Watch Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (25 episodes), then R2 (25 episodes). Add Akito the Exiled (5 OVA episodes) if you want side stories. Then continue with the film Lelouch of the Re;surrection (2019) and Rozé of the Recapture (2024, 12 episodes). The three recap films are optional.
That is the whole route for a first watch. The rest of this guide explains the one confusing part: after the TV ending the franchise splits into two continuities. It is a mecha and military-strategy series with violence and mature themes, so it is aimed at adults and older teens.
The short answer
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, 2006 to 2007, 25 episodes. Start here.
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2, 2008, 25 episodes. Direct sequel; it finishes the original story.
- Optional: Akito the Exiled, five OVA episodes released from 2012 to 2016.
- Lelouch of the Re;surrection, 2019 film.
- Rozé of the Recapture, 2024, 12 episodes.
Code Geass watch order at a glance
| Entry | Year | Format | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lelouch of the Rebellion | 2006-2007 | TV, 25 episodes | Must watch |
| Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 | 2008 | TV, 25 episodes | Must watch |
| Akito the Exiled | 2012-2016 | OVA, 5 episodes | Optional |
| Initiation, Transgression, Glorification | 2017-2018 | Three recap films | Skip, except the third (see below) |
| Lelouch of the Re;surrection | 2019 | Film | Watch after R2 |
| Rozé of the Recapture | 2024 | 12 episodes (four films) | Watch last |
| Star Chaser Aspal | 2027 | TV series, announced | Not out yet |
Two timelines, one franchise
The TV series ends with the "Zero Requiem" story arc at the close of R2. In 2017 and 2018 Sunrise released three films that retell both seasons. Lelouch of the Re;surrection, which followed in February 2019, continues from those films rather than from the TV finale, according to Mechabay and Wikipedia, which cites director Goro Taniguchi and writer Ichiro Okouchi confirming that the films are the canon the sequel follows. Rozé of the Recapture is a sequel to Re;surrection and sits in the same line.
| Lane | What is in it |
|---|---|
| TV lane | Lelouch of the Rebellion, R2, plus Akito the Exiled |
| Film lane | Three recap films, Re;surrection, Rozé of the Recapture |
For a first viewing you do not have to choose. Watch the TV series, which is the original and the best known, and then step into the film lane with Re;surrection. Mild spoiler warning for the next sentence: the two lanes end differently, which is why the sequel films are better treated as a continuation than as a replacement for the TV ending.
Code Geass watch order step by step
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (2006-2007, 25 episodes). Exiled prince Lelouch gains a power called Geass and leads a rebellion against the Holy Britannian Empire. Directed by Goro Taniguchi, written by Ichiro Okouchi, produced by Sunrise.
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 (2008, 25 episodes). The second season, aired April to September 2008. It resolves the main story.
- Akito the Exiled, episodes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (2012-2016, five OVA episodes of roughly 50 to 60 minutes). A side story reportedly set in Europe during the Britannian invasion, with a new cast and director Kazuki Akane. Lelouch barely appears. Optional.
- Glorification (2018 recap film). Our recommendation, not an official one: if you want to see how the film lane splits from the TV ending, watch this third recap film before Re;surrection. Heavy spoilers for the TV story, so only after R2.
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection (Japan, 9 February 2019). A feature film that follows the recap films.
- Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture (2024, 12 episodes). The newest finished entry, covered below.
Where the extras fit
Black Rebellion (February 2008) and Zero Requiem (July 2009) are 118-minute special editions that recap parts of the TV story. Neither is needed. Nunnally in Wonderland, a 28-minute OVA from July 2012 reportedly built around Lelouch's sister Nunnally, is a light extra and has no page on our site yet. The manga and novels are optional too.
The recap movies: skip or watch?
Skip them for a first watch. Initiation (October 2017), Transgression (February 2018) and Glorification (May 2018) compress 50 episodes into three films. They are a fast way back in for a rewatch, but you lose the pacing of the series, and a newcomer gets less out of them than out of the TV episodes. The only reason to watch one is the Glorification note above.
Rozé of the Recapture explained
Rozé of the Recapture (also searched as "Dakkan no Rozé" from its Japanese title) was released in four theatrical parts on 10 May, 7 June, 5 July and 2 August 2024, and streamed worldwide as 12 episodes from 21 June to 6 September 2024, on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ elsewhere, with an English dub. Each part runs about 75 minutes, according to Wikipedia.
It is a sequel to Re;surrection and is directed by Yoshimitsu Ohashi. The setup, with no spoilers: after the fall of the old empire, its remnants take Hokkaido and found a new Neo-Britannian state, and two mercenary brothers are hired to rescue a princess. New cast, new mecha, same world. You can watch it after Re;surrection; it stands reasonably on its own, but it assumes the world of the earlier entries.
