Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion premiered on January 5th at 11:30 PM, ending around midnight.
The show had already garnered significant attention before its debut, and the first episode was packed with memorable moments and plenty of discussion points. As soon as it finished, the internet exploded with debate:
"I didn't have high expectations, but after watching the first episode of Code Geass, I was pleasantly surprised. It lives up to the hype, being the new work from Lin Zhiyan, the mastermind behind the masterpiece Death Note."
"The male lead, Lelouch, has that Yagami Light vibe. I love that kind of personality. He's so much better than those brainless protagonists who gain power but are obsessed with world peace and constantly lecturing the audience about not killing."
"True, but what I think is even better this time is that while Lelouch isn't a kind-hearted old goodie-two-shoes, he's also not a straightforward villain. In Death Note, Yagami Light was clearly positioned as the antagonist from the start. The moment he attacked the fake L on TV, viewers already knew he was doomed to lose. Lelouch is different."
"I don't know if Lelouch is right or wrong, but the Britannian Empire's army kills even commoners, so they're definitely not good guys."
"Even though it's only the first episode, the initial impression is really good. It's a shame the male lead probably won't have an opponent with the same level of intelligence as L, so it likely won't continue as a battle of wits."
"It definitely won't continue as a battle of wits. After all, Death Note already reached the peak of intellectual duels, and it's impossible to surpass. Besides, this time the male lead is up against a powerful empire. If the empire had an equally brilliant opponent, how would that even work?"
"Speaking of which, has anyone noticed? The male lead's real name seems to be Lelouch vi Britannia. Judging by his surname, could he be a prince? A Britannian prince leading the Japanese in the Eleventh District against Britannia... now I kind of understand why this animation is called Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion."
"Awesome! So good! Can't wait for the next episodes."
In this timeline, unlike others, Code Geass was created by Lin Zhiyan after he finished Death Note. During the promotional period leading up to the new anime's premiere, it was largely marketed in conjunction with Death Note.
The initial styles of the two animations bore some similarities, so after the first episode of Code Geass aired, it naturally sparked widespread discussion and rave reviews.
Ultimately, viewers who enjoyed Death Note were unlikely to dislike Code Geass.
Of course, this was just online buzz. But the next day, many viewers spontaneously began promoting the anime themselves.
Working professionals who enjoyed anime discussed Code Geass's plot during their free time. After the third semester began at schools, students also debated the anime during breaks.
Major anime-related publications—including the January 10th issues of the Big Three Anime Magazines—all mentioned or even highlighted Code Geass as a must-watch new release:
"The Supervising Director of Death Note returns with a new work. While retaining the style of the previous animation in the Male Lead's character design, the theme shifts to an alternate world with mecha elements, making the story more engaging and captivating. Without a doubt, this is the season's must-watch anime."
"In October 2000, a newly established animation company, under the leadership of a genius Animation Director, defied expectations and rose to prominence with the sleeper hit Death Note. Even before the fervor surrounding Death Note had completely subsided, Supervising Director Lin Zhiyan and his team returned with a new work, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, which immediately captured the audience's attention upon its premiere..."
"The latest work from one of the most popular directors today, Lin Zhiyan, is here. The protagonist, Lelouch vi Britannia, is rumored to be the exiled prince of the Britannian Empire. He leads the Japanese people, oppressed by the superpower Britannia, in a rebellion that promises to be a thrilling spectacle."
"Only those willing to be shot have the right to pull the trigger—A brief discussion of L.S Production's new work, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion."
"The new animation is as brilliant as expected, receiving rave reviews from the moment it premiered. This director might just be one of the people who understands the audience best."
"A genius protagonist, a mysterious power, and thrilling mecha battles—all in Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion."
"Among the January anime season's releases, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion stands out as the most anticipated original animation, leaving viewers eager for more."
Although it had only just premiered and released a single episode, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, Lin Zhiyan's new animation, was undoubtedly a massive hit, leveraging the momentum from Death Note.
The only remaining question was whether the new Code Geass could match or even surpass its predecessor, Death Note.
Its popularity led major anime-related media outlets to feature the animation prominently. The renewed success also prompted many of them to send interview invitations to Lin Zhiyan.
True to his usual style, Lin Zhiyan remained approachable. He accepted every interview request from legitimate media outlets.
During these interviews, he naturally answered a wide range of questions.
For example—
[ Q: Why didn't you handle the character design and perform the theme song for the new animation yourself? ]
[ A: When I was working on Death Note, not many people knew the name Lin Zhiyan. By taking on all the responsibilities myself, I could showcase my abilities and gain attention more quickly. ]
[ Now that my name is well-known, I don't need to resort to such methods to attract attention. Instead, by entrusting the original character design and theme song to others, we can broaden the animation's appeal. ]
"Furthermore, this new work requires a particularly high standard of animation, so we had to dedicate more time and effort to the role of Chief Animation Director. After careful consideration, we had to abandon the work on character design and the theme song."
Q: "Many viewers say the protagonist of the new animation Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion is very similar to the protagonist of Death Note. What's your take on that?"
A: "There are indeed some similarities. At their core, they are the same type of person: geniuses, solitary, with ambitions and ideas that ordinary people can't comprehend. Both gained powerful, mysterious abilities. However, their differences are quite significant. Lelouch's personal charisma far surpasses Yagami Light's. You'll understand the specifics once the later parts of the story are released."
Q: "What are your expectations for the success of the new animation Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion? Do you have confidence it will surpass Death Note?"
A: "Surpass Death Note? That's a must! Not only must its commercial success exceed Death Note's, but it must also win at least one or two awards."
As media outlets published Lin Zhiyan's interviews one after another, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, already popular, instantly became the talk of the town.
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