Code Geass

Code Geass

Company type	Franchise
Industry	Anime, Manga, Light novels
Founded	2006
Founder	Sunrise
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Anime television series, manga, light novels, films, OVAs
Parent	Sunrise

, widely recognized as Code Geass, is a Japanese anime television production developed by Sunrise, under the direction of Gorō Taniguchi and scripted by Ichirō Ōkouchi, featuring original character illustrations by Clamp. Set within an alternate historical timeline, the narrative centers on the exiled royal Lelouch Lamperouge, who acquires a mystical ability known as the "power of absolute obedience," or Geass, bestowed upon him by a mysterious woman named C.C.. Leveraging this power, Lelouch orchestrates an uprising against the Holy Britannian Empire, commanding mechanized combat units.

Code Geass was broadcast on Japan's MBS from October 2006 through July 2007. Its follow-up series, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2, aired simultaneously on MBS and TBS between April and September 2008. The franchise extended into multiple manga and light novel adaptations, frequently exploring alternative storylines divergent from the television series.

A trilogy of compilation films—Initiation, Transgression, and Glorification—summarized both seasons while modifying character arcs and establishing a parallel universe; these films were released from 2017 to 2018. The original movie Code Geass Lelouch of the Re;surrection, set subsequent to the Zero Requiem within this alternate timeline, debuted in theaters in February 2019. Announced in December 2020, Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture is an anime film series that continues this universe as part of a decade-long strategic initiative. Following the premiere of Rozé of the Recapture on December 7, 2024, producer Taniguchi disclosed that several sequels are currently underway.

The English-language rights for much of the franchise were acquired by Bandai Entertainment in December 2007, with the series airing in an English dub on Adult Swim across the United States. Additionally, Bandai published most manga and light novels in North America.

Achieving significant commercial success, Code Geass has sold over one million DVD and Blu-ray copies within Japan. Both seasons garnered numerous accolades at events such as the Tokyo International Anime Fair, the Animage Anime Grand Prix, and Animation Kobe. The series has been critically praised for its intricate narrative, voice performances, wide-ranging audience appeal, character dynamics, and exploration of ethical themes. It is broadly considered among the finest anime productions ever created.

Setting

The story takes place in an alternative timeline, where global power is divided among three major superpowers: the Holy Britannian Empire controlling the Americas; the Chinese Federation governing Asia; and the Europa United, encompassing Europe and Africa. The plot begins following Britannia's conquest of Japan on August 10, 2010 a.t.b., utilizing advanced combat machines called "Autonomous Armored Knights," or "Knightmare Frames." After subjugation, Japan loses its independence and is renamed Area 11, with its inhabitants labeled Elevens.

This timeline diverges due to Queen Elizabeth I having a son—an imagined progenitor of later Britannian Emperors—altering historical events. A crucial point of divergence involves Julius Caesar's unsuccessful invasions of Britain, which leads to the foundation of the First United British Kingdom in 54 BC, designated as year 1 a.t.b. (Ascension Throne Britannia). By 43 a.t.b. (12 BC), Britannia is acknowledged as an autonomous kingdom. Events in this universe occur approximately half a century earlier than actual history. The Geass Order, an organization overseeing individuals endowed with supernatural powers known as Geass, holds significant influence connected to the Britannian Imperial lineage.

Plot

Lelouch vi Britannia, the exiled prince and offspring of Emperor Charles zi Britannia and his consort Marianne vi Britannia, embarks on a quest for vengeance following the traumatic loss of his mother, which deeply affects his sister Nunnally vi Britannia. He holds his father responsible for failing to safeguard them. Both Lelouch and Nunnally are relocated to Japan as instruments of political strategy prior to Britannia’s eventual conquest of the region.

After a lapse of seven years, Lelouch assumes the identity of Lelouch Lamperouge and enrolls at Ashford Academy. Following a terrorist incident, he encounters C.C., who bestows upon him the supernatural ability known as Geass, allowing him to command any individual once through eye contact. With this newfound power, Lelouch's objective is to overthrow Britannia, avenge his mother’s demise, and create an improved future for Nunnally.

