Code Geass: Z Of The Recapture - What We Know So Far
Although anime series have been popular for years, it's safe to say the Japanese animation style is having a moment. From record-breaking shows like "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" to the hilarious gangster anime "The Way of the Househusband," there are tons of different anime genres to enjoy. One of the more popular anime series of the 2000s was "Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion," also known as "Code Geass."
The mecha anime features an exiled prince named Lelouch vi Britannia (Jun Fukuyama in the Japanese version, Johnny Yong Bosch in the English) who also goes by the name Lelouch Lamperouge. While attending the Ashford Academy, Lelouch meets a mysterious girl named C.C. (Yukana/Kate Higgins) who grants him the power to command anyone to do whatever he wants — which is known as the Power of Kings, or Geass. Lelouch uses his Geass to track down his mother's murderers and bring peace to his country and turns into a masked vigilante in the process.
With the success of "Code Geass" came a compilation recap film trilogy by Funimation (via Anime News Network). But the popular franchise isn't over yet — in fact, a new anime spinoff titled "Code Geass: Z of the Recapture" was announced by Crunchyroll in 2020, and it's sure to further expand the (somewhat confusing) "Code Geass" universe. Here's everything we know about the exciting series so far.
When is Code Geass: Z of the Recapture premiering?
Ever since Crunchyroll announced the "Code Geass: Z of the Recapture" series back in December 2020, fans have waited anxiously for more news. Unfortunately, there still isn't a concrete premiere date for the upcoming show, but according to Monsters and Critics, the franchise's production company Sunrise Inc. confirmed it will premiere sometime this year. Since there's also a mobile game titled "Code Geass: Genesic Re;CODE" dropping in Japan this Spring, per Siliconera, it's likely that "Code Geass: Z of the Recapture" will debut in the winter — still, stay tuned for an official update.
Though we don't yet know when "Code Geass: Z of the Recapture" will premiere, fans are already buzzing with excitement on social media. Twitter user @GGKailee wrote, "I FINALLY FOUND A DUBBED VERSION OF CODE GEASS: LELOUCH OF THE RESSURECTION AND I THEN LEARN THERES GONNA BE A SEASON 3, CODE GEASS: Z OF THE RECAPTURE THIS YEAR!!!!?????? ULTIMATE WIN FOR HIGH SCHOOL ANIME DWEEB ME." We couldn't agree more.
Who is in Code Geass: Z of the Recapture?
"Code Geass: Z of the Recapture" is set to take place after the events of the 2019 film "Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;Surrection," so while there hasn't been an official cast announcement, we can infer many of the characters from the movie will return in the show. We're expecting to see Lelouch, C.C., Suzaku Kururugi (Takahiro Sakurai/Yuri Lowenthal), and Nunnally vi Britannia (Kaori Nazuka/Rebecca Forstadt). Since we don't know the exact plot of the upcoming series, it's hard to say who exactly will appear in it — but we're hoping to see the iconic leads back in action.
There are some big changes coming to "Code Geass: Z of the Recapture" as far as the crew goes. According to Anime News Network, Yoshimitsu Ôhashi ("Michiko and Hatchin") is set to direct the series, and Noboru Kimura ("Princess Principal") is slated as the scriptwriter — though the original director Gorō Taniguchi ("Planetes") and writer Ichirō Ōkouchi ("Devilman Crybaby") are still credited for the original story. "Code Geass: Z of the Recapture" will also be produced by the original animation studio Sunrise Inc. and character designs will be by the original artist Takahiro Kimura ("Betterman"), based on the original designs from CLAMP ("X").
What is the plot of Code Geass: Z of the Recapture?
Unsurprisingly, we don't know much about the plot of "Code Geass: Z of the Recapture" either, aside from it taking place after the events of the last film in the franchise's trilogy. Fans are confused as to which direction the new series will go in, since the original show and films have alternate timelines. Though the movies seem like simple recaps of the show, there are several key plot changes that create inconsistencies in the "Code Geass" universe — so it's unknown if the new series will be a direct sequel to the original show, or be based on the timeline from the movies.
"The creators apparently viewed the [Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;Surrection] movie as an alternate timeline since Taniguchi said the compilation trilogy is 'not a negation of the television series, but rather one possible outcome,'" Monsters & Critics explained. "That means the original ending remains intact whereas the new movies establish a new separate canon based on an alternate timeline." While the plot for the new "Code Geass" series is unclear, one possibility is the chance to see the backstories of different characters, since Lelouch's involvement in "Code Geass: Z of the Recapture" remains uncertain as well.
Stay tuned for more updates on "Code Geass: Z of the Recapture," including an official premiere date. For now, you can enjoy rewatching the "Code Geass" franchise on Netflix, Funimation, or a number of other streaming services.