can't wait for your take on the whole damn series now that it is over. But no pressure! XD

[nayami.livejournal.com]

It is an old fan interpretation. Again, not mine. Theirs. But I do love the idea of Fuuma as a more mature Lelouch. Fuuma really is a huge woobie before the CHAOS. Well, we know that Lelouch has always been the catalyst in Suzaku's life from childhood. And in a way, Kamui and Fuuma are literally as well, as it was Kamui's "choice" that drove Fuuma's.

[inulovinkit.livejournal.com]

Heh, I kind of like this interpretation. I never really saw Kamui = Lelouch past the point that they look similar And their uke-tendancies, and also the death scene if you count X TV as partial canon since CLAMP is too busy with Tsubasa to finish it. O.O but I did notice a few similarities in Lelouch and Fuuma.

I always thought that Fuuma "became" Dark Kamui not of his own will but because of FATE and all that jazz, but the manga seemed to imply near the end that possibly "Dark Kamui" was merging with himself--that's how I saw it, anyway. Fuuma's "old" self and "new" self merged in order to be what he is near where the manga stopped--possibly regretful, but unable to stop now for the SAKE OF TWO FUTURES or for Kamui or whatever X was up to back then. >.>

I dunno...perhaps he was driven to do bad things for the sake of Kamui, but I know SOMETHING had to change in that one scene where he becomes Dark Kamui, because his personality did a complete 180 after that. And CLAMP started drawing him sexier. I think that was a sign. XD


Still, I think I like your interpretation better than mine--it adds to the angstyness. Which, according to CLAMP, ANGST IS GOOD.

[nayami.livejournal.com]

True Art is Angsty! XD

Yes, the girls came up with something beautiful back then. I miss X. ;;

I've also long struggled with the notion of "Dark Kamui" and whether it was two personalities and whether Fuuma truly changed and just why the hell he did what he did. This interpretation nailed all those points at once. Plus, it gave nummy subtext, which in Clamp is practically text. But the biggest evidence of this is Fuuma's constant reminder to Kamui that Kamui does not understand Kamui's own wish. And Fuuma is someone who has always understood Kamui, and now with his deeper understanding of wishes... it speaks to more than a Dark Kamui.

[wishmasterfuuma.livejournal.com]

Now go on and compare Kamui with Suzaku.

Do it.

See what box you just opened.

[nayami.livejournal.com]

No no I leave that task to you. XD I'm afraid I don't see many similarities between the two off the bat. Suzaku is a bit in a class by himself.

[ctrl-a.livejournal.com]

Yeeeaaah, the Suzaku/Kamui comparison doesn't really work. Suzaku is angry, Kamui is angsty. So they get to annoy me in their own unique ways. 9_9

Interesting analysis in the OP, though! I feel like Fuuma's killing of Kotori marks a huge divide between him and Lelouch, and I'm not sure I buy that he did it because it was her wish -- but then, it's been ages since I've read the X manga, and I don't remember what was going on around that part. It bears mentioning, though, that Lelouch never wanted to sacrifice either Nunnally or Euphemia -- at least not until the very end, when Schneiser started manipulating Nunnally -- even if he plastered over his feelings and made it all seem like "part of the plan" after the fact. But I definitely see the selflessness and sacrificing-yourself-to-make-the-world-happy similarities.

[nayami.livejournal.com]

I don't think Lelouch ever could actually kill Nunnally. I think he was doing what he usually does and talking shit around people, even C.C. That scene alone when he realizes he'd have to geass her to defeat her hinted at that. Then he ends up doing it, deliberately and willingly, once he realizes she's her own person and can actually move on after Zero Requiem. Then she becomes part of the plan. I don't think she was intended to be until that point then since Lelouch made ZR assuming she was dead. But yeah, before he realized she had her own life, he was going to do his OMG I FAIL AROUND NUNNALLY thing again.

