How To Start Code Geass Today. The Complete Watch Order Guide

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Fans of Code Geass have been asking which order should I watch the series?

With Code Geass making its comeback to the mainstream with its latest film Lelouch of the Ressurection fans of the original series and newcomers are starting to watch this anime.

A lot has changed in the Code Geass universe with the new OVAs and films that have come out over the years.

So, all the confusion around what to watch and in what order is perfectly understandable. It’s one of the reasons why many choose to not watch it at all.

Thankfully this series is not as confusing as others like the Fate Series so answering this question will be easy.

Here is how I am going to break this down.

I will list out each series of Code Geass with a brief description and answer where it is in the timeline.

Each section will end with the proper order to watch the anime within that timeline.

By the end of this article, you will know what order to watch each part of the Code Geass universe in and which parts you can avoid.

Also, read to the end because I have a Free printout that you can use for future reference.

This printout will take everything that I have discussed and put it all together in an easy to follow manner.

I also created a less fancy table that also lists the same information and provides links.

One final note here, I refer to the first season of Code Geass as R1 not only here but in all my articles. Technically there is no such thing as R1. But what you find in this fanbase is that people refer to it as such. So if you are wondering about that I hope that clears that up.

Now that all objectives are cleared let’s get started.

I also recently uploaded a video that also goes through this topic you can watch it here.

Code Geass R1 and R2 are the two original series that came out between 2006 to 2008.

These two anime show the complete journey of Lelouch‘s quest to take over Brittania and make a safe world for Nunnally to live in.

After watching Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion R1 and R2 where do I go from here?

For those fans who watched these two series, you technically do not need to watch anything else.

If you were satisfied with R1 and R2 then you do not need to then watch the additional content. None of the new OVAs or Films add enough content or change the story to the point that you have to watch to get a complete picture.

However, if you really enjoyed R1 and R2 and want to know where to go next, Then I would recommend moving on to either Akito the Exiled, the picture dramas, or to the new recap films and Lelouch of the Re;surrection.

For new fans, if you just want to watch the essence of what Code Geass is then this is all you need.

1. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Read my Lelouch of the Rebellion Review
2. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 Read my Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 Review

Where You Can Watch It?

If you want Code Geass via streaming services checkout Funimation, Hulu, and Netflix

You can purchase Code Geass: Lelouch of Rebellion – The Complete Series [Blu-ray] here

I also recently reviewed the Blu-ray collection and compared it to the Bandai collection which you can read here.

If you want the DVDs for Code Geass purchase the Bandai Versions, not Funimation’s DVD collection.

Akito the Exiled are five OVAs that were created after Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion in 2012.

This OVA spinoff series takes place between R1 and R2. It tells the story of Leila the commander of the WZERO squad.

This squad is helping E.U. fight against EuroBritannia which are the people in the E.U. that support Britannia.

I am not going to discuss my opinions of the anime but you should know that it was not received well by many of the hardcore fans.

Part of that came from the fact that it was a follow up to Code Geass. People were upset that the series did not live up to the same standards.

I enjoyed it for what it was and tried to treat it independently from the original Code Geass.

Here is my Akito the Exiled brief review and if you have watched Akito the Exiled here is my deep analysis on it.

Do you need to Watch Akito the Exiled?

The answer is this. It’s only mandatory if you intend to read other Code Geass Manga or play the new mobile game Genesis Re: CODE. Because both of these will reference and possibly spoil the Anime.

I know for sure that the manga does. The game announcement trailer showed many scenes and characters from Akito the Exiled. So it most likely will spoil Akito. Regardless knowing what happens in the OVA will improve your experience with the mobile game.

If you are only going through the original series/ alternative universe and just want to watch the essential parts of Code Geass then the answer is no.

Akito only expands on the lore of Geass by introducing more advances in technology including space travel and the E.U. From a plot point of view, there is nothing in this series that would improve you’re understanding of the events in R1 and R2.

The best you will get is an explanation of what Lelouch and Suzaku were doing during this time and some backstory on C.C.

On a personal level, I would recommend it if you enjoyed the Code Geass universe and want more after watching R1 and R2.

However, despite the problems, I still think it’s worth watching this series. If you agree then to get the full original Code Geass story watch in this order:

1. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
2. Code Geass: Akito the Exiled – The Wyvern Arrives
3. Code Geass: Akito the Exiled – The Wyvern Divided
4. Code Geass: Akito the Exiled – The Brightness Falls
5. Code Geass: Akito the Exiled – Memories of Hatred
6. Code Geass: Akito the Exiled – To Beloved Ones
7. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2

Where You Can Watch It?

