Soul Chess/Characters/Main Protagonists

Because Soul Chess is so expansive it now has to have separate pages for its character index.

On this page you can find the three main characters of Soul Chess. Lelouch is the driving protagonist with Ichigo showing up later and supporting him. Cornelia has yet to make a major impact as of now, but Word of God has promised her importance by giving her her own arc later on.

Lelouch Lamperouge: Chief Defense Attorney and Captain of Squad 10,

He's died and gone to the afterlife, but his journey has only just begun. The driving protagonist of the series, Lelouch starts out in Rukongai and becomes a Soul Reaper, but he slowly but surely ascends to greater levels. Lelouch's rise in ranks take him from low down positions in Squad's 10, 2 and 12 before moving back to Squad 10 and then transferring to Squad 6 and then Squad 13. He is then later promoted to 3rd seat and Deputy Research Department Head of Squad 12 before going back to Squad 10 to become its Vice-Captain and later the Captain itself, which is where he currently stands. Lelouch's greatest enemy and the man he hates the most is Aizen. Aizen has caused both directly and indirectly The death of Lelouch's first captain, Mari Akari and her successor Yuna Homura, of whom Lelouch loved, but never told her, and the banishment of Kisuke Urahara, Yoruichi Shihoin, Soifon, Tessai Tsukabishi and Isshin Kurosaki. Lelouch, to fight Aizen, has notably gathered quite the bit of huge support around him over the years and eventually their confrontation finally comes to pass. Lelouch's Zanpakuto is called Eien Tamashi and his Bankai is called Zero no Seishin no Eien Tamashi

Adaptational Badass: Physically of course. Mentally he is pretty much the king. In his home series Lelouch couldn't run down a hallway without losing his breath. While he's still something of a Glass Cannon here, he is a far cry from what he once was. For better reference compare Lelouch in chapter 4 to what he becomes much later.

draconichero20: 'Tis what happens when you mix Shonen with Seinen.

A Father to His Men: After some character development, Lelouch decides to walk this path for real. Thanks to spending more a 100 years in Soul Society, he has finally come to be more closer and friendlier to those serving under him and is willing to risk his life to fight and protect them if he must unlike how during when he was alive, he kept his distance from Kallen and the Black Knights in which it leads to his downfall to despair.
A Man Is Not a Virgin: Brought up time and again in the series. In chapter 33 He FINALLY loses his virginity to Nemu and they become a couple. Temporarily. Since then Lelouch has slept with both Susanna and Rangiku, and more recently Isane and the resurrected Yuna Homura.
Angst? What Angst?: After knowing about his past, this confuses the hell out of Aizen, who can't work out why Lelouch hasn't completely broken down. It did help him break down, he was just THAT good at hiding it from Aizen due to his past.
Arrested for Heroism: After revealing himself as Zero to the entire Gotei despite the fact that he had just killed Aizen. One notable distinction is that he ALSO planned for this result.
Attempted Rape: Or a very similar equivalent on Momo while sleep deprived planning the downfall of Central Forty-Six. With some help from Momo, he stops himself before it became this trope.
Authority Equals Asskicking: In chapter 34 Lelouch becomes a captain.
Awesomeness By Analysis
Badass Creed: As Zero.

Zero: I am the Black Void. I am the Mind of Steel. I am the Just Phantom. With my own two hands I shall purge the corruption of this world with the light of redemption and divinity. I am Zero!

