In 2006, super-genius anti-heroes captivated audiences, with Code Geass’s Lelouch vi Britannia standing out as an iconic character. Code Geass featured two 25-episode series, three movies that altered the series’ storyline, and a final film to conclude the movie arc. Now, in 2024, we have a new Code Geass TV show continuing the movie timeline. Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture starts as a fantastic continuation of the series—delivering all the killer aspects of the original but without the filler. However, when the final episode ended, I was left scratching my head, wondering, Was that it?
Lelouch vi Britannia is dead, the Holy Britannian Empire has dissolved, and peace is spreading worldwide. However, remnants of the old empire have taken over Hokkaido, establishing the Neo-Britannian Empire with plans to revive the days when Britannians ruled and the Japanese were oppressed. We follow Rozé and his brother Ash, known as the Nameless Mercenaries, as they work with the resistance group Seven Shining Stars to dismantle the Neo-Britannian Empire and rescue Princess Sakuya Sumeragi, who is being held captive
From the very first frame of Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture to the last, the show hits the ground running. Its fast pace both benefits and detracts from the experience: there’s always something happening on screen, whether it’s a mind-blowing twist or a high-octane mech battle, which makes it hard to get bored. The action is the true standout of the show. Every mech fight—known as “Knightmare” battles in the Code Geass universe—is nothing short of spectacular. They’re fast, kinetic, and visually stunning, making it hard not to be captivated.
I loved the narrative at the outset, and certain reveals were executed perfectly, evoking the highs of the original series. A major reveal in the first episode completely caught me off guard, hooking me from that moment on. However, the fast pace sometimes causes story beats that don’t quite make sense to be overlooked. This becomes even more noticeable as we approach the ending, where I was left with more questions than answers. The emotional core of the finale feels flat, with events either poorly communicated visually or never fully explained to the audience.
The show’s ending feels overly tidy, wrapped up too neatly, and ultimately leaves a sense of dissatisfaction. It concludes in a way that, if Sunrise decided to leave this IP untouched, it wouldn’t challenge the fans much. In hindsight, this safe approach feels like a disappointing direction for Code Geass. Don’t get me wrong—I wouldn’t want it to end on a cliffhanger with unresolved plot threads, especially if there’s no guarantee of a sequel. However, it could have concluded in a way that left more of an impact, much like the original series did.
Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture starts with a bang, racing toward its conclusion, and when the show is at its best, it’s incredible. However, it eventually hits a roadblock and stumbles, leading to a lackluster end to what could have been a remarkable return for this beloved franchise.
★★★1/2
Played as part of Scotland Loves Anime 2024 / Available to stream on Disney Plus / Kōhei Amasaki, Makoto Furukawa, Reina Ueda, Kana Ichinose, Hiroki Yasumoto / Dir: Yoshimitsu Ohashi / Showgate
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