August 10, 2010 a.t.b.: the Holy Britannian Empire declared war on the island nation of Japan in order to secure its vast deposits of Sakuradite. In spite of fierce resistance, the war is ultimately won by Brittania, thanks to their new weapon: the Knightmare Frame. With its unconditional surrender, Japan becomes a new colony of the Empire, its people stripped of their rights, and its very name taken away: with Britannia's victory, Japan was rechristened "Area 11".
Seven years later, a young Britannian youth named Lelouch Lamperouge is returning to school after besting a noble in a game of chess when he ends up getting caught in a conflict between the Britannian military and terrorists. Clovis la Britannia, the Viceroy of Area 11, offers a televised speech in reaction to the terrorists' acts. Afterwards, he is approached by a member of the military, Bartlet Aspirus, who informs him that the terrorists had stolen a deadly gas bomb.
When the vehicle the terrorists are driving crashes, Lelouch goes to investigate. Unfortunately, he ends up trapped in the vehicle while the terrorists make for an escape, with one of them, a young red-haired woman, engaging the Britannians with a Knightmare Frame. Eventually, the terrorists are cornered in the Shinjuku ghetto, and a squadron of Japan-native soldiers are sent to secure it and the terrorists, with the reward being honorary citizenship.
One of the soldiers finds Lelouch in the vehicle, and surprisingly, recognizes him. The soldier reveals himself to be Suzaku Kururugi, Lelouch's childhood friend. Before they can catch up, however, the "chemical weapon" activates, revealing a woman with long green hair inside instead of deadly gas.
Before they can begin to figure out what is happening, a Britannian officer with a squadron of soldiers corners them. The officer orders Suzaku to execute the "terrorist" Lelouch. Suzaku refuses and is shot in the back for his trouble.
With his dying breath, the terrorist sets off a bomb in the truck he hijacked. As Clovis orders the Shinjuku ghetto purged and all of the Japanese exterminated, the Britannian officer orders Lelouch executed. The green-haired woman, however, intercepts the bullet meant for Lelouch, getting shot in the head.
As Lelouch faces certain death and thinks of his sister Nunnally, however, the woman grabs his hand. He hears her voice in his mind, explaining that she has reason to live and offering him the "power of kings", but warning him that accepting this power would mean he would live a life of solitude. Lelouch accepts without hesitation.
Afterwards, Lelouch, announcing himself as "Lelouch vi Britannia", commands the Britannian officer and his soldiers to die. In the next instant, the officer, with a smile on his face and his eyes glowing red, happily turns his gun on himself and commits suicide, as does every soldier under his command.
Lelouch contemplates his life afterwards, about how he was living a lie up until this day. As long as he has power, however, he can accept this lie.
