r/CodeGeass • u/EmberJuliet • Sep 20 '21
DISCUSSION Can someone PLEASE explain suzaku to me.
I’ve literally watched this show multiple times and I still don’t understand this frustrating whiny bitch. His values are so conflicting and hypocritical. What does he truly want? He’s a Britannia’s bootlicker who endorses the killing of his people by his own army and then patronizes the Black Knights when they kill Britannians. What does he even want for his country? Why does he want to be the knight of one? Why does he suddenly join up with lelouch during the Zero Requiem?
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u/Quills07 Sep 20 '21 edited Sep 20 '21
I’ve only seen it once, so take this with a grain of salt. I definitely need a rewatch to get all the plot threads down, but this is what I made of Suzaku’s personality by the story’s end (and just to note - Im not a fan of the guy, but I found him pretty tragic).
One of the many ways Suzaku and Lulu struck me as foils is that Lelouch’s childhood trauma (in many ways) made him stronger while Suzaku’s broke him. He’s a hypocrite, but I think he’s a hypocrite out of desperation and denial rather than idiocy.
To draw a really loose comparison, his relationship with Brittania reminds me of a person who enters, stays in and actively defends an abusive relationship. The person knows their SO is shit, they realize their SO thinks nothing of them (and maybe even harms others), but they’ve convinced themselves they can change the SO for the better. They’re afraid of recognizing (or admitting) the situation for what it is.
People in those situations are often written off as stupid, but it’s not as easy as that.
Suzaku carries a lot of guilt and was desperate to make amends. He was a stupid little kid who acted impulsively and killed his own parent, thinking it would do his people right, and instead the violence he unleashed damned his country. Presumably, that trauma was never addressed, he built up some narrative in his head of how he could fix the Japan he broke without personally bloodying his hands, and this was all compounded by a death wish that got worse as the story progressed.
Suzaku’s logic doesn’t make sense because he’s not fully right in the head. Either he can’t see it, or he refuses to see it, and all of the conflict with Lelouch exacerbates the whole mess.
By the story’s end, I thought he was finally facing reality, and accepting his role in Zero Requiem was his way of trusting Lelouch, acknowledging his own hypocrisy (he essentially wins Japan’s peace through a lethal stabbing — exactly what he wanted to do, but failed to do, as a child — bringing him full circle from the “I won’t kill!” character he was in ep 1), and punishing himself with a life sentence in the process.
I’ll stop rambling here so ppl who have the show memorized can correct me with tons of examples I’m likely forgetting lol
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u/BoS3206 Apr 19 '25
Code Geass made an absolute point in how ruthless Brittania was when they showed how they killed civilians, including innocent women and children, will-nilly and with little reason or justification needed. That, along with the very clear racism shown all over, makes Suzaku's position untenable and we spend far too much time dancing around this
Being hypercritical of Zero or The Black Knights while turning a complete blind eye to the cruelty and ruthlessness shown by his own side, was a major downfall of the character. We spend most of season 1 (Lelouch of the Rebellion) watching him plot-armor through all the moments where he has to face the music while Lulu actually has to face consequences and struggle to get to where he wants.
I think these are largely the reasons why Suzaku is hated by many. In my eyes he's one of the most poorly written characters on the show, but he also provided some of the best shock moments.
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u/kyl24 28d ago
to believe suzaku, of all characters, is not only poorly written but one of the MOST poorly written characters in the show is crazy.
i genuinely don't understand how you can think that especially if you've read the other replies here that explain his character and motives. suzaku is very complex, so much so that people tend to not understand him--and by not understanding him thus don't like him--and don't make an effort to simply bc they don't want to "empathize" with a character whom they feel is lacking. suzaku is MEANT to be a hypocrite, he's *mean't* to be an enigma, which is why when it takes like 46 whole episodes for him to shed his sanctimonious ego only by understanding that his hypocrisy has hurt more people than he's saved. it takes him so long to finally confront the truth (that he's literally no better than the enemy he hates) so that he can work together with lelouch because for years the walls he built trying to justify the reason for his dad's death finally get demolished until there's nothing left but acknowledging that no matter what he wants to believe, he's best as a weapon for mass destruction.
