Code Geass is a popular series among anime fans. It’s a phenomenal story that explores themes of revenge, politics, military power, and the strong bonds of family and friendship. The anime by Sunrise studio gave the audience the most nerve-wracking yet thrilling experience with its incredible plot twists, well-written characters, and impressive animation.
Code Geass isn’t just about fighting robots and typical mecha actions, but also about an alternative timeline that hit the taste of history buffs. The series also gave fans a strong and memorable character in Lelouch, a well-known protagonist in the mecha scene when it comes to brainpower and the act of revengeful plot.
With the strong appeal of Code Geass, here are anime shows that offer the same intense battles scenes, political conspiracies, mecha actions, and of course, characters who are truly unforgettable.
Fall 2006
27 Episodes
The prodigy high school student Light Yagami stumbles upon the Death Note. With a strong desire to create a beautiful world, he tests the notebook by writing a criminal’s name in it, and soon after, the criminal dies. This fateful discovery changes his life and he tries to discover the devastating power of the Death Note.
Death Note bears many similarities to Code Geass. Both the main characters are gifted with brilliance and intellectual capacity, and they possess the same ability, the power to command others against their will. Death Note also involves psychological entities similar to the unbeatable wit of Lelouch.
Death Note’s Light Yagami in the Manga, Anime, Movie, and Drama
Spring 2015
25 Episodes
Based on a fantasy Japanese novel of the same name, the 2013 manga remake of The Heroic Legend of Arslan was written by Hiromu Arakawa (best known for her Fullmetal Alchemist). Meet Arslan, the young prince of the Kingdom of Pars, ruled by his fearsome father, King Andragoras III. At the age of 14, he joins his first battle against the Lusitanians although he doesn’t have what it takes to be in a blood-soaked battlefield. However, the Parsians get invaded. Arslan joins his loyal servant, Daryun, and escape from the strong mist of war. They embark on a journey to gather companions to reclaim his fallen kingdom from the hands of the Lusitanian army, which is led by a strong warrior known as Silvermask.
The Heroic Legend of Arslan has the same tension as the one created by the strong feelings of vengeance of Lelouch against the absolute power ruled by his father. The journey of Arslan follows the same path as Lelouch’s (seeking allies, gaining more strength, and preserving justice), and offers the same intense battle scenes as Code Geass. There are political and leadership issues involved in both series, and these elements are what makes them very compelling to watch.
1988-1997
110 Episodes (OVA)
Legend of the Galactic Heroes is a 110-episode OVA (with a remake done in recent years) that portrays different political ideologies, military strategies, and leadership practices. This classical anime is all about the endless space battle between the democratic side of Free Planets Alliance and the imperial state of Galactic Empire. It’s a politically oriented show, a beautiful space opera, and a well-written anime that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
This classic anime is similar to Code Geass in terms of intense battle scenes, brilliant tactical combat moves, and dramatic political wars. The rage, vengeance, and the strong desire to achieve freedom and justice that are present in Legend of the Galactic Heroes capture the same intensity found in the story of Code Geass. Both anime have strong themes on politics, leadership, family, friendship, and some splashes of romance.
1st Episode Anime Impressions: The Legend of the Galactic Heroes
Fall 2011
22 Episodes
Guilty Crown is an action-packed anime that centers on Shuu Ouma, a 17-year-old high school student who is granted with a super power known as ‘Power of Kings’. He wants to take back Japan from its unfortunate fate brought by the outbreak of Apocalypse Virus.
The strong bond between Shu and Inori is similar to the destined encounter of Lelouch with C.C. Also, both male protagonists are granted with powers by these mysterious gals. The two anime are driven by revenge and hatred resulting to war and rebellion against governments. Shu and Lelouch are quite similar when it comes to wits, tactics on the battlefield, and the way they handle the most challenging situation. Both have a strong desire to seek justice and freedom.
2002
50 Episodes
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, one of the most popular anime of the Gundam franchise, revolves around the endless battle between Earth dwelling humans known as ‘Naturals’ and the genetically altered super-humans known as ‘Coordinators”. Kira Yamato, the main protagonist of the story, is forced to pilot a Strike mobile suit to protect Earth. Surprisingly, in the battle between ‘Naturals’ and ‘Coordinators’, he encounters his childhood friend and now a member of military organization ZAFT, Athrun Zala. This mecha anime is not just about fighting robots, but it also explores the themes of family, love, and friendship.
