Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion: Season 2 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion: Season 2 Blu-ray Movie Review

Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion: Season 2 picks up the adventure with more exciting installments in the Code Geass anime franchise. Created by Hajime Yatate, from the original story by Goro Taniguchi and Ichiro Okouchi, and featuring character designs by CLAMP (Cardcaptor Sakura, Chobits). The production features animation by Sunrise (Cowboy Bebop, Gundam Wing). Produced by Atsushi Yukawa (Eureka Seven, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz), Hiroshi Morotomi (Devil Lady, Eureka Seven), Takao Minegishi (The World of Narue, Oh! Edo Rocket), and Yoshitaka Kawaguchi (Planetes, Colorful), Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion: Season 2 brings the conclusion of the original anime series run. Featuring voice performances by Jun Fukuyama, Takahiro Sakurai, and Yukana.

The second season picks up where the first season left off and the events continue to build to the grand finale. Lelouch Lamperouge (Jun Fukuyama) became an outcast of sorts when he went from being an entitled prince to becoming a commoner tossed into Area 11 (formerly known as Japan) with the Elevens (citizens of Area 11). Lelouch decided to take revenge after this new path. With his friend, Suzaku Kururugi (Takahiro Sakurai), Lelouch makes it his goal to fight the good-fight at any cost (and Lelouch hopes to gain the help of Suzaku along the way). Can Suzaku help the fight when Lelouch most needs him?

There’s also the mysterious C.C. (Yukana) – a quirky girl who gave him the powers of the Geass. The stakes are higher than ever as Lelouch takes over the mantle of the mysterious Zero and manages to harness his powers of the Geass. Can Zero lead the people and overtake the rule of the land, becoming the powerful commander to fight the corruption of the government? Meanwhile, Zero’s number one goal is to protect his sister Nunnally. Can Zero win the war and fight for Area 11?

The characters remain a huge part of the charm of the series and why audiences could relate to it so well. The lead character, Lelouch, is an interesting lead. The character has a dark side and the series certainly explores it in an interesting way. The character designs by Takahiro Kimura (Jungle Emperor Leo, Ghastly Prince Enma Burning Up) are impressive and capably brings the characters to life for the series.

The animation is exquisite and one of the best things about the series. The animation features notable art direction by Yoshinori Hishinuma (Gakuen Alice, Scrapped Princess). The art style is compelling – a fantastic part of the production and one of the main reasons to see the series. The animation also highlights the mecha designs by Akira Yasuda (Gundam Reconguista in G), Eiji Nakada (Gear Fighter Dendoh, Mars Daybreak), Junichi Akutsu (Gundam Build Divers, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin), Kenji Teraoka (Bodacious Space Pirates, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex), and Takumi Sakura (Brain Powered, Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere). The team of animators certainly brought the series the stellar animation necessary to bring the characters, mecha, and other design elements to life with the animation.

The cinematography by Souta Ooya (Good Luck Girl!, Overman King Gainer) is lush, colorful, and creative. The cinematographic style highlights the animation well and helps to enhance the series production. The visual language is one that capably handles both the light and dark elements of the storytelling. There are lighter moments and darker visual flourishes and the cinematographer does a good job contrasting these elements for the story.

The score composed by Hitomi Kuroishi (Last Exile, Hakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East) and Kotaro Nakagawa (Chivalry of a Failed Knight, Classroom For Heroes) adds a sense of energy to the series. Exploring the world of Code Geass, composer Koroishi brings character themes and intense action soundtrack cues to the table. The music enhances the mood and elevates the material.

Written by Ichiro Okouchi (Turn A Gundam, Azumanga Daioh), Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion: Season 2 picks up the pieces of the first season and continues to build on the dramatic storyline. A continuation of events that leads to the big finale. The stakes get higher and higher and the main characters go on a big adventure putting them to the test. Fans of the series will want to see the conclusion and how everything wraps up.

Directed by Goro Taniguchi (Maria the Virgin Witch, Infinite Ryvius), Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion: Season 2 closes the main chapter of the saga (before the sequel feature-film to the condensed movie trilogy came along later). Taniguchi brings action, excitement, and spectacle the fanbase is looking for with the big send-off. Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion: Season 2 packs a mighty wallop of a punch for fans.

Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion: Season 2 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Funimation, Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion: Season 2 is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high- definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The high-definition presentation is an enjoyable one and there is a lot of excellent presentation clarity to the release. The animation looks stunningly clear and the art work is well reproduced overall. The encoding benefits from a healthy bit-rate and the encode quality certainly provides audiences with something that will please fans.

Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion: Season 2 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio selections: English Dolby TrueHD 2.0, Japanese Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround sound, and Japanese Dolby TrueHD 2.0. The Japanese audio presentation has English subtitles. The sound direction by Motoi Izawa (Case Closed, Black Jack), Yasuo Uragami (City Hunter, After War Gundam X) is well reproduced on the release. The surrounds add to the viewing experience. The surrounds capably handle the soundstage and help expand the music soundtrack alongside the sound effects. Clarity is excellent on the release. The lossless encoding adds to the presentation quality with better bit-depth and high-resolution definition.

Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion: Season 2 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Disc 1:

Turn 01 Audio Commentary

Turn 04 Audio Commentary

Turn 06 Audio Commentary

Disc 2:

Turn 08 Audio Commentary

Turn 12 Audio Commentary

Disc 3:

Turn 15 Audio Commentary

Turn 19 Audio Commentary

Turn 21 Audio Commentary

Disc 4:

Audio Commentary –

Final Turn Audio Commentary (Cast Side)

Final Turn Audio Commentary (Staff Side)

Picture Dramas –

Turn 0.923 (HD, 4:11)

Turn 0.56 (HD, 5:52)

Stage 7.19 (HD, 5:08)

Turn 9.34 (HD, 6:13)

Turn 12.06 (HD, 11:18)

Turn 12.59 (HD, 4:50)

Turn 12.31 (HD, 4:23)

Turn 19.02 (HD, 5:03)

Turn 22.05 (HD, 6:21)

Turn 25.01 (HD, 5:23)

Extra Flash – Baba Theater Redux –

Episode 1 (HD, 00:42)

Episode 2 (HD, 1:06)

Episode 3 (HD, 1:07)

Episode 4 (HD, 1:14)

Episode 5 (HD, 1:04)

Episode 6 (HD, 1:11)

Episode 7 (HD, 1:36)

Episode 8 (HD, 1:28)

Episode 9 (HD, 2:49)

Broadcast Version of Next Turn (1-24) (HD, 6:02)

Textless Opening Songs –

"02" (HD, 1:32)

"World End" Version 1 (HD, 1:32)

"World End" Version 2 (HD, 1:32)

Textless Closing Songs –

"Shiawase Neiro" (HD, 1:35)

"Waga Routashi Aku no Hana" Version 1 (HD, 1:35)

"Waga Routashi Aku no Hana" Version 2 (HD, 1:35)

U.S. Trailer (HD, 1:28)

Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion: Season 2 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion: Season 2 continues the excitement and builds to the finale. The second season adds even more episodes of action-packed adventure. Fans of the series will want to watch the second season and see the progression of the saga. The Blu-ray release provides a good presentation with quality video and lossless audio. The release also includes a selection of bonus features. Recommended.