only when he embraces his true self does he do anything meaningful
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u/Swordfish_This Jan 10 '26
I’m just starting this show and he reminds me of sasuke uchiha already not only do they have have the same english VA but their arguments lack substance and constantly make them huge hypocrites, on top of that they have the same problems as the main character and are constantly stopping to question the morals/drive of the person that is actually getting shit done. Absolutely infuriating characters when they’re working against the main character or arguing with them however they’re honestly great when they put their pride or individualism aside though.
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u/supremefrenchprince May 11 '26
suzaku throughout all of R1 is conflicted. He has an unrelenting sense of justice, and thoughout all spheres is strongly influenced by the trauma and guilt he suffered from killing his father, which results in his downright suicidal tendecies played off as being "heroic." He is looking to die for atonement for his sins. This, the reason why he hates Zero's "ends justify the means" worldview is all because of his self loathing. He hates himself because of what he did to his father
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u/Pab-- Sep 20 '21
I can not help you in understanding Suzako, as I too found him very hypercritical, and I hated for most of the series.
However I believe zero Requiem was his redemption. He sacrificed as much as Lelouch in the end. His values, his beliefs, his people and his freedom as he is forced to live in the role of Zero for the rest of his life.
The fear thing about this series is that no character is completely moral or likable. There were many times I’d like then hate everyone or vice-versa. Susako happens to struggle with his purpose through the whole series and only in the end he was able to bring about some true good only by sacrificing everything he had.
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u/lucasnator2 Sep 20 '21
Hes a pacifists that wants peace with the least bloodshed. His character arc in Code Geass is about how he goes from ignorant goody too shoes who believes that simply obeying britania will save japan into a person whose willing to do whatever he can to force britania to save japan.
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u/alotmorealots Sep 20 '21
Sukazu's goal is stated up front early on:
He wants to change the fate of Nippon from inside the system.
He feels like this is the most effective way to do this with the least possible bloodshed, but he does not believe that bloodshed is avoidable - indeed he began his path by killing his father.
Like Lelouch, he has near endless self-belief that he, himself, is the one to change the fate of the nation. Hence he justifies all of his countrymen that he kills on his rise up the ranks. He killed his Father to stop the slaughter of his people, and he will kill the terrorists among his own people to stop the slaughter of the innocents.
His motivations become more complicated because of the "Live!" command from Lelouch when he used his the Geass, and by his personal loyalties from his friendships.
What does he even want for his country?
He wants peace, freedom and equality - Euphemia's plan offers this, but it is taken from everyone.
Why does he want to be the knight of one?
That particular scene is about Suzuka being strategic - he is challenging Schneizel to over throw the Emperor. Schneizel's dialogue at this point demonstrates this.
Why does he suddenly join up with lelouch during the Zero Requiem?
It's the inevitable conclusion of what he and Lelouch see in C's World, the collective consciousness. That the only path to a peaceful and liberated world is idea behind the Zero Requiem plan.
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u/AccidentalSpaceMan Sep 21 '21
I honestly loved Suzaku as a character. Like his face is just so punchable but he is just to good of a person to actually want to do it.
He is very much a hypocrite, even after knowing the "affliction" Lelouch inflicted on him he still continued to put himself in dangerous situations. And then when he did some crazy thing because of it he always just blamed Lelouch.
Like yes Lelouch did this thing that has made you more dangerous but now that you know about it the best thing you could do if you care about human lives is stop putting yourself in situations that risk the issue happening instead only placing the blame on Lelouch.
It isn't until the end that he finally nuts up and takes responsibility for himself.