Adopting the masked persona Zero, he establishes the resistance group called The Black Knights, garnering widespread support from the Japanese populace. His rebellion brings him into conflict with formidable adversaries including his childhood companion Suzaku Kururugi, fellow insurgent Kallen Stadtfeld, Britannia’s military forces, and even his own half-siblings—setting the groundwork for a sweeping global upheaval.

Production

The genesis of Code Geass traces back to Sunrise studios, where creators Ichirō Ōkouchi and Gorō Taniguchi developed the concept and presented it to producer Yoshitaka Kawaguchi. The original storyline revolved around a "hero" leading a clandestine organization but gradually transformed into a narrative focusing on the rivalry between two military comrades—who would become Lelouch Lamperouge and Suzaku Kururugi.

During early production stages, Kawaguchi brought in the acclaimed manga artist collective Clamp to craft character designs—marking their first venture into anime character creation. Clamp played a significant role in shaping both the characters and the series’ setting. Their initial design featured Lelouch with white hair; however, Ageha Ohkawa envisioned him as an appealing "cool" figure with universal relatability. Influences included popular music groups such as KinKi Kids and Tackey & Tsubasa to ensure mass appeal. The concept of Lelouch’s alter ego Zero was among the earliest ideas, characterized by a unique mask dubbed the "tulip," intended to establish a distinctive Sunrise aesthetic.

The Geass ability draws from Celtic mythology—specifically Irish and Welsh legends of "Geas," which are compulsions compelling individuals to perform or avoid certain actions—aligning with the series’ British-inspired thematic elements.

Clamp’s lead illustrator Mokona completed the character designs, which were then adapted by Sunrise animator Takahiro Kimura with an emphasis on maintaining Clamp’s artistic style for animation consistency.

The musical score was composed by Kōtarō Nakagawa and Hitomi Kuroishi, both experienced from projects like Planetes and Gun X Sword. Kuroishi also provided several insert songs, while singer-songwriter Mikio Sakai contributed additional compositions. The opening and ending themes featured performances by artists including FLOW, Ali Project, Jinn, SunSet Swish, Access, and Orange Range.

Initially planned for broadcast during MBS TV’s Saturday evening prime time slot, the series was rescheduled to a Thursday late-night timeframe. This shift necessitated modifications aimed at a more mature audience. The supernatural element of the Geass power was introduced during this transition; originally conceived as an angelic force, it was subsequently refined into its final form.

Anime

Code Geass made its debut on Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS) on October 5, 2006, followed by a satellite broadcast on Animax starting November 7, 2006. The series aired its first 23 episodes until March 29, 2007, after which it took a hiatus. The initial run concluded with a special one-hour airing of episodes 24 and 25 on July 28, 2007.

The show's popularity spurred the creation of its sequel, , which was announced in March 2007. Sunrise produced the follow-up series, with producer Yoshitaka Kawaguchi confirming its development. R2 premiered on Japan News Network (JNN) affiliates on April 6, 2008, moving from its original Saturday 18:00 JST slot to Sundays at 17:00 JST. Exclusive preview screenings were held in Osaka and Tokyo prior to the official broadcast. Notably, a six-minute clip from episode three was inadvertently leaked via Bandai Channel during a system trial.

Additional media includes the picture drama , inspired by a live event in Tokyo celebrating the protagonist's birthday.

An original video animation titled was developed featuring character designs by Takahiro Kimura and direction by Makoto Baba. The project brought back scriptwriter Yuuichi Nomura and composer Kotaro Nakagawa. The narrative focuses on Lelouch employing his Geass ability to fulfill his sister Nunnally’s fondness for Alice in Wonderland. Bandai Visual released the Blu-ray edition on July 27, 2012, complete with English subtitles and an accompanying 40-page picture book.

Akito the Exiled

A fresh entry in the Code Geass franchise was revealed on December 5, 2009. By April 2010, it was announced that Code Geass: Akito the Exiled, an OVA side story directed by Kazuki Akane (known for The Vision of Escaflowne), would take place in Europe during the Britannian invasion period between the two seasons of Lelouch of the Rebellion. Initially planned as a four-episode series, a fifth installment was added following the Japanese premiere of episode three in May 2015. These OVAs are licensed alongside the main series by Funimation.

