OVA
Description
The character Jeremiah Gottwald is a tall, imposing figure standing at 205 centimeters, with an intense presence that matches his passionate and unwavering personality. He is a military officer of the Britannian Empire who initially serves as the leader of the Pureblood faction, a group that advocates for the supremacy of pure-blooded Britannians and refuses to recognize non-Britannians within the imperial military structure. Holding the title of Margrave, a noble rank, Jeremiah is deeply arrogant in his early appearances, looking down upon those from conquered territories, particularly the Japanese people of Area 11 whom he refers to disparagingly as Numbers.
Jeremiahs background is defined by a profound sense of duty and a single significant failure that haunts him. In the past, he served as a guard at the Aries Villa, the residence of Empress Marianne vi Britannia, mother of Lelouch and Nunnally. He held deep respect for the Empress, but a superior officer reduced the palace guard on the day of her assassination, an event Jeremiah considers the greatest failure of his life and a source of unending guilt. Following this tragedy, he witnessed the young Lelouch and Nunnally being sent away to Japan as political hostages, an event that further cemented his desire for redemption. When news arrived that the two children had supposedly died in Japan, Jeremiah transferred to Area 11, the land where he felt he had failed his late empress, seeing it as a chance to atone.
His primary motivation throughout the narrative is an intense and unwavering loyalty. Initially, this loyalty is directed towards the Britannian imperial household and the ideology of pureblood supremacy. However, after the death of Prince Clovis, Jeremiah attempts to frame the Honorary Britannian Suzaku Kururugi for the murder to consolidate the Pureblood factions power. This plan is thwarted by the masked vigilante Zero, who uses a supernatural power called Geass to force Jeremiah to aid in Suzakus escape. To mock and discredit him, Zero publicly uses the nonsensical code word Orange, implying a corrupt relationship with Jeremiah. This incident causes Jeremiahs complete disgrace, a dramatic demotion in rank, and his branding with the despised nickname Orange, which fellow soldiers use as an insult. From this point, his motivation narrows to an obsession with capturing Zero and restoring his lost honor, leading him into reckless and impulsive actions in battle.
His role in the story undergoes a radical transformation. After being critically injured in the Battle of Narita by Kallen Kozukis Guren Mk-II, Jeremiah is officially listed as killed in action. In reality, he is recovered by a research team and subjected to extensive cybernetic experimentation. He is transformed into a cyborg whose body relies on the energy of the rare mineral Sakuradite. For a time, he serves the enigmatic V.V. as an agent with a singular purpose. However, when he confronts Zero and discovers that the man behind the mask is Lelouch Vi Britannia, the son of Empress Marianne, Jeremiahs true motivation reasserts itself. Upon learning that Lelouch became Zero to avenge his mothers death, Jeremiah undergoes a complete reversal, swearing absolute fealty to the prince in order to finally atone for his past failures. He redefines his hated nickname, declaring that Orange is now the name of his loyalty, and becomes one of Lelouchs most powerful and faithful lieutenants.
Key relationships define his journey. His relationship with Lelouch evolves from bitter enmity to devoted service. He shares a complex dynamic with Suzaku Kururugi, whom he once tried to execute and who later saved his life, a history that creates a tense but mutual respect between them. He also shares a unique bond of shared chivalric principles with Lelouchs ninja maid, Sayoko Shinozaki. Throughout his trials, his subordinate Villetta Nu remains loyal to him, even when he falls from grace.
Jeremiah demonstrates significant development, moving from an arrogant, purist noble obsessed with status and revenge to a self-aware servant whose sole purpose is loyalty. He accepts responsibility for his past failures and finds peace not in power or vengeance, but in serving a cause he believes in. After the conclusion of the final conflict, known as the Zero Requiem, Jeremiah retires from military life to cultivate an orange farm, achieving an ironic and contented peace.
