Brief Description:
Summer of 2011, the Holy Britannia Empire declared war on Japan. Within one month, the country had fallen and with its defeat, lost it’s freedom and rights, renamed as Area 11, and it’s people the 11s. Lelouch, a successor to the Royal Family of Britannia who was living in Japan at the time, vows to destroy the Empire to his childhood friend Suzaku. 7 years later, both attending the same high school, Lelouch often skips school to play chess. One day, caught up in a 11s terrorist incident involving a stolen military secret, Lelouch is captured by the task force sent to recover the capsule. Suzaku, a member of the military is shot for disobeying orders and with nowhere else to turn, the young girl found in the capsule gives Lelouch the power of Geass, making anyone obey a direct order from him. At this point the two childhood friends path diverge, Suzaku becoming a military pilot in the Britannia Army and Lelouch the masked Zero, the leader of the rebellion to destroy Britannia. (source: ANN)
http://myanimelist.net/manga/1528/Code_Geass:_Lelouch_of_the_Rebellion
Rated 13+
Original Story by Goro Taniguchi and Ichiro Okouchi, Manga by Majiko!
Serialized in Asuka magazine from 2006 to 2010.
Published in the US by Bandai Entertainment.
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Note This manga is an adaption of the anime of the same name. The anime came first, and thus is the original.
Review
Before I start, I should say that I am a huge fan of the Code Geass franchise, so my perspective will be biased based on that fact. Overall, this was a fine manga adaption. Fine...not horrendous like some (e.g., Princess Tutu). For Code Geass fans, your mileage will vary. The story had major changes to it, but the main plot remains intact. However, my biggest issue with this series in not the story changes but the art change. Don't get me wrong-the page layout is great and the action is handled nicely. But for me, the manga's poignancy was ruined by the eyes. You really don't realize how big a role the eyes play in expressions until you read the manga. The anime character designs were done by CLAMP, and despite whatever issues you may have with their art style, their characters' faces are extremely expressive. That's part of what makes Lelouch such a great character to watch- his maniacal face of laughter, his pain, and his warm smile for his sister. Yet in the manga, the eyes feel...dead. Take a look at the art and see for yourself-for me, the eyes really killed the effectiveness of the story.
Anime to Manga Differences
The biggest difference between this manga and the original anime is the lack of mecha. The Knightmare frame was never invented, and due to this certain minor plot elements change. For instance, Suzaku doesn't pilot a Knightmare, he's just soldier with exceptional abilities. The characters of Lloyd and Cecile are practically eliminated from the series because of this. This change also gave the character of Kallen a much smaller role in the story--she's simply a member of the Black Knights, not the super-ace pilot she is in the anime (I highly disliked this change). Plus, certain moments just don't work as well without mecha...for instance, Spoiler: when Suzaku fires the FLEIJA. In the anime, the detonation really would have saved his life. But in the manga, it honestly seems like Suzaku didn't have to fire it. For this reason especially I prefer the anime. Other plot changes made are honestly inconsequential in the end, though it should be noted that out of 8 books, 5 cover the story of the 1st season, while only 3 cover the story of R2.
One area I prefer the manga over the anime on though- the fanservice, or lack there of. Apparently this manga was aimed more at the female demographic, so the fanservice level is practically cut to none.
In conclusion, skip this manga, watch the anime.
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