Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

After a swift defeat by the Holy Empire of Britannia, the once-independent nation is renamed simply to Area 11. However, this has not gone without its hiccups, for terrorists have a mind that's set on freeing Japan. Lelouch Lamperouge, who is not Japanese but rather a Britannian student, finds himself in a predicament involving Britannia and the Japanese resistance forces. Lelouch manages to escape after a girl named C.C. gives him the Geass. With this new power, Lelouch sets out, under the pseudonym Zero, to avenge himself against Britannia.¹

The Power of Kings

Geass, also known as the Power of Kings¹, enables Lelouch to harness "The Power of Absolute Obedience"². Using this power, Lelouch can command someone to do anything he desires, a caveat being that he must make eye contact for it to activate.²

This Geass really is a demonic power. The use of Geass changes the inner workings of a person, forcing them to do whatever they are told. This is not of God. The Lord never gave anyone such power. It is magic, i.e., witchcraft. Do you want to be involved with witchcraft? I sure hope not!

"[19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, [20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies," (Galatians 5:19-20, emphasis mine)

A work of the flesh is what magic is described as. We shouldn't desire to entertain ourselves with works of the flesh. This means that watching witchcraft, and therefore this show, is against God.

Violence and Insurrection

A common aspect of anime is the use of violence. Sadly, this show is no different.³ There are several types of violence in this show, including "mecha battles". Mecha are humanoid robots used to fight.

"Set during an ongoing war, the show has both fantasy and real-world violence (mecha battles, guns, chemical warfare). Lelouch uses special powers to control other people, often making them commit deadly violence toward themselves or others. Combat is intense and graphic."⁴

"There are many scenes in which people are gunned down by large [mechanical] robots, with some blood seen. There are also many mecha fights and the people operating them are sometimes killed (albeit bloodlessly)."⁵    

Holy Writ points us towards gentleness. For example, we're told that the servant of God must be "gentle unto all" (2 Timothy 2:24). Jehovah's desire is for us to be gentle, which means violence is not His desire, nor should it be ours.

"And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man..." (Luke 3:14)

Thinking outside Scripture, as well, violence does not strike one's mind as godly. There is nothing in violence that points people towards the LORD.

Additionally, Lelouch, being a former prince of the Britannian Empire, is trying to avenge his mother's death by overthrowing the government. However, Scripture teaches that we are to submit to—not cause insurrection against—the established government.

"[1] Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. [2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. [3] For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: [4] For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. [5] Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. [6] For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. [7] Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour." (Romans 13:1-7)

Now, this does not mean you obey the government to the disobedience of Scripture, but Lelouch is attempting to overthrow Britannia for an unscriptural reason. "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12:19). It is not in the hands of Lelouch to avenge.

Immodesty

This anime has improper clothing. Crunchyroll lists nudity as one of their content advisories for this particular anime.³ Many female characters wear short skirts. Additionally, Common Sense Media says there is:

"Partial nudity includes exposed breasts, censored shots of people bathing, and characters wearing only underwear or covered by sheets."⁴ 

And IMDb:

"Many scenes feature partial breast nudity with nipples obstructed by hair or arms. There are three scenes in which breasts and nipples are clearly visible (1-3 seconds each)."⁵

This is in direct violation of Scriptural standards! The Bible teaches that there are immodest clothes. A woman's breasts are for her husband, not to just be exposed for no reason (Proverbs 5:19). I mention this based on the above-quoted sources.

"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;" (1 Timothy 2:9)

Mouths in Urgent Need of Soap

Now, we all recall the old expression of children having their mouths washed out with soap after saying a bad word. I am not advocating for this, but the show, as you likely guessed, does contain language that would have caused that sort of response.⁽³⁾⁽⁴⁾

Now, what do the Scriptures teach about what we hear? Well, an example I often use is that of Lot. What he heard caused his soul to be vexed, according to Peter (2 Peter 2:7-8). We should be cautious about what we listen to, because everything we consume, not just through sight, affects us.

Mockery of the Ten Commandments

In episode seven of season two, the Emperor of Britannia, Charles, denounces "almost every single one of the Ten Commandments as lies meant to protect the weak, and that they as the strong must defeat these weaknesses".⁶

Do you really think that a show that mocks the Ten Commandments, calling them lies, is something Christians ought to be involved with?

"They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them." (Proverbs 28:4)

Conclusion

Insurrection is not from the LORD. There is a spiritual war we face, and watching an anime fighting against what God's Word hath said will not help us in that fight. Let's keep our eyes on Jesus, forgo watching anime such as this one, and live in a holy and upright manner!

Sources:

1. "Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch." MyAnimeList,  myanimelist.net/anime/1575/Code_Geass__Hangyaku_no_Lelouch. Accessed 7/11/2025.

2. "Lelouch vi Britannia." Code Geass Wiki, codegeass.fandom.com/wiki/Lelouch_vi_Britannia. Accessed 7/11/2025.

3. Code Geass. Crunchyroll, crunchyroll.com/series/GY2P9ED0Y/code-geass. Accessed 7/11/2025.

4. "Parents' Guide to Code Geass." Common Sense Media, commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/code-geass. Accessed 7/11/2025.

5. "Code Geass: Parents guide." IMDb, imdb.com/title/tt0994314/parentalguide. Accessed 7/11/2025.

6. "The Abandoned Mask (episode)." Code Geass Wiki, codegeass.fandom.com/wiki/The_Abandoned_Mask_(episode). Accessed 7/21/2025.