Miz
Administrator
- Reaction score
- 428
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
コードギアス: 反逆のルルーシュの
Code Geass in my opinon is probably one of the best animes I have ever seen. The first season of the series premiered across Japan on October 5, 2006, and concluded its run on July 28, 2007, after running for 25 episodes. A second season and sequel to the series, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2, premiered on MBS April 6, 2008 and concluded on September 28, 2008. (The Last Episode Rocked, BTW).
Introduction
On August 10, 2010, a.t.b. (the Imperial calendar, roughly 1955 A.D.), the Holy Empire of Britannia overpowered Japanese forces and conquered the country with their new robotic weapons, the Knightmare Frames, in less than a month. In the aftermath of Britannia's invasion, Japan lost its freedom, its rights, and even its name, becoming Area 11 of the Britannian Empire. The Japanese people, renamed as "Elevens", are forced to survive in poor neighborhoods, while Britannians live in first-class settlements. Rebel elements persist, however, as pockets of Japanese organizations struggle against the Empire for the independence of Japan.
After his father, the Emperor of Britannia, failed to prevent the assassination of his mother, an attack which also left his sister blind and crippled, the young prince Lelouch vowed to destroy Britannia. He was then banished by his Father, Charles zi Britannia to Area 11 (Japan). Seven years later, he accidentally becomes mixed up with "terrorists" in Area 11 and encounters a mysterious girl named C.C., who gives him the power of Geass. With it, he finally has the power that he needs to defeat Britannia and fulfill his two wishes: to seek revenge for his mother and to construct a world in which his beloved sister Nunnally can live happily.
Introduction of Geass
Lelouch casting his Geass
Geass (ギアス) is a mysterious ability which certain people can bestow upon others; C.C. is the most prominent character who grants the power of Geass. The form the Geass takes is different in each individual, each with different abilities and limitations. C.C. calls Geass the Power of Kings. Lelouches Geass is that he can command one to behave as he wishes just within eye contact. Geass is also represented by a bird-shaped symbol which glows red when active.
Every Geass has its own unique set of restrictions, limitations, or idiosyncrasies. These factors allow a Geass to be defeated, or its power limited, by someone who is aware of its characteristics. All Geass abilities that have thus far appeared within the canon of the television series have been related to the mind, influencing such aspects as will, thought, memory, emotion, and perception.
Suzaku Receiving the orders from Lelouch's Geass
The power of Geass increases with use, usually starting in one eye. It can eventually spread to both eyes and become uncontrollable with repeated use. At this point, the one who granted the power can relinquish his or her immortality to the recipient, allowing the recipient to continue the cycle while the giver is allowed to die. The immortality is referred to as the giver's "Code," and grants the person immunity to Geass in exchange for their original power.
Introduction the World of Code Geass
Code Geass is set in an alternate universe where the Holy Empire of Britannia, an international superpower, has conquered more than a third of the planet. The world is, for the most part, divided between it and two other superpowers: the Chinese Federation and the Euro Universe.
Flag of the Holy Empire of Britannia
Holy Empire of Britannia
The Holy Empire of Britannia (神聖ブリタニア帝国) is an imperial monarchy and the most prominent superpower within the world of Code Geass, controlling over one-third of the world at the start of the series, which expands as the series progresses. Its homeland is based in North America, and its imperial city is Pendragon. Britannian society is elitist and is run based on a caricature of Social Darwinism. Society is arranged by ranks of nobility.
During season 1, the Britannian Empire controls the entire Western Hemisphere (both American continents), New Zealand, recently conquered Japan. Early in season 1, Britannia conquers "Area 18", a desert region that is a part of the Middle East. During season 2, Britannia successfully conquers about half of the rival "Euro Universe" superpower; taking over France, Spain, the western half of Africa, and Russia. Ironically, Britannia does not control the British Isles...
Territories conquered by the Britannian Empire are renamed with an "Area" number based on when they were conquered and the native people are referred to by their area number or just called "Numbers"; Japan, being the eleventh territory conquered, is Area 11 and its people are "Elevens", for example. The Numbers are denied many of the rights of Britannian citizens, and are usually left to live in poverty. They can apply for Honorary Britannian citizenship to earn basic rights, but cannot attain the same status as regular citizens.
