World of Geass

The World of Geass is an alternate universe where the Holy Britannian Empire, an international superpower, has expanded its influence over a large portion of the planet.

Setting

The World of Code Geass is mainly divided amongst three international superpowers: the Holy Britannian Empire (shown in red), the Chinese Federation (shown in light green), and the Europia United (shown in yellow). Australia (shown in light blue) has remained independent, and is not a major player in international politics, instead becoming a neutral state akin to real-world Switzerland. The Middle Eastern Federation (shown in darker green) is not a super-nation, however, it is believed to have warm relationships with the E.U. and also being fairly democratic. The MEF is conquered quite quickly by Britannia and they soon afterwords become an imperial colony area and is likely restored to international status with the removal of the area system by Emperor Lelouch.

History

The Imperial Calendar refers to the date and setting Code Geass uses in the English version, in which years are labeled as a.t.b or "Ascension Throne Britannia". It is set to the date the first Celtic super-king, Alwin I, was elected by the united British tribes to battle Rome, becoming the first member of the modern Britannian imperial family. This calendar is used by the Holy Empire of Britannia. It functions similarly to the standard Gregorian Calendar (B.C.E./C.E. or alternatively B.C./A.D.), but starts half a century earlier.

What calendar the other nations may use is unknown. The fact the birth of Christ is not used may suggest that Christianity was never established in this Universe; however, in the English dub, Lloyd mentions "Onward Christian Soldiers", Christ is mentioned at Shirley's father's funeral, and the appearance of a Catholic Nun in the second season suggests that it does exist but may not be widely subscribed to. Most Britannians do not appear to practice Christianity while some do, as Shirley Fenette's family is shown to practice a form of Protestant Christianity, likely Anglicanism. Indeed, religion is rarely mentioned in the original Japanese version, but is referenced more frequently in the English dub.

As referenced in Code Geass: Akito the Exiled, the Europia United shown is using the French Republican Calendar. The first entry in Leila Malcal's journal in the first episode of Code Geass: Akito the Exiled is dated as "Revolutionary Calendar, year 228, Floréal 18th" (a.t.b. May 7, 2017), and in the second episode "Revolutionary Calendar, year 228, Prairial 7th" (a.t.b. May 26th, 2017).

As the events of the first episode of Akito the Exiled occur in the year 2017 a.t.b., it is safe to assume that the Revolutionary Calendar starts with the Storming of the Bastille, which occurred at July 14, 1789 (2017 - 228 = 1789). It revealed as set on same year in our world. But revealed a.t.b. and A.D. have differences officially.[1]

Following the death of Emperor Lelouch at the hands of Zero, a new calendar system is adopted from the following year on, referred to as Light Sum.