Intense mecha battles is the trademark of the Gundam franchise. While there are a lot of robotic combat involved, it’s no question why it bears a similar feel to Code Geass. Both stories are driven by themes of betrayal and vengeance. Also, the melodramatic friendship of Lelouch and Suzaku offers similar vibes to the bonds between Kira and Athrun.
Spring 2009
64 Episodes
The human transmutation is a forbidden act of alchemy. After their failed attempts, the Elric brothers face a most terrible event that would change their life. As a result of attempting the taboo alchemy, Edward loses his left leg, and while trying to save his younger brother Alphonse, he sacrifices his right arm to affix Alphonse’s soul to a suit armor. Following the Law of Equivalent Exchange, the Elric Brothers embark on a journey to search for the legendary Philosopher’s Stone with the hope of bringing their bodies back to their original forms.
The dark political intrigues, superb military action scenes, and the themes on family are depicted in both Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and Code Geass. Both anime series have exceptional plotlines and well-written characters, and the emotional impact of their stories is rather appreciated. Plus, both main characters have common goals: to save their siblings from their miserable fate.
Spring 2016
10 Episodes
A 10-episode action and supernatural anime, Big Order centers on Eiji Hoshimiya who is responsible for the ‘Great Destruction’ that happened ten years ago. Due to his wish, he gains the power to control everything. Since then, some people have been granted with special powers to make their wish come true. These people are called ‘Orders’. However, some of them are after Eiji’s life to get revenge for the death of many people brought by his super power.
The protagonist in Big Order is similar to Lelouch. Both of them behave in a berserk way when intense rage triggers them. What’s even more prominent to both series is that the main characters encounter mysterious girls who grant them super powers. They both want to rule the world, preserve justice, and save their beloved sisters.
Fall 2014
24 Episodes
This 24-episode fantasy anime follows Yona, the sole princess of the kingdom of Kouka, who happily lives with her father, King Ill, her servant, Son Hak, and her love interest, Soo-won. One night, everything changes when Yona witnesses his father being killed by Soo-won who later on reveals he will become the king. Her journey continues as she escapes from the castle with Son Hak’s help.
Like Code Geass, the story of Yona of the Dawn involves royalty and nobility. The path of Yona reminds you of Lelouch as both of these main characters escape from their miserable life under the absolute power of their family. Betrayal and political issues are the central themes in Yona of the Dawn, similar to how Code Geass featured Lelouch’s rage about the endless war brought because of various political ideologies.
Summer 2010
24 Episodes
With the vision to make a peaceful nation, Ryner Lute, a talented magician of the Roland Empire, embarks on a journey to search for the useful relics of legendary heroes from the past that will aid in creating a beautiful world. However, he has cursed eyes known as Alpha Stigma, and when this powerful magic activates, it will cause massive destruction. Together with a beautiful, skilled swordsman named Ferris Eris, he goes on a quest to fight the evilness of his nation.
Lelouch and Ryner have the same goal: to change the world. Both of them possess strong powers that arise from their eyes. They desire to seek revenge and fight for justice against the dirty hands of royalties. Both anime have great battle scenes and political conspiracies, and the adventure of Ryner and Ferris offers the same excitement as the strong bonds between Lelouch and C.C.
2005
50 Episodes
One of the most popular classical series by Bones studio, Eureka Seven is a mecha adventure that tells the story of a 14-year-old boy named Renton Thurston. To combat his mundane life, he joins a mercenary group known as Gekkostate. He finds excitement in riding the Trapar waves while living with his grandfather in a boring town. Everything changes when a mechanical robot called Nirvash comes to his life. Its mysterious pilot is Eureka. This fateful encounter will change Renton’s life and the future world.
The mecha style and fight scenes in Eureka Seven are quite similar to Code Geass’s. Both series have unique mecha battle sequences and superb animation, and feauture battle scenes that will give you an unforgettable mecha experience. Aside from the mecha, themes of romance and drama are notable elements in both series.
Code Geass is truly exceptional. We’ve all been caught by its brilliant concept and memorable characters. The anime on this list will let you travel in worlds of political and military conflict, along with characters like Lelouch who go through the toughest journeys to conquer the world.
Do you have other anime on your mind you’d like to add to the list? Let MANGA.TOKYO know in the comments.
The summer anime season is over. We had a few refreshing titles that kept us company through the hot months, but fall is bringing so many new titles and a few sequels we’ve been waiting for a long time.
