Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture returns with another strong episode, maintaining a pace that makes it a likely and good successor to the original series. There have been both good things and bad things that the series has been doing with the execution of character arcs being a personal favorite of mine. The previous episode was heavy-hitting, going into Ash’s backstory and revealing just how dark his past really is.
For protagonistic characters like Ash and Sakuya, this attention to their growth becomes even more necessary so as to not blindside the audience with any developments. With the way the previous episode ended, it was to be expected that the oncoming storm wouldn’t be easy to overcome. While the episode handled a lot of that very well, certain aspects of it just seemed unnecessary.
Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture Drops the Facade
For the longest time, Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture has been going through a smooth pacing about its story. Things get severe, and then they settle. Sumeragi Sakuya’s goal had been unchanged and rigid from the start of the series. She wanted to kill Ash and avenge her father’s death. However, the previous few episodes have seen her beliefs shatter in trying to understand what is real and what isn’t.
Moreover, the gravity of her actions dawns on her in ways that make her beg for repentance. While Sakuya is captured by Scissorman and there he reveals his intentions for wanting to create his own version of the geass. He wishes to experiment on her as an attempt to replicate and multiply the various forms of geass. While that goes on, Ash faces a rematch with Arnold, whom he believed to have killed earlier in the season.
However, the spin that comes with it is that he also holds the anti-geass. While Jeremiah was a man who had his own beliefs and morals to follow, making him a bigger knight than a killer, the same cannot be said for Arnold. He looks more psychotic and focused on getting his revenge on Ash than anything else.
Ash Has Demons to Face
While Ash and Arnold go head to head against each other, he can calculate and predict every move the Apollo is set to make. While it makes things difficult for the protagonist, he is still matched perfectly against his opponent. However, the tide turns when Arnold brings up Nichol and how Rozé had so deviously confused his memories. Triggered by this, the anti-geass gets used on him.
Ash is immediately blindsided, losing his footing and ultimately also losing the battle with it. However, the Seven Shining Stars come to his support before things can become grave. As this goes on, it becomes clear that Norland hasn’t yet acquired a geass, seeing that he demands for Sakuya to give him hers.
She is then asked to use her geass on hostages, willing them to die. While she doesn’t go through with it, Scissorman kills them anyway. Things become even more chaotic the more Neo-Britannian forces begin to arrive near their base with many struggling to hold their own. The alliances of the Seven Shining Stars go out in an act of martyrdom, pushing things as far as they can with a kamikaze-like attack that blows them and everything around them in a matter of seconds.
Old Faces and Foes
Ash flees from the battlefield, taking his nightmare towards the research lab where Scissorman has kept Sakuya. This strikes a battle where the mentor and mentee clash together once again. Christoph underestimates Ash and the Apollo and while he still faces a challenge, it isn’t enough to keep Ash from defeating him.
Finally, he and Sakuya come face to face and she begs him to help her save Sakura, after which her life would be his to take. She is guilt-ridden by her actions and vows never to adorn the mask of Rozé ever again. Both of the protagonistic characters have much to understand with their realities shifting every moment. Ash in particular is coming to terms with the horrific acts that Sumeragi Jugo’s daughter committed, using him as a weapon, a means to an end.
Moreover, he takes out his gun and points it at her just as the episode ends. While that is obviously a misdirect, there were various aspects of the episode that I liked and some that proved bothersome. On the one hand, the dynamic between Ash and Sakuya is something I am looking forward to. On the other, the sexualization was something I couldn’t appreciate.
The original Code Geass also had its fair share of scenes that brought about different angles that sexualized women. However, Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture has kept that to a minimum. This episode was heavily laced with undertones that just didn’t seem necessary. While a certain amount of sexualization is something viewers can still tolerate, what this episode provided was simply overkill. The way Sakuya was captured looked just so uncomfortable in every way possible.
Rating: 7.5/10
Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture is available to watch on Hulu.
