Quick Review of R2 The Complete Official Guidebook + Photos

[lijianliang.livejournal.com]

I got the Code Geass R2 official guidebook a while ago, so here's a quick photo review of it.

***This review is in progress. It will be updated with translated info throughout the day.***
If there's something in particular you'd like me to photograph or translate, please tell me.

First and foremost, unlike the euphemistic summaries from magazines and online synopses, the book repeatedly states that Lelouch is dead. The last few photos are of instances that I found in the book where it stated so.

Overall, the R2 guidebook did a better job of presenting the series and being a good guidebook than the one for season one. Instead of trying to cram detailed summaries of every episode and throwing character designs there, the publishers chose instead to give succinct synopses of each episode and devote full, uncluttered pages for more characters. The timeline chart is also a great clarification guide for those who don't follow the series closely.

The worse part of the book, like with season one's, is that it barely covers all of the details and sub-plots of Code Geass R2. The amount of information provided by the guidebook feels like a casual read for first-time viewers. Simply, Code Geass is too gigantic of a series to cover in a single, 100+ page book. It'd require at least four art books to cover every production sketch, then a few more for magazine spread, promotional material, and storyboard reprints, all of which are usually standard material for most other anime shows' guidebooks. A lot of minor characters didn't make it into the R2 guidebook, or only received a brief paragraph. Production sketches of props, outfit details, and facial expression sheets were omitted, too. This is not the book to get for cosplay reference. Magazine booklets from Newtype, Animedia, and Animage are far better in that respect.

I think the R2 guidebook should've been at least 50 pages longer and made into a 2,500 to 3,000 yen book. That way, the essence of the series could've been captured better. Despite the shortcomings, the R2 guidebook is still a good buy for fans of the series, and I'd recommend people to pick it up for the retail price (1200 yen = $13; it's worth the money, but not worth paying over $20 for).

Note: Please excuse the fact that these are photos, not scans. I'm not about to go break the spine just to scan the whole book, since it's my only one.

Cover, table of contents


Lelouch, Suzaku's character profiles


Character profiles for C.C., Jeremiah, Rolo


Character profiles for Kallen, Kaguya, Tianzi, Xingke


Character profiles for Emperor Wakamoto Charles, V.V., Marianne, Schneizel, Kanon, Gino, Anya


Character profiles for Nunnally, Milly, Rivalz, Shirley; sample page of timeline chart


Sample page of episode synopses; Knightmare Frame evolution (generation) chart


Knightmare Frame, Damocles line art


Minor character profiles; line art of selected settings


Explanations of keywords from series


Instances where I found Lelouch's death specifically mentioned


From Lelouch's character profile page:
"Lelouch, who gathered not just his sister's but the sins of all of his kin, tells Suzaku that he wants him to kill him. And, atoning for his sin of killing his father by becoming Zero and devoting himself to world peace. That is Suzaku's wish. Pierced by Suzaku's sword, Lelouch dies with a satisfied smile on his face. The curtains are lowered upon the history of one boy who performed the perfect 'evil' to the end."

From Suzaku's character profile page:
"For those two who bear the heavy sin known as killing their fathers, they share the belief that they can forgive each other by imposing the greatest punishments on themselves. Death for Lelouch who wishes for a tomorrow with his sister, life for Suzaku who wishes to atone for his sins through death. Suzaku, who accepts the weight of Zero's mask, gives his gratitude to Lelouch. For the fact that he can atone for his sins. For the results of fulfilling his own wish."

From Nunnally's character profile page:
"In the end, Nunnally isn't even allowed to bear her brother's sins. Until right before her brother dies, she seems to want to hate him for that. Upon realizing the truth behind her brother's actions, Nunnally clings to her brother's corpse and wails. And then, she succeeds her brother's will and starts walking together with Suzaku, who has become Zero, down the road as a ruler who creates peace. Because that alone is the one and only thing she can do for her brother."

From time line chart:
"Emperor Lelouch, during the parade before executing the rebels in Japan, is attacked by Zero and perishes."

From Turn 25 synopsis:
"However, Suzaku, masquerading as Zero who is thought to have died in the war before, appears and stabs Lelouch to death with a sword in front of the crowd."

***This review is in progress. It will be updated throughout the day.***

Comments

[konart.livejournal.com]

"Minor character profiles" and there I see Euphy? wtf? And the why is some sh*t like Rollo isn't there?


sad book

[hayato.livejournal.com]

Because this is for R2, when Euphie is kinda... uh.

