So you wanna dive into Code Geass but got slapped in the face with fifty different seasons and movies? Yeah, happened to me too back in 2010. I remember sitting there with my roommate, arguing whether those recap movies mattered or if we should just binge R2. Spoiler: we messed up. Don't be like us. This guide fixes all that nonsense.
Getting the Code Geass watch order right matters way more than most anime. Why? Because they pulled this weird move – the movies aren't just recaps, they actually change stuff. And if you jump into Resurrection without knowing which timeline you're in? Total trainwreck.
Why You Can't Just Wing This
Most anime have simple watch orders. Not Code Geass. Sunrise went and made:
- A 50-episode TV series split into two seasons
- Three "recap" films that actually alter major plot points
- An alternate timeline sequel film (Resurrection)
- A spin-off OVA series set between seasons
- Random picture dramas and side manga
My buddy Tom skipped Akito the Exiled because he thought it was filler. Then Resurrection name-dropped characters he'd never heard of. Dude was so lost he rage-quit halfway through. True story.
Official Timeline Breakdown
| Timeline Name | Content | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|
| TV Timeline | Season 1 → Season 2 (R2) | Original story, no movie retcons |
| Movie Timeline | Recap Trilogy → Resurrection | Dead characters survive, plot changes |
The Absolute Best Code Geass Watch Order
After marathoning everything twice? Here's how I'd do it:
For First-Timers Who Want the Full Experience
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (Season 1) - All 25 episodes. Don't skip the post-credits scene in Episode 22.
- Code Geass: Akito the Exiled - OVA episodes 1-5. Happens between seasons but released later.
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 - The masterpiece. 25 episodes.
That's the core. But wait – what about the films?
Movie Timeline Order
- Kōdō Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch I - Kōdō (2017 recap film)
- Kōdō Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch II - Handō (2018 recap film)
- Kōdō Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch III - Ōdō (2018 recap film)
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Resurrection (2019 sequel)
| Movie Title | Runtime | Key Changes from TV | Where to Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kōdō (Act 1) | 131 mins | Mao arc removed, Shirley lives | Crunchyroll, Funimation |
| Handō (Act 2) | 113 mins | No Chinese Federation subplot | Crunchyroll, Funimation |
| Ōdō (Act 3) | 120 mins | Different ending setup | Crunchyroll, Funimation |
| Resurrection | 113 mins | Direct sequel to films | Netflix |
Where People Screw Up the Code Geass Watch Order
Three big mistakes I've seen:
Mistake 1: Watching Resurrection After R2
Doesn't work. At all. Resurrection follows the movie trilogy timeline where:
- Shirley is alive (huge deal)
- Lelouch's motivations differ
- Zero Requiem plays out differently
Mistake 2: Watching Akito After Everything
Akito the Exiled fits BETWEEN seasons 1 and R2 chronologically. Watching post-R2 ruins:
- Character cameos that hit different
- Tension about Suzaku's fate
- Geass lore reveals that foreshadow R2
Mistake 3: Skipping the Recaps Before Resurrection
Those "stupid recap films" actually have 58 minutes of new footage. Seriously. You'll miss:
- Critical character interactions
- Revised political dynamics
- The literal reason Lelouch survives
Spin-offs and Extras: Worth Your Time?
Code Geass: Akito the Exiled
Set in Europe between seasons. Five 50-minute episodes:
- The Wyvern Arrives (2012)
- The Torn-Up Escape (2013)
- The Brightness Falls (2015)
- Memories of Hatred (2015)
- To the Beloved World (2016)
Good? Visually stunning fights. Bad? Plot's messier than Lelouch's moral compass. Watch it once for world-building.
Picture Dramas and Audio Dramas
Only completionists need these. The R2 Picture Drama 5.12 explains why Kallen knows Chinese. Neat? Sure. Essential? Nah.
Manga and Novels
Most are alternate universes. Except Lelouch of the Rebellion: Re; manga – actually adapts the movie timeline. Read after films if obsessed.
Brutally Honest FAQs
Is Resurrection canon?
Yes and no. It's canon to the movie timeline, not the TV series. So if you watched R2? That's a separate continuity. Messy? Absolutely.
Can I skip the recap movies?
Only if you skip Resurrection. Those films cut 50+ episodes into 6 hours while changing key events. No Shirley fan should miss movie timeline.
Where does Nightmare of Nunnally fit?
Nowhere. It's a wild alternate universe manga where Nunnally pilots a mech. Fun but irrelevant to watch orders.
Best platform to watch?
TV series: Hulu or Crunchyroll
Films: Funimation for recaps, Netflix for Resurrection
Akito: HiDive or Amazon Prime
Should I watch dubbed?
Johnny Yong Bosch IS Lelouch. Fight me. Though Suzaku's Japanese VA kills it too.
My Personal Journey With This Mess
First watched Code Geass back in college. Got the DVDs from a sketchy anime shop. No English subs past episode 18. Had to torrent the rest like a criminal. Worth it.
When R2 dropped? My entire dorm floor crowded into our tiny TV room. The Zero Requiem reveal? Silence. Then someone yelled "WHAT?!" Perfect chaos.
Final Verdict: What Order Wins?
For purity: Season 1 → Akito → R2
For new content: Recap trilogy → Resurrection
My ultimate Code Geass watch order? Do television first. Movies second. Why? The original R2 ending hits harder. Resurrection feels like fan service - cool fan service, but still.
Whatever you choose? Stick to one timeline. Mixing them causes headaches worse than CC's pizza obsession. Now go watch. All hail Britannia.
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