Ep 1. The Day a Demon Awakens
- January 1, 1960
The Day a Demon Awakens is the first episode of the second season of the popular anime series, Code Geass R2. The episode continues the story of the highly intelligent and cunning protagonist, Lelouch Lamperouge, and his plan to overthrow the Britannian Empire. Lelouch, who uses the guise of the masked vigilante Zero, is the leader of the Black Knights, a group of rebels fighting against the Britannian Empire's tyranny.
The episode starts with the aftermath of the Black Knights' failed attack on the Tokyo Settlement. Lelouch is frustrated with their lack of progress in the war and decides to use his Geass, a power that makes people obey his commands, to force the Britannian Army to surrender. He orders them to lay down their weapons and kneel before him. As they do so, Lelouch's Geass activates and he sees visions of a mysterious figure he doesn't recognize. The experience leaves him shaken, but he quickly regains his composure.
The episode then shifts to Zero's broadcast to the world, where he announces his plan to declare war on the Britannian Empire. He declares that he will create a new world, one where people are not judged by their social status or birthright, but by their own abilities and accomplishments. Zero's charisma and rhetoric endear him to the masses, and many people join the Black Knights as a result.
Meanwhile, other members of the Black Knights, including Kallen and Tamaki, are investigating a new type of Knightmare Frame, a robotic weapon used by the Britannian Army. They discover that it is a prototype developed by the Emperor's young son, Prince Schneizel, and is capable of absorbing energy from its surroundings to power its weapons. The discovery poses a significant threat to the Black Knights, and Kallen and Tamaki report their findings to Lelouch.
Lelouch then receives a message from Suzaku Kururugi, his childhood friend who is now an enemy combatant and a Knight of the Round, an elite group of warriors who serve under the Emperor. Suzaku invites Lelouch to a meeting, and Lelouch accepts, even though he knows it is a trap.
At the meeting, Suzaku confronts Lelouch and accuses him of using his Geass to manipulate people's minds. Lelouch denies the accusation but is surprised when Suzaku reveals that he also possesses the power of Geass. Suzaku's Geass is different from Lelouch's, however, as it forces people to obey his commands without them realizing it. Suzaku then reveals that he has been tasked with finding and eliminating Zero, but he offers Lelouch a deal. If Lelouch surrenders and allows himself to be taken into custody, Suzaku will spare the lives of the Black Knights.
The episode ends with Lelouch considering Suzaku's offer and reflecting on his past mistakes. He realizes that he must be more careful with his use of Geass, as it has already caused him significant problems. Despite this, Lelouch remains committed to his goal of defeating the Britannian Empire and creating a better world for all people.
Overall, The Day a Demon Awakens is an action-packed episode that sets the stage for the rest of the second season of Code Geass R2. It introduces new characters and plot points while also deepening the relationships between existing characters. The episode leaves the audience eager to see what will happen next and creates a sense of excitement and anticipation that carries throughout the entire season.