[nayami.livejournal.com]

Rolo is in an earlier section. He's more than just a minor character.

[rainbow-cnxn.livejournal.com]

For those two who bear the heavy sin known as killing their fathers, they share the belief that they can forgive each other by imposing the greatest punishments on themselves.
I was hoping that making it up to the world (for all the shit that they'd done) was the primary goal, rather than "bawww I need to punish myself". As it stands, at the end, Suzaku contracted a case of RESULTS from Lelouch, while Lelouch picked up Suzaku's unhealthy need to punish himself. We'd always known there was gonna be some mixing of ideals/characteristics by the end, but this is doin' it wrong. *rends hair*



Probably just reading too far into this, anyways. *sigh*

[lijianliang.livejournal.com]

I know, I thought it was some complex reasoning about achieving WORLD PEACE that I'll never comprehend, but when it comes down to it, they were still two 18-year-old boys fresh out of teenagehood who wanted to punish themselves, and peace was a fortunate by-product. >_

[karice67.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that they spell out the reasoning behind why Lelouch chose to die and Suzaku chose to live - there seem to have been a lot of people ranting that working to rebuild the world would have been a greater sacrifice.

Thank you for the review and the translation snippets! I'll definitely be getting a copy.

[nayami.livejournal.com]

Also while I am, and have always been a death believer, the focus on translating the scenes that mention the death seem a little... I dunno. I got nothing wrong with people interpreting things however they wish. Not everyone reads this side stuff and spelling it out word-for-word seems... counter-productive to just being able to watch something and take it as is. It's like a book author sitting next to us and telling us exactly what each scene means. It removes half the thrill of enjoying the material on its own merit. Overall, this is more me scolding the writers than the OP. If they wanted clear-cut, they should have written and shown clear-cut. They were ambiguous, and some guide book with their "true intentions" shouldn't cover for that. Sorry guys, you can't hold our hands as we watch.

[lijianliang.livejournal.com]

Sorry about that. ^^;; It's just that I run a website where I got plenty of comments and e-mails from people chiming LELOUCH IS ALIIIIIVE = CART DRIVER and it drove me nuts (I couldn't convince them otherwise), so the death translations are mainly for those people. I'll be adding more material as I get through the book.

[x-reggg.livejournal.com]

the book repeatedly states that Lelouch is dead

can't wait to get a virtual copy and pin it up in the comm T___T

[piggyhoho.livejournal.com]

*is happy about Kallen's names being mentioned repeatedly in Gino's profile*
That's all I need really. XDXD

[piggyhoho.livejournal.com]

Added: I want to agree with you that the LELOUCH = CART DRIVER ppl drives me nuts. I've managed to post translations to the CONTINUE magazine on a couple of Chinese forums and got some attention. :D (They couldn't resist the title "The Truth to Lelouch's fate: revealed in the latest talks with the creators". It felt good to have converted a good number of them. :D (hell I scanned it and put the translations, they can't say I made it up XD) But there are still those arrogant fools who are like cockroaches and just won't die. orz They kept on saying things like "say whatever you want, I still think he's alive" and that just drives me !$%@^%$#^$#...orz
But their phase of denial will past. I find with each passing day more and more people from the so called "Cart Driver Party" (they call it like it's a political party) steps out of their denial world and face facts. I think deep down they know they're wrong, it's just that they won't face it. Scary otaku love. orz

[sugarainbow.livejournal.com]

uh! I really wanna know what is written in Kanon's profile, cuz we didn't see what happens to him :o

[kanami-yuuta.livejournal.com]

I'm so stealing the page with rollo on it!

the review is really nice!!! thanks for sharing! Suzaku and lelouch's profile summary reminds me how much I loved CG ending ;_;

[ookami-fuu.livejournal.com]

... the Euphie part's kinda random, since she's pretty much only mentioned in flashbacks here and there throughout the R2... did she even get any screen time? Since I can't remembet about it... and Clovis too... actually, they mentioned a lot of the minor charas that otherwise has already died...

I wish they'd give coverage over the whole Knight of Rounds though... since it'd be kinda nice if we know all of the 12 knights, and not just some random knight in between...

[lijianliang.livejournal.com]

It was written somewhere (I want to say a Geass novelization) that not all seats of the Round are necessarily filled, despite the numbering. The number title each knight has is not an indication of his/her power level compared to the other knights, beyond the authority of the Knight of One getting his own area. So maybe the named Knights of the Round are the only currently active ones.