In January 2016, UK distributor Manga Entertainment scheduled a Blu-ray release of the first two episodes with an English dub for December 5, 2016; this was later delayed to April 10, 2017, and then again to October 1, 2017. Madman Entertainment issued DVDs containing the first three episodes. Funimation announced a combined Blu-ray and DVD set with both subtitled and dubbed tracks set for release on June 27, 2017. The picture drama remains exclusive to Japan and Italy.

Films

A trilogy of theatrical compilation films summarizing the TV series was launched with Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion I - Initiation premiering on October 21, 2017. The second installment, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion II - Transgression, debuted on February 10, 2018, ranking eighth in mini-theater box office sales during its opening weekend. The final film in this trilogy, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion III - Glorification, was released on May 26, 2018. Each movie introduces alterations to the storyline to explore an alternate "what if" scenario that sets up a new sequel.

The feature-length film Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection was announced in November 2016 and premiered in Japan on February 9, 2019. It serves as a continuation of the alternate timeline established by the recap films and acts as a sequel to the "Zero Requiem" arc.

On December 5, 2020, Studio Sunrise unveiled a new anime project titled Code Geass: Z of the Recapture as part of their decade-long franchise strategy. Directed by Yoshimitsu Ohashi with scripts penned by Noboru Kimura and character designs by Takahiro Kimura, this project was later disclosed as a four-part film series named Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture. The first film premiered in Japanese cinemas on May 10, 2024, with subsequent installments released on June 7, July 5, and August 2 respectively. This series was simultaneously streamed worldwide on Disney+ through Hulu and Star platforms in a twelve-episode format. To support this new release, Code Geass Lelouch of the Re;surrection was reissued in Japan as a 4D experience on January 29, 2021.

International licensing

The U.S. distribution rights for both seasons of Code Geass were initially held by Bandai Entertainment, with the first season debuting on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block on April 27, 2008, and the second season premiering on November 2 of the same year. The concluding episode aired on June 7, 2009. These broadcast rights on Adult Swim lapsed on April 23, 2010.

Following Bandai Entertainment's shutdown in 2012, Sunrise revealed at Otakon 2013 that Funimation had acquired the rights to both seasons of Code Geass, along with Akito the Exiled and several other former Bandai titles.

In Australia and New Zealand, Madman Entertainment obtained sub-licensing from Bandai Entertainment USA, with the series beginning its broadcast on ABC2 on January 19, 2009. By 2018, the show was accessible via Australian Netflix.

In the Philippines, the first season premiered on TV5 on November 10, 2008, concluding on December 15, 2008; the second season aired between May 4 and June 5, 2009. Despite facing competition from local programs, Code Geass cultivated a significant fan base and became one of the most talked-about anime series in the country. It later debuted on Philippine cable channel Hero TV in July 2010.

Italy saw the first season broadcast on Rai 4 from September 23, 2009, through February 25, 2010; the second season followed from March 4 to August 12, 2010.

At Anime Boston, Sunrise announced that Funimation had secured licensing for the Code Geass remake film trilogy. Additionally, Funimation obtained North American theatrical distribution rights for Code Geass Lelouch of the Re;surrection, which was released in theaters in May 2019.

Manga

Kadokawa Shoten has released four separate manga versions of Code Geass, each presenting alternative narratives. The first four adaptations were licensed for English publication in North America by Bandai Entertainment. The original manga, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion by Majiko~, serialized in Monthly Asuka, closely mirrors the anime’s main character, Lelouch Lamperouge, but excludes Knightmare frames. This series was compiled into eight volumes between December 2008 and March 2010, with English editions available from July 2008 to February 2011.

The second adaptation, Code Geass: Suzaku of the Counterattack, authored by Atsuro Yomino and serialized in Beans A, focuses on Suzaku Kururugi within an alternate universe where he confronts the Black Knights. In this version, the Lancelot mecha is portrayed as a bodysuit. It was published in two volumes (June 2007 and September 2008), with English translations released in January and October of 2009.

Code Geass: Nightmare of Nunnally, created by Tomomasa Takuma and serialized in Comp Ace, centers on Lelouch's sister Nunnally Lamperouge, who searches for him after her health is restored by a being named Nemo. The manga spans five volumes published from June 2007 to April 2009; its English versions were issued between June 2009 and March 2010.

