'Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection' Is a Blast!

As someone who thinks Code Geass is the greatest anime ever, I was highly looking forward to Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection ever since it was announced that a sequel movie to the original series was happening.  It was definitely something I wanted to watch on the big screen, but unfortunately, it didn’t get any screenings in our shores when it was released.  A leaked cam footage of the film had already been making rounds in the Internet for some time now, but I opted not to watch that since I wanted to enjoy it in good quality.  So I had to wait for a proper digital copy to become available – which was only recently – before I allowed myself to see it.

The Code Geass TV series ended with Lelouch successfully pulling off “Zero Requiem”, his scheme to usher in world peace via his death.  So, the main draw of Re;surrection is, of course, his resurrection.  This actually occurs off screen, before the events of this film (an exposition scene explains how it happened).  However, although his body is resurrected, his mind is absent from it.  Hence, CC has to take him to the Kingdom of Zilkhistan – a country whose main export are mercenaries – which apparently has a gate to C’s World, wherein CC hopes to extract Lelouch’s mind and restore it to his body.  In Zilkhistan, CC and the vegetable Lelouch bump into Kallen, Sayoko, and Lloyd, who are currently in a mission to rescue Nunnally and Suzaku (while in the guise of Zero), whom they believe were abducted by Zilkhistan.  After Lelouch regains his memories and personality, he once again dons the persona of Zero, and leads a force consisting of former friends and foes to rescue his sister and punish the perpetrators.

I had a blast with this movie.  It was just gratifying to see Lelouch back again and be in new situations where he could showcase how much of an utter boss he is when it comes to strategy and tactics.  In fact, the movie features some of the best quick-thinking-and-decision-making-under-pressure moments I’ve ever seen from Lelouch, who has to go up against arguably the strongest Geass user he’s ever encountered.  Meanwhile, the mecha action, although it’s not as great as that found in Code Geass: Akito the Exiled, is quite exciting nevertheless.

However, while I was watching, I began having this nagging feeling that there was something odd about the movie.  It started when it was mentioned early in the movie that Shirley had a hand in secretly smuggling Lelouch’s corpse.  I was taken aback by it.  I thought, “Didn’t Shirley die during the series?  Or did I remember that wrong?”  Then, when Lelouch met up with the other characters, it felt off.  Everyone was all “kumbaya” quickly.  Have they been made aware of the Zero Requiem?  It was weird that everyone had a positive attitude to Lelouch.  It felt like the film was retconning the series.  Nevertheless, I was enjoying myself so much that I soon dismissed these concerns as I continued watching.

I looked into it afterwards, and my jaw dropped upon learning that Re;surrection is actually set in AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE!!!  Apparently, it’s not a direct sequel to the original series, but to the three Code Geass recap movies that were released prior it.

I ignored those movies when they came out because I thought they were simply the usual kind of anime recap movies, which essentially re-use footage from the series, cutting and piecing them together messily into feature length packages.  But, as it happens, the three recap movies were not the usual kind.  No, this trilogy had set up an alternate universe, in which some events from the series were removed, some new scenes were added, and tweaks of varying degrees of significance were made, establishing this alternate universe’s own version of what occurred during the two seasons of the series (moreover, it seems Akito the Exiled is also set in this alternate universe, rather than in the universe of the TV series).  Most of the story unfolded in the same way as the original, but the changes resulted to some notable differences with the characters’ motivations, relationships, and even fates.  And that’s why there are deviations in Re;surrection like Shirley being alive.

When I learned of this fact, I was initially upset.  But then, as I let it marinate longer in my mind, the decision to take the “alternate universe” route started making more and more sense.  I ended up digging the film’s dual nature, as it is canon in one sense, but non-canon in another – relevant in one sense, but inconsequential in the another.

In a way, Code Geass wanted to have its cake and eat it, too.  Indeed, there’s an argument to be made that the anime series already ended at a perfect, profound place, and a sequel – let alone a sequel that resurrects Lelouch – would ruin that.  Thus, by taking the “alternate universe” route, the legacy of the original anime series is protected, but at the same time, a reality where the saga continues and Lelouch gets a “happy ending” are also explored in a legit, meaningful manner.  In addition, fans are given this option to choose which of the two versions of Code Geass they would want to treat as the “correct” one.

Thus, I love Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection.  And I would love to see a new anime series (which the ending seemed to be hinting at) set in its universe.

In fact, here’s a thought: Code Geass should do what Gundam did as a franchise, which was, produce shows that were set in the same universe as the original series and at different points in time of its history, as well as produce shows that were set in different universes.  So, there are interconnected Gundam shows and there are standalone Gundam shows.  I could totally see the same approach realistically working with Code Geass moving forward (especially if it entertains the concept of a multiverse, which can be a potential epic plot point it can explore someday).  After all, it’s not like the franchise hadn’t ventured with spinoffs yet.