TV-Series
Description
Bismarck Waldstein is a prominent character in the second season of the anime Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion. He holds the distinguished rank of Knight of One, making him the highest-ranking and most powerful member of the Holy Britannian Empire's elite knightly order, the Knights of the Round. His title signifies that he is officially recognized as the strongest knight in the entire empire. In terms of his personal history, Bismarck became a Knight of the Round before Lelouch vi Britannia was born. He was originally the Knight of Five, but following the "Bloodstained Emblem" incident, during which the previous Knight of One, Marianne vi Britannia, stepped down to become empress, Bismarck was promoted to Knight of One. He was one of only two members of the Knights of the Round who did not participate in the rebellion during that event, instead loyally defending the gates.
Physically, Bismarck is an exceptionally tall man with a muscular build, long wavy purple hair, a short beard, and steely blue eyes. His most distinctive feature is his left eye, which is kept permanently sewn shut with three green sutures. This is a deliberate and necessary act to seal away the Geass power within, preventing its unintended activation. His uniform as the Knight of One differs from his peers, featuring a long double-breasted coat and a distinctive white cape. His personality is marked by a strong sense of chivalry and restraint. Despite his overwhelming combat ability, he is a firm believer that war should be a last resort and views untempered strength as needless violence. His primary motivation is his absolute and unwavering loyalty to Emperor Charles zi Britannia, whom he serves with complete devotion. He shares a deep and old friendship with the late empress Marianne, a connection that heavily influences his personal loyalties and final moments.
In the story, Bismarck serves as a formidable obstacle representing the pinnacle of Britannian military power and traditional loyalty. He is first seen overseeing Suzaku Kururugi's ascension ceremony to the Knights of the Round and later gives him mission orders for Euro Britannia. During the second battle of Tokyo, he personally leads the Britannian forces, engaging in a fierce Knightmare battle with Li Xingke of the Chinese Federation and proving more than a match for him. His most crucial intervention occurs when he single-handedly defends Emperor Charles from an assassination attempt by Suzaku, forcing Suzaku to retreat due to the overwhelming threat Bismarck poses. After Emperor Charles's death during the Ragnarok Connection, Bismarck rejects Lelouch's ascension to the throne. He leads the remaining Knights of the Round in a rebellion against the new emperor, viewing Lelouch as a usurper. He also serves as a mentor and a point of comparison for Suzaku, representing the ultimate goal of becoming the Knight of One.
Regarding key relationships, his bond with Charles and Marianne is central to his character. He is portrayed as a trusted old friend of Marianne, and he once served as a babysitter for her daughter Nunnally at Marianne's request. His devotion to Charles is absolute, and he is one of the few people aware of the Emperor's plans involving Geass and the Ragnarok Connection. He has a professional relationship with Schneizel el Britannia, whom he keeps informed of certain events but does not ultimately serve. His primary antagonistic relationship is with Suzaku Kururugi, whom he respects as a warrior but opposes when their loyalties clash. In their final battle, Suzaku is the only opponent who can overcome Bismarck's Geass and defeat him.
Bismarck's development is limited but significant; he remains a steadfast loyalist until the very end. His final moments reveal the depth of his personal feelings for Marianne, as he dies gasping her name, suggesting his loyalty was not just to the empire but deeply personal. His notable abilities are extraordinary. He is a master swordsman and a highly skilled Knightmare Frame pilot, piloting his own custom unit named the Galahad, which wields a colossal physical sword called Excalibur. Furthermore, he possesses the Geass power of foresight, which allows him to see several seconds into the future. This ability is housed in his sealed left eye, and he has only ever used it against two opponents in his life: the empress Marianne and Suzaku Kururugi. This power makes him an exceptionally dangerous foe, as he can predict and counter his enemy's moves before they are made.
Physically, Bismarck is an exceptionally tall man with a muscular build, long wavy purple hair, a short beard, and steely blue eyes. His most distinctive feature is his left eye, which is kept permanently sewn shut with three green sutures. This is a deliberate and necessary act to seal away the Geass power within, preventing its unintended activation. His uniform as the Knight of One differs from his peers, featuring a long double-breasted coat and a distinctive white cape. His personality is marked by a strong sense of chivalry and restraint. Despite his overwhelming combat ability, he is a firm believer that war should be a last resort and views untempered strength as needless violence. His primary motivation is his absolute and unwavering loyalty to Emperor Charles zi Britannia, whom he serves with complete devotion. He shares a deep and old friendship with the late empress Marianne, a connection that heavily influences his personal loyalties and final moments.
In the story, Bismarck serves as a formidable obstacle representing the pinnacle of Britannian military power and traditional loyalty. He is first seen overseeing Suzaku Kururugi's ascension ceremony to the Knights of the Round and later gives him mission orders for Euro Britannia. During the second battle of Tokyo, he personally leads the Britannian forces, engaging in a fierce Knightmare battle with Li Xingke of the Chinese Federation and proving more than a match for him. His most crucial intervention occurs when he single-handedly defends Emperor Charles from an assassination attempt by Suzaku, forcing Suzaku to retreat due to the overwhelming threat Bismarck poses. After Emperor Charles's death during the Ragnarok Connection, Bismarck rejects Lelouch's ascension to the throne. He leads the remaining Knights of the Round in a rebellion against the new emperor, viewing Lelouch as a usurper. He also serves as a mentor and a point of comparison for Suzaku, representing the ultimate goal of becoming the Knight of One.
Regarding key relationships, his bond with Charles and Marianne is central to his character. He is portrayed as a trusted old friend of Marianne, and he once served as a babysitter for her daughter Nunnally at Marianne's request. His devotion to Charles is absolute, and he is one of the few people aware of the Emperor's plans involving Geass and the Ragnarok Connection. He has a professional relationship with Schneizel el Britannia, whom he keeps informed of certain events but does not ultimately serve. His primary antagonistic relationship is with Suzaku Kururugi, whom he respects as a warrior but opposes when their loyalties clash. In their final battle, Suzaku is the only opponent who can overcome Bismarck's Geass and defeat him.
Bismarck's development is limited but significant; he remains a steadfast loyalist until the very end. His final moments reveal the depth of his personal feelings for Marianne, as he dies gasping her name, suggesting his loyalty was not just to the empire but deeply personal. His notable abilities are extraordinary. He is a master swordsman and a highly skilled Knightmare Frame pilot, piloting his own custom unit named the Galahad, which wields a colossal physical sword called Excalibur. Furthermore, he possesses the Geass power of foresight, which allows him to see several seconds into the future. This ability is housed in his sealed left eye, and he has only ever used it against two opponents in his life: the empress Marianne and Suzaku Kururugi. This power makes him an exceptionally dangerous foe, as he can predict and counter his enemy's moves before they are made.