Best Anime To Watch If You Love Code Geass

When Code Geass released its two seasons from 2006 to 2012, it was unsurprising to see the anime series earn various accolades - such as awards from the Tokyo International Anime Fair. And the awards made sense given the anime and its ambitious premise - that of the exiled prince Lelouch vi Britannia’s quest to overthrow the global Holy Britannian Empire with the help of awesome mecha and his Geass, a “power” that forces anyone to obey his commands.

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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 October 7, 2024 by Rhenn Taguiam: With Code Geass: Roze of the Recapture aiming to provide Code Geass fans with a fresh take on a world with the Britannian Empire after Lelouch’s death. However, fans who have just watched Roze and Ash’s adventures might be itching for more intense mecha action and suspense storytelling. Anime fans who remain mystified by Lelouch’s strategic prowess and riveting journey might want to check out stories with a similar focus on mecha, vengeance, or the plain horrors of war. Recommendations include one of the most popular Gundam titles, and a classic known for its deconstruction of anime and the mecha genre.

22 Neon Genesis Evangelion

Mecha Take The Front Seat As Philosophical Themes Take Center Stage

Anyone who’s ever been a fan of anime will likely have encountered a meme involving someone forcing Shinji Ikari to “get into the EVA” - and funnily enough, this meme does encapsulate much of the surface level of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Contrary to the story of mecha anime protagonists reluctantly piloting a star mecha only to become the world’s savior, Neon Genesis Evangelion has its protagonist guilt-trip into doing so. Set in a world where aliens known as Angels have brought Earth close to the brink of destruction, teenager Shinji reluctantly accepts the invitation of his estranged father to help out with work at NERV, an organization dedicated to fight the extraterrestrial threat.

Unbeknownst to Shinji, his father had everything planned out for him - the teenager was manipulated into “piloting” the EVA, practically forcing him to fight for the Earth’s safety at a time when Shinji couldn’t even decide to fight for himself. An exploration of purpose, growth, and self-exploration become part of surface-level discussions regarding Evangelion - with two sets of films expanding on its ever-evolving mythos with philosophical undertones bordering on the existential.

Neon Genesis Evangelion: How Similar Is It To Code Geass?

While Shinji doesn’t get nowhere near the kind of power Lelouch has, Shinji’s resentment towards his dad is extremely similar to Lelouch’s own hatred for his father - feelings that drove them to eventual extremes of their personalities. Fortunately for Shinji, he didn’t develop the same delusions of grandeur Lelouch had when he acquired his Geass. Instead, Shinji tried reconciling suddenly being responsible to save the world when he couldn’t even bring himself to stand up towards his father. Lelouch spearheading a rebellion against the world’s largest nation is similar to Shinji and NERV bringing what little resources Earth had to defeating the nigh-undefeatable threat of the Angels. However, fans who want a protagonist who is just as complex as Lelouch but from another angle can certainly appreciate Shinji forcing viewers to give their own lives a quick introspection.

21 Mobile Suit Gundam SEED

War Turns Best Friends Into Bitter Rivals

When the genetically-advanced Coordinators of the PLANT space colonies launch a full-scale attack against the Naturals of Earth Federation, the former’s ZAFT military arm attempt to steal the latter’s G-Project Mobile Suits to stop them from getting an edge in the conflict. The events of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED begins when engineering Kira Yamato becomes entangled in a ZAFT attack in their neutral colony, which inadvertently housed the said Mobile Suits they wanted to steal. Driven to a corner, Kira is forced to pilot the one machine the ZAFT didn’t manage to get - the Strike Gundam. Unfortunately for Kira, an encounter with the ZAFT reveals his best friend Athrun Zala was among the soldiers assigned to this attack.

Since this fateful encounter, the rest of Gundam SEED involves Kira thrust smack dab in the middle of a war he never wanted to be a part of. Discovered as a Coordinator among Naturals, it fell on Kira’s inexperienced hands to defend the motley crew and civilians of the Federation’s Archangel ship as they attempt to outrun Athrun and the team sent to steal the Strike. While Kira’s relationship with his peers (and the introduction to the idol-diplomat Lacus Clyne) taps into modern sensibilities, Gundam SEED seems designed to be a love letter to the original Mobile Suit Gundam.

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED: How Similar Is It To Code Geass?

Imagine two versions of the Holy Empire of Britannia at war with each other, with the Order of the Black Knights at the center - not knowing it’s a faction in the first place. The first act of Gundam SEED is spent as somewhat of a chore, with ZAFT forces constantly chasing the Archangel and the world forcing Kira into the status of a savior. This is nowhere near Lelouch’s conscious decision to become the person to dismantle the Holy Britannia Empire - especially when Kira wanted nothing but to get himself out of the very war continuing to push him back in. However, the appeal of Gundam SEED as a must-try after Code Geass isn’t with finding similarities between the characters, but experiencing the brutal realities of war. Where most major deaths in Code Geass are preserved in critical moments for dramatic effect, SEED’s own tragedies are often the result of human error. Seeing Kira molded into a new version of himself as he witnesses the horrors of war makes SEED a worthwhile watch - both from the perspective of fans who want a different protagonist than Lelouch, and as a starter to the more realistic Gundam franchise.

