Code Geass: Akito the Exiled-Episode I: The Wyvern Arrives (2011)

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General		Extras
Category	Anime	Trailer-Japanese PV Teaser Trailer-Teasers and Trailer Trailer-Trailers x5 for other films
Rating
Year Of Production	2011
Running Time	49:02 (Case: 51)
RSDL / Flipper	No/No	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	Kazuki Akane
Studio Distributor	Madman Entertainment	Starring	Maaya Sakamoto Miyu Irino Satoshi Hino Yoshitsuga Matsuoka Yoko Hikasa Masaya Matsukage
Case	Amaray-Transparent
RPI	?	Music	Ichiko Hashimoto

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 (448Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.78:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio	1.78:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	English	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	Yes, stills during end credits

     The Holy Britannian Empire has conquered much of the world including Japan, which is designated colony Area 11; the original inhabitants, called Elevens, have no rights, work in menial jobs and any dissent is crushed. The Britannian forces have also attacked the Europia allied nations which are still holding out. Japanese exiles in Europia are despised, isolated in camps and deprived of all rights. Leila Malcal (Maaya Sakamoto: she is called Layla Marcal on the DVD box and on websites Layla Markal, but Leila Malcal is how the DVD subtitles have it so I will use that in this review), a Britannian aristocrat whose family defected to the Europians, forms a special military unit with Japanese exiles for missions where although the survival rate is low if the soldier is killed his family is granted citizen rights. After one battle, the only survivor is Akito Hyuga (Miyu Irino), who becomes Leila’s bodyguard and at a function comes into conflict with her adopted brother / fiancé, Ioan.

     Other “Elevens” have resorted to criminal activity, such as a group led by Ryo Sayama (Satoshi Hino) which includes Yukiya (Yoshitsuga Matsuoka) and the girl Ayano (Yoko Hikasa). When they attack a convoy in which Leila and Akito are travelling and are defeated they are offered a choice: join Leila’s special “Wyvern” Knightmare corps or be executed. Meanwhile, in the Britannian forces a new threat to Europia is emerging: a man with Geass powers called Shin Hyuga Shaingu (Masaya Matsukage).

     Code Geass Akito the Exiled Episode I: The Wyvern Arrives (Kodo giasu: Bokoku no Akito) is a spin off from Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion that takes place about the time in Japan that Lelouch became Zero and began to create the Black Knights. Knowledge of that series is not essential to following and enjoying Code Geass Akito the Exiled as this series commences with a recap of the Britannian’s invasion of Japan, but it does help to understand what is happening and the use of Geass powers by Shin at the end of this episode, which are otherwise unexplained.

     Code Geass Akito the Exiled Episode I: The Wyvern Arrives wastes very little time before diving into the first furious Knightmare battle and introducing the characters of Leila and Akito. The Knightmare fighting machines going head to head is loud and chaotic, and this series certainly does not skint on the action. However, in keeping with the Code Geass universe the characters are interesting, varied and have a pleasing depth while the series touches on the wider issues of a corrupt society, belonging, greed, consumerism, power and the plight of refugees, disenfranchised and despised, useful only as cannon fodder. Is it any wonder that Akito has no love for the society he fights for or that the exiled are ready to destroy the society that has marginalised them?

     Code Geass Akito the Exiled Episode I: The Wyvern Arrives is exciting and colourful. It includes chaotic, explosive and loud action, it is beautiful to look at and develops intriguing characters while raising a number of complex themes. Superior anime by any standards.

     Code Geass Akito the Exiled Episode I: The Wyvern Arrives is the first of what were announced as four episodes. The second in the series Code Geass Akito the Exiled Episode II: The Torn–up Wyvern has been released and is reviewed on this site here. Unfortunately, however, the official Code Geass website recently announced that the third episode has been delayed until further notice.

Video

     Code Geass Akito the Exiled Episode I: The Wyvern Arrives is presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, the original ratio, and is 16x9 enhanced.

     This is not the sharpest print although generally detail is good. The pastel colours are quite beautiful with the greens and blues of landscape, city and sky lovely to look at. The reds and yellows of gunfire and explosions are deep and vibrant. Blacks and shadow detail are good, brightness and contract consistent.

     Marks are absent however interlacing errors do occur occasionally on uniforms such as at 15:40 and the end titles shimmer – which I guess is only a problem if you read Japanese.

     It is anime so lip synchronisation is very approximate.

     The English subtitles are in a clear yellow font. They are easy to read and do not contain errors. One issue is about names as I mentioned in the review and as well they translate what the websites and box call the W-0 unit as wZERO. I suppose the sense is clear enough.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

     Audio is Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 at 448 Kbps that is loud and enveloping.

     The Japanese dialogue seems clear enough and right from the start the surrounds and rears are full of missile strikes, engines, gunshots and explosions, plus the occasional weather effect, and music. The use of the surrounds when Akito speaks to the dead is very effective. There are also a number of panning effects, such as missiles, The sub-woofer provided appropriate support to the crash and thump of the fighting machines, explosions and the music.

     The score by Ichiko Hashimoto was generally effective, although I did find the jazzy trumpet during action scenes somewhat intrusive.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Japanese PV (1:34)

     Selections from the series accompanied by music only, no text.

Teasers

     Actually two trailers for the series (0:53 and 1:40) plus 6 Japanese teasers for the series and the Blu-ray / DVD release (2:06)

Trailers

     Trailers for Evangelion: 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance (1:37), Persona 4: The Animation Collection 1 (1:42), Puella Magi Madoka Magica Vol.1 (1:25), Bleach the Movie 4: Hell Verse (1:13) and Loups = Garous: The Movie (1:17).

    There is not at present any version of Code Geass Akito the Exiled Episode I: The Wyvern Arrives released in either Region 1 US or Region 2 UK. There is a Region 2 Japanese release, which I do not think has English subtitles, and a Region 2 Italian dub. Advantage to Region 4.

     Code Geass Akito the Exiled Episode I: The Wyvern Arrives is a spin off from Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion that shifts the action to Europia. It is beautiful to look at, includes explosive action, develops intriguing characters and raises a number of complex themes. Fans of the Code Geass universe, or anime fans in general, will not be disappointed.

     The video is good, the audio is excellent. Extras are minimal, but nothing English friendly is available in other regions.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall