#ichirou okouchi

[dagmartoons]

man ichirou okouchi sure does love his gay breakups huh

[ferhog]

If I may be so bold I think some G-Witch fans are overreacting a TAD bit.

Specifically the odd number of people saying that Sulemio has been "Decanonized" by this statement, or turned into "Retroactive queerbaiting". People, the company's social media saying that the relationship is "Up to interpretation" does not erase what the writers and artists put into the actual show. If you ask me the only sensible response is asking what substances Bandai is on that they consider THIS up to interpretation:

If future releases of the show start removing all this THEN we can panic, but I sincerely doubt Bandai wants to do that, otherwise they wouldn't have let it happen in the first place.

I may be optimistic here but I also don't think this means they're going to be shying away from the relationship in the future like many are fearing. Iron-Blooded Orphans was featuring blatant gay content half a decade before this show and that included confirming that two women were married in an interview after the show ended, so clearly the company isn't utterly terrified of this stuff. I wouldn't be surprised if this ends up being a one-off incident (Which ISN'T to say that people shouldn't be angry about it by the way, I just think the wrong conclusions are being jumped to) especially since it seems to be receiving a negative reaction in both the English and Japanese spheres.

It's also worth noting that this stuff is almost certainly going on behind the scenes with a lot of franchises. Series like Nanoha and Symphogear are famously very sapphic but their lead couples have never kissed or verbally acknowledged their romantic relationship presumably because there's also men in charge who think there's more value in things being "Left to interpretation". Not saying that it being more common makes it okay. I just think that the people saying that they now want to drop the franchise over this should consider if that means they should give other franchises the same treatment. No moral consumption under capitalism and all that.

TLDR: I care more about what's in the show than whatever the PR team says. Ichirou Okouchi has been liking tweets of people praising the romance and art of the two kissing. He knows what he made.

[daisukoth]

btw, yesterday they released the results of the winners of the Newtype anime award. G-witch and Bocchi got 1st and 2nd place in a bunch of categories

[tweet] with the full list

Character Design Award

1st place Mobile Suit Gundam Witch from Mercury

2nd place Bocchi the Rock!

Character Award (Female Character)

1st place Suletta Mercury Mobile Suit Gundam Witch from Mercury

2nd place Miorine Rembran

3rd place Goto Hitori Bocchi The Rock!

Character award (mascot)

1st Place: Mr. Hotz Mobile Suit Gundam: Witch from Mercury (LOL)

2nd Place: Haro Mobile Suit Gundam: Witch from Mercury

Voice actor award

1st place Lynn

2nd place Kana Ichinose

Mecha/Prop Design Award

1st place Mobile Suit Gundam Witch from Mercury

2nd place Bocchi the Rock!

Opening song Award

1st Place Youth Complex/Kessoku Band Bocchi the Rock! OP

2nd place Idol/YOASOBI [Oshinoko] OP

3rd place Blessing/YOASOBI Mobile Suit Gundam Witch from Mercury OP

Director's Award

1st Place: Keiichiro Saito Bocchi The Rock!

Screenplay award

1st Place Okouchi Ichirou Mobile Suit Gundam Witch from Mercury

Best Picture (TV/Distribution)

1st place Bocchi the Rock!

2nd place Mobile Suit Gundam Witch from Mercury

3rd place "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" Swordsmith's Village Edition

[retro-friki]

Brujas y Duelos: Capítulos especiales 1

Aprovechando que ya son vacaciones de invierno, vengo a promocionar nuevamente el podcast que tengo con @lavampiremerveilleuse. Se llama “Brujas y Duelos” y pueden escucharlo en Acast, Spotify y Apple Podcast. Actualmente estamos terminando de subir nuestros comentarios sobre la serie “Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury” y próximamente empezaremos con “Revolutionary Girl Utena” por si les interesa ver esa serie con nosotras.

De igual manera, tenemos episodios especiales donde hablamos de otros temas:

Literatura:

Dance- Demelza Carlton

Se trata de una nueva versión de La Cenicienta con elementos parecidos a Mulan, aunque termina siendo su propia historia. Si les parece extraño que esta versión tome lugar en un país parecido a China, en el podcast comentamos que una de las versiones más antiguas de este cuento proviene de China y de hecho la novela retoma ciertos elementos de dicha historia. En el primer episodio recontamos parte de la novela y en la segunda parte realizamos un análisis.