Flag of Japan (Far) and the Flag of the Black Knights (Near)
Area 11 (Japan)
Japan, renamed as Area 11 under Britannian rule, is the source of over 70% of the world's total supply of sakuradite, a fictional mineral with a high energy content. Japan oppressed and dominated other countries through economic control of the mineral prior to the start of the series, leading to its invasion and eventual takeover by Britannia. Japan serves as the main setting for much of the series, as it is where Ashford Academy, Lelouch's school, is located. Under his alter-ego of Zero, Lelouch attempts to reform it as an independent nation, the "United States of Japan", as part of his quest to overthrow Britannia.
Ashford Academy
Located: Area 11
Ashford Academy (アッシュフォード学園) is a Britannian private academy in Tokyo, owned and operated by the Ashford Foundation (アッシュフォード財団), a philanthropic organization involved predominantly in the supply of educational services, founded by the formerly noble Ashford House. It is attended by Lelouch and Nunnally, who, owing to their mother's past relationship with the Ashfords, have been granted free residence within the campus's Student Government Clubhouse.
Chinese Federation
The Chinese Federation (中華連邦) is an imperial monarchy that spans the Asian and Pacific regions, including Central, South, East and Southeast Asia with Sakhalin and the Korean Peninsula. Its population is the largest of the three major powers, but most live in poverty. Its political structure and organization appears to resemble the real-world Empire of China. The Emperor of the Federation holds absolute political power, but under Empress Tianzi, it is reduced to an effectively symbolic figurehead posting, "a symbol of the state and the unity of the people." As with the real-world Emperor of Japan, the individual who holds the title is regarded as a living divinity whose sovereignty is entirely ceremonial. The Vermilion Forbidden City (朱禁城) is the seat of the Chinese Emperor and the government of the Federation — a large palace situated in the capital city of Luoyang. The governmental organization known as the "High Eunuchs" (大宦官), advisers to the Empress, use her power for their own gain.
The Euro Universe (EU)
The Euro Universe (ユーロ・ユニバース), or E.U., is a democratic union. It has long been in conflict with Britannia. It encompasses all of Europe (including the British Isles), Africa, and Russia. Unlike the other countries, focus on the E.U. is minimal. In the second season, Schneizel leads the Britannian forces against the E.U., successfully conquering almost half of their territory. Territories which fell to Britannia include Portugal, Spain, France, half of Africa and all of Russia. Following this, former E.U. nations Italy and Poland were two of the forty-seven nations to join Zero's United Federation of Nations. The only nations remaining as part of the E.U. are the British Isles, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Ukraine and an area of Africa near the Congo. Due to the significant decrease in the E.U.'s territory and power, Charles di Britannia no longer considers the E.U. a threat.
A map of the world in Code Geass during season 2, following the formation of the United Federation of Nations and the fall of the E.U. The red represents the U.F.N. while the blue represents the Holy Empire of Britannia. Yellow nations are non-aligned.
Flag of the United Federation of Nations
United Federation of Nations [Code Geass R2]
Following the collapse of the E.U. and the uprising in the Chinese Federation, most of the remaining territories not under Britannian control join forces and form the United Federation of Nations, a new coalition to counter the Empire's advance. The U.F.N. flag is a white dove with three circles merging at the point where the wings and body meet, with a yellow background. Their combined territories literally split the world between the Empire and the Federation.
The U.F.N. is composed of forty-seven countries spread across parts of Eastern Europe, Eastern Africa, and the majority of the Asian continent. Decisions in the U.F.N. are determined by a two-thirds majority vote by the leaders of each country, with the population of each country determining their voting percentage. The individual armies of the member nations are abolished and replaced by a new supranational military force under the Black Knights' control.
Introduction of Knightmares
Knightmare Frames ('Knightmare' is a play on "nightmare" and a knight's mare, referring to the weapon itself; frame is the civilian word for bipedal machines in general) are robotic combat machines intended as a replacement for main battle tanks and other conventional land warfare vehicles. The bulk of Knightmare Frame models are produced by the Britannian Empire, who pioneered the design. As the series progresses, Japan, India, and other countries develop their own Knightmare Frames to match Britannia's advantage.
Introduction of the Order of the Black Knights
Emblem of The Order of the Black Knights
The Order of the Black Knights, or more commonly referred to as, The Black Knights. is a group of revolutionaries created by Zero, Lelouch's alter-ego, in his campaign to overthrow Britannia. Zero and the black knight's become a major resistance and threat to Britannia as the group grows larger and gets Knightmares of there own from India and the Kyoto organization. Zero also introduces the group as the protectors of the weak and as "Knights" they shall do there duty in doing so. Under Zero's leadership, the Black Knights grow in strength exponentially, becoming a force rivaling the Britannian army.