- Word of God says this was inspired by another masked individual that Zero closely resembles.
Batman Gambit: From the Fall of Talbumosuke Arc he employs several of these
- He has Yamamoto go Bankai creating an intense amount of heat in a frigid atmosphere that gets blown in Hitsugaya’s direction allowing Hitsugaya to Limit Break
- He also uses Yamamoto and Urahara to fight Talbumosuke in his toughest form until it runs out of juice so that Lelouch and Yuna can pick up the pieces. He combines this with his other gambit to get Gin to come to his side and in what could a brilliant Call Back to when he had Mao focus all of his attention on him, ignoring Suzaku, Talbumosuke focuses all of his attention on Lelouch and doesn’t, for a second, notice Gin until it’s too late.
Berserk Button: Go ahead, harm Nemu or any of the other individuals he cares about. I dare you.
- Do not mock his fallen captain Yuna.
Beware the Nice Ones: Yeah, despite his dark tendencies, and how close he is considered as a Villain Protagonist once was when he was alive, he has shown that he is a pretty cool and decent guy to hang around with...when he's not busy scheming his next plan of course. Remember one thing: do not make him your enemy and don't ever hurt those close to him because you will regret you ever messed with him in the first place. Just ask Szayel or Mayuri.
Boring but Practical: Lelouch is rather fond of Kyokko, which turns things invisible and undetectable.
Brass Balls: He interrupts and yells back to Yamamoto to get his point across about quincies.
Break Her Heart to Save Her: Does this to Nemu because he doesn't want her or anyone else wrapped up in his schemes and feeling sorry for him when he goes up against Aizen for he feels he will have to sacrifice a lot to do so.
Combat Pragmatist
Chick Magnet: It seems that even after he dies, his charm with the ladies is still going on very strong. However...
Cloudcuckoolander: While drunk. Omake chapters 82.97 and 90.67 provide perfect examples.
Clueless Chick Magnet: He can't always tell when it's true love. Lelouch knows he has a certain effect on women, he just has a hard time telling when it’s actual love. His Zanpakuto has called him clueless whenever this trope came into effect. Take note that he does dismiss what he recognizes as mere infatuation.
Create Your Own Villain: Lelouch turned Talbumosuke into the nightmare that he is because he killed his family and Aizen. It also the main reason why he averts his usual Evil Gloating against him after his death.
Crowning Moment of Awesome: His first ever was Geassing Mayuri never to harm Nemu again. But what has to be his most epic accomplishment ever would have to be Geassing Aizen to commit suicide and having it work.
Cry Into Chest: Lelouch becomes the comforting shoulder for a lot of characters.
Dark Is Not Evil: His Zanpakuto's power.
Defiant to the End: Stares down Kokuto with unwavering vigor despite the situation being hopeless. Kokuto even lampshades this trope.
Did You Just Punch Out Cthulhu?: Yes he did. In chapter 48, Lelouch does the impossible and actually kills Aizen.
Did Not Get the Girl: AGAIN! At the end of chapter 19. It's obvious he did indeed love Yuna, but she died before he could tell her how he really felt.
- Subverted now as Yuna's been revived and they're together. Along with Isane, Susanna and Nemu.
Draco in Leather Pants: In-universe example as he is this to Susanna. Word of God officially states that he can do no wrong in her eyes. It’s very evident in chapter 99 when Lelouch shoots Susanna in the stomach with Hado 4: Byakurai and she still insists on following him, not even caring that he just attacked her.
Easily Forgiven: Subverted, hard. After defeating Aizen Yamamoto has Lelouch arrested for his actions as Zero and in order to investigate his geass. This of course was all a part of Lelouch's plan as The Atoner. What he didn't expect though was an unanimous decision for an acquittal.
