Courtesy of Disney+ Hotstar, we were able to interview Code Geass Roze Of The Recapture director Ohashi Yoshimitsu and producer Taniguchi Kojiro.

The original Code Geass anime premiered in 2006, followed by a second season in 2008. After that, a trilogy of movies recapping the events of the anime was released from 2017 to 2018 before a brand new sequel and continuation arrived in the form of the Code Geass Lelouch Of The Resurrection anime movie in 2019. Code Geass Roze Of The Recapture is continuation and sequel to 2019’s Code Geass Lelouch Of The Resurrection.

Set four years after the events of Code Geass Lelouch of the Resurrection, the Code Geass Roze of the Recapture anime follows two highly skilled mercenaries called Ash and Roze. After successfully rebelling against the occupying forces of the Brittania Army for over four years, the mercenaries get recruited to work alongside a Japanese resistance group in a last-ditch attempt to repel the occupiers for good.

You’ve previously worked on other mecha anime like Mobile Suit Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans. What do you think makes Code Geass special and different from other mecha anime out there?

Taniguchi Kojiro: So, I think the biggest difference is the size of the mecha. In Gundam, it is 18 metres and in Code Geass, it’s 4.5 metres. So, there’s a reason for this, actually. For Gundam, it’s 18 metres and you cannot even hide it. But if it’s a 4.5 metres robot, you can even hide it in a room. So, when we’re talking about hiding, the reason why we’re using the word ‘hide’ is because it’s easier for terrorism to happen (in Code Geass). So, in the previous Code Geass, which was Lelouch Of The Rebellion, we talked a lot about rebellion so that’s why it’s very important for the size of the mecha to be small. But the things in Code Geass that are different from other mecha is that we try to make it very real, realistic, to fit the situation of the anime.

Why did you decide to focus on brand news character, Ash and Roze, instead of continuing with Lelouch and the original cast?

Ohashi Yoshimitsu: So, from the start of the planning stages, it was planned to use new characters. The reason is because we’re unable to continue the story of Lelouch and CC. We think it’s much beneficial for all of us to introduce new characters.

Taniguchi Kojiro: Actually, my response is similar to the director’s. But to just add on, if we are to use the same characters over again, our final product, the animation, the storyline, will shrink. Also, we would like to engage a wider audience. We believe the audience 18 years ago versus the current is actually changing.

What were the biggest challenges of making a new Code Geass anime years after the originals?

Taniguchi Kojiro: The hardest thing is, for example, if it’s for Gundam, it’s easy to design a Gundam and call it a Gundam. For example, if it’s Love Live, you design a group of idols and call it Love Live. But for Code Geass, to make it a saga, a series, is actually very difficult. So, what we did was to pick up from the original series, what our fans liked, from Lelouch Of The Rebellion series and to make this new animation. Another big challenge is that after 18 years, we have to also fit into the current era and the current requirements and that’s difficult as well.

Ohashi Yoshimitsu: There’s actually a lot of gap between the previous one and the current one. Trying to compress everything I want to convey into 12 episodes, that’s the biggest challenge.

Why did the studio decide to make the Knightmare Frames mecha with CG animation instead of the classic 2D?

Taniguchi Kojiro: Recently in Japan, there’s still quite a few people who is still drawing 2D animation for mecha. Our director here decided that we should move into 3D to make the entire production quality even better.

Ohashi Yoshimitsu: However, because we’re doing 3D, it’s not hand drawing anymore and it’s more difficult. The discussions alone for the 3D mecha animations took three (3) months.

Taniguchi Kojiro: For the entire animation, even though you see most of the animation is 3D and it’s very high quality, but the special cutscenes that are very dynamic are actually hand drawn.

Ohashi Yoshimitsu: It’s also easier to present it in 3D. Even though it’s difficult, it’s not something that can’t be done.

Taniguchi Kojiro: To us, if you can’t differentiate which one is 2D and which one is 3D, that’s already a success.

Have you ever imagined what Code Geass would be like as a live-action movie?

Taniguchi Kojiro: If it’s possible, then we would like it to be in live-action. So, of course, we have actually thought about making a live-action movie, but not just for the Roze Of The Recapture, but the entire Code Geass saga.

Ohashi Yoshimitsu: Yeah, please help us find sponsors (laughs).

Without spoilers, do you think fans will be satisfied with the ending of Code Geass Roze Of The Recapture?

Ohashi Yoshimitsu: We think the fans will be satisfied because the drama is actually complete, so you won’t feel like hanging.

Taniguchi Kojiro: We also think fans will be very satisfied with all the mecha action.

Ohashi Yoshimitsu: Also, before going into 3D, I actually did all the drawings beforehand.

Are there any plans for more sequels or spinoffs after the end of Code Geass Roze Of The Recapture?

Taniguchi Kojiro: It’s not a firm no. But of course, with all of your support until the last episode, we would be happy. If you wish for a spinoff or sequel, after watching all of this series, then it would be better.

Code Geass Roze Of The Recapture is now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar, with new episodes every Friday.