OVA
Description
Andrea Farnese is a supporting character in the anime Code Geass: Akito the Exiled. He holds the rank of Grand Master of the Knights of St. Raphael, also known as the Holy Order of Raphael, which is one of the four great knightly orders of Euro Britannia. Physically, he is depicted as a young man of above-average height, standing at 196 centimeters, with blonde hair that reaches his neck and blue eyes.
In terms of personality, Farnese is portrayed as an honorable and contemplative individual. He demonstrates a deep sense of responsibility and respect for the lives of the soldiers under his command, showing a willingness to retreat from a battle if it means preventing further unnecessary casualties among his warriors. This pragmatic and protective nature sets him apart from some of the more zealous or ruthless characters in the Euro Britannian military. He is also noted for his keen insight, being one of the few characters who vaguely recognizes the twisted and dangerous natures of both Shin Hyuga Shaing and Julius Kingsley, though he is unable to act on these suspicions in time to prevent the damage they cause.
Andrea Farnese is a close personal friend of Michele Manfredi, the original Grand Master of the Knights of St. Michael. His loyalty also extends to Grand Duke August Highland, to whom he is a devoted retainer. His skepticism towards Shin Hyuga Shaing is evident from the start; he openly doubts the official story that his friend Michele Manfredi committed suicide, finding it unrealistic given what he knew of Manfredi's character. This distrust of Shin persists, and he is similarly unimpressed by the military advisor Julius Kingsley, whom he labels a coward. These judgments highlight his perceptiveness and his adherence to a personal code of honor that values truth and courage.
Farnese's role in the story is largely defined by his leadership and his status as a survivor. He first appears during the Battle of Narva, where his forces are severely crippled by the unconventional and suicidal tactics of the W-0 Force, a special unit of the Europia United army. Observing the high number of casualties, including the loss of two teams, he makes the difficult decision to order a retreat to spare his remaining knights from being slaughtered by an enemy whose capabilities he does not yet fully understand. This decision exemplifies his cautious and principled command style.
Later, he is present at a ceremony in Caesar's Palace in Sankt Petersburg, where Shin Hyuga Shaing is knighted as the new Grand Master of the Knights of St. Michael. Throughout the events that follow, Farnese remains one of the most steadfast opponents of Shin's machinations. When Shin orchestrates a coup against the Britannian leadership, Farnese is the only one of the four Grand Masters to survive the ensuing assassination attempt. This survival allows him to swear a vow to never forgive Shin for his treachery, positioning him as a key figure of opposition within Euro Britannia. By the end of the series, he is noted to be the sole surviving leader among the great knightly orders of Euro Britannia.
Regarding his abilities, Andrea Farnese is a high-ranking military commander and a knight, implying a high level of competence in strategy, leadership, and piloting a Knightmare Frame. His decision-making during the Battle of Narva shows his strategic thinking, as he prioritizes long-term preservation of his forces over a costly and uncertain victory. As a Grand Master, he commands the respect and complete loyalty of his subordinates, a testament to his leadership qualities. He is also one of the few characters in the series who demonstrates a degree of immunity to the manipulative tactics of others, as seen in his early distrust of Shin and his resistance to the influence of Julius Kingsley.
In terms of personality, Farnese is portrayed as an honorable and contemplative individual. He demonstrates a deep sense of responsibility and respect for the lives of the soldiers under his command, showing a willingness to retreat from a battle if it means preventing further unnecessary casualties among his warriors. This pragmatic and protective nature sets him apart from some of the more zealous or ruthless characters in the Euro Britannian military. He is also noted for his keen insight, being one of the few characters who vaguely recognizes the twisted and dangerous natures of both Shin Hyuga Shaing and Julius Kingsley, though he is unable to act on these suspicions in time to prevent the damage they cause.
Andrea Farnese is a close personal friend of Michele Manfredi, the original Grand Master of the Knights of St. Michael. His loyalty also extends to Grand Duke August Highland, to whom he is a devoted retainer. His skepticism towards Shin Hyuga Shaing is evident from the start; he openly doubts the official story that his friend Michele Manfredi committed suicide, finding it unrealistic given what he knew of Manfredi's character. This distrust of Shin persists, and he is similarly unimpressed by the military advisor Julius Kingsley, whom he labels a coward. These judgments highlight his perceptiveness and his adherence to a personal code of honor that values truth and courage.
Farnese's role in the story is largely defined by his leadership and his status as a survivor. He first appears during the Battle of Narva, where his forces are severely crippled by the unconventional and suicidal tactics of the W-0 Force, a special unit of the Europia United army. Observing the high number of casualties, including the loss of two teams, he makes the difficult decision to order a retreat to spare his remaining knights from being slaughtered by an enemy whose capabilities he does not yet fully understand. This decision exemplifies his cautious and principled command style.
Later, he is present at a ceremony in Caesar's Palace in Sankt Petersburg, where Shin Hyuga Shaing is knighted as the new Grand Master of the Knights of St. Michael. Throughout the events that follow, Farnese remains one of the most steadfast opponents of Shin's machinations. When Shin orchestrates a coup against the Britannian leadership, Farnese is the only one of the four Grand Masters to survive the ensuing assassination attempt. This survival allows him to swear a vow to never forgive Shin for his treachery, positioning him as a key figure of opposition within Euro Britannia. By the end of the series, he is noted to be the sole surviving leader among the great knightly orders of Euro Britannia.
Regarding his abilities, Andrea Farnese is a high-ranking military commander and a knight, implying a high level of competence in strategy, leadership, and piloting a Knightmare Frame. His decision-making during the Battle of Narva shows his strategic thinking, as he prioritizes long-term preservation of his forces over a costly and uncertain victory. As a Grand Master, he commands the respect and complete loyalty of his subordinates, a testament to his leadership qualities. He is also one of the few characters in the series who demonstrates a degree of immunity to the manipulative tactics of others, as seen in his early distrust of Shin and his resistance to the influence of Julius Kingsley.