Japanamania: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

Our Top Ten Anime and Manga Series to Watch For in 2008: It’s easy to find out about a Bleach or a Naruto once it’s being aired on Cartoon Network, but it can take years for an anime to be licensed, dubbed, and put on TV. So here’s our sneak peek at one of the ten manga or anime series that we feel are likely to hit it big in America in 2008:

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (anime)
Status: Partially aired; Licensed by Bandai Entertainment

The studio that creates the Gundam franchise, Sunrise, developed this political soap opera in the guise of a mech show. It features character designs by the world-famous manga group CLAMP, stellar animation, excellent voice acting, and tons of drama. And best of all, it’s also getting a second season, currently undated.

Set in a future Japan that has been conquered by the “Britannian Empire” and renamed Section 11, Code Geass follows high schooler Lelouch Lamperouge, who is secretly the son of the Emperor of Britannia and thought to be dead. Obsessed with protecting his sister Nunally, who is blind and partially paralyzed, Lelouch wants more than anything to change the world’s “might makes right” view.

He is given the opportunity one day when, after a series of accidents, he attempts to help a mysterious green-eyed girl from the Britannian military. She gives him a power: the Geass, which allows him to command anyone who he looks in the eye…but only once. In exchange, she demands that he help her tear down the Britannian empire, which he is happy to attempt. But then he runs into his childhood friend Suzaku- who is now a soldier in the Britannian army. The audience is guaranteed to be torn on which side to support by the time the first season ends.

Below: The English dub trailer for Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion.

Gia Manry is a Portland, OR-based professional writer specializing in pop culture/entertainment writing. Read up on more of her work at giapet.net or hire her at GiaManry.com.