Episodes, Manga and Media
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ) is an anime television series created by Sunrise. Directed by Gorō Taniguchi and written by Ichirō Ōkouchi, both of whom had earlier worked on the series Planetes, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion features original character designs by CLAMP. (Can you see the resemblance)
Anime
Code Geass officially premiered on the Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS) television network at 25:25 JST on October 5, 2006. Its satellite television premiere across Japan on Animax was on November 7, 2006. Upon the airing of the first 23 episodes, the series went on hiatus on March 29, 2007, and completed broadcast of the first series with a contiguous one-hour broadcast of episodes 24 and 25 at 26:25 JST on Saturday, July 28, 2007. In the United States, the dubbed version was first broadcast on Adult Swim on April 27, 2008 at 1:30 AM ET. As of September 13, 2008, Adult Swim has broadcasted the show at 2:00 AM ET. The last episode of the first season was aired on October 26, 2008 at 5:00 AM ET on Adult Swim.
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 premiered on MBS and TBS at 17:00 JST on April 6, 2008. Prior to the series' television broadcast, three private preview screenings of episode 1 were held on March 15 and March 16 in Osaka and Tokyo respectively, which was attended by the series' seiyū as well as a pool of 3800 randomly selected applicants. The series has been distributed online via streaming video on the Japanese internet website Biglobe. It is also viewable in English on Adult Swim Video.
Watch Code Geass on Crunchyroll (Complete Season 1 - Episodes 1-25)
Watch Code Geass on Youtube Shows (Complete Season 1 - Episodes 1-25)
Manga
Kadokawa Shoten has published four manga adaptations of Code Geass, each containing alternate storylines. The first, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, by Majiko~!, focused on the protagonist of the series, Lelouch Lamperouge. It was originally serialized Monthly Asuka, starting in October 2006. Interestingly, the manga has started to branch off from the anime, beginning to do so during it's equivalent of the second season.
The second, Code Geass: Suzaku of the Counterattack (コードギアス 反攻のスザク), serialized in Beans A magazine, focused on Suzaku Kururugi. Written by Atsuro Yomino, it is set in an alternate reality where Knightmare Frames do not exist. Wearing a human-sized enhancement suit provided by Lloyd to greatly boost his physical ability, Suzaku takes on the identity of Lancelot, a masked government-sponsored crime fighter and superhero. Opposed is the criminal organization known as the Black Knights.
Code Geass: Nightmare of Nunnally (コードギアス ナイトメア・オブ・ナナリー), focused on Lelouch's sister Nunnally Lamperouge, was serialized in Comp Ace and written by Tomomasa Takuma. When Lelouch goes missing in the incident at Shinjuku Ghetto, Nunnally encounters an entity called Nemo, which restores her health and grants her the ability to summon the Knightmare Frame Mark Nemo. Using these, Nunnally attempts to seek out the whereabouts of her brother. However, her actions rouse the interest of the elite covert-ops Britannian Special Foreign Legion "Irregulars," which seeks to capture or kill her.
The most recent manga adaptation, Code Geass: Tales of an Alternate Shogunate ( 幕末異聞録 コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ) was serialized in Kerokero Ace. It is set in an alternate history in 1853 with new characters. Britannia's Black Ships appear in the harbor of Uraga. Some years later, Lelouch Lamperouge (琉々朱・爛縁侍) — brother to a young blind girl named Nunnally (那奈離) — is the commander of the military counterinsurgence brigade known as the Shinsengumi, formed under the orders of the Shogunate to fight the Black Revolutionaries (黒の維新団), a rebel group led by a mysterious masked individual known as Rei (零). In fact, these two organizations are one and the same, and they seek to combat in influences of Britannia. Geass is the ability to call upon and summon the armored entities referred to as Knightmares (騎士銘亜); Lancelot (蘭須露斗, ) is one such Knightmare.
Product Placement
Code Geass is probably the 1st anime I have ever seen with product placement:
Code Geass is sponsored by a number of companies in Japan, and hence their logos and mascots make inside the anime. The logo of the Japanese internet service provider BIGLOBE appears in the background of news programs and web searches.
Pizza Hut references are more prominent, since C.C. orders from them constantly (its on the pizza box) and carries around a stuffed toy of the Japanese branch's mascot, Cheese-kun (チーズくん). Pizza Hut's logo is edited out in the international release.