Chronological Code Geass Watch Order: TV Series, Movies & OVAs

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Plus all you need to know about the different Code Geass timelines

Co-authored by Glenn Carreau

Last Updated: September 18, 2025 Fact Checked

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Chronological Order

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Movie Universe

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Original Series

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TV Series vs. Movie Trilogy

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Do you need to watch Akito the Exiled?

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Where to Watch Code Geass

Code Geass is the thrilling tale of an exiled prince waging a rebellion with the power of absolute obedience—known as “Geass.” Over the years, many entries into the Code Geass franchise have been produced, including an anime series that began broadcasting in 2006, OVA (original video animation) spin-offs, and more recent movies, too. If you’re ready to embark on your Code Geass watch but aren’t sure where to start, we can help! Keep reading for the complete, chronological Code Geass watch order, plus a couple of alternate watch order suggestions to consider.

Chronological Watch Order for Code Geass

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (2006)
Code Geass: Akito the Exiled OVA (2012)
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 (2008)
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion I - Initiation (2017)
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion II - Transgression (2018)
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion III - Glorification (2018)
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection (2019)
Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture (2024-2025)

Section 1 of 6:

How to Watch Code Geass in Chronological Order

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The Code Geass series and movies were, for the most part, released in chronological order! So, if it’s your mission to watch every single piece of Code Geass media available, the good news is that it’s not too complicated to put together a watchlist. You’ll want to start with the original anime series before exploring the movies and newer content. Here’s the complete chronological watch order:^{[1]
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- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (First season of the series, 2006)
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Special Edition - Black Rebellion (OVA summarizing season 1, 2008)
- Code Geass: Akito the Exiled OVA (5-episode series, 2012 - 2016)
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 (Second season of the series, 2008)
- Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch R2 Special Edition - Zero Requiem (OVA summarizing season 2, 2009)
- Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch - Kiseki no Birthday (Short OVA set after the series, 2010)
- Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch - Nunnally in Wonderland (OVA set in an alternate timeline near the end of Rebellion R2, 2012)
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion I - Initiation (Movie retelling of the original series, 2017)
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion II - Transgression (Continuation of the film retelling, 2018)
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion III - Glorification (Final film in the trilogy with a new ending, 2018)
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection (Sequel to the movie trilogy, 2019)
- Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture (New anime series set after Re;surrection, 2024-2025)

Section 2 of 6:

How to Watch Code Geass (Movie Universe Order)

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Since the 2017-2018 movie trilogy is an altered retelling of the original 2-season Code Geass series, you can just watch the movies and the sequel anime series to get the full story (as long as you don’t mind missing the content from before the start of the alternate timeline). Because it’s simpler, shorter, and easier to access, this is the ideal watchlist for first-time viewers! Here’s the movie universe watch order:^{[2]
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- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion I - Initiation (2017)
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion II - Transgression (2018)
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion III - Glorification (2018)
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection (2019)
- Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture (2024-2025)

Section 3 of 6:

How to Watch Code Geass (Original TV Series Order)

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On the other hand, if you want to do a throwback and watch the original Code Geass, you can do that instead. You’ll get a story that follows the same beats as the movies, yet the films change many events from the TV series. Keep in mind that the “Special Edition” episodes are recaps, so you can skip them if you want! Here’s your official watch order for the original TV series (and original Code Geass universe):^{[3]
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- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (2006)
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Special Edition - Black Rebellion (2008)
- Code Geass: Akito the Exiled OVA (2012 - 2016)
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 (2008)
- Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch R2 Special Edition - Zero Requiem 2009)
- Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch - Kiseki no Birthday (2010)
- Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch - Nunnally in Wonderland (2012)

Section 4 of 6:

Difference Between Code Geass’s TV Series & Movie Trilogy

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The movies establish an alternate timeline compared to the TV series. As mentioned above, the TV series and movies follow the same overall plot—the movies are actually retellings of the series. However, the movies change many events, with differing outcomes and a diverging timeline that ultimately create an alternate universe, separate from that of the original series. Even if you watch both, you won’t get the same story.^{[4]
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- Additionally, the original series technically isn’t canon as far as the more recent sequels (Re;surrection and Rozé of the Recapture) are concerned.

Section 5 of 6:

Do you need to watch Akito the Exiled?

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No; Akito and the other OVAs are optional, but provide extra context. If you read the Code Geass manga, you’ll probably want to try to watch Akito (since some events are referenced). If you’re only going to watch the Code Geass anime series or movies, you don’t need to watch Akito; it’s a spinoff that expands the franchise’s lore, but it’s not needed to understand any other story events.^{[5]
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- Akito the Exiled is the story of Leila, commander of the WZERO squad.
- You also don’t need to worry about the Kiseki no Birthday and Nunnally in Wonderland OVAs, especially if you’re having trouble finding them.

Section 6 of 6:

Code Geass Streaming Availability Online

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Regardless of where you live, you should be able to watch the first and second seasons of the original Code Geass series on Crunchyroll’s streaming platform; however, you’ll need a premium account to watch everything. You can also try Amazon Prime in some locations (although, unfortunately, the TV series isn’t available in the U.S.).
Crunchyroll has the subtitled versions of the entire movie trilogy (Lelouch of the Rebellion I, II, and III), as well as subtitled and dubbed versions of Re;surrection. You can also rent or buy the movies on Amazon Prime (or watch Re;surrection for free if you have a Crunchyroll subscription already).
The unfortunate part of trying to watch all Code Geass content is that it’s spread across multiple platforms! For Rozé of the Recapture, you’ll need a Hulu/Disney+ account (since Disney now owns Hulu). Keep in mind, there aren’t any free streaming options for much of this content, including Rozé of the Recapture.
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The OVAs sometimes become available for streaming or purchase. If you’re gunning for a full Code Geass watch, the OVAs are usually hardest to track down—yet another reason why they’re entirely optional and you shouldn’t worry about seeing them. Currently, Akito the Exiled is available on Disney+ and Apple TV+, provided you have a subscription. However, Kiseki no Birthday and Nunnally in Wonderland aren’t available for streaming anywhere.
- You might be able to watch uploaded copies of the two missing OVAs on YouTube if you search around.
- DVD copies of the OVAs can sometimes be bought on Amazon, though they aren’t available all the time.