Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion explained

Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion
Native Name:
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Kanji:コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ
Revhep:Kōdo Giasu Hangyaku no Rurūshu
Director:Gorō Taniguchi
Screenplay:Ichirō Ōkouchi
Starring:see below
Cinematography:
  • Hiroyuki Chiba
  • Sōta Ōya
Editing:Seiji Morita
Studio:Sunrise
Distributor:Showgate
Runtime:
  • 135 minutes [1]
  • 133 minutes [2]
  • 140 minutes [3]
Country:Japan
Language:Japanese

is a Japanese three-part animated science fantasy action film based on the anime television series with the same name co-created by director Gorō Taniguchi and writer Ichirō Ōkouchi. The three-part film was directed by Taniguchi, written by Ōkouchi, and produced by Sunrise. The first film, was released on October 21, 2017. The second film, was released on February 10, 2018. The third film, was released on May 26, 2018.[4]

The three-part film is a compilation of the television series, but with differences in storylines that makes it a separate continuity,[5] and setting up for the sequel film, Code Geass Lelouch of the Re;surrection, which was released in 2019.[6]

Plot

The three-part film largely covers the events of the main anime series. Initiation compiles Season 1, Episodes 1-17; Transgression covers Season 1, Episodes 18-25 and Season 2, Episodes 1-16; and Glorification covers Season 2, Episodes 17-25.

Aside from a few bonus scenes and cut plot points, by far the most significant change is the fate of Shirley Fenette. In this alternate continuity, Shirley’s father is never killed during the Battle of Narita, thus avoiding the chain of events that ultimately results in her own death. Instead, Shirley survives through the rest of the story, with plot details adjusted to be consistent with how they occur in the original continuity in spite of Shirley’s survival.

At the end of Glorification, C.C. is shown riding on horseback, rather than in a hay cart. It is revealed that she is the C.C. from the original continuity, having traveled throughout the Code Geass multiverse in order to form an universe where Lelouch survives while also maintaining a promise he made to her. The survival of Shirley - who earlier met C.C., an event that did not happen in the original continuity - was done with this in mind, leading into her being the catalyst to saving Lelouch in Lelouch of the Re;surrection.

Voice cast

See also: List of Code Geass characters.

Character Japanese voice cast
Jun Fukuyama
Sayaka Ohara (young)
Takahiro Sakurai
Akeno Watanabe (young)
Kaori Nazuka
Eisuke Kawashiro
Sayaka Ohara

Production

In June 2017, it was announced that a three-part compilation film of Code Geass was in the works, with series director Gorō Taniguchi and writer Ichirō Ōkouchi returning for the films. Taniguchi confirmed that while the films are recap of the television series, there are few changes to the storylines, creating a "what if?" scenarios leading up to the sequel film.[7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] Many of the key staff members from the television series were credited for their respective roles; manga artist group CLAMP for their character design concept, with Takahiro Kimura as an animation character designer, and Kōtarō Nakagawa and Hitomi Kuroishi for their musical scores.[13] [14] [15]

The voice cast from the television series reprised their respective roles to re-record their old dialogues and new ones for the new scenes.[10]

The opening songs from the television series were used in the compilation films' openings. The new ending songs were announced:, sung by Iris was used in Initiation, "The Moon", sung by Sakura Fujiwara, was used in Transgression, and "NE:ONE", sung by Survive Said the Prophet, was used in Glorification.[13] [14] [15]

Release

The three-part film was released in Japanese theaters; Initiation was released on October 21, 2017, Transgression was released on February 10, 2018, and Glorification on May 26, 2018.[4]

Reception

Box office

Transgression debuted at number eight in the Japanese box office.[16]

Critical reception

James Beckett of Anime News Network gave the three-part film "C+" rating, and states "If you like your robot wars filled with magic, melodrama, and more beautiful CLAMP boys than you can shake a stick at, then the original Code Geass will likely be worth your time."[17] Comic Book Resources published an article listing places where—in writer Liz Adler's opinion—the films improved upon the anime, and where the original anime was better.[18] Panos Kotzathanasis of Asian Movie Pulse gave a mostly positive review of Initiation.[19] Sarah Rawlings of Anime UK News rated Initiation 7/10.[20]