You can stream it on Funimation but only the English Sub version is free.

You can purchase Code Geass – Akito the Exiled – OVA Series [Blu-ray] here with both English Sub and Dub available:

I would recommend the version that includes both DVDs and Blu-rays.

Sunrise produced recap films for Code Geass.

The first recaps films came out between 2008 and 2009:

• Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch Recaps
• Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch Special Edition – Black Rebellion

R1 also had two recap episodes 8.5 and 17.5.

These films only recap the story in a similar way that Evangelion Death and Rebirth Does.

Each film is under two hours long and goes through all of the main events in Code Geass Lelouch of the rebellion R1 and R2 respectively.

Each one starts near the end of the series it’s summarizing and shows you how we get there. The film uses montages and narration which makes the film seem more like reliving a memory than actually experiencing the events in real-time.

Which makes sense given because I believe the intention of this film was that you were supposed to watch them after the original anime not before.

You only need to watch the ending of the recap film for R2 because it answers a very important question that fans have been wondering about for a long time.

Without spoiling too much it involves the new epilogue which explains the fate of a character.

Where Can You Watch the Old Recap Films

Even though the old recap films are out of print you can find the Blu-ray version online. But there are two problems with those versions. They are overpriced and do not include subtitles.

So you are going to have to find it on some dodgy site that shows anime.

Good thing you only need to watch the ending to R2’s recap film.

Sunrise made new recap films from 2017 to 2018.

The intent was to “resurrect” Code Geass a common tactic were are seeing with other anime.

Other studios have tried this for both Full Metal Panic! and Eureka Seven. What separates these recap films from your traditional recap films is how the story is altered.

The new Code Geass films do the same by adding, removing, and changing many parts of the original anime.

If you want a complete guide of the changes between the films and the original anime click here.

So, understand that the films are an alternative universe and not part of the main story in R1, Akito, and R2.

A big confusion that I see is fans trying to understand why certain things are different in the latest Code Geass film.

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection is a part of the film story and not the original series hence the confusion. On MAL it is not listed as a sequel to R2 which again demonstrates that this film is not part of the original series.

Here is my review of Code Geass Lelouch of the Re;surrection.

Rather it is part of four films which unlike the first recap films tell an alternative version of the Code Geass anime.

Do you need to watch these films?

No, these new films are part of a different universe than R1 and R2 thus all of the events in it have nothing to do with R1 and R2.

If you do want to watch it, to avoid any confusion watch all the films first and then the original series or vice versa.

Why?

Because if you watch them together you are going to get confused. If you don’t believe me just go on any forum about Code Geass and you will see questions asked that can easily be answered with “They are two separate universes”

Can I watch Lelouch of the Re;surrection after R2 and skip the new recap films?

You can watch the new film after R2. without the recap films

But just remember that the original series and these new films are from two different universes and timelines.

I think at the bare minimum you should either read up on the differences or watch the new scenes from the recap films before watching Lelouch of the Re;surrection. Doing this will help you understand all the major changes in this universe.

I went from R2 to the Lelouch of the Re;surrection and regret not looking into the recap films before doing so.

This is why you should look up information on the new recap films before skipping them to watch Lelouch of the Re;surrection immediately following R2.

Now speaking objectively though there is only one change you need to know before watching Lelouch of the Re;surrection if you want to go straight to it from R2.

I will not state it here because it’s a spoiler. So you should be okay going from R2 to Lelouch of the Re;surrection.

Z of the Recapture

This anime takes place after Lelouch of the Re;surrection.

Even though the new anime will not require any prior knowledge of Code Geass. I still think you watch the films and Lelouch of the Re;surrection before watching the series.

I kinda see it in a similar way to Mass Effect three which was made for people who did not play the previous two.

Although it was kinda strange why you want to start a trilogy with the third entry in that same trilogy without playing the first two that’s a whole another topic for another time.

The point here is that if you had played the first two games, the third game was a much better experience.

And I think for Code Geass Z of the Recapture the same is going to be true.

Where You Can Watch Anime from the Alternative Universe?

Here is the watch order of the Alternative Universe films and links to buy/rent the digital copy:

1. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion I – Initiation
2. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion II – Transgression
3. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion III – Glorification
4. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection
5. Code Geass: Z of the Recapture