20 Log Horizon

An Interesting Take On The Trapped-In-A-Game Concept

Despite the isekai genre already existing for quite some time, the “trapped in the game” subgenre popularized by Sword Art Online also received its fair share of subversions and unique takes through the years. One such example is Log Horizon, where its setting of long-lived MMO “Elder Tale” also trapped its players within them. When trio Shiroe as well as Akatsuki and Naotsugu become trapped alongside 30,000 other players, they decided to team up and make ado with their newfound reality.

The name Log Horizon is taken from the guild of the same name, established by Shiroe soon after the Catastrophe that trapped him and his friends in the game. Their main objective is to help improve the city of Akiba, although the many forces they meet have come to complicate their rather straightforward goal.

Log Horizon: How Similar Is It To Code Geass?

While Code Geass is nowhere near an isekai story, many fans of the series will liken Shiroe to Lelouch for his penchant for the strategic. As an avid fan and player of “Elder Tale” since middle school, Shiroe has near-encyclopedic knowledge of the game and its inner workings. This also motivated him to become an Enchanter, a class that Shiroe loves to use simply because it’s unpopular among other players. Shiroe’s fame as a strategist can make Log Horizon fights extremely entertaining, especially in situations where Shiroe and his crew become the underdog against seemingly-unbeatable threats.

19 Gundam: The Witch From Mercury

Faith In Mankind In An Unfair World

War is an ever-present theme in the Gundam series, and Gundam: The Witch from Mercury dabbles into yet another interstellar war through the ongoing conflict between the Spacians and the Earthians for the information-linking material known as Permet. The story of The Witch From Mercury begins when Mercurian Suletta Mercury encounters Miorine Rembran in the Asticassia School of Technology, and the incidents that will intertwine their fates to that of GUND-ARMS, or militarized Mobile Suits out of medical GUND technology.

Themes of The Witch from Mercury revolve around political corruption and capitalism, and the anime marks the first time that a Gundam series has a female and LGBTQ lead. Despite Sutella having a rather child-like and innocent nature, people around her being more cunning and manipulative constantly challenge her worldviews. The 24-episode run of the series can be considered quite short in the context of the usual Gundam experience, but fans of Code Geass who want a different take on themes of war can find The Witch from Mercury a worthwile watch.

The Witch From Mercury: How Similar Is It To Code Geass?

While The Witch from Mercury has the talented but innocent Suletta as its ace pilot, her experience as someone whose views in life are constantly challenged by the realities of war can be a decent alternative to Code Geass fans. Granted, Lelouch’s possession of the Geass, which allows him to push his ideals into others, is similar to how Sutella uses her skills and indomitable willpower to cement her faith in the future of mankind. However, Sutella’s point of view as someone directly fighting in the frontlines can make her more akin to Kallen Kozuki of the Black Knights or Suzaku Kururugi of Britannia, making the focus on her perspective a breath of fresh air for Code Geass fans who want more mecha action.

18 Kaiji

Gambling Becomes This Unfortunate Protagonist's Ace In The Hole

At first glance, Kaiji protagonist Kaiji Ito has had it hard ever since he graduated high school. Post-World War 2 recession had made finding work difficult for Kaiji, making him resort to gambling and delinquency to pass the time. One misfortune after the other had Kaiji forcibly entering various gambling nights, often with more than money on the line.

Much of Kaiji depicts the protagonist getting into unsavory deals and one betrayal after the next, and both his sheer willpower and gambling prowess to help overcome them. While Kaiji being depicted as a modern Sisyphus is far from Lelouch’s constant victories, seeing a man like Kaiji constantly prevailing against a life that is seemingly against him can make each victory all the more satisfying.

Kaiji: How Similar Is It To Code Geass?

While Kaiji doesn’t necessarily have mecha fight scenes and displays of supernatural power throughout the course of its run, its frequent use of gambling mindgames to create tension can be akin to Lelouch constantly trying to one-up his opponents during skirmishes. Kaiji Ito’s persistence and will to live despite hardships across games can be comparable to Lelouch beginning his “game” against the Holy Britannian Empire at a severe disadvantage. Fans looking for a Lelouch-like figure sans the power creep could look at Kaiji as a close approximate, at least from the perspective of someone who knows how to exactly weigh his odds and make insane plays if it’s all it takes to survive.

17 Kakumeiki Valrave

A High School Becomes The Battleground Of The Future

The far future of Valrave the Liberator has much of humanity living in outer space, courtesy of the Dyson Sphere built by the neutral JIOR faction. However, Earth is thrust into war when the Dorssia Military Pact Federation attempts to invade JIOR space, and the ARUS faction takes an interest in the mysterious mecha known as the Valrave that protected it. Unbeknownst to them, Dorssia’s attack in JIOR’s Module 77 would reveal that the Sakimori High School is home to the mecha, with protagonist Haruto Tokishima piloting it to protect his home.

