Code Geass is a cult-classic anime, particularly popular among fans of the mecha genre, but even well-known to viewers who aren’t necessarily passionate about it. The main character, Lelouch vi Britannia, has been the most popular character on MyAnimeList for years. But Lelouch isn’t the only interesting figure in Code Geass, and the anime also stars a large cast of female characters, many of whom massively impact his journey.

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Like many other anime series, Code Geass does include a lot of fan service moments. But that doesn’t make the female characters any less important. The ladies of Code Geass have their own interesting motivations and personalities, and some of them have become just as iconic as Lelouch has.

10 Milly’s Joyful Facade Hides Unexpectedly Heavy Burdens

code geass milly ashford

The childhood friend of protagonist Lelouch, Milly is is the student council president at Ashford Academy. She always comes up with creative, albeit occasionally questionable, plans for new events. A particularly notable example is the cat hunt that nearly reveals Lelouch’s identity as the masked terrorist Zero.

In fact, Milly struggles under the weight of her family’s expectations. Having fallen into disfavor after the death of Lelouch’s mother, the Ashfords now rely on Milly to agree to an advantageous marriage. In the end, after a confrontation with Nina Einstein, she has an epiphany and refuses the engagement to Lloyd Asplund, choosing independence and becoming a reporter instead.

9 Cecile Croomy Is A Brilliant Scientist Who Provides Suzaku With Emotional Support

code geass cecile croomy

A Britannian scientist working for Project Camelot, Cecile is just as brilliant as her superior, Lloyd. The energy wings that will later be used on advanced knightmares like the Guren S.E.I.T.E.N. and Lancelot Albion are her creation. Unlike Lloyd, however, she displays significant kindness and often acts as the earl’s conscience.

When deuteragonist Suzaku Kururugi becomes part of the project and the pilot of the Lancelot, it is Cecile who often provides Suzaku with emotional support. Despite the age difference between the two, it is hinted that she may have had romantic feelings for him.

8 Kaguya Sumeragi Is Politically Astute Despite Her Young Age

code geass kaguya sumeragi

The only living member of the Six Houses of Kyoto, Suzaku’s cousin Kaguya stands out thanks to the political responsibility she displays despite her young age. Kaguya has moments when she seems childish, and her insistence to be Zero’s wife can come off as naive, but in reality, she is astute, intelligent, and very aware of the tragic realities that surround her.

Kind but willing to do whatever it takes, she doesn’t seem to directly participate in the Black Knight’s betrayal of Lelouch but later stands against him as the First Chairwoman of the U.F.N. Supreme Council. Originally taken captive and slated for execution, she realizes the true intention of Lelouch’s plan after the Zero Requiem and, in the aftermath, supports the rebuilding efforts.

7 Sayoko Shinozaki Is A Loyal Shinobi Sworn To Protect Lelouch And His Sister

code geass sayoko shinozaki

Originally introduced as Nunnally and Lelouch’s maid, Sayoko is another character who is more than she seems. When she isn’t teaching Nunnally how to fold origami, she is a ninja who actually supports the Black Knights. Her fighting skill is so great, she can match Suzaku in hand-to-hand combat.

Incredibly dedicated to Lelouch, she is among the few people he willingly divulges his true identity as Zero to. She is also the only Japanese person other than Suzaku who supports him in his Zero Requiem plan.

6 Cornelia’s Courage And Skill Stands Out Despite Her Racist Opinions

Cornelia in Code Geass.

Lelouch’s older sister and the Witch of Britannia, Cornelia li Britannia is a talented strategist in her own right, as well as a brilliant fighter. During their first confrontation, she easily unravels Lelouch’s plan and nearly captures him. Her skill on the battlefield is only rivaled by her brutality and her dismissiveness toward the people she sees as lesser.

Despite her cruelty, Cornelia has a special bond with her sister Euphie. When Lelouch places Euphie under his Geass and kills her, Cornelia seeks both revenge and redemption for her sister. She also proves to have some level of morality, as, unlike her older brother Schneizel, she is against the use of the FLEIJA missile on Pendragon.

