Anime Reviews (2010-2019): Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection (a Neo-Tokyo 2099 Digital Review)

The fourth film “Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection” pretty much kicks things off with a bang and ends with a figurative baton toss to Sunrise writers and directors who want to expand on the world of the alternate timeline. I look forward to that!

ANIMATED FILM: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection

DURATION: 113 Minutes

NOTE: I am reviewing the digital version

COMPANY: FUNimation

RATED: TV 14

Release Date: February 25, 2020

Directed by Taniguchi Goro

Script by Okouchi Ichiro

Music by Nakagawa Kotaro

Original Character Design by CLAMP

Character Design: Kimura Takahiro

Anime Production by Sunrise

Featuring the following voice talent:

Fukuyama Jun as Lelouch vi Britannia

Sakurai Takahiro as Suzaku Kururugi

Yukana as C.C.

Ohtsuka Akio as Forgner

Koshimizu Ami as Kallen Kozuki

Murase Ayumu as Shalio

Nazuka Kaori as Nunnally vi Britannia

Toda Keiko as Shamna

Tsuda Kenjiro as Qujappat

Shimazaki Nobunaga as Shesthaal

Arai Satomi as Sayoko Shinozaki

Shiratori Tetsu as Lloyd Asplund

Takagi Wataru as Bitool

The day Lelouch vi Britannia fell was the day his war-torn world found peace. Now, as his friends work to keep the peace, a terrorist attack could risk everything. Can he outwit death and save them all? Or will Lelouch’s legacy end here?

Back in 2009, for my DVD review of “Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion”, I wrote:

Excellent! “CODE GEASS: Lelouch of the Rebellion” is just excellent!

It’s been awhile since I watched an anime series and just enjoyed it from animation, art, mecha designs, music, character designs, storyline, etc. I may be a late bloomer when it comes to the fandom of “CODE GEASS: Lelouch of the Rebellion” but now I can see how this series has captured the attention of fans worldwide.

I absolute love this series and it was one of the DVD’s that I couldn’t wait to watch when it first came out.

But a lot has happened since then and here we are in 2020 and I’m now reviewing the fourth animated film titled “Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection” (Note: I am reviewing a digital copy, not the Blu-ray release).

But before this gets confusing, let me first explain that the animated films are not set during the same timeline as the TV series. The animated films are an alternate universe, as the director would say, a “what if?”.

So, if you watched “Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion” TV series along with “Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2” and the OVA series “Code Geass: Nunally in Wonderland” and “Code Geass: Akito the Exiled”, it’s all good.

But if you want to watch this fourth film “Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection”, please watch the previous three films: “Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion I – Initation”, “Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion II – Transgression” and “Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion III – Glorification”.

Assuming you have watched the trilogy, a year has now passed since Zero Requiem, a scheme which Emperor Lelouch vi Britannia had planned in order to end the conflict with his death. Meanwhile, Nunnally vi Brittania will rule Britannia, while her bodyguard Suzaku Kururugi will take on the identity of Zero.

While both Nunally and Suzaku are on a goodwill visit at a desert nation, they are immediately attacked by a Knightmare squad and Suzaku is defeated, kidnapped and tortured.

Those responsible are Shalio and Shamna, brother and sister who lead the Kingdom of Zilkhistan. And their plan is to use Nunally to access the collective unconsciousness within C’s World to restore Zilkhistan.

Meanwhile, C.C. is taking care of Lelouch who survived but he is no longer the same person. He can’t speak, always afraid and can’t control his emotions.

Meanwhile, Kallen Stadtfeld, Sayoko Shinozaki and Lloyd Asplund have infiltrated the country and run into C.C. and to their surprise, finding out that Lelouch is still alive. But is no longer the same type of person.

They learn that their school friend Shirely Fenette smuggled Lelouch’s corpse to her and she resurrected Lelouch from the dead by reconstructing his corpse, but his memories and personality are trapped in the collective unconsciousness. So, C.C. is determined of trying to get his consciousness back.

As the group reunite to rescue Suzaku, C.C. manages to do find the Aramu Gate which is a portal to C’s world and is able to resurrect Lelouch.

And as Lelouch becomes Zero once again, now he must rescue his sister Nunnally who is being held captive by Shamna.

Can Zero and team recruit a force to go against the powerful country, Zilkhistan?

Overall, “Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection” is an interesting animated film. While the third film would have been more of a better ending for Lelouch, the fourth film features his return.

And it’s no surprise, considering how popular the series had become. This could be the next Sunrise series that would last for decades and it happens to be non-Gundam related. In 2019, Sunrise producer Fujiwara Toshiro said at Sakura Con that there is a 10-year plan for new Code Geass content and this fourth film, is only phase 1.

So, does that mean, the two timelines of the original TV/OVA series and the animated films will be the alternate stories will continue similarly to Sunrise’s Mobile Suit Gundam series? Ie. Mobile Suit Gundam’s Universal Century timeline and the Alternate Universal Century?

There is always room to expand on both timelines, which we have seen to work well with Gundam, as those who grew up with the original are hardcore UC fans, while those who grew up watching “Gundam Seed” or “Gundam 00” tend to prefer the AUC.

But with alternative storyline from the films having a similarity to the TV Series, I feel that Sunrise has more leeway to become creative with this alternative storyline with the resurrection of Lelouch.

This fourth film “Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection” has pretty much kick things off with a bang and ends with a figurative baton toss to Sunrise writers and directors who want to expand on the world of the alternate timeline.

So, the continuation of “Code Geass” is no doubt going to be fascinating, but also ensuring that the popular “Code Geass” name will continue. But for those of us who enjoyed the original series, hopefully there are plans to expand the story for that timeline as well in the future.

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