Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion I – Initiation Anime Movie

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion I - Initiation movie

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion I – Initiation (Anime Movie)

_{Genre: Alternate history / Mecha / Military fiction}

Japanese Title: コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ I 興道 (Kōdo Giasu: Hangyaku no Rurūshu Dai-ichi-bu Kōdō)

Year of Release: 2017

Origin: Japan

Runtime: 2 hours and 15 minutes

Director: Gorō Taniguchi

Production: Sunrise

TV: Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture Anime Series 2024 (12 episodes), Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 Anime Series 2008 (25 episodes), Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Anime Series 2006 – 2007 (25 episodes)

Manga: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Manga 2008 – 2010 (8 volumes)

Facts: If you are a Code Geass fan, all of the movies are worth watching in their proper order.

Plot

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion I – Initiation marks the commencement of a grand compilation, distilling the foundational narrative of the beloved Code Geass anime series into a cinematic experience. This film introduces viewers to Lelouch vi Britannia, an exiled prince stripped of his title and relegated to Japan, a land brutally subjugated and renamed Area 11 by the Holy Empire of Britannia. Witnessing firsthand the crushing oppression and injustice inflicted upon his adopted home, Lelouch’s world is irrevocably altered when he is granted a mysterious and potent supernatural ability: the Geass. This power, a seemingly absolute command over the minds and actions of others, ignites within him a burning desire for vengeance and justice.

Embracing the enigmatic persona of “Zero,” Lelouch transforms into the masked leader of a burgeoning rebellion. His ultimate goal is to dismantle the tyrannical Britannian Empire, driven by a profound need to secure a safe future for his cherished sister, Nunnally, and to fight for the liberation of the oppressed people of Japan.

Key Events

The film condenses the pivotal first seventeen episodes of the original anime, focusing on the genesis of Lelouch’s revolution:

The narrative traces Lelouch’s initial encounter with the enigmatic C.C., who bestows upon him the power of Geass, an ability that will forever change the course of his life and the fate of nations.
Lelouch, as Zero, makes his first critical connections with key figures within the Japanese resistance, forging alliances and building the foundation for his organized rebellion.
The film showcases Lelouch’s remarkable strategic mind as he leads the nascent rebel forces in daring and calculated battles against the technologically superior Britannian military, demonstrating the devastating potential of his Geass.
Amidst the chaos of rebellion, the film explores the complex and often conflicting relationships Lelouch develops, particularly with his childhood friend Suzaku, now a soldier in the Britannian army, and his steadfast ally Kallen Stadtfeld.

Main Characters

The narrative is anchored by a compelling cast of characters:

Lelouch vi Britannia: The central protagonist. Once a privileged prince, his exile and the acquisition of Geass transform him into the masked vigilante, Zero. He is a strategic genius fueled by a deep-seated desire to dismantle the Britannian Empire and avenge past injustices.
Nunnally vi Britannia: Lelouch’s younger sister. Rendered blind and unable to walk due to trauma, she is the embodiment of Lelouch’s motivation. Her safety and well-being are the driving force behind his quest for a just world.
Suzaku Kururugi: Lelouch’s childhood friend. Now serving in the Britannian military, Suzaku grapples with his own ideals of justice and loyalty, often finding himself in direct opposition to Lelouch’s revolutionary methods, creating a deep dramatic rift between them.
Kallen Stadtfeld: A courageous and skilled member of the Japanese resistance, Kallen becomes one of Lelouch’s most crucial and trusted allies. Her fierce loyalty and combat prowess are indispensable to the rebellion’s cause.
C.C.: A mysterious and immortal young woman who grants Lelouch his Geass. Her motives are often ambiguous, but she plays a pivotal role in guiding, and sometimes manipulating, Lelouch’s extraordinary journey.

As the first part of a three-part compilation series, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion I – Initiation meticulously sets the stage for Lelouch’s intricate and morally complex odyssey. It lays the groundwork for the profound dilemmas he will face and the sacrifices he will be forced to make in his relentless pursuit of freedom and justice.