How long after Re;surrection is it set? Reports disagree: one outlet says four years, another five. We do not give a number. It was also scheduled for Japanese TV in the Animeism block (MBS, TBS, CBC, BS-TBS) from 11 July 2026, ahead of the next series.
How long does it take to watch?
These are rough totals, using about 24 minutes per TV episode and the runtimes above.
| Path | What you watch | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|
| Core TV | Rebellion + R2 (50 episodes) | About 20 hours |
| TV plus Akito | Adds five OVA episodes | About 24 to 25 hours |
| Everything current | Core TV + Re;surrection + Rozé | About 27 hours |
| Shortest path | Three recap films, then Re;surrection and Rozé | Fewer hours, but the weakest first experience |
What is next: Star Chaser Aspal and the sequels
A new TV series, Code Geass: Star Chaser Aspal (the title is also spelled "Aspar"), was announced on 7 December 2025 at the franchise's 20th-anniversary event, according to Gigazine. Sunrise is animating it, Kazuya Nomura directs, and a teaser on 25 September 2026 confirmed a 2027 debut. No month, platform or episode count has been announced, and it has not been said where it sits in the continuity. The teaser reportedly shows a society with older technology. Wikipedia also reports a producer saying in December 2024 that more sequels were in production; we could not confirm that against a primary source.
Where to watch
Crunchyroll holds the North American rights to the TV series and licensed Akito the Exiled, per Wikipedia, and it reissued both seasons on Blu-ray on 3 February 2026. Streaming catalogs change by country, and we could not confirm a current listing for every title, so check Crunchyroll or JustWatch for your region before you plan a marathon. Rozé launched on Hulu in the US and Disney+ elsewhere in 2024.
Questions people ask
What is the first Code Geass to watch?
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, the 25-episode first season from 2006.
How many episodes does Code Geass have?
The TV series has 50 episodes: 25 in Lelouch of the Rebellion and 25 in R2. Akito the Exiled adds five OVA episodes. Rozé of the Recapture has 12 streaming episodes. Re;surrection and the three recap films are films.
Is Code Geass R2 canon?
Yes. R2 is the direct sequel to season 1 by the same director, and it finishes the original story.
Is Rozé of the Recapture canon?
It continues Lelouch of the Re;surrection, in the film continuity that follows the recap movies. How it relates to the TV ending is not stated by the sources we checked, so we do not claim more.
Do I need to watch Akito the Exiled?
No. It is a side story with a new cast, and the main plot does not depend on it.
Are the recap movies worth watching?
Not on a first watch. Use them for a quick refresher or as a bridge to Re;surrection.
Is there a Code Geass season 3?
There is no TV season 3. Re;surrection and Rozé are the continuations, and Star Chaser Aspal is announced for 2027.
Is Code Geass finished?
The original story is finished, and the franchise continues with new releases.
Is Code Geass a mecha anime?
Yes, in part. Characters pilot Knightmare Frames in battle, but chess-like strategy and politics carry the story. Our catalogue lists it as rated R, so treat it as adult viewing.
Sources
- Wikipedia, "Code Geass", en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_Geass, accessed 3 November 2026.
- Wikipedia, "Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture", en.wikipedia.org, accessed 3 November 2026.
- Wikipedia, "Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection", en.wikipedia.org, accessed 3 November 2026.
- Polygon, "The Code Geass recap movies are key to new sequel's confusing timeline", 12 June 2018, as cited by Wikipedia (we could not open the page itself).
- Mechabay, "Code Geass: Resurrection", 1 February 2019 (updated 7 March 2025), mechabay.com.
- Bubble Blabber, "Hulu Announces English Dubbed Premiere for Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture", 17 June 2024, bubbleblabber.com.
- The Escapist, "Is Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture a sequel?", updated 26 September 2024, escapistmagazine.com.
- animemanga.com, "Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture TV Broadcast Key Visual und Sendeplatz enthüllt", 29 March 2026, animemanga.com.
- Gigazine, "New Code Geass anime series Star Chaser Aspar in production, Rozé of the Recapture to be broadcast on TV", 7 December 2025, gigazine.net.
- AniTrendz, "Code Geass: Star Chaser Aspal Teaser Reveals Historical-Like Setting, 2027 Debut", 25 September 2026, anitrendz.net.
- AniTrendz, "Crunchyroll Rereleases Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Seasons 1 & 2 Blu-ray Sets in February 2026", 14 November 2025, anitrendz.com.
Related guides: Gundam watch order, another Sunrise franchise.
Last checked: 3 November 2026