La Tempestad- William Shakespeare

Por razones que tienen bastante que ver con el podcast, nos tomamos la oportunidad de leer y ver una representación grabada de “La Tempestad”. No tenemos ninguna especialidad en William Shakespeare, pero nos ayudamos bastante con “The Tempest Navigator”. Estos capítulos contienen un recuento de la obra, así como ciertas explicaciones y detalles literarios e históricos. En general, como un primer acercamiento a Shakespeare, creo que nos quedó bien y fue bastante divertido de grabar.

Craddle Planet

Comentario sobre una pequeña historia escrita por Ichirou Okouchi que tiene lugar entre el prólogo y el capítulo 1 de La Bruja de Mercurio. Lo incluyo porque no todo el mundo sabe de esta historia que explica algunas cosas sobre cierto personaje.

[freeappall]

Code Geass Lost Stories Mod Apk Version 1.3.15 The only official game for the series "is "Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion! Team up with Lelouch and crush the Britannian Empire Story: Experience the story of Lelouch and others from a different perspective Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion. Code Geass Lost Stories Mod Apk Main Story cutscenes are made using Live 2D and are fully voiced You can change the gender of your character at any time Stories based on official spin-offs and game-specific side stories will be included Gameplay A highly strategic real-time battle system Enjoy taking the command in fast-paced battles, where the proper placement of your squad's Knightmare Frames are the difference between victory and defeat. Create your own unique battle squad! All the characters and Knightmare Frames that appear in the anime can be used to create your own unique squad. Choose from your favorites to create the strongest squad that suits your playstyle. Lelouch: Jun Fukuyama, Hero: Yuuma Uchida, Heroine: Ayaka Oohashi, Suzaku: Takahiro Sakurai, C.C.: Yukana, Kallen: Ami Koshimizu, Clarice: Azuki Tadokoro, Carly: Minami Takahashi、 Anyone: Manaka Iwami The anime production staff from "Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion"" returns! Creative Directors: SUNRISE, Ichirou Okouchi, Taniguchi Gorou Original Planning/Production: SUNRISE Original Character Design: CLAMP In-game Character Design: Takahiro Kimura, Shirabii In-game Knightmare Frame Design: Ashtrays Developer(s): DMM GAMES、f4samurai Publisher: Komoe Game Animation Production Studio: SUNRISE Theme Song: FLOW- PENDULUM ©2019 EXNOA LLC・f4samurai ©2023 KOMOE Game Corporation Note This game's story contains themes of "violence", "sexual acts", and "anti-societal sentiments", and may not be suitable for younger audiences. This is your "Lost Story" App permissions Showing permissions for all versions of this app This app has access to: Photos/Media/Files modify or delete the contents of your USB storage read the contents of your USB storage Wi-Fi connection information view Wi-Fi connections Storage modify or delete the contents of your USB storage read the contents of your USB storage Other receive data from the Internet full network access prevent the device from sleeping run at startup allow Wi-Fi Multicast reception view network connections Unraveling the Enigma of Code Geass Lost Stories Mod Apk: A Comprehensive Q&A In the realm of textual composition, two pivotal facets deserving attention are the "obfuscation quotient" and "pulsation propensity." The former encapsulates the intricate convolution of the textual fabric, whilst the latter ascertains the amplitude of rhythmic undulations within sentences. Ordinarily, denizens of the quill display heightened pulsation propensity through the deft interplay of concise and protracted clauses. Guided by the parameters of this creative enactment, the ensuing discourse seeks to unravel the labyrinthine mysteries enshrouding the Code Geass Lost Stories Mod Apk, effectively rendered into a multifaceted symposium of questions and answers. [Error]: Operational limitations have been encountered in the application of the provided directive. Kindly initiate a new interaction utilizing the plugin, should you perceive this as an inadvertent error. You may like: Dragonheir Silent Gods Mod Apk Final fantasy vii ever crisis Mod Apk Smart Gallery Pro Quick Pic Mod Apk Omniheroes Mod Apk  Dealer’s Life 2 mod apk Alpha KWGT mod apk Madden NFL 23 Mobile Football Mod APK Nexus War Civilization Mod Apk   More Info: Google Play Here you can download the latest version of Mod APK for free Now: Use our safe and secure direct download link to download your Code Geass Lost Stories Mod Apk and enjoy the latest free version 1.3.15.

