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Ever since Gorō Taniguchi’sCode Geasscame out in 2006, anime fans have found an uncanny resemblance between the series and the prominent seriesMobile Suit Gundamby Yoshiyuki Tomino that started in 1979. Be it the characters of the series or the narrative,Code Geassfeels like it has drawn inspiration from the science fiction series and followed in similar footsteps.
Although the theme and the base storyline of the two series are completely different, certain elements and characters ofCode Geassdraw parallels withMobile Suit Gundam. Even the dynamics between Lelouch and Suzaku felt like a varied representation ofGundam’sprotagonists, Amuro Ray and Char.
However, last year Taniguchi made a major revelation and put an end to the discourse aboutCode GeassandGundam’ssimilarities. He also revealed the difference between Lelouch and Amuro’s characters. The Japanese anime director pointed out thatCode Geassis not inspired byGundambut actually draws inspiration from the famousKamen Riderfranchise created by artist Shotaro Ishinomori.
Gorō Taniguchi Reflects On The Difference Between Lelouch and Amuro’s Character
In an interview withFull Frontal,Code Geassdirector Taniguchi was asked the age-old question about the similarity between the protagonist of his series andMobile Suit Gundam.He was also questioned about how the relationship between Lelouch and Suzaku looked exactly like Amuro and Char’s relationship inGundam.
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Taniguchi revealed:
Aah, I don’t really agree. Unlike Char and Amuro, they don’t meet on the battlefield: they’re more like childhood friends who spent a summer together. That’s been a foundational element in their identity, a sort of paradise they both look back to. So I think it’s different.
The past of Lelouch and Suzaku that gives their relationship a nostalgic remembrance makes it different from Char and Amuro’s relationship which was formed on the battlefield.
Taniguchi went on to say that the only reason why Lelouch and Suzaku feel similar is because oftheir stereotypical hero journey, which both of them are going through in their own narratives.
The True Inspiration BehindCode Geass
While talking aboutCode GeassandGundam, Taniguchi also made it clear that his series has never been influenced byGundam.Instead, it actually took inspiration from the famous Japanese superhero TV series,Kamen Rider.The only reason it feels similar toGundamis the involvement of science fiction inthe central story ofCode Geass.
Taniguchi stated:
Still, as I told Ōkouchi back then, the base pattern isn’t Gundam but rather Kamen Rider. Just like Lelouch, the boss of Shocker begins by creating an evil organization, but by sheer bad luck his childhood friend becomes Kamen Rider and comes to destroy him. (laughs) No matter how well he plans his strategies, he’s always crushed by Kamen Rider’s power. (laughs) That’s the sort of image we had.
The base structure ofCode Geassis quite similar toKamen Riderand it is reflected through different elements of the story, be it The Black Knights or the main character Lelouch.
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WhileCode GeassandKamen Riderare from totally different eras, the examples explained by Taniguchi make it easier for fans to draw parallels between the two anime series.
Code Geassis available to watch on Crunchyroll.
Tarun Kohli
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2958
Tarun Kohli is the Senior Anime Writer at FandomWire, with over 2,900 published articles. He currently specializes in critiquing One Piece and other Shonen anime. A passionate fan of the genre, his love for thoughtful analysis reflects his genuine appreciation for the art of anime. His deep understanding of anime culture has earned recognition from industry figures such as Adi Shankar and the creators of Blood of Zeus.
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