Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture explained

Code Geass:
Ja Kanji:コードギアス 奪還のロゼ
Ja Romaji:Kōdo Giasu: Dakkan no Rozé
Creator:Sunrise
Type:film series
Director:Yoshimitsu Ohashi
Music:Kenji Kawai
Studio:Sunrise
Decat:yes
Child:yes
Label1:Distributed by
Data1:Showgate
Films:4
Type:ona
Licensee:Disney Platform Distribution
Decat:yes
Child:yes
Label1:Original network
Data1:Disney+
Episodes:12
Portal:yes

is a 2024 Japanese four-part animated science fantasy action film series directed by Yoshimitsu Ohashi and written by Noboru Kimura from co-original story conceived by Gorō Taniguchi and Ichirō Ōkouchi; the four-part film series is based on the Code Geass franchise by Sunrise, who also produced the films. Distributed by Showgate, Rozé of the Recapture is a sequel to Code Geass Lelouch of the Re;surrection (2019),[1] which itself takes place in an alternate continuity established in the three-part compilation film: Initiation, Transgression and Glorification (2017–18). Set in the Neo-Britannian Empire on former Hokkaido, the two mercenary brothers named Rozé (Kōhei Amasaki) and Ash (Makoto Furukawa) are tasked to rescue Hokkaido princess named Sakuya (Reina Ueda).[2] Rozé of the Recapture was released in 2024, with the first film on May 10, the second film on June 7, the third film on July 5, and the final film on August 2.[3]

Rozé of the Recapture released internationally on Disney+ via Hulu and Star content hub in a 12 episode ONA format from June 21 to September 6, 2024.[4] [5]

Plot

Following the death of Emperor Lelouch Lamperouge and the dissolution of the Holy Britannian Empire, remnants of the old empire captured the island of Hokkaido and founded the Neo-Britannian Empire, where the Japanese people are oppressed just like the old days of the empire when their country was one of its colonies. Two brothers named Rozé and Ash, dubbed "The Nameless Mercenaries" fight the Neo-Britannian empire, eventually joining forces with the local resistance forces in their mission to rescue princess Sakuya Sumeragi, but only a few know that Rozé is actually Sakuya in disguise, and the person she wants to rescue is her childhood friend and body double Sakura Haruyanagininomiya, who is passing as Sakuya to protect her. Her weapons are Ash's piloting skills, her tactical prowess and the power of Geass, which forces anyone into absolute obedience, the same power Lelouch himself once used in his rise to power.

Episodes

Note: Each film act is divided into three parts (episodes), which later stream internationally in a television series format as an ONA.

Voice cast

Character Japanese voice cast[6] English voice cast[7] [8]
Luca Padovan
Makoto Furukawa
Makoto Koichi (young)
Cory Yee
Braylyx Rivera-Babbey (young)
Suzie Yeung
Sakura Haruyanagininomiya Xanthe Huynh
Calis al Britannia Bryan Chao
Norland von Lunebelg Dan Green
Catherine Sabathra Dani Chambers
Narah Vaughn Morla Gorrondona
Stanley Vonbraun Dave B. Mitchell
Walther Lindstedt David Goldstein
Divock Merte Neil Kaplan
Christoph Scissorman James Urbaniak
Heath Lott River Vitae
Arnold Renck Griffin Puatu
Jack Hogan (young)
Greede Kirkwayne Aaron Phillips
Gran Kirkwayne Alex Bankier
Nichol Phoenix Ryan Alexander Young
Ruby Hina Yomiya Lila Peldon
Sister Mari Hino Jennifer Sun Bell
Kensei Kuroto Chris Okawa
Isao Munobe Andrew Chan
Haruka Rutaka Kira Buckland
Tomōmi Oda Alan Lee
Shota Munemori Aleks Le
Yoko Araki Dawn M. Bennett
Yuri Sano Risa Mei
Sarashino Tomi Hayato Fujii Jimmie Yamaguchi
Kaoru Shizuka Rick Kumazawa
Minato Sakai Jennifer Sun Bell
Jurō Sumeragi Keone Young
Vallen Stark Masashi Nogawa Dave B Mitchell
Mei Ema Courtney Lin
Mary Elizabeth McGlynn
Kim Mai Guest
Johnny Yong Bosch
Kate Higgins
Yuri Lowenthal
Karen Strassman
Stephanie Sheh
Dave Wittenberg
Micah Solusod
Jeannie Tirado
Ricco Fajardo
Elizabeth Maxwell
Aaron Dismuke
Caleb Yen
Nana Hamasaki TBA
Yū Watanabe TBA