Sequel

See main article: Code Geass Lelouch of the Re;surrection. The sequel was teased when the three-part film was first announced.[4] In August 2018, it was revealed that the sequel is going to be an anime film, and returning key staff and cast members from the anime television series and the three-part film were announced for the film. The sequel film, titled was released in Japanese theaters on February 9, 2019.[6] [21]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュI 興道. October 21, 2017. eiga.com. ja. October 21, 2017.
  2. Web site: コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュII 叛道. February 10, 2018. eiga.com. ja. February 10, 2018.
  3. Web site: コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュIII 皇道. May 26, 2018. eiga.com. ja. May 26, 2018.
  4. Web site: Code Geass Compilation Film Trilogy Reveals Visual, Teaser Video, Dates. Pineda. Rafael Antonio. July 28, 2017. Anime News Network. July 28, 2017.
  5. Web site: The Code Geass recap movies are key to new sequel's confusing timeline. Haasch. Palmer. June 12, 2018. Polygon. June 12, 2018.
  6. Web site: Code Geass: Fukkatsu no Lelouch Sequel Is One February 2019 Film. Loo. Egan. August 3, 2018. Anime News Network. August 3, 2018.
  7. Web site: 本日・5月26日(土)公開!『コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュIII 皇道』監督:谷口悟朗&シリーズ構成:大河内一楼より公開記念コメント到着!. May 26, 2018. V-Storage. ja. May 26, 2018.
  8. Web site: Code Geass Writer, Director Confirm Return for 'Next' Sequel. Ressler. Karen. May 26, 2018. Anime News Network. May 26, 2018.
  9. Web site: 「コードギアス」第1部キービジュ公開、特典第1弾は「仮面告白大会」収録DVD. September 15, 2017. Comic Natalie. ja. September 15, 2017.
  10. Web site: 2nd Code Geass Anime Compilation Film's Teaser Highlights Zero's Return. Pineda. Rafael Antonio. December 8, 2017. Anime News Network. December 8, 2017.
  11. Web site: 3rd Code Geass Recap Film Reveals Teaser Video, TV Ad, Visual. March 26, 2018. Anime News Network. March 26, 2018.
  12. Web site: 「コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ」第3部「皇道」ビジュアル&特報. March 24, 2018. Ota Suke. ja. March 24, 2018.
  13. Web site: "Intiation" STAFF & CAST . October 21, 2017 . Code Geass Movie Official . ja . October 21, 2017.
  14. Web site: "Transgression" STAFF & CAST . February 10, 2018 . Code Geass Movie Official . ja . February 10, 2018.
  15. Web site: "Glorification" STAFF & CAST . May 26, 2018 . Code Geass Movie Official . ja . May 26, 2018.
  16. Web site: 2nd Code Geass Film Opens at #8, Macross Delta Film Tops Mini-Theater Ranking. Pineda. Rafael Antonio. February 14, 2018. Anime News Network. February 14, 2018.
  17. Web site: "Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion" Movie Trilogy Blu-ray Review. Beckett. James. September 12, 2019. Anime News Network. September 12, 2019.
  18. Web site: Code Geass: 5 Things The Movie Trilogy Did Great (& 5 Things The Original Anime Did Better). Comic Book Resources. Adler. Liz. March 26, 2020. December 25, 2021.
  19. Web site: Anime Review: Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion Movie 1 (2017) by Goro Taniguchi. Kotzathanasis. Panos. March 10, 2018. Asian Movie Pulse. December 25, 2021.
  20. Web site: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion 1 – Initiation Review. Anime UK News. Rawlings. Sarah. November 25, 2018. December 25, 2021.
  21. Web site: 「コードギアス」完全新作「復活のルルーシュ」が2019年2月に公開、特報も到着. August 3, 2018. Comic Natalie. ja. August 3, 2018.