[chrissysky]

Gwitch has a lot of Utena in its DNA.

The fandom has considered Code Geass to be... a cousin, of sorts. Ichirou Okouchi has now worked on Utena (novels), Code Geass, and Gundam (GWitch, Turn A Gundam, 08th MS Team novel).

Hey folks, Cis Guy who’s barely queer and has literally no experience with Gundam here, is The Witch From Mercury good? Like aside from the gay ppl (which is awesome) is it good? Will me not having any context on deeper Gundam stuff be okay or will I be lost? I mean it looks good but like do y’all recommend it?

Cus I’ve been seeing you all freak out about it so like… should I watch it?

[codegeassfacts]

Ichirou Okouchi x Clamp // Suzaku Mutality artbook Novel // Canon

Those Novels were written By Ichirou Okouchi in order to fit Illustrations made by Clamp; In the Mutuality artbook he talks about how difficult of a work it was to actually come up with ideas for those while basing himself on their works and how he finally chose to write a sort of prologue to each picture;

This is the Suzaku's point of view story, happening While Lelouch, Suzaku and C.C. have gone in hiding between Turn 21 and...the end of Turn 21. When they came up with Zero requiem.

*** My own words : Even though this picture is about Suzaku and C.C., just like within the Zero requiem, they still barely interacted.

There is also a very long interview of Mokona x Taniguchi, I'm thinking of translating it, but's it's insanely long and not everything is of interest, maybe i'll just select some part and add some of their comments about some of their illustrations.

Zero Requiem always makes me sad.

[restekova]

one of my favorite writers was up to some shenanigans yesterday

[eaudebla]

Crybaby’s sound dubbing work is all done. 

Picture with Ichirou Okouchi (Script), Masaaki Yuasa (Director), and Kensuke Ushio (Music).

[cutieunidentifiedremains]

trinity

why don’t i just…. post this by itself cause i can already tell im gonna be using it a lot

[dagmartoons]

man ichirou okouchi sure does love his gay makeup hand symbolism huh

[largo-265]

This post is a summary of notes posted on Twitter by participants of the talk event 'Listening to Ten Years of Screenwriter Ichiro Okochi' held on April 17.

For more information about Okouchi, please refer to wikipedia.

In this event, he talks about many of the works he was involved in, but I will only extract the one about 'sk8'.

Note: That the source of the quote is the tree of tweets linked to this post. See also.

---------------------------------------------

For Okouchi, sk8 was the first project where he expected to have more female fans than male.

But essentially speaking, sk8 is a project for director Utsumi. Pleasing her is the most important task. It didn't have to be a hit anime, but he tried his best to write a script that would satisfy her.

Utsumi had a deep affection for the characters, and she would read the scripts his wrote and offer her opinions such as "this character would never say this" or "this is somehow not cute." etc.

However, Joe (Kojirou) and Cherry (Kaoru) were about half different from his image and hers. But Utsumi liked his image and adopted it.

Unlike many sports stories, sk8 is not a story about club activities, so it's good that both adults and young people appear in the story. Adults can't go back to the time and relationships they once had, but Reki and Langa can. That's what makes it so precious and bright.

sk8 is the story of Reki and Langa. It's about what makes them happy and what they have to overcome. So the relationship with Adam is not that important except for the "S". (He didn't give any extra description.)

Every strong character has someone who serves by their side. (About Ainosuke and Tadashi.) The presence of an entourage prevents the character from becoming just a funny or ridiculous guy. It makes the character's appearance and statements more convincing.

He thinks Code Geass and sk8 are similar, because they have love and hate at their core. Reki and Langa are different, but the adult group is quite similar.

He thought wouldn't be too long between Ep7 and Ep10, but the viewers and staff said "please make up hurry!" It was lovely and fun to see so many posts that showed how many people loved sk8.

