Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion

Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion (コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ) is a Japanese three-part animated science fantasy action film based on the anime television series with the same name co-created by director Gorō Taniguchi and writer Ichirō Ōkouchi. The three-part film was directed by Taniguchi, written by Ōkouchi, and produced by Sunrise. The first film, Initiation, (コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ I 興道) was released on October 21, 2017. The second film, Transgression, (コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ II 叛道) was released on February 10, 2018. The third film, Glorification, (コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ III 皇道) was released on May 26, 2018.

The three-part film is a compilation of the television series, but with differences in storylines that makes it a separate continuity, and setting up for the sequel film, Code Geass Lelouch of the Re;surrection, which was released in 2019.

Plot
The three-part film largely covers the events of the main anime series. Initiation compiles Season 1, Episodes 1-17; Transgression covers Season 1, Episodes 18-25 and Season 2, Episodes  1-16; and Glorification covers Season 2, Episodes 17-25.

Aside from a few bonus scenes and cut plot points, by far the most significant change is the fate of Shirley Fenette. In this alternate continuity, Shirley’s father is never killed during the Battle of Narita, thus avoiding the chain of events that ultimately results in her own death. Instead, Shirley survives through the rest of the story, with plot details adjusted to be consistent with how they occur in the original continuity in spite of Shirley’s survival.

At the end of Glorification, C.C. is shown riding on horseback, rather than in a hay cart. It is revealed that she is the C.C. from the original continuity, having traveled throughout the Code Geass multiverse in order to form an universe where Lelouch survives while also maintaining a promise he made to her. The survival of Shirley - who earlier met C.C., an event that did not happen in the original continuity - was done with this in mind, leading into her being the catalyst to saving Lelouch in Lelouch of the Re;surrection.

Production
In June 2017, it was announced that a three-part compilation film of Code Geass was in the works, with series director Gorō Taniguchi and writer Ichirō Ōkouchi returning for the films. Taniguchi confirmed that while the films are recap of the television series, there are few changes to the storylines, creating a "what if?" scenarios leading up to the sequel film. Many of the key staff members from the television series were credited for their respective roles; manga artist group CLAMP for their character design concept, with Takahiro Kimura as an animation character designer, and Kōtarō Nakagawa and Hitomi Kuroishi for their musical scores.

The voice cast from the television series reprised their respective roles to re-record their old dialogues and new ones for the new scenes.

The opening songs from the television series were used in the compilation films' openings. The new ending songs were announced: "Only Red is Missing" (赤だけが足りない), sung by Iris was used in Initiation, "The Moon", sung by Sakura Fujiwara, was used in Transgression, and "NE:ONE", sung by Survive Said the Prophet, was used in Glorification.

Release
The three-part film was released in Japanese theaters; Initiation was released on October 21, 2017, Transgression was released on February 10, 2018, and Glorification on May 26, 2018.

Box office
Transgression debuted at number eight in the Japanese box office.

Critical reception
James Beckett of Anime News Network gave the three-part film "C+" rating, and states "If you like your robot wars filled with magic, melodrama, and more beautiful CLAMP boys than you can shake a stick at, then the original Code Geass will likely be worth your time." Comic Book Resources published an article listing places where—in writer Liz Adler's opinion—the films improved upon the anime, and where the original anime was better. Panos Kotzathanasis of Asian Movie Pulse gave a mostly positive review of Initiation. Sarah Rawlings of Anime UK News rated Initiation 7/10.

Sequel
The sequel was teased when the three-part film was first announced. In August 2018, it was revealed that the sequel is going to be an anime film, and returning key staff and cast members from the anime television series and the three-part film were announced for the film. The sequel film, titled Code Geass Lelouch of the Re;surrection (コードギアス 復活のルルーシュ) was released in Japanese theaters on February 9, 2019.