TV-Series
Description
Kannon Maldini is a supporting character in the second season of Code Geass, serving as the most trusted aide and chief of staff to Schneizel el Britannia, the second prince of the Holy Britannian Empire. As an Earl, his noble title is notably high, which reflects his value to Schneizel, even though his direct military rank is not exceptionally prominent. Born on June 1, 1990, he is 28 years old during the events of the story and stands at a height of 192 centimeters.
Kannon possesses a distinctive and refined appearance that often leads to initial assumptions about his gender. He wears his hair long, applies makeup such as lipstick, and uses perfume, all of which are part of his deliberate personal style. His background reveals that he and Schneizel have known each other since their school days, where they lived in the same dormitory and Schneizel was once his supervisor. It is this long-standing connection that forms the bedrock of his absolute loyalty.
In terms of personality, Kannon is defined by his calm, respectful, and quietly efficient demeanor. He is exceptionally competent in his role, possessing sharp political instincts and a cunning intellect that make him a vital asset to the prince. Despite his polished and often serious exterior, he has a subtle sense of humor, demonstrated by a joke he makes to Milly Ashford about being Schneizel's assistant in both public and private matters, a quip he immediately dismisses as a jest. He is also capable of genuine kindness and emotional support, notably providing comfort to the distraught scientist Nina Einstein after the death of her friend, Shirley Fenette. While he rarely raises his voice, his words can be remarkably piercing and effective, such as when he subtly manipulates Suzaku Kururugi.
Kannon's primary motivation is not loyalty to the Britannian throne itself, but a deeply personal devotion to Schneizel el Britannia. Official materials suggest that Schneizel was one of the first people to accept Kannon's unconventional traits without prejudice, recognizing his latent political talent and granting him a position of power. This acceptance engendered immense gratitude, leading Kannon to dedicate his life to serving the prince's ambitions. He is fully aware of Schneizel's grand, ruthless schemes, including his eventual plan to usurp the throne from his father, Emperor Charles zi Britannia, and supports him without hesitation.
Throughout the narrative of R2, Kannon is almost always seen at Schneizel's side, acting as his indispensable right hand. One of his most impactful actions occurs at the Kururugi Shrine, where he leads Britannian forces to apprehend Lelouch Lamperouge immediately after Suzaku's private meeting with him. This move is a calculated maneuver by Kannon to secure evidence of Lelouch's identity as Zero and the existence of Geass, which consequently destroys the trust between Lelouch and Suzaku. He is present during the critical formation of the alliance between Schneizel and the Black Knights, and later participates in the battle for the Damocles fortress. In a rare moment of dissent, he openly questions Schneizel's order to use a F.L.E.I.J.A. warhead, which would have endangered his own sister, the crippled Princess Nunnally, calling the act sheer terrorism. Despite his moral objections, his loyalty ultimately compels him to follow the order. After Lelouch uses his Geass to subdue Schneizel, Kannon is captured alongside other key allies of the prince. He is later slated for public execution by the new Emperor Lelouch, but is freed when Lelouch is assassinated by the returned Zero. His story continues beyond the main series, as he is shown in the sequel film to still be faithfully assisting Schneizel, who now serves as the deputy secretary-general of the newly formed peaceful organization, the Super United Nations.
Kannon's development is subtle, as he begins as a silent, nearly invisible presence and grows into a more defined character as Schneizel takes center stage. He demonstrates a growing moral conflict, shifting from a simple instrument of the prince's will to an individual who will voice his ethical concerns, even if he remains unable to defy his master. His professional abilities are considerable, encompassing high-level political strategy, intelligence analysis, and command leadership. He is shown to be perceptive and capable of orchestrating complex operations, proving himself to be far more than just an attendant.
Kannon possesses a distinctive and refined appearance that often leads to initial assumptions about his gender. He wears his hair long, applies makeup such as lipstick, and uses perfume, all of which are part of his deliberate personal style. His background reveals that he and Schneizel have known each other since their school days, where they lived in the same dormitory and Schneizel was once his supervisor. It is this long-standing connection that forms the bedrock of his absolute loyalty.
In terms of personality, Kannon is defined by his calm, respectful, and quietly efficient demeanor. He is exceptionally competent in his role, possessing sharp political instincts and a cunning intellect that make him a vital asset to the prince. Despite his polished and often serious exterior, he has a subtle sense of humor, demonstrated by a joke he makes to Milly Ashford about being Schneizel's assistant in both public and private matters, a quip he immediately dismisses as a jest. He is also capable of genuine kindness and emotional support, notably providing comfort to the distraught scientist Nina Einstein after the death of her friend, Shirley Fenette. While he rarely raises his voice, his words can be remarkably piercing and effective, such as when he subtly manipulates Suzaku Kururugi.
Kannon's primary motivation is not loyalty to the Britannian throne itself, but a deeply personal devotion to Schneizel el Britannia. Official materials suggest that Schneizel was one of the first people to accept Kannon's unconventional traits without prejudice, recognizing his latent political talent and granting him a position of power. This acceptance engendered immense gratitude, leading Kannon to dedicate his life to serving the prince's ambitions. He is fully aware of Schneizel's grand, ruthless schemes, including his eventual plan to usurp the throne from his father, Emperor Charles zi Britannia, and supports him without hesitation.
Throughout the narrative of R2, Kannon is almost always seen at Schneizel's side, acting as his indispensable right hand. One of his most impactful actions occurs at the Kururugi Shrine, where he leads Britannian forces to apprehend Lelouch Lamperouge immediately after Suzaku's private meeting with him. This move is a calculated maneuver by Kannon to secure evidence of Lelouch's identity as Zero and the existence of Geass, which consequently destroys the trust between Lelouch and Suzaku. He is present during the critical formation of the alliance between Schneizel and the Black Knights, and later participates in the battle for the Damocles fortress. In a rare moment of dissent, he openly questions Schneizel's order to use a F.L.E.I.J.A. warhead, which would have endangered his own sister, the crippled Princess Nunnally, calling the act sheer terrorism. Despite his moral objections, his loyalty ultimately compels him to follow the order. After Lelouch uses his Geass to subdue Schneizel, Kannon is captured alongside other key allies of the prince. He is later slated for public execution by the new Emperor Lelouch, but is freed when Lelouch is assassinated by the returned Zero. His story continues beyond the main series, as he is shown in the sequel film to still be faithfully assisting Schneizel, who now serves as the deputy secretary-general of the newly formed peaceful organization, the Super United Nations.
Kannon's development is subtle, as he begins as a silent, nearly invisible presence and grows into a more defined character as Schneizel takes center stage. He demonstrates a growing moral conflict, shifting from a simple instrument of the prince's will to an individual who will voice his ethical concerns, even if he remains unable to defy his master. His professional abilities are considerable, encompassing high-level political strategy, intelligence analysis, and command leadership. He is shown to be perceptive and capable of orchestrating complex operations, proving himself to be far more than just an attendant.