[chiapetzukamori.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for posting this review, I've always been curious about what is in these books lol
Is there promo art in this and the first season guide book that isn't available in illustrations:rebels and illustrations:relations? (*is a sucker for show-related art*)

ummm on a side note...I see people mentioning in the comments about interviews with the directors etc after the season finale. Are these from magazine articles and such? Is there a place where I could read translations or summations? Somehow I've missed them lol (gah I need to learn Japanese faster)

[lijianliang.livejournal.com]

I think I already wrote this but didn't make it clear enough, but no, there's basically no new art in the guidebook. It's fairly disappointing that it isn't as in-depth as other guidebooks/fanbooks I've read. It doesn't even have any magazine spread reprints or a poster pull-out. Pretty much everything is character design sketches or screen shots from episodes.

There were multiple interviews done at the end of the series and they were published in Newtype, Animage, Animedia, Pash, Continue, to name the ones I know off the top of my head. Try searching this community through the tag list or forums for translations.

[jjblue1.livejournal.com]

Great review! I've also bought it but, even if I can't read it I also had the feeling there weren't just enough info...
I wish I could read it... does it say something more than what we know from the series about Rolo, Kaguya and about why the Black Knights turned against Lelouch?
Maybe it's just me but the reasons the series given for them to turn against their leader and best strategist never mention the one who lead them where they were now (Schneizer and Cornelia, main enemies of the black knights, accusing him to have brainwashing magic powers (okay so he kind of has them but really... unless you see them in action who would believe an enemy over this?) using a recorded tape as proof (when even I would have been able to make a fake one), Villetta (who stabbed Ougi in Ep. 25 and, until she'd been forced by Lelouch, would have gladly continued to work fr the Britannian army) supporting their teory and Asahina (maybe the most reliable testimoniance if it wasn't for the fact he and Chiba never liked Zero and always seemed to search for proofs of his betrayal... or maybe is just me) said huldn't be trusted).
And does it say if Lelouch loved someone apart from Nunnally and Euphemia?
A tale seemed to imply he had romantic interest for Shirley but I've never been sure she was his most loved one among the girls he had around...

Sorry for all those questions and thanks a lot for your translations!

[lijianliang.livejournal.com]

Oh, no, no, I don't mind a lot of questions. It gives me more direction as to what to translate, since I don't think I can stand to translate the whole book cover-to-cover.
So okay, in the order of your questions... (This stuff will eventually make it into my main review text)

From Rolo's character profile:
"He has the Geass known as "Ward of Absolute Suspension", which makes people's sensation of time come to a halt, but his own heart stops, too, while it is activated, so he is unable to use it for extended periods of time."

From Kaguya's character profile:
"Kaguya didn't know the true identity of Zero until Lelouch became an emperor. However, she did intuitively grasp a part of his essential qualities."

Why did the Black Knights turn against Lelouch:
This is tougher to answer since I have to skim the whole book, but here's what I've found:
- In Tohdoh's profile, it mentions that Tohdoh decided to turn against Lelouch after learning Asahina's information about the truth of the destruction of the Geass Cult, that it was actually a full-out massacre, and learning Zero's true identity being Lelouch.
- In the Activity Report, it mentions that Scheizel captured the hearts of Zero's subordinates with his impressive negotiation skills and smooth talking and made them agree to turn over Zero in exchange for the independence of Japan.
- In the synopsis for Turn 19, it says that Zero's subordinates were shocked to learn that Zero is actually a former prince of Britannia and that he has the power of Geass. Ogi and Villetta confirm this, and they do have great faith in Ogi at least. They started suspecting that their own loyalty to Zero was actually forced by the power of Geass and upon learning that Zero actually commanded Euphemia to massacre the Japanese people, they lost all of their trust in Zero and agreed to execute that deceiving betrayer.

Did Lelouch love anyone else, other than Nunnally and Euphemia:
Maybe there's something in the episode synopses, but I don't feel like reading all 25 of them for a single line, at least for now.
- In C.C.'s profile, it says, "While she is entrusted to be a body-double and negotiator, he never yearns for her to be a mother-figure or lover, not even once."
- In Kallen's profile, it says, "Even though she is able to tell Lelouch, who assumed the seat of emperor, her decision of wanting to live and die alongside him, Lelouch rejects her. What he chose is Suzaku and C.C." By 'tell', it refers to the short period of time they spend walking around Ashford Academy before the UFN meeting and the kiss she shares with him. The profile also says that Kallen fought her hardest during the Fuji battle against Suzaku, but in the end, she was never able to capture Lelouch's mind or heart.

