Given the backdrop of awesome mecha battles, the masked costume premise, and the rebellion-versus-the-world undertone, it makes sense for fans to look for more anime like Code Geass to provide exactly the kind of allure the show has given fans. Thankfully, the world of anime has a couple of series that match exactly the awesomeness of Lelouch and the Order of the Black Knights.
Updated on December 16, 2022 by Rhenn Taguiam: With Lelouch Vi Britannia returning once again to don the mantle of Zero in Code Geass: Lelouch of the Resurrection in 2019, fans of the Code Geass franchise remain ecstatic to see whether Lelouch - now L.L. - has plans of ushering a new era of Geass users.
And while there’s no visible updates on the Code Geass front, those looking for other anime with almost the same amount of excitement, political intrigue, and action may look at some examples both recent and old for their dose of something similar to the experience. Included among these anime is a tale of an emotionless assassin looking for their lost relative, a sci-fi mystery set in a dystopian future where emotions are regulated, and a story where piloting mecha relies on music.
12 Aldnoah.Zero (2014)
Whereas other mecha anime had giant robots become a primary component in the series’ appeal, Aldnoah.Zero gives a decent balance in its emphasis between mecha-on-mecha action and internal politicking. Compared to other grander mecha sci-fi premises, Aldnoah.Zero starts with a simple premise. When the Apollo 17 mission in 1972 leads to the discovery of an alien artifact dubbed the Hypergate, humanity managed to find the means to travel to Mars almost instantly, leading to its colonization.
After the discovery of alien technology on the planet called “Aldnoah,” colonists declared independence from Earth to find the Vers Empire. This started a series of conflicts that finally escalated in 2014 when the Vers Empire and its clans of Orbital Knights started a full-scale invasion of the Earth. With the odds seemingly against the Earth’s favor, Inaho Kaizuka becomes one of the planet’s last hopes with his gift of piloting mecha. Fans of mecha anime who want a grounded series featuring giant robots may want to give Aldnoah.Zero a shot.
11 Darker Than Black (2007)
While Darker Than Black lacks the esteemed mecha component in Code Geass, its emphasis on the more profound nature of power users becomes a high point in the series. In the story of Darker Than Black, spatial anomalies known as “Heaven’s Gate” in South America and “Hell’s Gate” in Tokyo led to the emergence of Contractors or people with unique abilities. As their abilities required the sacrifice of their emotions, Contractors have slowly become apathetic and ruthless in their dealings.
And the real threat of Contractors in society reaches its apex when the organization known as the Syndicate, filled with Contractors, forces the United States to lose its status as a superpower. Series protagonist Hei is a part of the Syndicate, disguising himself as a student between his assassination missions. Armed with Electricity Manipulation, Hei dabbles into the true nature of the Hell’s Gate to find his sister, Bai, despite the dangers it might bring to him.
10 RahXephon (2002)
Fans of mecha anime who want a more grounded approach to the genre may want to give RahXephon a shot. In the world of RahXemphon, extradimensional invaders known as Mulians or Mu have begun their conquest of Earth. Being identical to humans, it’s pretty tricky to differentiate Mu from a regular Earthling, save for their blue blood and penchant for memory loss as they grow older.
While Code Geass mecha called Knightmares are smaller and much agile compared to the stereotypical Gundam (and have wheels!), the mecha in RahXephon also boasts something unique. Instead of being purely mechanical, they are made out of clay and are called Dolems. Not only that, but the series emphasizes the power of music changing the world, with Dolems and their pilots requiring harmony and resonance to perform in combat. This rather unique take on mecha action, as well as the more somber theme of the anime, makes RahXephon a more mature series to watch for Code Geass fans.
9 Psycho-Pass (2012)
In the near-future Japan of Psycho-Pass, everything is regulated by the Sibyl System. This seemingly-omniscient artificial intelligence is capable of not only managing every citizen’s future based on their aptitude but even determining their emotional states. It’s through the Sibyl System that Japan has achieved near-perfect order. It will only enlist direct action through the Criminal Investigation Division should a person reach a high-enough Criminal Coefficient, as seen through their colorful Psycho-Pass.
The first season of Psycho-Pass explores the career of Akane Tsunemori, a newbie Inspector who’s put in charge of helping the Sibyl System solve crimes involving latent criminals. Unfortunately for Akane, her journey starts unraveling the true nature of the Sibyl System, which isn’t as good-natured as it seems.
8 Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (2007)
The story of Gundam 00 begins in 2307 AD when a mysterious group known only as Celestial Being warned the world of armed intervention to “eradicate” all war. Protagonist Setsuna F. Seiei and his fellow Meisters pilot the superior Gundam, currently unmatched by the rest of the world’s technology, in this “rebellion” against perhaps the entire world. And while Celestial Being seems unilaterally undefeatable in their war against war itself, naturally-inventive humans of the world’s nations won’t just let Celestial Being and the Gundams get their way.
It’s one thing to have a group of Gundam pilots just showcasing awesome mecha, but it’s another thing entirely to see the world scrambling in panic against them. Not to mention, while it’s already nice to see Gundam just make piecemeal out of primitive Earth machines, it’s another level of suspense when parties among Earth’s nations have begun forming countermeasures that seem effective against the mysterious Gundams.