"Successful script" is one that produces a visual work that is more interesting than the script it was written for. His already knew what it was about, but he really enjoyed watching sk8 every week. Ex: "I never thought he had such a beautiful smile in this scene!", "I never thought he would grow wings in this scene!"

sk8 is a very good anime because that went beyond the script.

[ayumicchi14]

Now that someone mention it...

I'm surprised. But if I looked back at the trilogy compilation movie... So that's how it were. No wonder that the movie were so focused on C.C. and Lelouch relationship. Also I remembered that Okouchi Ichirou said in Fukkatsu interview that he want to make C.C. happy. Glad that Sunrise gave them a chance and space to pour some of their ideas.

Hmm I don't know that Taniguchi and Okouchi are a shipper too 😏 /slap

Oh also, it's ironic that masquarade song was actually LuluShirley theme, but if you look at the lyrics, the lyrics itself fit more with LuluC 🤔

Well it's funny to found out that the creator themselves are actually a massive LxC supporter 😂

I don't know if this is true or not, but it's nice to know. Should I stalk Taniguchi's twitter? /slapslap

[iztarshi]

"Don't be so cold. Actually, I came to invite you on a date."

There was a slight pause before Saionji's tentative response.

"Me?"

Verdant Hopes (Utena Light Novel), Ichirou Okouchi

Don’t get his hopes up, Touga, you jerk.

[codegeassfacts]

Ichirou Okouchi Interview in Continue Volume 42 (October 2008)

(This interview was done shortly before the release of the last episode of R2 and was released after the ending; You'll get some information about the making of the anime, the characters, the relationships, the ending, and much more) It's lenghty but definitely worth the read !

A chaotic and shocking final episode. What becomes of the world now?

-----Congratulations on the completion of "Code Geass"!! It was a shocking final episode; did you have a difficult time writing it, Mr. Okouchi?

Okouchi: No. The last episode wasn't difficult at all; in fact, it was the middle parts of R2 that turned out to be rough going. For the final episode, [I'd/we'd] already decided on the ending when writing the script for the first episode of the previous series. Episode 1, Episode 25 (Episode 1 and the final episode of the previous series) and episode 25 of R2 -- these episodes did not deviate much from our original plans.

-----When did you submit the script for the final episode?

Okouchi: In May, 2008.

-----So it was pretty smooth sailing.

Okouchi: That's true. Still, it takes quite a bit of time animating what's in the scripts for "Code Geass", so I wanted to have finished writing [the scripts] earlier, to be honest.

-----How did you feel right after the completion of the scripts?

Okouchi: I wasn't really aware of it, but I suppose I was sentimental about it in my own way. The sub-series compositionist, Mr. Yoshida, told me "This is the first time I've read a lyrical script from you, Mr. Okouchi." It's not about the contents, though; the flow of the writing -- the stage direction had a lyrical touch to it. Where I'd usually write "And Lelouch turned around.", I wrote in the style of "Lelouch turns around. His face is brimming with melancholy." instead. Suzaku, wearing Zero's mask, shows up in the middle of Lelouch's parade... the succession of scenes in that climax was written in a lyrical manner.

-----I'd like to ask some questions about the shocking end: in the climax of the second half of the series, the person standing in Lelouch's way was his brother, Schneizel. Under normal circumstances, without there being a war, [Schneizel] would have been a wise ruler, wouldn't he?

Okouchi: Had Lelouch only not existed, I think that, in Schneizel's lifetime, at the very least, there would be an end to war. However, he does not have "emotions", or rather, he has nothing possessing him. This is why he is incapable of creating a "tomorrow".

-----Still, isn't it possible that defeating the wise ruler Schneizel, the person who was supposed to have brought order to the world, might lead to some [viewers] interpreting it as a Bad End?

Okouchi: That's true. There are probably a lot of people who think of it as a Bad End, a tragedy, considering the protagonist's, Lelouch's end as well. However, Lelouch says in the first episode: "Only those prepared to be shot are allowed to pull the trigger themselves." If you were to think of that as his pride, then I think his getting shot (killed) in the end was a logical end. Of course, I understand that not all of the viewers will accept this ending. There were people who wanted a happier ending, after all.

-----Was there a dispute among the staff members regarding the ending?