Notable abilities distinguish him as a formidable combatant. He is an exceptionally skilled Knightmare Frame pilot, capable of matching elite opponents even in outdated machines. His cybernetic enhancements grant him superhuman strength, bulletproof armor, and retractable blade weapons concealed within his forearms. His most unique ability is his cybernetic left eye, which houses a Geass Canceler. This device generates a field that nullifies the effects of any Geass within its range, restoring memories that have been altered or erased and rendering its user immune to psychic manipulation. This power proves crucial for countering the schemes of other Geass users throughout the second season of the story.
Jeremiahs background is defined by a profound sense of duty and a single significant failure that haunts him. In the past, he served as a guard at the Aries Villa, the residence of Empress Marianne vi Britannia, mother of Lelouch and Nunnally. He held deep respect for the Empress, but a superior officer reduced the palace guard on the day of her assassination, an event Jeremiah considers the greatest failure of his life and a source of unending guilt. Following this tragedy, he witnessed the young Lelouch and Nunnally being sent away to Japan as political hostages, an event that further cemented his desire for redemption. When news arrived that the two children had supposedly died in Japan, Jeremiah transferred to Area 11, the land where he felt he had failed his late empress, seeing it as a chance to atone.
His primary motivation throughout the narrative is an intense and unwavering loyalty. Initially, this loyalty is directed towards the Britannian imperial household and the ideology of pureblood supremacy. However, after the death of Prince Clovis, Jeremiah attempts to frame the Honorary Britannian Suzaku Kururugi for the murder to consolidate the Pureblood factions power. This plan is thwarted by the masked vigilante Zero, who uses a supernatural power called Geass to force Jeremiah to aid in Suzakus escape. To mock and discredit him, Zero publicly uses the nonsensical code word Orange, implying a corrupt relationship with Jeremiah. This incident causes Jeremiahs complete disgrace, a dramatic demotion in rank, and his branding with the despised nickname Orange, which fellow soldiers use as an insult. From this point, his motivation narrows to an obsession with capturing Zero and restoring his lost honor, leading him into reckless and impulsive actions in battle.
His role in the story undergoes a radical transformation. After being critically injured in the Battle of Narita by Kallen Kozukis Guren Mk-II, Jeremiah is officially listed as killed in action. In reality, he is recovered by a research team and subjected to extensive cybernetic experimentation. He is transformed into a cyborg whose body relies on the energy of the rare mineral Sakuradite. For a time, he serves the enigmatic V.V. as an agent with a singular purpose. However, when he confronts Zero and discovers that the man behind the mask is Lelouch Vi Britannia, the son of Empress Marianne, Jeremiahs true motivation reasserts itself. Upon learning that Lelouch became Zero to avenge his mothers death, Jeremiah undergoes a complete reversal, swearing absolute fealty to the prince in order to finally atone for his past failures. He redefines his hated nickname, declaring that Orange is now the name of his loyalty, and becomes one of Lelouchs most powerful and faithful lieutenants.
Key relationships define his journey. His relationship with Lelouch evolves from bitter enmity to devoted service. He shares a complex dynamic with Suzaku Kururugi, whom he once tried to execute and who later saved his life, a history that creates a tense but mutual respect between them. He also shares a unique bond of shared chivalric principles with Lelouchs ninja maid, Sayoko Shinozaki. Throughout his trials, his subordinate Villetta Nu remains loyal to him, even when he falls from grace.
Jeremiah demonstrates significant development, moving from an arrogant, purist noble obsessed with status and revenge to a self-aware servant whose sole purpose is loyalty. He accepts responsibility for his past failures and finds peace not in power or vengeance, but in serving a cause he believes in. After the conclusion of the final conflict, known as the Zero Requiem, Jeremiah retires from military life to cultivate an orange farm, achieving an ironic and contented peace.
Notable abilities distinguish him as a formidable combatant. He is an exceptionally skilled Knightmare Frame pilot, capable of matching elite opponents even in outdated machines. His cybernetic enhancements grant him superhuman strength, bulletproof armor, and retractable blade weapons concealed within his forearms. His most unique ability is his cybernetic left eye, which houses a Geass Canceler. This device generates a field that nullifies the effects of any Geass within its range, restoring memories that have been altered or erased and rendering its user immune to psychic manipulation. This power proves crucial for countering the schemes of other Geass users throughout the second season of the story.