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Events in the anime would have Sakimori High declare Module 77 as an independent state, and the discovery of other Valrave under their school would put them at the world’s crosshairs. Haruto makes an unlikely alliance with Dorrsian spy L-elf Karlstein, as the both of them try to ensure that their independent nation outlasts these new threats.

Valrave: How Similar Is It To Code Geass?

Fans of Code Geass looking for traditional robot action will appreciate what Valrave has to offer, especially in terms of unique mecha designs and fight scenes. The futuristic tech jargon of the Valrave and the special technology that powers them can be much appreciated by Code Geass fans, especially for fans who feel like the latter’s Loyd Asplund and his rival Rakshata Chawla who build their sides’ respective Knightmare aces (the Lancelot and the Guren, respectively) should have more screentime elaborating on their mecha’s inner workings. Students uniting against the world in Valrave does give an interesting spin to Lelouch being a student and a hidden rebel leader, and the former can give a look into what Lelouch could’ve been if he led the revolution from the classroom instead of behind a mask.

16 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Brothers Journey To Find The Secret Of Alchemy

With Code Geass earning numerous accolades when it aired, fans may consider watching Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, another critically-acclaimed anime released just a few years later. Set in Amestris, Brotherhood tells the journey of Edward and Alphonse Elric, alchemist brothers in search of the Philosopher’s Stone to fix the horrid effects of forbidden Human Transmutation.

Throughout their journey, threats continue to test Ed and Al’s bond as brothers, while new allies and rivals expand their worldview and the many ways the art of Alchemy has shaped their society.

While not directly involving mechas and rebellions, Fullmetal Alchemist and Code Geass share a tendency to explore human philosophy in both dialogue and actions, particularly with how they connect to character growth. On the action side, Brotherhood has its fair share of fluid fighting scenes comparable to Lelouch’s demonstrable adaptability in Code Geass’s mecha fights.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood: How Similar Is It To Code Geass?

Alchemy in Fullmetal Alchemist could be compared to Geass, especially on a technical level where both power systems are held together by rules that its users must follow even in combat. Their similarities also extend on a philosophical level: similar to how Geass connects the realms of man with the realms of the gods, forbidden Human Transmutation reveals uncomfortable truths about the universe that no human can comprehend.

15 Monster

A Riveting Investigative Thriller About Humanity's Worst Instincts

When Dr. Kenzo Tenma of Monster finds his former patient, a grown-up Johan Liebert, killing a man in cold blood, he’s faced with the reality that the child he saved may have become a horrific serial killer. Much of Monster involves Dr. Tenma pursuing Johan, even if much of what he could see is bloodied remnants of other killers Johan may have influenced.

Considered one of the best anime and manga series of all time, Monster explores the limits of human morality in ways similar to Lelouch’s contrived take on his goal to create the perfect world for Nunnally. Replacing mecha fight scenes are intellectual spars between Johan and Dr. Tenma, each justifying their actions much in the same way Lelouch is willing to use anyone to further his goals.

Monster: How Similar Is It To Code Geass?

The seemingly endless pursuit to catch Johan of Monster is reminiscent of the world looking at Zero’s Black Rebellion and eager to see what kind of “miracles” he can create in his impossible war against the Holy Britannian Empire. Similar to how Code Geass juxtaposes flaws of Lelouch’s psyche with his war campaign as Zero, so too does Monster explores the degrading mind of Johan beyond its horrific cases.

14 Attack On Titan

Humanity's Last Hope Fighting Insurmountible Odds

With what’s left of humanity locked inside a three-walled city in Attack on Titan, the Survey Corps use Omni-Directional Maneuvering Gear to fight humanoid and nigh-indestructible Titans with agility and kill them before they can strike back. And strike back the Titans shall, as Attack on Titan is notorious for its death toll surrounding its characters.

Attack on Titan received critical acclaim precisely because it depicts humanity’s desperate and losing struggle against the man-eating Titans. Much like how Code Geass shows Zero and his Black Knights eventually outsmart the more powerful Britannian Empire, humans in Attack on Titan also try to get rid of Titans once and for all. When protagonist Eren Yeager transforms into a Titan while serving the Survey Corps, he’s thrust into a conspiracy that changes everything they know about the world surrounding them.

Attack On Titan: How Similar Is It To Code Geass?

The adventures of the Survey Corps and its seemingly-impossible mission of protecting the last city’s walls from the relentless assault of the Titans can remind viewers of Lelouch’s mission as Zero in his revolt against the Britannian Empire. However, unlike Lelouch who had the might of Knightmares and his Geass, the Survey Corps simply had the Omni-Directional Maneuvering Gear and ultra-hard steel blades to fight nigh-invulnerable Titans. Code Geass fans who want a breath of fresh air from Lelouch’s victory after victory may appreciate the air of terror in Attack on Titan, where every victory is savored as a Titan could kill any of the story’s protagonists at any moment.

13 Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans

Child Soldiers Rise Against Adult Oppressors