Production

In December 2020, it was announced that a new anime project for Code Geass franchise was green-lit, with Yoshimitsu Ohashi directing the series at Sunrise, with Noboru Kimura providing the screenplay from an original story by co-creators Gorō Taniguchi and Ichirō Ōkouchi, Takahiro Kimura co-designing the characters with Shuichi Shimamura from original character concept by manga artist group CLAMP, and music composed by Kenji Kawai.[9] In December 2023, it was announced that it would be a four-part film project, and Kōhei Amasaki and Makoto Furukawa was cast as Rozé and Ash, respectively.[10] [11] In March and April 2024, more cast members were announced.[3] [6]

The opening theme song is "Running in My Head" performed by Miyavi,[10] while the ending theme song is "Rozé (prod. TeddyLoid)" performed by Hikari Mitsushima.[12]

Reception

Box office

The first film failed to reach top 10 in the Japanese box office in its first week.[13] The third film debuted at number 7 in its opening weekend.[14] The final film entered number 10 in its opening weekend.[15]

Critical reception

Richard Eisenbeis of Anime News Network gave the first film an A- rating, and stated "Not only does it give us an excellent main character in Rozé (someone who feels both similar to and distinct from our previous protagonists), but also a true Code Geass story without undercutting what came before."[16] For the second film, he gave a B+ rating, and stated "Outside of the big battle, the rest of this part of the anime spends time on intrigue rather than action."[17] The third film received an A- rating, and stated "It hits the majority of its emotional beats well—especially those involving Ash and Sakuya—and the story is exciting with some truly excellent twists and turns."[18] The final film received a B- rating, and stated "The pacing issues are just so egregious, especially here at the end, that they hinder not only the story but everything else as well[…]But when it comes down to it, this is what we're left with: an often enjoyable but regretfully flawed sequel to one of the 2000s' most seminal anime."[19]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Code Geass: Roze of The Recapture Releases New Trailer. Valentine. Evan. May 10, 2024. CBR. May 10, 2024.
  2. Web site: 'Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture': Release Date, Cast, and Everything We Know So Far. Maddie P. May 10, 2024. Collider. May 10, 2024.
  3. Web site: Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture Anime's 1st Trailer Reveals More Cast, May 10-August 2 Opening Dates. Cayanan. Joanna. March 23, 2024. Anime News Network. March 23, 2024.
  4. Web site: Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture Anime Reveals Release Dates, Visual and Trailer. Dempsey. Liam. March 22, 2024. Crunchyroll. March 22, 2024.
  5. Web site: Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture Anime Announces Global Streaming Date. Dempsey. Liam. May 23, 2024. Crunchyroll. May 24, 2024.
  6. Web site: Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture Anime Reveals New Key Visual, More Cast. Dempsey. Liam. April 10, 2024. Crunchyroll. April 10, 2024.
  7. Web site: Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture Anime Reveals English Dub Cast. Hazra. Adriana. June 18, 2024. Anime News Network. June 18, 2024.
  8. Web site: Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture (2024). June 21, 2024. Behind The Voice Actors. June 21, 2024.
  9. Web site: Code Geass Franchise Gets New Anime Series, Smartphone Game. Loo. Egan. December 5, 2020. Anime News Network. December 5, 2020.
  10. Web site: Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture Anime Reveals First Trailer, May 2024 Release. Dempsey. Liam. December 18, 2023. Crunchyroll. December 18, 2023.
  11. Web site: 「コードギアス」新作「奪還のロゼ」2024年5月に上映開始 兄弟役に天崎滉平、古川慎. December 18, 2023. Comic Natalie. ja. December 18, 2023.
  12. Web site: 「コードギアス」新作の公開は5月から 予告映像や追加キャスト13人、ED主題歌も発表. March 23, 2023. Comic Natalie. ja. March 23, 2023.
  13. Web site: 27th Detective Conan Film Stays at #1, Uma Musume Pretty Derby: Road to the Top Opens at #6. Hazra. Adriana. May 16, 2024. Anime News Network. May 16, 2024.
  14. Web site: Look Back Anime Film Rises #1, 3rd Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture Film Opens at #7. Hazra. Adriana. July 11, 2024. Anime News Network. July 11, 2024.
  15. Web site: 映画ランキング:映画『ヒロアカ』初登場1位 『インサイド・ヘッド2』など新作4本がランクイン. August 5, 2024. Oricon News. ja. August 5, 2024.
  16. Web site: "Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture Part 1" Anime Film Review. Eisenbeis. Richard. May 10, 2024. Anime News Network. May 10, 2024.
  17. Web site: "Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture Part 2" Anime Film Review. Eisenbeis. Richard. June 11, 2024. Anime News Network. June 11, 2024.
  18. Web site: "Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture Part 3" Anime Film Review. Eisenbeis. Richard. July 23, 2024. Anime News Network. July 23, 2024.
  19. Web site: "Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture Part 4" Anime Film Review. Eisenbeis. Richard. August 7, 2024. Anime News Network. August 7, 2024.