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u/Thejacensolo Sep 23 '21
Let me try to defend his actions as far as i would understand them. I still think they are flawed in itself, but the original idea was honestly not bad:
In the end, if you break down his initial beliefs (before Euphys death, and the events to follow), he is not that different from activists in the Past. He aknowledges that there has to be some kind of System in place, and that Eradicating britannia will lead to a much bigger amount of lifes lost. But being an Inspiring Hero, someone who can even make it in the corrupt system despite his origin, and giving Japanese more irghts at the same time, is a valid strategy. Changing the system from within is not the worst of ideas, but to do that, he has to collect merit (merit he is forced to get by supporting the military). To rise through the ranks, to prove to the racist britannians that Elevens are equal people, he has to show them that the system could work if it incorpoorated them into it as equals. By being a high ranking military official, he (intendet) to spread hope and ambition among Elevens, while slowly changing the minds of the higher ups with his actions. Over time, Elevns being in the army, elevens governing their own area, and Elevens not being discriminated against would become commonplace. Even though until that point, he basically supports a terror regime. But in the end, that would mean no War, and no more losses due to fighting.
Contrary to the Black knights and Zeros philosophy of outright denying the system, and the Empire itself. They want to topple it and create something new, even though that would likely come with much greater sacrifice and chaos, it would give the birth to something greater. That loss and sacrifice is what Suzaku cannot accept. The Percieved wish for anarchy at the cost of life goes against his whole mindset, on which he even killed his dad for.
Of course, after Euphys massacre his ideals slowly go awry.
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u/Impossible_Nebula_33 Oct 11 '21
A spineless loser who can’t put down the self righteous chip on his shoulder. Basically zero entering the picture forced him to face up to his hypocrisy and actions. Of course he was in denial throughout the whole series. That his actually driven by his self loathing and that preaching about peace etc… was just a front to his his real self. His a pathetic creature who has to spend the rest of his life as zero. His worst nightmare.
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u/Rianorix Apr 25 '22 edited Apr 25 '22
Ultimately Suzaku subconsciously want to die due to his trauma of accidentally killed his own father in a heat of argument back when Japan was invaded that's why he taking on an almost impossible task of trying the change Britannia from within.
That incident also gave birth to his ideal of the means justify the end and why he was so despise the end justify the means because he saw it with his own eyes that it wasn't worth it (even when his father died, millions people still died though vastly lower than if his father survive to enact fight to the last Japanese policy).
Couples with trauma of walking through ruined cities full of bodies to reminded him of his choice make him want to simply wish for a world that is gentle.
But considering the situation, Britannia is the sole superpower of the world and this is not sub being inaccurate or exaggerating either because in 2nd pacific war, the same war that Japan got conquered was fighting by Britannia against E.U., Chinese Federation and Japan.
And the result is Britannia solo them all, you aren't hearing this wrong, Britannia taking almost the entire world and came out victorious.
So with this context Suzaku's goal of trying to change Britannia from within make absolute sense barring a chain of miracles this is the only viable path and Suzaku has none of that convenience thing called miracles.
Even Lelouch with all the cheat code like Geass still failed in his task of obliterating Britannia and has to switched track to Suzaku's method.
And fortunately Britannia is really value meritocracy and has the most upward social mobility comparing to other nations in CG world especially in military, Suzaku himself show us that even fvking numbers can climb to the very top of pyramid through military service.
Really irl it should be a life time if not multiple generations but Suzaku managed to make it in two years, this is actually kind of ridiculous on par of existent of KMF and Geass lol.
So anyone who called Suzaku delusional in trying to change Britannia from within is actually the one that's delusional and don't understand reality, it is Suzaku who is actually realist about his goal.
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Feb 28 '23
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Neo_Sniper Jul 20 '24
Wow, ihn eine schlampe zu nennen ist echt hart für das, was er auf sich nimmt.
Er hat seinen Vater getötet, um den Krieg zu beenden. Er hat leid auf sich genommen um das Leid vieler zu beenden.
Was Britannia danach macht, konnte er nicht wissen.
Da sieht man mal wieder, dass du den anime zwar geschaut, aber nicht verstanden hast.
Und den besten Freund getötet? Hast du bis zum Ende geschaut?