A fourth manga titled Code Geass: Tales of an Alternate Shogunate, serialized in Kerokero Ace, reimagines Lelouch as a leader of the Shogunate’s counterinsurgency forces during an alternate timeline set in 1853. This single-volume work was released on October 25, 2010, with its English edition published on May 10, 2011.

In late 2009, Bandai announced Code Geass: Renya of Darkness, written by anime director Goro Taniguchi. Set within the same official timeline but during a different period, it follows a seventeen-year-old named Renya who encounters a mysterious witch called "Reifū C.C." Serialization began in May 2010's issue of Shōnen Ace. Although Bandai intended to publish an English version, this plan was canceled following their restructuring announcement on January 2, 2012.

Audio CDs

The franchise was transformed into drama CDs under the title Sound Episodes, initially launched in Japan in April 2007 by Victor Entertainment with monthly releases. Crafted by numerous writers from the original series, these episodes take place between the anime’s installments and include theme songs performed by the series' voice actors. Additionally, they were accessible for limited streaming through the Japanese platform Biglobe.

A total of twelve drama CDs have been issued: six corresponding to the first season (from April to September 2007) and another six for the second season.

Soundtrack

Music for the series, composed by Kōtarō Nakagawa and Hitomi Kuroishi, was made available across two original soundtrack albums produced by Yoshimoto Ishikawa and distributed by Victor Entertainment. The initial soundtrack was released on December 20, 2006, followed by the second on March 24, 2007. Both albums showcase cover illustrations by Takahiro Kimura.

Light novels

The Code Geass narrative was adapted into light novels serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's The Sneaker magazine, divided into two separate series aligned with the anime’s seasons. The first set, titled Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, contains five volumes (with volume 0 released on April 28, 2007, and the final volume on March 1, 2008). These five volumes were all translated and published in English by Bandai Visual between November 2008 and February 2010. This series acts as a prelude, concentrating on Lelouch’s early interactions with Suzaku Kururugi during their period as political hostages in Japan.

The second series, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2, covers events from the anime's second season with four volumes released between June 1, 2008, and March 1, 2009. An additional side story novel titled Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Red Tracks was published on April 1, 2008, focusing on Kallen Stadtfeld’s involvement as a Black Knights operative under Lelouch’s leadership.

On January 3, 2012, the English publication of the R2 light novels was discontinued due to Bandai Entertainment's organizational restructuring.

Video games

The series inspired several video games created for platforms including the Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, and PlayStation 2, all published by Namco Bandai Games. These titles were exclusively released in Japanese; however, a fan-made partial English translation patch exists for the Nintendo DS version. A planned Wii edition was ultimately cancelled for undisclosed reasons.

The official website for the first Nintendo DS game went live on July 16, 2007, with the game itself launching on October 25 that year. The second title, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Lost Colors, a visual novel available for PSP and PS2, debuted in Japan on March 27, 2008. This installment introduces a new main character named Rai who possesses a voice-activated Geass power.

The third Nintendo DS entry comprises a compilation of minigames featuring chibi-style renditions of characters. Gameplay involves dice-rolling mechanics and parodic scenarios spanning various genres.

Characters from Code Geass R2 appeared in From Software and Banpresto’s PlayStation 3 mecha action game Another Century's Episode R (2010), offering several mechs as playable units. The franchise further extended into Another Century's Episode Portable for PSP, including Suzaku's Lancelot Albion and Lelouch/Zero's Shinkiro mechas.

Costume designs based on Zero, Suzaku, C.C., and Kallen from Code Geass were included in the Japanese release of the PS3 game Tales of Graces F, although these were not made available in the US edition. These downloadable costumes were removed from availability on September 27, 2019.

On December 5, 2020, Sunrise revealed Code Geass: Genesic Re;CODE, a mobile game developed as part of their decade-long strategy. Released on October 4, 2021, this title acted as a direct sequel featuring both established and new characters. The game's online services were terminated in April 2023.

Code Geass: Lost Stories, created by f4samurai alongside DMM Games, is a social mobile and PC game that launched in May 2022. It broadened the franchise’s footprint within mobile gaming and received an English-language release in September 2023.