Evil Gloating: Does this during his battles with Maki Ichinose, hollow Nnoitora and after He kills Aizen. Surprisingly averted after he defeats Talbumosuke especially after looking in his locket. He himself noted that he drove him to become what he is and is one of his biggest regrets, and he personally hopes that in the next life that he and Mia are reunited and happy together.
Fake Defector: Apparently defects to the side of the Zanpakuto during the Reapers and Heralds arc. He is helping Byakuya.
Failure Knight: to Yuna.
Foregone Conclusion: Chapter 17 reveals that the temporally displaced Lelouch will eventually confront his hollow self while protecting Kallen. Since this has yet to happen, and since if the events of Code Geass were to change it would cause Soul Reaper Lelouch to cease to exist, we know that Zero Requiem MUST happen. Captain Lelouch, knowing the tragedies that would take place, cannot do anything to prevent it from happening again, the series cannot end and Captain Lelouch cannot die until this occurs.
First-Name Basis: This trope's effect is most profound in regards to his relationship with Yuna. In fact she is the only one who has an obvious or implied interest in him that doesn't use any honorifics when referring to him when compared to Nemu's Lelouch-sama, Susanna's Lelouch-dono, and Isane's Lelouch-kun. Rangiku will sometimes refer to Lelouch as her captain. Momo consistently refers to him as Lamperouge-sensei. Kukaku is simply informal with everyone.
Fish Out of Temporal Water.
Game Breaker: Chapter 124 shows just how his Geass can be this and why constant justification is needed to keep Lelouch from using it. Weaponizing Driven to Suicide really does seem like a Game Breaker.
Genre Savvy: He has his moments. See Throw the Dog a Bone below.
- In chapter 89 right as he’s about to finish Talbumosuke off. The prototype hollow mask he was using shatters. Lelouch responds with an internal “That figures”.
- He also realized that Yamamoto will not survive his confrontation against Aizen, so he GEASSED him to "Fight the enemy forces until your last breath. Fight them until it is impossible for you to fight any longer!"
Glass Cannon
Go-Karting with Bowser: Despite the fact that he and Aizen are engaged in a game of Xanatos Speed Chess spanning across several decades they can still play a friendly game of chess.
Guile Hero with some experience as a scientist.
Heroic BSOD: Has one when he finds out that he's been sent to the past and again when Yuna dies.
- Has it again when he finds out Susanna is pregnant with his child.
Hero Protagonist <--> The Protagonist: Switches between these roles depending on his current position in the story and his gambits in play. He will NEVER go back to being a Villain Protagonist, sure he may have a few What the Hell, Hero? moments here and there but will NEVER go back to being one.
He's Back: After fifteen years of shunning everyone and seemingly preparing to take on Aizen all on his own, he jumps back into play with a single coded message from Urahara.
Hoist by His Own Petard: Not in the way you think though. Lelouch has a technique in Bankai that involves invoking this trope on his opponents.
Improbable Weapon User: Subverted. Lelouch's Zanpakuto's release form gives him a cape, but it's not used for combat.
In the Name of the Moon: See his Badass Creed above.
Kick the Dog: Taking out Tekubi-kiri Tamashi (Nemu's Zanpakuto). And then it was subverted like crazy.
Legacy Character: When Lelouch restores one of his lost memories from a past life, he discovers that neither his current afterlife nor his previous human life were the first times a revolutionary called Zero existed. Of course, this is also somewhat of a subversion because those previous Zeros were also him, in a way.
Let's Get Dangerous: Whips out a level 90 hado in order to protect Momo and his other students in her class from hollows.