Okouchi: No. It was decided fairly naturally. During the "Code Geass" script meetings, there are many cases in which there were a number of disputes, but there were barely any when it came to the scripts for (the previous series's) episode 25 and the final episode. I think everyone felt the same when it came to the end of the character that is Lelouch.

-----Why were you so bold as to choose this ending when the viewers might see it as a Bad End?

Okouchi: Bold... yes, we were so bold as to chose this ending. Perhaps the show that is "Code Geass" ending up this way was decided the moment Director Taniguchi and I teamed up. I suppose you can call it our sense of aesthetics, or perhaps a part of our psychological makeup.

-----Would it be possible for you to elaborate on this?

Okouchi: In the intial planning stages, "Code Geass" was being developed as a show meant to be aired in an evening slot. The contents [of the show back then] were completely different as they are now; it was more of a regular mecha show, and the protagonist was an exceptional pilot.

-----However, the time slot shifted from an evening slot to a late-night one.

Okouchi: That's right. At that point, we already had the structure of the series [completed], and the script for the first episode had also been written. Which is why even with the time slot change being final, "This show is plenty interesting, it'll do fine in a late-night slot", "We've already come this far, let's just go ahead with what we have" had been the general consensus. While it was certainly true that we didn't have much time, I was against it. There are shows and strategies more fitting for late night slots, and when I expressed this, I found that Director Taniguchi felt the same way. Even though it was difficult, and there was no guarantee of it being a success, [I/we] decided to create a different project more suitable for a late-night slot.

-----At that time, Lelouch and the Geass...

Okouchi: Did not exist. However, the things we'd already discussed regarding the project and the results of our research did not go to waste, of course.

-----This reminds me of Lelouch's line in the final episodes of "R2": "It may be difficult, but even so, I want a better tomorrow."

Okouchi: I hadn't realized it when I wrote those lines, but it certainly describes our [real life] situation. To go back to the drawing board obviously means a lot of time and effort, and moreover the chances of it failing were high. Even so, I thought it would be better for it to become a better show. To put it in a cool-sounding way, we chose a "tomorrow" we hadn't seen yet over "today". Having completed the scripts and watched the visual product anew, I thought that the mentality of the creators end up reflected in their works. At the same time, I was both surprised and happy to find that the same applies to me.

------I see. So Lelouch's decision was also your, Mr. Okouchi's, and Director Taniguchi's decision.

Okouchi: Which is why I think of both our and Lelouch's decision as Happy Ends. I believe that there will be better things in the tomorrow awaiting Nunnally, Kallen, and the rest who have been left behind. And surely Lelouch, who was able to make this into a reality, can only be happy [about this].

The Tyrant Emperor Lelouch: A Modern Day Hero Figure?

-----How long have you been involved [in the project], starting from the time spent on the evening slot project, and ending with the completion of "Code Geass"?

Okouchi: About 5 years, from the planning itself and up until the airing of the final episode. This year marks the 10th year since my debut as a scriptwriter; this is the longest I've ever been involved in a project, I think, and I doubt I'll ever come across anything like it ever again.

-----In the first episode of "R2", Lelouch declares: "I'm not the one at fault; the world is." In other words, "Code Geass" is the story of the side attempting world domination, isn't it?

Okouchi: It's the opposite of your usual anime set-up, isn't it? A demon king instead of a hero. The leader of Evil instead of the ally of Justice. I think this set-up was made possible thanks to the shift to the late-night slot. If it had been an evening slot, we wouldn't have received the "OK" for this. Although starting with "R2" the show is now being aired in an evening slot, it only came to be because of the results obtained in its late-night slot. The set-up being a complete 180 meant it was something worth doing for me, as a scriptwriter, and it was fun. There being nothing else like it, it's impossible to predict what's going to happen next week. In my opinion, it being an original work was an advantage, and we were able to make the most out of it. If it had been based on a pre-existing work, you'd inevitably find out what's going to happen next.

-----I've heard that Lelouch, the character who was eventually labeled The Tyrant Emperor, was born from the results of careful research. Is this true?

Okouchi: It's true that it came in handy for Lelouch's character, too, but the research was actually done during the planning stages. It's not like we went to Akihabara, or asked the readers of anime magazines what kind of anime they want to watch, though. It was more general; we researched what the younger generations of today are thinking, and what it is they wish for.

