User blog comment:Hihowru/Does Lelouch really die in the end?/@comment-76.119.241.202-20130725144532

Evidence that he is alive. Now, please understand that there is no direct evidence tha Lelouch is alive. It is a compilation of "coincidences" which are too great in number to be coincidences, hence must be evidence.

1. Orange kun. While people have stated that he would follow any order given by Lelouch, I can't imagine a completely loyal knight smiling as his master dies. While it would be plausible, had Lelouch really died, that Orange kun would reluctantly support Lelouch's choice; it is out of character, that Orange would smile about it. Hence, the fact that Orange kun fully supported and promoted this action implies that Lelouch does not die.

2. Crane at the end. The paper crane is something that Lelouch learned from Nunnally. Why would it be at the cart? a. Nunnally put it there, or b. Lelouch made it. Regarding a: Nunnally is already seen understanding the Zero Requiem. There is no need to put a crane there to confuse the watchers. Hence, a is unreasonable and unlikely motion to have been chosen by Clamp. Clamp, after all, does everything with a reason. Therefore, it is more likely that Lelouch made it, hence is alive.

3. Scenery at the end. A minor point, the Orange kun's orange farm scenery and the destination of the cart are identical. Orange kun looking into the distance smiling could imply him seeing the cart.

4. "I accept this geass." Line by Suzaku. Schneizel was still under the effect of Geass at the end. When the little geass kid in the factory was killed, his geass was lifted off the affected. If Lelouch was dead, Schneizel would not have been under Geass serving Zero. (But Lelouch with the code could not keep geass power! - You would say). He could, however, give it to Suzaku, hence the line: "I accept this geass." Which is two fold: 1) I accept the curse of solitude. 2) I accept the physical power.

5. Music when showing the crane. If you watch other animes made by clamp, you would realize that clamp is really good with putting right music at the right time. The exciting, upbeat, song implies happiness, not sadness at the end. It shows a great revelation, or emphasizes the crane. Hence, it underlines the importance of the crane's presence, which, as we already established, underlines the fact that Lelouch did not die.

Now, as for how he is alive.

1. Charles' Code. There is very little in the anime that explains how the Code is passed from one user to the next. What is evident, is: a. An immortal gives the code. b. The receiver is stabbed in the heart. Regarding a) the witch who gave C.C. the code was an immortal. V.V. gave charles the code. Regarding b) C.C. was stabbed in the heart, or near the heart, as implied by the scar. Charles was shot in the heart by Lelouch's command.

2. Charles grabs Lelouch. In the scene with the Ragnarok, Charles grabs Lelouch with the arm that possesses the geass code. Lelouch then maxes out his geass power. (The third requirement to obtain the code). He then receives the code. At this point, however, he has only satisfied two of three requirements.

3. Lelouch is stabbed in the heart by Suzaku which activates the code. Lelouch passes the Geass unto Suzaku, allowing Schneizel to remain under Zero's control.

Regarding some counter-arguments:

1. C.C. is crying. She never did say what he chose. She merely says: "For the world, this is...." Lelouch is not such a shallow guy to think that by dying he can atone for his sins. It is a far harsher punishment to spend an eternity in exile, away from friends and loved ones. Hence, he chose the exact same path as C.C. Why would she cry over someone choosing death--a path she herself wanted to follow?

Conclusion

Will we be seeing another season? NO. As stated by one of the other commentors Ichirou Oukouchi specifically noted that "No one in the department opposed Lelouch's story being over." That's it. It doesn't mean he's dead. However, his story is done. He will not, nor should he comeback. Lelouch is like a god, he came, he died, he resurrected. But he ought not walk among mortals again. He might be happy with C.C., Anya, and Orange kun picking oranges, or he might be watching the outcome of his actions. His story, however, has come to an end, and he, and C.C., will walk the world for eternity.