5 Euphemia Is Doomed By Her Own Kindness And Trusting Nature

Princess Euphemia from Code Geass

Despite having been raised in a poisonous environment, Cornelia’s sister Euphemia doesn’t see the Japanese as inferior. She is politically naive, but, even so, she attempts to help them in her own way. Her romantic relationship with Suzaku is sweet but strained by the weight of Suzaku’s secrets and their power imbalance.

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Euphemia’s kindness and trusting nature prove to be her undoing. Lelouch accidentally places a Geass on her, ordering her to kill all the Japanese. Once the massacre begins, he is forced to kill her. Her death creates a permanent rift between Lelouch and Suzaku and is one of the biggest factors that contribute to the Zero Requiem - Lelouch’s decision to commit suicide by Suzaku’s hand.

4 Shirley Is The Classical Shojo Protagonist Trapped In A Show That Doesn’t Suit Her

Shirley Fenette from Code Geass

Many Code Geass fans dislike the romantic Shirley Fenette, finding her annoying and pushy. She embodies a classical shojo protagonist who falls in love with the aloof but charming male lead. But that role doesn’t suit the plot of Code Geass.  Ironically, that is what makes Shirley’s personal arc so fascinating.

Her affection for Lelouch clashes with her desire to avenge her father, a collateral victim of one of Lelouch’s plans, something the Geass user Mao takes advantage of. But in the end, it is still Lelouch she chooses. Her amazing capacity for forgiveness makes her one of the few characters in the anime who remain loyal to Lelouch, which is why her death impacts Lelouch so greatly.

3 Nunnally Is The Axis Around Which Lelouch’s World Rotates

code geass nunnally

Lelouch’s sister Nunnally is the most important person in his life and his reason for living. His quest is, at least in part, meant to protect her and build the kind world she so desires. For much of Season One, she doesn’t prove her own potential as an individual character but in late Season Two, that finally changes.

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Blinded and crippled at a young age, Nunnally begins to display true initiative and strength and even breaks the Geass placed on her by her father, Charles. She and Lelouch are far more similar than they seem, as she attempts to take on Lelouch’s crimes onto herself by shooting the FLEIJA missile. Unfortunately, the growth of the character is sabotaged in Lelouch of the Re;surrection, as she is once again reduced to being a plot device and someone to save.

2 Kallen Is Dedicated To Freeing Japan At Any Cost

kallen Marvel and anime

The Red Ace, Kallen Kozuki is the Black Knights' strongest fighter and the pilot of the Guren. Born half-Britannian, she is as fierce on the battlefield as she is determined to win Japan’s freedom. The tragic loss of her brother, Naoto, motivates her to accomplish their shared dream. Originally resentful of her mother, she is heartbroken when she learns of the woman’s personal struggles and addiction to the drug Refrain.

Kallen has the utmost faith in Zero and feels betrayed when she learns his true identity as Lelouch. Even so, she comes to care about him and only turns away from him when he deliberately pushes her away. When she believes him to be a demon, she fights forward, still determined to save Japan. Upon realizing Lelouch and Suzaku’s true plan, she chooses to respect it, even if she is heartbroken by his death.

1 C.C. Is The Tragic Immortal Witch With Selfish Motives But A Good Heart

cc with immortality mark code geass

The immortal witch C.C. remains the most tragic and mysterious character of Code Geass. Cursed with immortality by her Code, she has experienced death in countless forms and has reached a point where she feels alienated from her own identity. Her desire to die is what urges her to give Lelouch his gift. She betrays Lelouch through her connection with his parents, but in the end, her bond with him is still stronger.

Even if it means losing her chance to accomplish her dream, she rejects Charles and helps Lelouch in his Zero Requiem plan. In Lelouch of the Re;surrection, she even brings Lelouch back to life, and the two go on to lead an immortal life together. She isn’t a good person, but it is her gray morality and questionable choices that make her one of the most fascinating characters in the anime.

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