Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion
Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion (Japanese: コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ, Hepburn: Kōdo Giasu Hangyaku no Rurūshu) 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, Initiation,[a] was released on October 21, 2017. The second film, Transgression,[b] was released on February 10, 2018. The third film, Glorification,[c] was released on May 26, 2018.[4]
| Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster for Initiation | |
| Kanji | コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ |
| Revised Hepburn | Kōdo Giasu Hangyaku no Rurūshu |
| Directed by | Gorō Taniguchi |
| Screenplay by | Ichirō Ōkouchi |
| Based on | Code Geass by Gorō Taniguchi and Ichirō Ōkouchi |
| Starring | see below |
| Cinematography |
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| Edited by | Seiji Morita |
| Music by |
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Production company | |
| Distributed by | Showgate |
Release dates |
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Running time | |
| Country | Japan |
| Language | Japanese |
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 edit
The film series 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 edit
| Character | Japanese voice cast |
|---|---|
| Lelouch Lamperouge | Jun Fukuyama Sayaka Ohara (young) |
| Suzaku Kururugi | Takahiro Sakurai Akeno Watanabe (young) |
| C.C | Yukana |
| Kallen Kouzuki | Ami Koshimizu |
| Nunnally vi Britannia | Kaori Nazuka |
| Charles vi Britannia | Norio Wakamoto |
| V.V. | Eisuke Kawashiro |
| Cornelia li Britannia | Junko Minagawa |
| Euphemia li Britannia | Omi Minami |
| Rolo Lamperouge | Takahiro Mizushima |
| Shirley Fenette | Fumiko Orikasa |
| Milly Ashford | Sayaka Ohara |
| Rivalz Cardemonde | Noriaki Sugiyama |
Production edit
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: "Only Red is Missing" (赤だけが足りない, Aka dake ga tarinai), 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 edit
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 edit
Box office edit
Transgression debuted at number eight in the Japanese box office.[16]
Critical reception edit
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 edit
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, Kōdo Giasu Fukkatsu no Rurūshu) was released in Japanese theaters on February 9, 2019.[6][21]
Notes edit
- ^ コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ I 興道, Kōdo Giasu - Hangyaku no Rurūshu Ichi - Kōdō, lit. "Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion Episode I: The Awakening Path"
- ^ コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ II 叛道, Kōdo Giasu - Hangyaku no Rurūshu Ni - Handō, lit. "Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion Episode II: The Rebellion Path"
- ^ コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ III 皇道, Kōdo Giasu - Hangyaku no Rurūshu Sān - Ōdō, lit. "Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion Episode III: The Imperial Path"
References edit
- ^ "コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュI 興道". eiga.com (in Japanese). 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 (in Japanese). 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 (in Japanese). May 26, 2018. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
- ^ a b c Pineda, Rafael Antonio (July 28, 2017). "Code Geass Compilation Film Trilogy Reveals Visual, Teaser Video, Dates". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
- ^ Haasch, Palmer (June 12, 2018). "The Code Geass recap movies are key to new sequel's confusing timeline". Polygon. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- ^ a b Loo, Egan (August 3, 2018). "Code Geass: Fukkatsu no Lelouch Sequel Is One February 2019 Film". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
- ^ "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 (in Japanese). May 26, 2018. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
- ^ Ressler, Karen (May 26, 2018). "Code Geass Writer, Director Confirm Return for 'Next' Sequel". Anime News Network. 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 (in Japanese). September 15, 2017. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
- ^ a b Pineda, Rafael Antonio (December 8, 2017). "2nd Code Geass Anime Compilation Film's Teaser Highlights Zero's Return". Anime News Network. 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 (in Japanese). March 24, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
- ^ a b ""Intiation" STAFF & CAST". Code Geass Movie Official (in Japanese). October 21, 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
- ^ a b ""Transgression" STAFF & CAST". Code Geass Movie Official (in Japanese). February 10, 2018. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
- ^ a b ""Glorification" STAFF & CAST". Code Geass Movie Official (in Japanese). May 26, 2018. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (February 14, 2018). "2nd Code Geass Film Opens at #8, Macross Delta Film Tops Mini-Theater Ranking". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
- ^ Beckett, James (September 12, 2019). ""Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion" Movie Trilogy Blu-ray Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
- ^ Adler, Liz (March 26, 2020). "Code Geass: 5 Things The Movie Trilogy Did Great (& 5 Things The Original Anime Did Better)". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
- ^ Kotzathanasis, Panos (March 10, 2018). "Anime Review: Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion Movie 1 (2017) by Goro Taniguchi". Asian Movie Pulse. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
- ^ Rawlings, Sarah (November 25, 2018). "Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion 1 – Initiation Review". Anime UK News. 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 (in Japanese). August 3, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
External links edit
- Official Movie Site (in Japanese)
- Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion (film) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia