OVA
Description
Li Xingke is a military officer from the Chinese Federation who appears as a significant supporting character in the second season of the series. He comes from an ancient family that claims descent from the historical figure Liu Cang. Six years before the main events of the story, Xingke was caught administering medicine to a prisoner by the eunuch Hong Gu. His life was spared by the then seven-year-old Empress Tianzi, who intervened on his behalf. Deeply moved by her compassion, Xingke swore an oath of eternal loyalty to her and vowed to one day show her the world beyond the walls of the Vermillion Forbidden City. He subsequently entered an officer school and rose through the ranks of the Chinese Federation military.
Xingke is defined by an unwavering sense of duty and devotion to Empress Tianzi. Unlike the High Eunuchs who treat her as a figurehead and hold the real power in the Federation, Xingke is part of a faction that remains genuinely loyal to her. He is shown to be a man of principle who is willing to take drastic measures to protect the Empress and restore her legitimate authority. He is calculating and politically astute, but his primary driving motivation is his personal debt to Tianzi and his desire to fulfill the promise he made to her. He initially harbors hostility toward the Black Knights, viewing them as a potential threat, but his perspective shifts after they help rescue the Empress from the High Eunuchs' control.
Xingke possesses a rare combination of extraordinary physical prowess and keen intellect. Lelouch vi Britannia himself describes Xingke as a man blessed with intelligence equal to his own and combat ability comparable to that of Suzaku Kururugi. In close combat, Xingke is exceptionally skilled with a blade, capable of drawing, striking, and sheathing his sword in a motion too fast for an opponent to perceive. He is also an accomplished pilot of the Knightmare Frame Shen Hu. However, these gifts are balanced by a significant drawback: Xingke suffers from an unknown progressive illness that gradually weakens him over time. The condition causes him to cough up blood even during battle, and it is noted that he was not blessed with enough time. This awareness of his own mortality adds a sense of urgency to his actions and deepens his resolve to accomplish his goals while he still can.
Xingke first appears briefly at the end of the first season, listening remotely to Zero's declaration of the founding of the United States of Japan. He makes his full debut early in the second season, initially serving as a bodyguard for the High Eunuch Gao Hai during a diplomatic visit to Area 11. When the Black Knights seek refuge in the Chinese Federation Embassy, Xingke uses the chaotic situation to his advantage. He privately confronts Gao Hai about the eunuch's disloyalty toward the Empress and, after confirming that Gao Hai's concern for Zero outweighs his duty to Tianzi, Xingke executes him for lèse-majesté. He then negotiates a temporary alliance with the Black Knights, though C.C. recognizes that he is using them as a tool to advance his own plans for China.
Xingke plays a central role in the coup against the High Eunuchs. He initiates the uprising during a wedding ceremony, but the plan becomes complicated when Zero intervenes and takes Empress Tianzi hostage as part of a larger scheme. Following the establishment of the United Federation of Nations, Xingke becomes the supreme commander of the Black Knights. In the final decisive battle at Mount Fuji, he fights on the front lines in an effort to defeat Lelouch, ultimately committing himself to the global conflict that defines the series' climax.
His key relationships are defined by loyalty and mutual respect. His bond with Empress Tianzi is the emotional core of his character, shaping nearly every decision he makes. His relationship with Zero is complex, beginning with suspicion and pragmatic alliance before evolving into a more cooperative stance after the rescue of the Empress. Xingke also demonstrates respect for Kallen Kozuki after recognizing her abilities as the pilot of the Guren Nishiki. His interactions with the High Eunuchs are marked by open opposition, as he views them as corrupt usurpers who have betrayed the authority of the Empress. Throughout his arc, Xingke develops from a figure whose loyalties are tied solely to his nation and sovereign into a commander who contributes to a broader global alliance, all while contending with the physical limitations imposed by his illness.
Xingke is defined by an unwavering sense of duty and devotion to Empress Tianzi. Unlike the High Eunuchs who treat her as a figurehead and hold the real power in the Federation, Xingke is part of a faction that remains genuinely loyal to her. He is shown to be a man of principle who is willing to take drastic measures to protect the Empress and restore her legitimate authority. He is calculating and politically astute, but his primary driving motivation is his personal debt to Tianzi and his desire to fulfill the promise he made to her. He initially harbors hostility toward the Black Knights, viewing them as a potential threat, but his perspective shifts after they help rescue the Empress from the High Eunuchs' control.
Xingke possesses a rare combination of extraordinary physical prowess and keen intellect. Lelouch vi Britannia himself describes Xingke as a man blessed with intelligence equal to his own and combat ability comparable to that of Suzaku Kururugi. In close combat, Xingke is exceptionally skilled with a blade, capable of drawing, striking, and sheathing his sword in a motion too fast for an opponent to perceive. He is also an accomplished pilot of the Knightmare Frame Shen Hu. However, these gifts are balanced by a significant drawback: Xingke suffers from an unknown progressive illness that gradually weakens him over time. The condition causes him to cough up blood even during battle, and it is noted that he was not blessed with enough time. This awareness of his own mortality adds a sense of urgency to his actions and deepens his resolve to accomplish his goals while he still can.
Xingke first appears briefly at the end of the first season, listening remotely to Zero's declaration of the founding of the United States of Japan. He makes his full debut early in the second season, initially serving as a bodyguard for the High Eunuch Gao Hai during a diplomatic visit to Area 11. When the Black Knights seek refuge in the Chinese Federation Embassy, Xingke uses the chaotic situation to his advantage. He privately confronts Gao Hai about the eunuch's disloyalty toward the Empress and, after confirming that Gao Hai's concern for Zero outweighs his duty to Tianzi, Xingke executes him for lèse-majesté. He then negotiates a temporary alliance with the Black Knights, though C.C. recognizes that he is using them as a tool to advance his own plans for China.
Xingke plays a central role in the coup against the High Eunuchs. He initiates the uprising during a wedding ceremony, but the plan becomes complicated when Zero intervenes and takes Empress Tianzi hostage as part of a larger scheme. Following the establishment of the United Federation of Nations, Xingke becomes the supreme commander of the Black Knights. In the final decisive battle at Mount Fuji, he fights on the front lines in an effort to defeat Lelouch, ultimately committing himself to the global conflict that defines the series' climax.
His key relationships are defined by loyalty and mutual respect. His bond with Empress Tianzi is the emotional core of his character, shaping nearly every decision he makes. His relationship with Zero is complex, beginning with suspicion and pragmatic alliance before evolving into a more cooperative stance after the rescue of the Empress. Xingke also demonstrates respect for Kallen Kozuki after recognizing her abilities as the pilot of the Guren Nishiki. His interactions with the High Eunuchs are marked by open opposition, as he views them as corrupt usurpers who have betrayed the authority of the Empress. Throughout his arc, Xingke develops from a figure whose loyalties are tied solely to his nation and sovereign into a commander who contributes to a broader global alliance, all while contending with the physical limitations imposed by his illness.