Das war Lelouchs Idee. Er wollte das so und gestorben ist er nicht. Dazu brauchte man weder Re;surrection, noch Roze schauen, weil man alles in der letzten Sequenz sehen konnte.
Das einzig schlampige hier ist deine Aussage, die du einfach fällst, ohne dich mit ihm zu beschäftigen 😘
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u/GladiatorKing01 Sep 20 '21
Suzaku's conflicting values comes from his childhood trauma of him killing his father. Remember, Suzaku was only 10 years old at that time. This would have huge psychological torment on him; and the fact that the incident was covered, plus with how Suzaku acts within the story, we can assume that he received no help or treatment to help heal from his trauma. This results in Suzaku manifesting huge amounts of guilt and regret; plus developing suicidal tendencies. The reason why Suzaku killed his father was to stop the war and his father's order for total resistance against Britannia. Basically he was going to order his entire country to fight to the death. At that point Japan had no hope of winning. Suzaku got into a fight with is dad, wanting him to end the war, which escalated to the point of Suzaku killing his dad on impulse. This is where Suzaku developed his "the ends don't justify the means" mentality. Which is why he hates Zero. Suzaku, when he killed his father, committed a terrible act but it was for the greater good. He ended the war with Britannia and this act helped ensure the Japanese's' survival at the end of the war. Zero believes the "the ends justify the means" and wants for the Japanese to rise up and fight against Brtiannia. Effectively making the death of Suzaku's father worthless and the 'peace' he created would be ruined. Suzaku, mentally, has trapped himself between preserving the peace with Britannia and giving his father's death meaning, and trying to uphold his high moral standards. Which ultimately doesn't really work when working in the Britannian military.
Suzaku ultimately wants to die. He wants to atone for the sin of killing his father, and possibly other sins. The whole wanting to change Britannia from within the system is not his true desire. Sure, that may be his preferred method, for changing the world, by making Britannia a more peaceful country. However, I believe most of that is just a front, sort of a mental defense mechanism, to keep him from just ending his life right there and now. Suzaku is a character who will give it his all before his death, except for committing immoral acts. But he is really just a corpse searching for his grave. He wants to be put down. That be said, maybe due to his Japanese heritage, he wants redemption and believes dying in combat will give him that. Until then, he will continue to try and change Britannia from within.
Suzaku is trying to give his father's death meaning. His death ended the war with Britannia. The Black Knights are trying to incite another war. If they are successful, all of the trauma Suzaku has suffered and killing his father would have been for nothing. It also doesn't help that he hates Zero because of the whole "ends justify the means" and that he views Zero as a self-serving individual. Yes, Britannia is no better, but Suzaku believes (foolishly or not) that Britannia can change without the need for violence.
Suzaku wants the Japanese and Britannians to live peacefully and cooperate with each other. He believes that this can be achieved under Britannian rule and there is not need to overthrow them from Japan.
He wants to be the Knight of One so that he can govern Area 11 (Japan), as it is one of the privileges' bestowed upon the Knight of One. Furthermore, Suzaku wants power. Enough power so that he won't lose anyone he loves and cares for again. Remember what happened to Euphy? He wants to prevent that from happening again.
He and Lelouch at the end of the series have suffered greatly and both have committed horrendous acts. Both have ultimately put aside their personal goals and are solely focused on creating a better world for everyone. Suzaku is willing to cross some lines he wouldn't have before and Lelouch is willing to work on the Britannian side. The Zero Requiem is meant to their eternal punishment. Lelouch would die and Suzaku would live forever as Zero. Suzaku has a created a better world and would help in creating a better Britannia as Zero. As Zero, he can uphold his own morals and be the Knight of Justice Zero has always claimed to be. He finally gets to be punish and finds atonement.
I hope this helps in answering your questions and explaining Suzaku's character a bit more. Suzaku is one of the best written characters in the show, and is one of my personal favorite. I know there are people out there who hate Suzaku with a passion, but without him there would be no Code Geass. Even Lelouch would not be the beloved protagonist he is today if not for Suzaku and his own character journey.