Artbooks

In Japan, two artbooks showcasing illustrations from the series have been issued: Code Geass Graphics Zero and Code Geass Graphics Ashford. Released alongside the second season, Code Geass – Lelouch of the Rebellion illustrations Rebels contains 134 artworks from the initial season. Another publication, a 95-page collection titled Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion – The Complete Artbook, is also available. Furthermore, CLAMP, the manga artist group responsible for the character designs, produced their own artbook named Code Geass x CLAMP: Mutuality.

Internet radio broadcasts

The Code Geass franchise was adapted into weekly internet radio shows broadcast on BEAT☆Net Radio!. The inaugural program, Code Geass: The Rebellion Diary, launched in October 2006 and featured voice actors Sayaka Ohara and Satomi Arai. Following this, Code Geass – Mountains of the Rebellion debuted in December 2006 with hosts Jun Fukuyama and Noriaki Sugiyama. During the airing of R2, a new broadcast titled Code Geass – LuluKuru Station was streamed, hosted by Fukuyama alongside Takahiro Sakurai.

Critical response

Code Geass garnered both commercial triumph and favorable critical evaluations. Todd Ciolek of Anime News Network credited its widespread appeal to a multifaceted cast and brisk narrative under Goro Taniguchi’s direction, which resonated with various fan demographics. Carl Kimlinger commended the series for its adept melding of melodramatic elements with energetic mecha battles.

T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews rated the series 6 out of 7 stars, emphasizing its compelling action sequences and impressive visuals despite moments of emotional overindulgence.

On the other hand, Carlo Santos from Anime News Network assigned a "C" rating to the manga adaptation, interpreting the franchise as an expression of generational discontent with institutional shortcomings. He observed that although Lelouch’s vigilante approach reflects a yearning for resolutions to societal problems such as economic downturns and political unrest, the series excels most when it raises questions instead of providing definitive answers.

Home video sales

By August 2008, sales of Code Geass DVDs and Blu-rays in Japan had surpassed 900,000 units. Bandai Visual reported shipping over one million discs related to the franchise by November 2008, positioning it among the most successful contemporary anime titles in both Japan and North America. In 2008, the first volume of R2 ranked as the fourth highest-selling anime DVD and Blu-ray in Japan according to Amazon.com data.

Box office

Theatrical screenings of episodes 1, 3, and 5 from Akito the Exiled took place in Japan between 2012 and 2016. Episode 1 generated ¥35,112,097 (approximately US$351,000) in 2012, while episodes 3 and 5 collectively earned ¥216,957,460 (around US$1.99 million) during 2015–2016. Altogether, these three episodes amassed ¥252,069,557 (roughly US$2.44 million) at Japanese cinemas.

From 2017 to 2018, three theatrical recap films were released across 79 theaters in Japan. The first installment, The Awakening Path, opened with ¥67,954,086 on its debut night and secured the #8 spot on box office rankings. The Rebellion Path premiered at #7 with an opening day gross of ¥57,241,203. The final part, The Imperial Path, also debuted at #8 with ¥67,864,835 on its first day. Collectively, this trilogy earned ¥647,802,700 domestically.

Accolades

Since its debut, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion has been the recipient of multiple prestigious honors. At the sixth Tokyo Anime Awards held during the 2007 Tokyo International Anime Fair, it was awarded Best Anime Television Series. The sequel season earned the "Best Screenplay" prize at the 2009 Tokyo Anime Fair. In the 29th Annual Anime Grand Prix by Animage, Code Geass was recognized as the most favored series, with Lelouch Lamperouge taking the title of most popular male character and "Colors" being selected as the top song. The 30th Grand Prix saw Lelouch maintain his position as the leading male character, while C.C. was chosen as the most popular female character. During the first-ever Seiyu Awards in 2007, Jun Fukuyama received Best Voice Actor for his portrayal of Lelouch, and Ami Koshimizu earned Best Supporting Voice Actress for her role as Kallen Stadtfeld.

The franchise also secured Best TV Animation at the twelfth Animation Kobe ceremony in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, with R2 winning this accolade in the subsequent year. Furthermore, Code Geass R2 was shortlisted for the 2009 Seiun Award under the "Best Media Award" category.

External links

• Biglobe's Code Geass portal site
• MBS's official site
• Sunrise's official site