Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion (コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ) is a Japanese three-part animated science fantasy action film directed by Gorō Taniguchi and written by Ichirō Ōkouchi based on their anime television series with the same name. Produced by Sunrise and distributed by Showgate, the three-part film is a compilation of the television series.
The voice cast from the television series reprised their roles for the three-part film. The first film, Initiation, (コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ I 興道) was released on October 21, 2017. The second film, Transgression, (コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ II 叛道) was released on February 10, 2018. The third film, Glorification, (コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ III 皇道) was released on May 26, 2018.[4]
A sequel film, Code Geass Lelouch of the Re;surrection, was released in 2019,[5] followed by a sequel four-part film, Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture released in 2024.[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, the most significant change is the fate of Shirley Fenette. 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. This change has no particular influence on the rest of the plot.
In a post-credits scene at the end of Glorification, C.C. is shown riding on horseback towards a ceremony at Jeremiah Gottwald’s orange farm that he and Shirley are hosting. The tracks from the hay cart she rode on at the end of the original series are shown on the road she is traveling on.
Voice cast
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.[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: "Only Red is Missing" (赤だけが足りない), 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]
Sequels
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 Code Geass Lelouch of the Re;surrection (コードギアス 復活のルルーシュ) was released in Japanese theaters on February 9, 2019.[5][21] It was followed by a sequel four-part film, Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture (コードギアス 奪還のロゼ), released in 2024.[6]
External links
References
- コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュI 興道 eiga.com, October 21, 2017, retrieved October 21, 2017^
- コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュII 叛道 eiga.com, February 10, 2018, retrieved February 10, 2018^
- コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュIII 皇道 eiga.com, May 26, 2018, retrieved May 26, 2018^
- Rafael Antonio Pineda. Code Geass Compilation Film Trilogy Reveals Visual, Teaser Video, Dates Anime News Network, July 28, 2017, retrieved July 28, 2017^
- Egan Loo. Code Geass: Fukkatsu no Lelouch Sequel Is One February 2019 Film Anime News Network, August 3, 2018, retrieved August 3, 2018^
- Evan Valentine. Code Geass: Roze of The Recapture Releases New Trailer CBR, May 10, 2024, retrieved May 10, 2024^
- 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! V-Storage, May 26, 2018, retrieved May 26, 2018^
- Karen Ressler. Code Geass Writer, Director Confirm Return for 'Next' Sequel Anime News Network, May 26, 2018, retrieved May 26, 2018^
- 「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 Comic Natalie, September 15, 2017, retrieved September 15, 2017^
- Rafael Antonio Pineda. 2nd Code Geass Anime Compilation Film's Teaser Highlights Zero's Return Anime News Network, December 8, 2017, retrieved December 8, 2017^
- 3rd Code Geass Recap Film Reveals Teaser Video, TV Ad, Visual Anime News Network, March 26, 2018, retrieved March 26, 2018^
- 「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 Ota Suke, March 24, 2018, retrieved March 24, 2018^
- "Initiation" STAFF & CAST Code Geass Movie Official, October 21, 2017, retrieved October 21, 2017^
- "Transgression" STAFF & CAST Code Geass Movie Official, February 10, 2018, retrieved February 10, 2018^
- "Glorification" STAFF & CAST Code Geass Movie Official, May 26, 2018, retrieved May 26, 2018^
- Rafael Antonio Pineda. 2nd Code Geass Film Opens at #8, Macross Delta Film Tops Mini-Theater Ranking Anime News Network, February 14, 2018, retrieved February 14, 2018^
- James Beckett. "Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion" Movie Trilogy Blu-ray Review Anime News Network, September 12, 2019, retrieved September 12, 2019^
- Liz Adler. Code Geass: 5 Things The Movie Trilogy Did Great (& 5 Things The Original Anime Did Better) Comic Book Resources, March 26, 2020, retrieved December 25, 2021^
- Panos Kotzathanasis. Anime Review: Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion Movie 1 (2017) by Goro Taniguchi Asian Movie Pulse, March 10, 2018, retrieved December 25, 2021^
- Sarah Rawlings. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion 1 – Initiation Review Anime UK News, November 25, 2018, retrieved December 25, 2021^
- 「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 Comic Natalie, August 3, 2018, retrieved August 3, 2018^