7 Eureka Seven
It is the Year 12005, over 10,000 years since an alien lifeform known as the Scub Coral has inhabited the Earth and forced humanity to evacuate it. Now inhabiting the Land of Kanan with its own Scub Coral, humanity has begun adjusting to life with the Coral in its presence - staying away from dangerous Antibody Coralians, society making use of its Trapar light waves for technology, and with the renegade group Gekkostate promoting a counterculture of sports and “fun” in a world living in fear against the Coral.
It’s this exact society that Eureka Seven rebels against, beginning when protagonist Renton Thurston is pulled away from his “boring” life and into a world of adventure when Gekkostate craft ZERO and its pilot Eureka land in his room. Fans of Code Geass will love the subversive nature of Gekkostate, showing that the flashy pages of its “fun” magazine “ray=out” is far from the reality of the renegade group, which will have Renton participate in clashes with the government.
6 Guilty Crown (2012)
When an impact event releases a biological hazard known as the Apocalypse Virus, this “Lost Christmas” incident plunges Japan into chaos. While its pleas are heard by the United Nations, its dispatched GHQ organization saves Japan at the cost of its independence. It’s only a decade later when the resistance group known as the Funeral Parlor wages war against the GHQ to liberate the country - and it’s in these events that Guilty Crown begins.
Things should be going well for the Funeral Parlor when resistance leader Gai was to receive a special vial. However, when highschooler Ouma Shu stumbles upon this vial, it’s soon revealed that it’s the Apocalypse Virus reengineered to grant its user special abilities. Known as the “Power of Kings” (like the “Geass” in Code Geass), Shu reluctantly joins the Funeral Parlor as his powers allow him to use the psyche of others as weapons
5 Fang Of The Sun Dougram (1981)
Despite its age and rather simple premise, Fang Of The Sun Dougram is an essential anime about rebellion that fans of Code Geass must watch. Taking place in the Earth Federation colony planet Deloyer, Fang Of The Sun Dougram follows the story of Crinn Cashim, a governor’s son that was trained to pilot the Soltic Roundfacer mecha. However, his father’s death would prompt Crinn and his friends to form “The Fang of the Sun,” a unit of their own in the fight against the Federation, accompanied by the Dougram, a special combat armor.
Unlike other anime like Gundam, fans love Dougram for its diverse cast of characters, each with unique backgrounds, hidden motives, and tendencies to switch sides. Not only that, but the series is known for realistic use of combat armors and even support vehicles, following quite a rather tense progression whenever Crinn has to pilot the Dougram in their seemingly-futile fight against the powerful Federation.
4 Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann (2007)
Despite its comedic premise, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann combines over-the-top comedy with over-the-top action, all under the backdrop of a revolutionary movement against the oppressive Spiral King, Lordgenome. When the Spiral King’s forces ensured mankind lived underground, his troops conscripted the likes of Simon to continuously dig to expand their homes. These things change when Simon is thrust into a war against Lordgenome, all thanks to mecha called Gunmen he can combine to form giant mecha against the oppressive lord’s forces.
In Gurren Lagann, Simon in particular combines the Gunmen Gurren and Lagann to form Gurren Lagann, inspiring other humans on the surface to hijack their own Gunmen and participate in the revolution. Despite its comedic premise, fans of Code Geass will appreciate the anime’s stellar action and rather impressive approach to its narrative, making for an unforgettable story with its unique brand of punk.
3 Legend Of The Galactic Heroes (2018)
At first glance, Legend Of The Galactic Heroes seems to be too broad and too serious for its own good, but while its similarities to Gundam are reflected in an interstellar war, their shared premise ends here. When the story of Legend Of The Galactic Heroes begins, it starts during the war of space powers Galactic Empire and Free Planets Alliance, both vying for control over the galaxy.
Things become heated when two rising geniuses from both sides clash in terms of both principles and strategies. On one side, military genius Reinhard von Musel has become dedicated to overthrow the oppressive Goldenbaum dynasty and unify the galaxy under his rule. And on the other, the genius yet passive Yang Wen-li is studying as a historian, only to be pulled into the frontlines for his tactical genius.
2 Akame Ga Kill! (2014)
The story of Akame Ga Kill! begins when young fighter Tatsumi, who was doing odd jobs to help his poor village, is sent straight into conflict between the assassin group Night Raid and the Government, whose emperor is subtly manipulated by the corrupt prime minister Honest to serve his needs. As he joins Night Raid, he learns that its members all carry mystical Teigu, artifacts with powers from legendary animals that imbue them dangerously-wild power.
The exploits of Night Raid slowly become known throughout the land, with the populace supporting them but the government becoming increasingly wary of their presence. Similar to Code Geass, Akame Ga Kill! has its fair share of flashy combat, but at the same time also possessing its own deep narrative within all the chaos.
1 Death Note (2006)
While Light Yagami of Death Note isn’t necessarily leading a rebellion, his “awakening” as Kira certainly took the world by storm. The plot of Death Note begins when Light, a naturally-gifted student, sees the Death Note lying on the ground. And when he realizes that the notebook’s claims of killing any person whose name is written in it, Light begins his crusade against all crime.
And like Lelouch having the likes of Suzaku being his foil, so does Light in the form of L. Considered the World’s Greatest Detective, L manages to just keep on outwitting Light in his quest, even to the point of managing to make contact with Light himself. With his rival just in front of him, can Light continue his crusade against Kira or would he eventually slip despite his genius?
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;Surrection was released in 2019.
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