- His first tactical decision during the Battle For Karakura Town arc makes use of this trope. It goes a little something like this: “What? Ikkaku and Sajin were defeated? Better send Ken pa chi in.”
Let Them Die Happy: Makes sure of this for Mari.
Like Brother and Sister: Him and Nemu. Though that doesn't mean much given his history.
Loophole Abuse: According to Kukaku and Soifon he has a knack for finding them.
Mind Rape: His Zanpakuto's Kokoro Hassai ability.
My Greatest Failure: Besides all of the things he regrets from when he was alive there's also now the unavoidable deaths of Mari and ESPEC IALLY Yuna.
My Greatest Second Chance: After successfully reviving Yuna, their relationship is now this.
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Lelouch has caused the collapse of the Shihoin family, allowed the more dangerous Talbumosuke to take over the Espada in place of Aizen, allowing Kaien to live gave birth to Mia, killed off Nnoitora early allowing Nel to stay on the Espada, attacked Lilynette with Mind Rape prompting Starrk to attack with full force, His killing of Aizen also killed off Gin's reason to Heel Face Turn, and Talbumosuke is using Lelouch's Sorting Algorithm of Hollows for his own purposes.
- Sending Aizen to hell gave the man natural togabito resistance to Soul Reaper attacks, making it easier for Aizen to rapestomp Soul Society.
Not So Different: From Ichigo.
Out-Gambitted: Lelouch is starting to feel this way towards Talbumosuke. It helps his enemy in that Lelouch is unaware of how he thinks and originally was not much of a threat.
- You would be forgiven for thinking Lelouch had taken a level in dumbass during the Battle of Karakura Arc. It's not his fault, he has no knowledge of Talbumosuke's potential. How was he supposed to know Talbumosuke could wipe out the Visoreds in a single move?
  - It's like we always say, once things start looking good for Lelouch it starts blowing up in his face
Pet the Dog: Gives Renji an uplifting speech so that he understands that he’s not useless or weak despite the rough time he’s been going through lately.
Playing Hard to Get: Towards Rangiku, not that it's intentional all the time. It's ultimately subverted in chapter 61 though.
Properly Paranoid: with regards to Aizen
Relationship Upgrade: Lelouch has had sex with Nemu, Susanna and Rangiku. Judging by the fact that we haven't reached Code Geass canon yet, it's not over for Lelouch in relationships yet. The middle got pregnant with his kid, but lost it. The former was his girlfriend until Lelouch brutally broke up with her, but now they're back together.
- After successfully bringing back Yuna Homura, he plans to start a Noble House and marries Nemu, Susanna, Isane, and Yuna.
  - And the it gets subverted with the deconstruction of the clan
Screw the Rules, I'm Doing What's Right: What Lelouch's motivation in planning to bring down Central Forty-Six after overthrowing Hitsugaya's authority as Captain on account of MISDEMEANORS.
Screw the Rules, I Make Them: What Lelouch is doing with the House of Lamperouge as its founder.
- Subverted. The clan's been deconstructed
Set Right What Once Went Wrong: Brutally Averted. After learning that he was sent to Soul Society in a Temporal Paradox, Lelouch thought that maybe he can change the major tragic events of what went wrong in his life since technically the tragic events that happened in his past life didn't happened yet, but he then later learns that changing the tragic events yet to come in Code Geass canon will make his Soul Reaper self to cease to exist and so, he begrudgingly decides to not interfere with the events that will follow in order to keep his existance, much to his displeasure of hearing.
Sex for Solace: Lelouch has had the opportunity of being on both sides of this trope. In chapter 49 Susanna lays down with him to heal his soul and in chapter 61 he is helping Rangiku heal hers.
Shipper on Deck: For Byakuya/Hisana, Ichigo/Orihime, and despite sleeping with her Gin/Rangiku.
