I could see support for either point of view.
If he truly died, he died as a christlike figure taking the world's hate with him. When C.C. talks about the Geass making people alone it could be taken rhetorically because what Lulu did actually made him a hero and everyone would be thankful for what he did and always think about him, hence not alone, but dead. =
So also, I believe he also informed Cornelia, Guilford, Jeremiah of his plans to end his life so that they could free the prisoners immediately--Which could be why Jeremiah said for no one to shoot Suzaku(Zero) and to "go forth, masked knight." Suzaku accepts the Geass of the people's wish. Suzaku can't live forever, the Geass put on him by Lulu doesn't make him immortal. Lulu could've told Jeremiah that whenever Suzaku wants to be free to use the Geass Canceler on him to make him normal again; to make him free again. + right here if Jeremiah was going to stop Suzaku he would've canceled his Geass and done it right then anyway.
I think some of the prisoners in the stocks knew what was going on, because Kallen said something along the lines of "no way, Lelouch was trying to..." realizing what was going to happen and so not wanting him to be killed. So in the stocks she could've have connected that it was Suzaku dressed as Zero. What helped her realize this was when she was fighting Suzaku at the Damocles he said to her there is still something he had left to do - kill Lelouch. Meaning they had planned this for a while already. Because together they can do anything, like bring about world peace, literally. Nunally also realized what happened/was planned when she touched Lulu's hand; "all this time you've..." -Been doing this for her!
This is why I think this anime could be called an epic tragedy, akin to King Arthur and Sir Lancelot.
This is Zero's Requiem, Lulu's purpose, to free and forgive everyone who was involved, prisoners/world leaders/Suzaku and bring world peace. And its a tribute to Lulu's brilliance and strategic planning. Lelouch is a hero!
Unfortunately, I believe he R.I.P. even though the arguments and suggested evidence for his continued life are mildly convincing, but not definitive.
sadhana said: Sorry to break this to u people, but Lelouch is stone dead!!
The beauty of the ending is in Lelouch's death.It would make so much sense if Nunnaly was crying while everyone celebrated his death,only if he was really dead.
And the fact that we still don't hav season 3 proves it!!
Most peopke say he's alive because wat happened to him was so unfair and they want to convience themselves that the ending is a more happy one.
But they just need to understand Lelouch is doing this as a redemption for his past sins. For all the people he has killed or caused to die, for the people he has manipulated, and as compensation for using Geass on people. If we believe (as I do) that Lelouch is atoning for himself, then he’s committed himself to death — it just wouldn’t make any sense if he was still alive.
But accepting he's dead,would make his sacrifice great & his charecter itself more admirable,rather that beliving he's alive,which would only make him a trickster.
I agree with everything you have said here in that his death is kind of like a literary necessity otherwise the entire anime would've been pointless. This was Lelouch's goal/destiny and why this anime IS EPIC! I cried a bit cause he was awesome; it's both a sad and happy ending. Great story!
"Right now the hate of the world is focused on me, just as planned. Now I just have to disappear to break the chain of hatred. The Legend of Zero still remains in the Order of Black Knights, and Schneizel serves Zero. With this, the world will be able to sit at one table through discussion and not military force. We'll be able to face tomorrow. Suzaku: 'That is, the Zero Requiem.' For the sake of the world's future. [...] Those who may shoot are only those who are prepared to get shot themselves. [...]
ALL HAIL, Lelouch! |