If you keep seeing Code Geass called one of the greatest anime ever made and want to know whether it's worth the jump — plus where to actually stream it and in what order — here's the straight version. It's a two-season political thriller with mecha, and on SenpaiRanks it ranks near the very top of the medium.
Quick answer
Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch (Sunrise, 2006, 25 episodes) streams on Crunchyroll, with the second season R2 (2008, 25 episodes) right after it. According to SenpaiRanks, the first season holds an 8.68 adjusted score and R2 climbs to 8.89 — one of the highest marks on our entire board. Watch order is simple: R1 first, then R2. It's a self-contained story with a definitive ending, so no supplementary films are required to follow it.
What you're getting into
Exiled prince Lelouch gets a power that forces absolute obedience, and turns it on the empire that erased his family. What sounds like a revenge fantasy becomes a season-long escalation of gambits, betrayals and body counts — the fun is watching a genius plan work until, suddenly, it doesn't. The Knightmare Frame mecha battles are the spectacle; the strategy and the moral rot are the reason people rewatch.
Watch order
- Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch (2006) — the 25-episode first season. Start here.
- Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch R2 (2008) — the 25-episode conclusion. Watch immediately after.
The recap movie trilogy and the later Lelouch of the Re;surrection film are optional extras — the TV run tells the complete story on its own.
Is it good?
On the numbers, yes — emphatically. Per SenpaiRanks, Code Geass sits above every individual Gundam entry and every other TV mecha on our best mecha anime ranking, and R2's 8.89 puts it in rarefied company. The dual-axis read is the tell: it scores high on Consensus (broadly loved) and Quality (holds up on rewatch), which is why it doesn't fade the way a pure shock-twist show would. If you want more from the same studio, our best Sunrise anime ranking is the next stop.
Rate it yourself
Think R2 earns that 8.89 — or think the ending is overrated? Open the Code Geass ranking page and log your score. It takes one rating to create an account and see where your taste sits against the Consensus, the thing a single MyAnimeList number can't show you.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Where can I watch Code Geass?
A: Both seasons stream on Crunchyroll. Availability can vary by region, but Crunchyroll is the primary home for the series.
Q: What order do I watch Code Geass in?
A: Watch Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch (2006) first, then Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch R2 (2008). The recap films and Re;surrection are optional.
Q: Is Code Geass good?
A: On SenpaiRanks it holds an 8.68 adjusted score, with R2 at 8.89 — among the highest-rated anime on the site and the top mecha series on our board.
Q: How many episodes is Code Geass?
A: 50 episodes total across two seasons — 25 in R1 and 25 in R2.
Q: Do I need to watch the movies?
A: No. The two TV seasons tell a complete, self-contained story. The films are supplementary.