Kanon Maldini is a supporting character in the second season of the anime, serving as the personal aide, chief of staff, and most trusted confidant to Schneizel el Britannia, the Second Prince of the Holy Britannian Empire. He holds the noble rank of Earl. At the time of the story, Kanon is twenty-eight years old and stands out with a tall, slender build and a distinctly androgynous appearance, characterized by long pink hair tied back and blue eyes.

Kanon's backstory is rooted in his time at the same prestigious academy as Schneizel and Lloyd Asplund. Initially, their relationship was not harmonious; in fact, Kanon was hostile toward the prince. This changed when Schneizel publicly disciplined him with a whip for violating school rules, an event that paradoxically forged Kanon's deep-seated loyalty. Beyond this formative experience, his devotion is also fueled by gratitude. Official materials reveal that Kanon has a feminine personal style, wearing makeup and perfume, a trait that often subjected him to discrimination. Schneizel, however, not only tolerated this peculiarity but recognized and utilized Kanon's sharp political mind, giving him a place where his abilities were valued over his appearance.

In personality, Kanon is most often calm, quiet, and impeccably professional, maintaining a composed demeanor in all situations. Despite his seemingly reserved nature, he possesses a sharp and subtle wit, occasionally making pointed remarks that cut to the heart of a matter. He also reveals a dry sense of humor, as seen when he joked with Milly Ashford about being Schneizel's right-hand man "in both public and private matters". He is capable of genuine kindness and is a comforting presence, particularly towards the brilliant but fragile scientist Nina Einstein, whom he supports after a personal tragedy. This compassion, however, does not make him weak; when Schneizel is threatened, Kanon is prepared to act with lethal force without hesitation.

Above all, his defining trait is his unwavering loyalty to Schneizel, which supersedes any allegiance to the Britannian throne or its official policies. He is not a blind follower, as he is intelligent enough to foresee Schneizel's ambitions and often voices his disagreements, particularly when his master's plans cross moral lines. He is visibly disturbed by Schneizel's willingness to use a F.L.E.I.J.A. warhead on the Damocles fortress while his crippled sister Nunnally was still aboard, a move he condemns as terrorism. Nevertheless, his commitment is such that he will follow the prince's orders regardless of his personal feelings.

Within the narrative, Kanon acts as Schneizel's most effective tool, handling sensitive political maneuvering and intelligence gathering. His most notable personal action occurs at the Kururugi Shrine, where he successfully gathers conclusive evidence that Zero is Lelouch vi Britannia, a fact that becomes a pivotal point in the story. He is present for nearly all of Schneizel's major schemes, from the political machinations in the Chinese Federation to the final war against Lelouch's reformed Britannian Empire. In the end, after Lelouch uses his Geass to enslave Schneizel, Kanon is captured and slated for public execution, only to be freed after Lelouch's own assassination.

While not a front-line soldier, Kanon's notable abilities lie entirely in the realms of strategy, administration, and political acumen. He is a highly competent tactician, with Schneizel utilizing his strategic talents during the final battle. His primary function is as a coordinator and advisor, ensuring that the Prince's complex plans are executed smoothly. There is no indication that he is a Knightmare Frame pilot; his power is his intelligence and his absolute fidelity to his master, which remains intact even after the series' conclusion, as he continues to serve a Geass-bound Schneizel in a world that has moved past the war.