[frames-in-aria.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing this! Excuse me while I sob in the background after reading the reason of their... er, tragedy, oh you two... *sob*

[baikautsugi.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the review! I've been wanting to get at least one "roman album" type book for Code Geass before they all go out of print (I'm new to the series), and have been wondering about this one.

[shatteredwolf.livejournal.com]

Thank you for all of this. But I'm a bit bummed with how they word some of this.I love Lelouch and will always. He has become one of my favorites in so many ways.

[vigro-3079.livejournal.com]

Thanks for such great information
btw,how about Shirley? can you translate some information about her as well.And would you mind translating everything about C.C.,I'm curios
-thanks in advance :D

Just some precision

[kaluluu.livejournal.com]

This complete book was translated a few times ago (or at least part about character profile as well as part about Lelouch who is dead) By Celiss Galvea, and your translation about Kallen's part seems a little inaccurate; No blame there, it's really nice for you to do so on LJ, but I thought it would be better to give you what they understood

*its not 'reject', at least not in the sense that he told her off. Its that he did not choose her for that.
*its not capture, more like understand/grasp, and its not mind/heart either.
*, the ending to the profile is oddly missing which completes the whole 'grasp/understand' idea in that she does, finally, at ZR understand everything

自身 and 本心 =/= heart and mind
(beside Turn 22 kiss) saying that "Lelouch didn't want to reveal his 本心/honshin

If I remember well, in the first translation, we get something like "Kallen wasn't able to understood Lelouch's true feelings", thus it work better with the caption with their kiss "Lelouch didn't want to reveal his true feelings"

[jinni-jin-jin.livejournal.com]

asd;asihdfaosidhf Yes, he's dead! 8D *shot*

I'm not exactly happy he's dead, and I supported the cart driver thing for a while. But after talking with my friend, I agreed with her that his death makes Zero Requiem more of a sacrifice. Or something like that. D:

So many mecha pictures! There were some nice pictures of backgrounds and stuff, but I need one of Ashford and they didn't have one. X_X

Has anyone translated Talkin' Rebellion yet? I got this book last week, but I don't know much Japanese and I can only read bits and pieces of it. If you could translate Onii-sama and Hikari it would make me very, very happy. 83

[phantasiagirl.livejournal.com]

If...if you could translate (or give me a summary...or something...) Gino's little snippit, I would love you forever. ;__;

He only had like, 2 1/2 lines in the whole last episode and about 30 seconds screentime...

[snoozy.livejournal.com]

Thanks about this, i was thinking of buying it and after seeing all the materials and stuff, seems like a good pick ~

[libertas99.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much for this.

I also think that it'll be bad if the creators would [b]pinpoint[/b] that Zero Requiem's purpose is for Lelouch and Suzaku's punishments/redemption/atonement [b]only[/b]. Makes them too selfish WTH? (But in reality, they are selfish) I just want think at least that they've done it for their love ones and for the world at least. Not just because they had their wish of punishment but for something that they will give for everyone once they leave.

Now, I'm waiting for the profile infos of C.C., Kallen, Orange-kun, Xingke, Kaguya, Shirley and Marianne.

C.C.: If Lelouch somehow brought back the humanity in her? And will she really travel alone now for all eternity?

Orange-kun: If he was aware of: (1) Marianne's participation in the Ragnarok Connection, (2)that Lelouch was the one that "killed" Marianne (3)the deepness of his loyalty for Lelouch

Xingke: If he's dead or alive after all the chaos.

Marianne: If all those kindness towards her children was just a "mask" to accomplish her and Charles' plan? (Kinda hard to accept that after all that Lelouch fought to avenge her, thjis is what he'll get?)

[dr-weir-uk.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the pics.

[fantasygirl49.livejournal.com]

thanks for sharing the charas profile, this does support the idea that suzaku and lelouch share a really strong connection that surpassed anyone else lelouch knew beside nunally...also the zero requiem is all about atonement, so it would be weird for them not to be selfish since i kind of got that sense from suzaku and lelouch in the end, suzaku will become zero and killed his best friend to get rid of the world hatred...it go hand in hand with wanting punishment and wanting peace.