Shmuck Bait: Lelouch has a safe in his office that's easy to open and another that opening it in a conventional manner triggers an alarm.
Shut UP, Hannibal: Does this to Talbumosuke after the man begins to get under his skin.
Squishy Wizard
Start of Darkness: Lelouch initially starts on The Atoner path. It is Mari's death that makes Lelouch slink back into old habits.
Stealth Mentor: As of the Reapers and Heralds arc.
Strange Minds Think Alike: After defeating Maki Ichinose, Lelouch picks up his skull and recites a line from Hamlet. Talbumosuke recites this same line after defeating Baraggan.
Technicolor Fireballs: A power of his Shikai.
Tempting Fate: Lelouch closes chapter 30 by musing to his zanpakuto about how things are definitely looking up for him. One would think he'd know his luck doesn't work that way by now.
- As one reviewer put it: Things are looking up for Lelouch. Something very bad is about to happen.
- Lampshaded by Eien Tamashi in chapter 33.
  - And essentially confirmed by the events of chapter 34.
- In chapter 53 he says that he hopes to avoid attracting attention from the female student body. He gets about two steps before getting swarmed.
The Atoner: Lelouch initially started out wanting to follow the path of atonement but decides to set it aside after Mari's death in favor of doing whatever it takes to bring down Aizen and currently Talbumosuke. Although recently, there are hints that he may return to the path of atonement once when we return to the Code Geass timeline and one thing is for sure, it will take a lot for him to make up for what he has done for all of the innocent people who suffered under his actions, especially for Euphie and Shirley.
The Clan: Has plans to start a Noble House to help cope with his extensive love life.
- Unfortunately, due to what Lelouch has risked during his time as a Fake Defector, it sadly doesn't come to fruition.
The Only One I Trust: He is this to Byakuya in regards to needing a partner in regards to taking down Muramasa. make of that what you will
Throw the Dog a Bone: For one time fate finally decides to cut Lelouch a break after tormenting him for so long. When restoring Hana to be Yuna practically nothing goes wrong. Lelouch, of course, lampshades this
Took a Level in Badass: Besides the fact that Lelouch is a Shinigami Captain, his Geass has evolved into Mastery as a result of the Reapers and Heralds arc.
Treacherous Advisor: To Muramasa
Troll: Lelouch lets Aizen obtain the Hogyoku, beat him in a straight up fight and make his retreat. And then Lelouch grabs Yoruichi's flying device flies up to Aizen and GEASSES HIM TO KILL HIMSELF.
Walking Shirtless Scene: More like hanging by his wrists almost buck naked scene. Chapter 110 has him doing this in hell.
Weak but Skilled: Lelouch is NOT someone who can fight in the front-lines but is more than capable to defending himself.
We Can Rule Together: Gives this option to Ichigo when he reveals to be working for Muramasa. He is a Fake Defector so he WANTS Ichigo to refuse.
We Have Reserves: Does this with the Visoreds. Too bad they're all taken down before they can do anything.
What the Hell, Hero?: He gets a big one in chapter 30 for burning and slaughtering the Atrumier family. Not that they didn't deserve it, well not ALL of the members.
- Flat out stated word for word, minus the hero portion, by Ichigo to him in chapter 98 when he slaps Susanna and reveals himself to be on Muramasa’s side.
  - And again in chapter 104 from Ichigo about even after he reveals his true intentions
Xanatos Roulette: His entire plan during the Reapers and Heralds arc. It’s just...way too damn complicated to explain in words.
Yank the Dog's Chain: Several times. With Yuna though she came back, Susanna and now his Tenchi Solution has been deconstructed
You Are Not Alone: Lelouch is slowly starting to grasp ar this concept.
Your Head Asplode: If Lelouch uses Kokoro Hassai on a particularly weak enemy or an enemy with no mental resistance this is the result instead.