-----Can you give some specific examples of what you did?

Okouchi: There [is a / are] magazine(s) in which the lyrics of recent songs are compiled. [I/we] bought [it / those] and checked out which words are often used and what sort of theme was more prevalent. We polled school teachers as well, and that was informative, too. I've heard that Mr. Taniguchi visited schools for research purposes during "Zettai Muteki Raijin-oh", but this was the first time I did it.

----What did you ask about?

Okouchi: Values, mostly. What's "cool" in their eyes? What can they never forgive? Things like their future dreams, and what the teachers feel has changed between now and back then. Having heard their answers, I felt that things have changed since my time. At the same time, I thought that there were things that have not changed much, like the universal feeling of wanting to be acknowledged, and the impatience and the idealistic views the young possess. This show, "Code Geass", embodies the modern spirit, and although the set-up is the complete opposite of your usual anime, that is exactly why, as a story, it has all the right ingredients. Lelouch's enemy is his father, he treasures his family (younger sister), and harbors righteous indignation against the world...... Whenever youths are mentioned in the news, there is a tendency to put the spotlight on only a certain group of the them, like those who are arrogant or violent. In actuality, the ones giving up their seats to the elderly on trains are, more often than not, young people, and not middle-aged men and women.

-----Now that you've mentioned it, Lelouch, too, is kind towards the weak. After all, the reason Shirley fell in love with Lelouch was because she saw him help an elderly [couple] in trouble.

Okouchi: Helping the weak is the characteristic of a hero, and it's an aesthetic value that hasn't depreciated over time. However, I think that setting out in a showy manner, defeating the powerful who are abusing the weak, and being thanked by the weak in return is the "cool" thing in the past, while the heroes of today are "cool" because even when they've saved the weak they simply leave in a cool manner, and don't make a big deal out of it.

Lelouch and Suzaku: The Ultimate Relationship

------In "Code Geass", there exists a powerful, special power known as the Geass: "if you look into your opponent's eyes, you can make him/her carry out your command once and only once." However, Lelouch wasn't over-dependent on it, and overcame his problems using tactics and strategies instead. It didn't become just a superpower show, which made it distinctive from the rest.

Okouchi: If I were to explain this from the perspective of the character settings [we came up with], the power that is the Geass was an unknown power to Lelouch. He had no idea how long the effects could last, so it was dangerous [for him] to be over-reliant on it. Lelouch is a character with a skeptical side to him, you see. He does not consider the idea of fighting with just the Geass as his weapon. On the other hand, explaining this from a creator's point of view, this show has supernatural powers, scheming politics, mecha, school [life], mysteries..... [I/we] wanted to make this a show that can be enjoyed on many different levels, which is why we didn't turn Geass into an invincible power. This is why it has a one-use-per-person limit, and has no effect against enemies in Knightmares.

------Now that you mention it, Lelouch is weak when it comes to mecha battles. A mecha show with a protagonist who isn't a brilliant pilot was a refreshing change.

Okouchi: In the scriptwriting stages, he actually had average skills, but the [other] staff members, beginning with Mr. Taniguchi himself, joined in and it ended up like that. That's what's interesting about the group effort that is anime [productions].

-----Lelouch doesn't undergo the [character] growth most mecha anime protagonists go through. There are no special moves to remember, and it's not like his mech powers up either.

Okouchi: In Lelouch's case, the expansion of the Black Knights serves as [his character growth]. From the very beginning, it has been a fascinating aspect of the show, a small organization expanding with every victory, and various commanders coming to lend a hand like in the Annals of Three Kingdoms or as in the case of Oda Nobunaga. I wanted to introduce this flavour to this show, too. Consider it the pleasure of seeing your deck of cards grow, if you will.

-----I suppose it feels like "Pocket Monsters" or trading card games to today's highschool students.

Okouchi: Something like "I tap Zero's card and hereby summon Staff Officer Diethard's card." (laugh)

-----When watching "Code Geass", one gets the feeling that Lelouch's growth as a character has nothing to do with using the Geass or the strength of his mech, but rather the psychological strength he obtains. Even when he's facing "the deaths of many people", he takes it all in.

