What Does Geass Mean In Code Geass? All Powers Explained!

Code Geass is one of those anime that leaves the viewer in awe. The anime series rose to popularity because of its extremely smart main character and fascinating plot. People have always been fascinated by stories of revolution and overthrowing the government. Code Geass offers that and more. It gives viewers a mix of action-packed mecha, moral conflict, and supernatural tint. The supernatural aspect comes into the picture when C.C gives the Geass to Lelouch, making him the one who has “The Power of the Kings.” But what does Geass mean? How did Lelouch get it? Here is everything you need to know about the Geass in Code Geass.

Code Geass: How Did Lelouch Acquire The Geass?

Lelouch was just a student at the Ashford Academy. One day, he gets stuck in a crossfire between a group of rebellious ‘elevens’ and the Brittania’s force. He tries to escape but is unable to. Just when a Brittanian Royal Guard is about to kill him, C.C saves his life. It was revealed that C.C was a weapon under the Brittanian Government. She makes a contract with Lelouch and gives him a Geass. This is ‘Power of The Kings” which manifests itself as a glowing symbol in his eye. With this power, he can make anyone abide by him for just one time with direct eye contact.

Code Geass: What Is A Geass?

As explained in the story, Geass is a special power that some people can give to other people. C.C. is usually the one who gives the Geass to others. This power is something close to a contract between the giver and the receiver. Geass manifests itself in many different ways. One theory states that it aligns itself to the person’s inner desires. However, the power of the Geass also increases every use. The user must have enough willpower to hold themselves in check. Otherwise, there is a high chance that the power will consume them. Mostly, Geass has to do with manipulating the mind. It affects the victim’s mind, memory, and perception.

The idea of Geass is likely from Irish and Welsh legends. “Geis” is a compulsion forced on someone. It restricts the victim and forces them to do or not do something. It’s not exactly an obligation but more of an external force briefly commanding an individual’s actions. This could have influenced the makers in making the characters come from the British region.

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Usually, the user takes time to get the perfect Geass without getting consumed. The perfect Geass is when the symbol manifests in both the eyes of the user. However, despite how strong the Geass is, it is not foolproof. There are instances in the show where people can resist it if they try hard enough and have a grudge against the user. Lelouch and Nunnally resisted their father’s Geass because they had resisted the false memories. This suggests that resisting the power of a Geass is a possibility.

Who Were The Past Users Of The King’s Power?

• Lelouch’s Geass: Power Of The Kings

Lelouch’s Geass is the “Power of the Kings” or “The Power of Absolute Obedience.” To activate the Geass, he needs to have direct eye contact with an individual. He is then able to send direct commands to their brain. The user can use the Geass only once on an individual. Moreover, there is no time limit to this power. He ordered Suzaku to live, and Suzaku did till the end of the show. Lelouch is able to activate this power at will in the beginning. But as the power grows, he loses control of the Geass. Due to his excessive usage, the sigils become permanent in his eyes. He is later able to regain control.

• Mao’s Geass: Seal of Absolute Sound

This Geass gave Mao the power to listen to a person’s thoughts using telepathy. If he concentrates on an individual, he can go deeper into their mind and access their memories. But if the person has forgotten it, he will not know. However, over usage of this power drove him to mental instability. This forced him to be aware of others’ thoughts without a break.

• Charles zi Brittania’s Geass: Memory Alteration

This is by far the most powerful Geass in the series. This power gives Charles the ability to erase, suppress and alter memories. If needed, he can make an individual forget that he had Geass, thereby making their Geass useless. V. V would have given him his Geass. He is able to also make severe alterations to physical senses like sight using his Geass.

• C.C’s Geass: To Be Loved

C.C’s Geass gave her the power to be loved. Using it, she could make anyone fall in love with her. However, this Geass has been with her for a very long time. Eventually, it became permanently active, and both her eyes held it. But she later lost it.

• Bismarck Waldstein’s Geass: Immediate Future

Using his Geass, Bismarck was able to see the immediate Future. It works very well in combat situations. The series tells us that his Geass is permanently active in one eye. This way, Bismarck could see the attacks coming and already prepare a counter.

• Marianne vi Britannia’s Geass: Cheat Death

This Geass could only be used when Marianne is dying. At the time of her death, she is able to transfer her soul and Geass into another person. Thus she can cheat death. She is able to use this and control the body of her victims.

• Orpheus Zevon’s Geass: Become

This Geass offers the power to become anyone. The user is able to manipulate every single brain in a particular radius into perceiving them differently. However, this Geass does not work on a camera. Unfortunately, this Geass also has a time limit. It holds for only five minutes, then deactivates.

• Shin Hyuga Shaing’s Geass: Die

This is arguably the next most powerful Geass. Shin is able to command the people he loves to kill themselves. His power is also unique because he didn’t perform any contracts with anyone. He got this power because he killed his father and the Geass offered itself to him.

In short, Geass is a tool that gives its’ users immense powers over another’s or their own mind. It requires the sheer will not go insane. However, the powers it offers are limited and must be used judiciously. If you’d like to rewatch the Code Geass series, Netflix is streaming it. So, keep an eye on this space for more such articles.