As for Fuuma, unlike Lelouch, we may never get a true reason why he killed Kotori. I do think it's important that it was her wish, and Fuuma is all about the wishes. Also that's a BIG motivator for Kamui, even though he flubbed it.

[wishmasterfuuma.livejournal.com]

Honestly, now.

You could start with the parental complex they each carry with them stemming from the fact that they are the reason their beloved parent died. Both watched their role models fall because of them and continue on with a purposeful legacy rooted in that turning-point event.

It's one thing to watch Mommy explode, it's another to watch Mommy explode because of you.

[nayami.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm intrigued. Go on.

[inulovinkit.livejournal.com]

Suzaku is Syaoran.

Besides the way they look, ITS IN THE SPINKICK THAT COUNTS. :3

[wishmasterfuuma.livejournal.com]

Oh no doubt. Suzaku is definitely Fei Wong's first, failed attempt at cloning Syaoran.

The same could be said for the pair of pissy, amethyst-eyed uke, though. Oo...

[inulovinkit.livejournal.com]

Wait...

IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW. *_*

I can see it now:

FWR "Aw, fuck, that didn't work, this guy's too much of a emo hypocrite to be Syaoran...Why not just dump him in this random dimension then..."

We never found out who Suzaku's mother was...and he doesn't have any siblings...

And the super human-ness...the Spinkick...

THE EVIDENCE IS ALL THERE!

[wishmasterfuuma.livejournal.com]

It almost deserves a fic. Almost.

[alwyz-member-me.livejournal.com]

Seems like Sunrise took pointers from CLAMP. I see why Fuuma would be a better candidate as Lelouch's "twin." However, since I never watched R2, and only read summaries (I sorta gave up watching the series because I just dropped it for no reason...) I can't really compare how Lelouch is to Fuuma, until I see Lelouch again.

Fuuma, we can see he's not just destruction and just grant wishes... Like the time when he told the little girl (with the frog) to leave the area before he destroyed it, symbolizes if someone wished hard enough, there is someone there who will listen. It seemed like he was made a villain (in the anime... I think? I don't know I never watched the anime. XD) but in the manga, it seems Fuuma hasn't really become a villain, but someone doing everything for a better good. _{(Now, I either just rambled and said nonsense, or everything made sense... you tell me which one it is.)}

[kei-natsu.livejournal.com]

Sou desu ne.

I think of that too. From the very first time I see Lelouch said anything about he walked in the way of Ashura. Fuuma and Light Yagami, but since it's CLAMP, Fuuma would do better.

Although Fuuma and Seishirou is very similar, so...

But in CLAMP's artwork, Lelouch is waaaaaaaaaaay too similar with Kamui. Ukh. I love you open this discussion!

[kei-natsu.livejournal.com]

Do you think Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle would add some people (HIGHLY PREFERABLY Lelouch and Suzaku) from Code Geass? You know, other world? Coz that would be utterly AWESOME.

[inulovinkit.livejournal.com]

Considering it's "supposedly" if this angstback arc ever ends! o: near the end of the manga, I don't think so.

But it would have been AWESOME, though. I just think CLAMP has qualms about adding characters from stuff they don't 100% own. :/

[kei-natsu.livejournal.com]

...sadly, yeah. I would hope from its anime then... I don't know how many possibilities it could be occured but... *hopeful* o_o x_x

I know, they don't include things like their artwork for novels... or Kobato, and that's a sign that they won't include any project that are ahead of TRC.. ARGH! It's not a sin to hope, right?

Or perhaps I should request anyone who make it, an AU of which Syaoran and Sakura and Kurogane and Fai would come and visit... *sob* I miss CG again...

[katsuaki-yusen.livejournal.com]

Maybe Lelouch is Fuuma's and Kamui's son? He got his appearance form the mother and personality from his dad. Somehow he is transported to another dimension and end up in geass world.

Very delayed response, but...

[ryuugazaki.livejournal.com]

I've always thought that this was the most accurate X-Clamp comparison in terms of Lelouch. Glad to see it well-thought out/written out! Kudos.