Kazetenshi’s Weblog

The Fatal Flaw That Which Binds Humanity… August 24, 2008

Posted by Psi in Anime, Philosophical, Slice of Life.
Tags: Code Geass, Nationalism, Philosophy, Pride, War
trackback

While seeing tonight’s episode of Code Geass on Adult Swim, I’ve been pondering around one of the main themes that no doubt dominates the series: Nationalism.

At one side, you have the Brittannian Empire. Their whole culture is based on the philosophy of having devotion to its country. You can see the pride literally dominating every aspect of culture in their occupation of Japan (or Area 11 as they call it.) But their more obvious flaw is that their devout stubbornness creates a “Superior Race” attitude. The majority of them believe that there is no one as equal as the Brittannian when compared to any other country. Even though World War II never existed in the Geass Universe, you can definitely compare the Brittannian’s Nationalistic Pride with that of The Third Reich. To put this quite frankly, the majority of Brittannians are damn egotistical.

On the other hand, the Japanese (Like hell I’ll call ‘em “Elevens”) are pretty much split apart. On one end, many choose to play the submissive type when the Brittannian Empire took control. Choosing to live in the Ghettos or serve Brittannians as servants, they basically want no harm done upon them. There are even some that joined up the Brittannian Military (i.e. Suzaku), and even signed up for Brittannian Citizen status (Of course, this is really monitored and restricted upon, due to the racial issue.) Even though each have their own reason (Suzaku using politics as a way to establish equal status between Brittannians and Japanese), it’s basically rolling with the punches.

Of course though, you have the Aggressive Japanese who cannot stand for having a foreign power transforming and destroying everything that makes their own culture unique, and all the while mocking at their so-called “inferior” being. As the Japanese look at one their own people have become (The “Submissive” group which is actually amplifying the racial tension between Brittannian and Japanese), the sense of pride takes over. Hence Underground Resistance Groups (formed from Citizens) forming and the Japanese Liberation Front (Formed from the fragments of the Japanese Military) opposing the Brittannian Empire in Japan.

So, when putting the puzzle pieces together we have…a war in which Nationalism fuels the fire of hate and death. But from that murky sea of stubborn attitudes, there are a couple of gems. And tonight’s ep. of Code Geass proves on one of them. (Episode 17)

Princess Euphemia, although brought up from Brittannian Loyalty, doesn’t have that snotty racial attitude that almost permeates through the Royal Family, and most of its population. She doesn’t care if you’re of Brittannian or Japanese blood, she’ll treat you as equal. During the Art Ceremony that she attended, she had an option to “crown” best painting; One which is painted by a “Pure blood” and is therefore superior, and one that is painted by a Brittannian with “a hint of Eleven Blood”, which is often mocked at. The tension that the audience brings as she struggles to choose presents that inner conflict: Will she cave into the demands of others and reward the pure blood, or will she take that stand against what others want, and award it to the underdog?

Fortunately for her, that tension eases out as Zero makes an attack to free Toudou from his execution. During which, Suzaku Kururugi is actively participating to prevent. But during the battle, his cover is blown; exposing his “status” to the watchful Brittannian media. You can definitely hear the doubts coming out of them as soon as he was surrounded. And even though his elite skills is shown off and he survived the attack, the media shunned him even more for letting the Black Knights go, thus the racial tension shows up again. Luckily though, Princess Euphemia finally chooses to stand, and announces Suzaku to be her Knight.

What was witnessed is that Suzaku and the Japanese can fight equally as their Brittannian counterparts. But what keeps them seperated is their sense of Nationalism and Pride. How far will it go? Is one side REALLY superior towards the other? Nope. One individual can be easily pressured into caving into the mainstream society’s beliefs. It REALLY does take a strong will to fight that. Some may even say it’s impossible to fight it, but I definitely don’t believe so.

Hell, you can even agree to what Ben “Yahtzee” Croshaw says: “Patriotism is for twats.”

(Sidenote: I mean no offense or harm to anyone who has lost a loved one during times of war, but there are many reasons as to why conflict starts. I am just pondering at one of them.)

(Off-topic: Moribito aired on Adult Swim tonight. It looks to be a really sweet anime! Can’t wait to continue watching!)