Code Geass is a name that any anime veteran would know. It is counted as one of the all-time great anime by its huge community and is often dubbed a masterpiece. The anime has a lot of parts and OVAs, as well as movies, so it can feel a bit overwhelming and lost cause when it comes to where to start. This article will focus on the correct watch order for the Code Geass anime series.
CodeGeass is a wide series that spans lots of side stories and movies. At first glance, Code Geass seems like another one of the mecha animes trying to be the next Evangelion, but once you start it, you will feel that you were wrong about any assumptions about this anime. Code Geass sure follows common mecha and war themes but is nowhere near the territory Evangelion deals in.
Code Geass can be defined as a thriller, mystery, and action-filled mecha anime that will make you not want to hit the pause button. The most appealing factor the anime has is its cast of characters. The main protagonist of the story, Lelouch, is a very well-written character.
The remaining cast and characters introduced in the story also get a considerable amount of screen time and go through character development, which is very rare to see in most shows.
Proper story writing and character development, as well as the work of animators and other production staff, make this anime very fun to watch and hold true to the reputation it has in the community.
Also read: Code Geass: A Perfect Blend of Suspense, Action, and Drama.
1. Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion is the first season to watch. The Code Geass series is an original anime, which means it has not been adapted from a manga. It had its own story ideas and designs, which were original; the series got a manga adaptation later on after it became popular.
The story of the first season circles around the main protagonist, Lelouch vi Brittania, son of King Charles zi Brittania and his royal consort. Lelouch lives in exile and has a younger sister, Nunnally. The first season focuses on Lelouch’s wish to destroy the kingdom of Britannia and end its rule.
But some unforeseen situations change his fate completely when he meets C.C. (C2), a mysterious woman who is classified as a military weapon and who grants Lelouch the power of Geass. He has a unique power that allows him to make anyone follow his will when they meet his eyes.
The first season is 24 episodes long, and each episode has a runtime of 24 minutes long. It aired from October 6, 2006, to July 29, 2007. The first season is excellent in terms of establishing the anime for the audience, making them familiar with the world, characters, and narrative.
2. Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion R2
The second season in the Code Geass series is Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2. This season continues the cliffhanger ending of season one and advances the story further for the audience. This season received heavy applause from fans and critics alike for its good execution both in storytelling and in the animation department.
The second season packs a lot more drama and emotional scenes compared to the first season. It also gives closure to the story in a fitting ending that brings justice to every character—the second season aired from April 6, 2008, to September 28, 2008. It has 25 episodes, with each episode being 25 minutes long.
3. The OVA and the First two Movies
The Code Geass series has a few OVAs and movies that are not that important to the original storyline. The first OVA is Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, special edition “Black Rebellion,” which is about 1 hour and 57 minutes long. This OVA summarises all the episodes from season 1 from Lelouch’s perspective.
The next OVA is Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 special edition “Zero Requiem,” which is about 1 hour and 56 minutes, and it summarises all the episodes of season two. These two OVAs are not a must-watch and should be skipped, in my opinion. But if you want to memorize the events of past seasons before moving forward, they will be a nice watch.
The next two OVAs were original side stories and not recaps of previous seasons. Code Geass: Kiseki’s Birthday and Code Geass: Nunnally in Wonderland, both OVAs, are 27 and 28 minutes long, respectively. These OVAs are great side stories and don’t necessarily contribute to the main story, but they are good to watch.
Also Read: Bleach Watch Order: Anime Episodes & Movies
4. Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion Movie Trilogy
The Marvel series is not the only one to use the concept of alternate storylines or universes. The Code Geass series also uses the concept to create a different storyline with the Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion movie trilogy. There are three movies in total: Initiation, released on October 21, 2017, and Transgression and Glorification, both released in the same month in May 2018.
The movies encapsulate most of the story shown in the first two seasons of Code Geass but with additional scenes and some differences, which makes it a separate continuity. Most of the plot is reminiscent of the previous two seasons, in my opinion, but it is fun to watch if you’re a die-hard fan of the code geass series or if you watched the seasons a long time ago and want to refresh the memories.
Also Read: Violet Evergarden Watch Order Guide
5. Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Ressurection
The movie Code Geass: Lelouch of the Ressurection finally moves the story forward, continuing from season 2 or from the last movie in the Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion trilogy. It hit the big screen in 2019 and was a massive success, making around 9 million USD in revenue at the box office.
The film tends more towards being a continuation of the trilogy of Code Geass movies mentioned before compared to the original ending of season 2. The film received great appreciation from the audience and is very good in terms of storytelling and animation quality.
Fans are left wondering if the Code Geass series has ended. But it has not; it was recently announced in 2020 that the producers are working on a new Code Geass project, Code Geass: Z of the Recapture. It is a movie that was supposed to come out in 2021 but was delayed. It will be the next movie to watch after Code Geass: Lelouch of the Resurrection.
Also Read: Code Geass Season 2 ending explained: Is it Goodbye for antihero Lelouch?