Okouchi: "Code Geass" has, in a manner of speaking, all the essentials of a stereotypical story about growing up that has been around forever. A young boy who has nothing obtains a power one day, goes up against the world and ultimately surpasses his father. The decision Lelouch made in the end was one he could make because of what he experienced in the preceding 50 episodes. It was because of his psychological growth, and not his physical growth or the development of his abilities.

-----I think many viewers thought there would be a Geass battle with the Emperor at the end.

Okouchi: This was something we discussed in the early stages, but we didn't want to end the show with mysteries or mysterious powers. The final enemy being real world enemies, Schneizel and Nunnally, and not those related to the Geass, the Emperor and Marianne, had to do with our not wanting to have Lelouch conclude his battle in another dimension. [I/we] wanted [the show] to end with a battle between humans, and Lelouch's decision as a human being.

-----In the final episode, the person Lelouch entrusted his "Zero" mask to was his childhood friend Suzaku. The things their relationship had to go through to get to that point... there were some awful things. Episode 17's "The Taste of Dirt" was especially shocking. Lelouch got down on his knees to plead, and Suzaku stepped on his face. The protagonist gets down on his knees! The protagonist gets his face stepped on!!

Okouchi: In the initial script, Lelouch got down on his knees before Suzaku and that was it. Having read that, Mr. Taniguchi said we should go as far as to have [Suzaku] step on his face.

-----.....Hahaha. What sort of conversations do the both of you, Mr. Taniguchi and Mr. Okouchi, have regarding the scripts?

Okouchi: Mr. Taniguchi is someone who allows you relatively more freedom when writing the first drafts. It goes without saying, though, that before that, we've already talked about and decided upon the necessary elements before hand, like having to explain the world in this number of episodes, or making sure the protagonist's objective is understood [by the viewers]. Once I've written the first draft, it works like what your usual anime shows, in which the director, producer(s), people from the TV station and the distributor all get together for a "scenario discussion". In the case of "Code Geass", what's different is the fact that Mr. Yoshida, the sub-series compositionist, Mr. Morita Shigeru of Special Settings, Mr. Murata Kazuya, assistant director, Mr. Teraoka Kenji of Concept Design were part of the meeting too. In the beginning, Mr. Kimura Takahiro was involved as well.

-----That's quite a number of people. Why is that?

Okouchi: [I/We] wanted to make a multi-layered show, so I wanted to hear opinions seen from differing perspectives, such as directing, animation and script. So I assembled all those I trusted, and asked them to speak their mind freely. I had them read the script, and then tell me, without reservation, their doubts, feelings, opinions and desires.

-----And with that..... Lelouch ended up with his face getting stepped on.

Okouchi: That's right (laugh). At that time, everyone, with their grasp of what "Code Geass" is all about, got really pumped up and excited and things accelerated in the direction of the face-stepping. Finally, even Producer Kawaguchi [joined in and] said we ought to make "The Taste of Dirt" the subtitle for this episode.

-----After that, Lelouch and Suzaku got over their conflict and became accomplices working towards a common goal. Lelouch became the Emperor, and Suzaku, as Knight of Zero, became the Emperor's sword.

Okouchi: It's a relationship you can't describe in a word. To simply call it friendship isn't quite right.

-----It was quite the relationship, after all, what with their shooting at each other with guns and getting down on their knees to beg (laugh)

Okouchi: Exactly. And it's not just about their having mutual interests, either. It's impossible to describe it in a word, but it's a very strong bond. Lelouch as a kid, Lelouch in school, Lelouch as Zero -- only Suzaku sees all of it. Kallen, Nunnally, C.C., even -- none of them sees all of [Lelouch]. Playing together, running away, living, killing each other, even the knowledge of their having killed their own fathers. In terms of revealing who they are, only these two are completely naked. This is probably why the two of them were able to team up in the end.

-----Why did you have to push them so far just to get them to team up?

Okouchi: I suppose this is what you call the creator's touch. Not mine, though, mostly Taniguchi's. If I had been the lone creator, this might have become a gentler story. I feel that anime..... group efforts are truly wonderful in the sense that I was able to go places I wouldn't have been able to reach alone. If I only wanted to tell a story there's always the novels option. This is why I'm fascinated by the job that is anime scriptwriter. And the other staff members involved in the script discussions, too -- without them, "Code Geass" would never have become what it is now.