Ichigo Kurosaki

The Hero Protagonist of Bleach now a Supporting Protagonist in the fic. Ichigo doesn't hit the series for a few arcs, but he's still relatively the same orange haired Jerk with a Heart of Gold fans remember

Badass Normal: While rescuing Orihime from being raped by a group of thugs.
Bring My Brown Pants: In chapter 110, Ichigo and Kasumi are blocked off by this monster with three tentacles for a body. Each tentacle is about two to three times the size of Ichigo and Kasumi. It turns out that those are just the eyelashes. Ichigo is scared out of his mind when he sees how big the creature actually is.
Brought Down to Badass: Ichigo’s Zanpakuto is currently completely sealed up for his own safety. Consider who we're talking about, it’s this trope rather than the other one
Bullying a Dragon: Subverted. Ichigo tells Allon to attack him with his strongest punch. Allon obliges, but Ichigo blocks it with minimal effort.
Dead All Along: Ever since regaining his powers after Hisana shatters his Soul Chain and Urahara puts him through Training from Hell he’s been this according to Kendra.
- Even without her saying it this should really come across as Fridge Brilliance to a degree
Did Not Do the Research: In-universe. He too mistook Ikumi’s business for an eel shop only to be corrected by Tatsuki.
Easily Forgiven: Sort of. He doesn’t get reprimanded for what his hollow did due to the clause that he had no control over himself at all, though the SS still could punish him, but with Ginjo soon coming into the picture they’ll know whether or not he’s worth keeping around.
Failure Is the Only Option: Despite all the precautions and preparations to prevent his inner demon from emerging, it would emerge in the Demon Within arc.
Get a Hold of Yourself, Man!: Does this for Kenpachi due to his Heroic BSOD.
Heroic BSOD: Suffers a major one when he becomes aware of the damage done to his surroundings, beneath his notice, by Tsukishima and Keigo. He actually starts crying. Yoruichi comforts him.
Heroic Willpower: Weaponized during the climax for Yamamoto's battle with Shirosaki.
I Am Not My Father: States the trope verbatum at one point.
Implacable Man: Sort of. With his Training from Hell, courtesy of Lelouch, Ichigo can now manually regenerate his Pimp coat, which we all know is a Mana Meter, which means Ichigo can constantly fight with full reiatsu if he focuses. Wounds will still take their full course though.
Leave Him to Me: Says this to Lelouch with regards to fighting Allon that he doesn’t want any help.
Names to Run Away From Really Fast: Ichigo has the nickname “Soul Reaper” amongst the gang system throughout Karakura Town.
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: While he and his friends managed to eliminate some of the Espada. This is exactly what Talbumosuke wanted. He had more to gain this way.
Not So Different: From Cornelia. Both are Knight Templar Siblings and constructed their paths because they want to protect those they care about.
- This also applies in part to Lelouch as well to a lesser degree. And of course there are the vocal similarities.
Out of the Inferno: Ichigo pulls this twice in the Different Bonds arc.
Relationship Upgrade: He and Orihime are dating as of chapter 69.
- In chapter 74 they have sex.
Reason You Suck Speech: Delivers an oh so satisfying one to Takeno during his Villainous Breakdown
Sand in My Eyes: What he says more or less upon Lelouch’s reunion with Mari
Split Personality Takeover: Hollow Ichigo possesses Ichigo’s body for the last chapter of the Demon Within arc
Story-Breaker Power: His Resurreccion as shown to us by his inner hollow. Ichigo, nobly, wants nothing to do with it because it would devoid what makes him human.
Supporting Protagonist: To Lelouch.
Taken for Granite: He’s turned to stone by Lelouch due to his massive power
Tell Me About My Father: Says this to Lelouch when he discovers Isshin's true nature much earlier than in canon.
Tempting Fate: Ichigo tells Rukia during the Demon Within arc that he’ll come back safe and sound. this is not what happened.
Took a Level in Badass: Compare canon Ichigo with the current version.
Too Powerful to Live: Subverted. He is sealed away by Lelouch, but he comes back to normal as good ol’ normal Ichigo again. As normal as a teenage boy with the ability to move at supersonic speeds and carry a bigass sword and fire sword beams can be.
Thanks for the Mammary: Ichigo accidentaly grabs Kukaku's breast when trying to get her phone, which has a picture of him and Isane cuddling. Kukaku, naturally, flips out.
Unskilled but Strong: Though training with Lelouch fixed the Unskilled part.
- On the other hand This fits his half-hollow berserk form to a T. It’s lampshaded by Unohana when she realizes how predictable and tiring his No, I Am Behind You tactic becomes.
Walking Shirtless Scene: Has one while acting as Kamina for a cosplay project.
With Great Power Comes Great Insanity: His theorized Resurreccion, but only while he takes its form

Cornelia li Britannia

According to the events of Chapter 58, Cornelia will have an entire arc centered around her, putting her as another main supporting protagonist late in the fic. Of course this isn't supposed to occur for quite a while

Foreshadowing: That moment in chapter 58 where it's revealed that when Cornelia was 10 years old, she can actually see spirits? Oh yeah, it won't be mentioned again and it won't be important to her character development, that's for sure.
Gosh Darn It to Heck: Justified in the usage of this trope in chapter 58 because she's only 10 years old.
I See Dead People: Cornelia has spiritual power enough to see wholes, hollows and Soul Reapers.
Not So Different: Her and Ichigo. Both are Knight Templar Siblings and constructed their paths so that they could protect those close to them.
Took a Level in Jerkass: Apparently so seeing how she was such a sweet girl at age 10 even Lelouch is surprised when he found out in Chapter 84.