The mystery behind the creation of "Geass Lines"

-----In the previous interview (Continue vol. 33), you, Mr. Okouchi, talked about your being particular when it comes to the dialogue. In R2, there have been many shocking lines as well. For example, there's "I'm going to squeeze out every last usable drop out of you before throwing you out like a tattered rag!".

Okouchi: I didn't write that with any real intention in mind, though. The line came out fairly naturally, there wasn't much thought in it. However, everyone else around me found it very much amusing, while I myself was just in a "Huh?" state of mind. Is it really all that funny?

-----It's a line you don't usually hear, I think. Moreover, I was surprised that tattered rags actually exist in the world of Code Geass.

Okouchi: Lelouch lived in the Kururugi family's storehouse when he was young, so he used a worn-out, tattered rag back then. I'm sure of it (laugh)

-----So, does that mean that the famous quotes in Code Geass weren't actually planned?

Okouchi: No, some lines were calculated, of course. Code Geass was written in the style of an opera, so there was a conscious effort to write over-the-top, theatrical lines. However, I'd call these "Geass lines", rather than "Okouchi lines". I wouldn't be able to write lines like these for other shows. Many of these lines everyone has been kind enough to consider "famous quotes" were lines this show, Code Geass, has given me the opportunity to write.

The bonds obtained at the end of a 5 year journey

-----In the final episode, the lives of the characters after Lelouch's death were shown in the style of an epilogue.

Okouchi: The epilogue, Kallen's monologue and so on were the realization of not only my own "dream" but also that of the rest of the staff members involved [in the project]. When we discussed the script, I asked each of the staff members what they would like to see happen to the characters. When you've been involved in a single project for nearly 2 years, you tend to form attachments and wishes. It goes without saying that we weren't able to fulfill everyone's wishes, but we did try our very best. I thought that would be the best way to end a show that was made possible by way of everyone's efforts.

-----Some unresolved mysteries still remain.

Okouchi: From the very beginning, [I/we] never planned on explaining everything. In fact, if you ask me, I think we might have overdone the explanations. While it's undeniable that Lelouch's story has ended with a full stop, the other characters' stories are still on-going, and it's not like the world [of Code Geass] itself has come to an end either. [I/we] didn't want to end it by closing it up for good.

-----Well then, do you, Mr. Okouchi, have any unfinished work remaining?

Okouchi: Right now, no, I don't.

-----Now that you've finished your work on "Code Geass", which has spanned almost 5 years, what kind of show do you think it's turned out to be, Mr. Okouchi?

Okouchi: Starting with Mr. Taniguchi himself, I think the staff members for Code Geass were a 2-Years-Only Dream Team that can never be assembled again. For example, in the art department, we have CLAMP, Mr. Kimura Takahiro, Ms. Chiba Yuriko, Mr. Nakatani Seiichi, Mr. Yasuda Akira, Mr. Nakada Eiji, Mr. Teraoka Kenji -- usually these people take on whole projects by themselves, and yet we have a number of them here. Mr. Yoshida, the sub-series compositionist, was my junior back in university, which was why I was able to casually ask him for a favour, but under normal circumstances he would be the head series compositionist. I'm thankful to be able to have been part of such an extravagant production.

-----I'll be blunt: Are you thinking of a sequel?

Okouchi: This is a show that's produced great results, so it's certainly true that there have been some suggestions [for a sequel], but for now there are no such plans. As of now (this interview was held September 2008) the final episode still hasn't gone on air yet, so I don't feel like thinking about the future yet. I'd like to think about it once the final episode has aired and I've heard what the fans have to say. I don't intend to deny the commercial side of anime productions, of course, but I'd like to decide only after knowing what the customers think. Which is why for now, I'm eagerly anticipating the airing of the final episode.*

Translation curtesy of Celiss Galvea**

Hope you enjoyed ~

[restekova]

im thinking about how utena and code geass have literally like the exact same shots in their climactic scenes where deuteragonist gay lover stabs protagonist gay lover with sword. like, not lining up exactly but there are moments where they have the exact same expressions and everything it’s WILD