In fact, Maruyama Hakuo wasn't the only one who realized that Mobile Suit Gundam SEED would compete with the second season of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion.
Online, as Gundam SEED soared in popularity and countless people discussed its plot, others recalled the second season of Code Geass, set to premiere in January 2003:
"Next January is going to be explosive. Gundam SEED hasn't even finished, and Code Geass season 2 is about to start. What's worse, the two shows have similar themes. Unlike this October, where Naruto and Ghost in the Shell: SAC are popular but completely different from Gundam SEED in subject matter."
"Now that you mention it, that's true. And Gundam SEED's focus isn't on the mechs, just like Code Geass's focus isn't on the mechs either."
"A simultaneous competition? I love both shows right now. I hope they at least schedule them at different times."
"They'll definitely avoid the same time slot. But even then, when the DVDs come out, which one to buy will be the question. Both are phenomenal anime, and they'll both be vying for the top spot. No way they'll coexist peacefully."
"If I had to choose between the two, I'd pick Code Geass. It just appeals to me more."
"Gundam SEED is strong too. And if it continues on its current trajectory, I think it'll be way more popular than the first season of Code Geass."
"They should just tie for first place. That would be ideal."
At first, the discussion was cordial, as many people genuinely liked both anime.
However, disharmonious comments quickly emerged:
"Lelouch? What's that? How dare it be compared to Gundam SEED? Look how long it took Lelouch to become a phenomenal anime, and how long it took Gundam SEED. A simple comparison shows they're not even in the same league. Besides, Gundam SEED currently has an average TV rating of 6%, while Lelouch has what? A fraction of that?"
"I watched a few episodes of Lelouch and didn't like it. It felt like it was made for elementary school kids. Gundam SEED is way better."
"To be fair, when it comes to mecha anime, only Gundam SEED is worth watching. I can't get into any others, including Mobile Suit Gundam, EVA, and Lelouch."
"Gundam SEED is the GOAT! Lelouch can take a hike—that show is trash."
"Lelouch is garbage. The premise of Neon falling to the Holy Britannian Empire is bad enough, but they at least could have made a Japanese person the protagonist. The prince of the empire that conquered Neon leading the Japanese in a rebellion against that empire? What kind of messed-up premise is that? Just the setup alone makes me sick. I don't know why so many people like it."
While many people enjoyed both Gundam SEED and Code Geass, it wasn't universal. With Gundam SEED being the hot topic from October to December, some people spoke without restraint.
Even though Code Geass had finished its first season and the second hadn't aired yet, it was still a phenomenal anime. And despite Gundam SEED's popularity, many people disliked it.
As a result, when these discordant comments emerged, targeted counterarguments quickly followed:
"How dare you say Code Geass isn't worthy of comparison to Gundam SEED? Ha! What a joke! When Code Geass exploded in popularity, Gundam SEED hadn't even been released yet. Besides, Code Geass doesn't focus on mechs or war scenes. If Gundam SEED does the same, I'm not saying it's a copy, but at least it's following Code Geass's trend."
"Forget Code Geass for a moment, but if you don't even like Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 or EVA, what's the point of watching mecha anime?"
"I have to admit, Gundam SEED was a commercial success, but it has absolutely none of the Gundam spirit. It barely feels like part of the Gundam franchise at all. Stop hyping it up; there's nothing worth hyping."
"Gundam as an idol drama? What's so great about that? And the over-the-top praise is just laughable."
"You think Code Geass is for elementary schoolers? Anyone who says that has clearly never watched it. For starters, it's a late-night anime, and the main audience for late-night animation isn't elementary school kids. Even if it weren't, many of its plot points are too complex for children to understand. Gundam SEED, on the other hand, might actually be more suitable for kids."
One side attacked, the other counterattacked.
Soon, the two groups were arguing, and the debate grew increasingly heated, gradually devolving into a full-blown flame war.
What made it worse was that once the battle began, neither side could stop.
One side claimed Code Geass was trash, unworthy of comparison to Gundam SEED. The other retorted that Gundam SEED was the real trash, a mere idol drama animation with nothing to boast about.
The two sides were evenly matched, and the stalemate dragged on.
As a result, the rating for the first season of Code Geass, which had been steadily at 8.89, began to plummet, even dropping below 8.7.
Gundam SEED fared even worse. Its rating had already paled in comparison to the completed first season of Code Geass, but the flame war sent it plummeting below 8.1, threatening to break the 8.0 mark.
Despite this, the popularity and buzz surrounding both animations actually surged.
This wasn't solely due to the mutual attacks driving up interest. A significant number of onlookers joined in, fanning the flames, and even animation publications published columns reporting on the war.
But ordinary bickering wasn't enough; the battlefield gradually spread to other territories.
For instance, the animation magazine giant Newtype holds annual reader polls for categories like "Anime of the Year," "Most Popular Male Character," and "Most Popular Female Character."
The competition between the two anime in the reader poll was fierce.
It was understandable, as both were phenomenal anime. Even after the first season of Code Geass concluded, it remained a phenomenal anime, and with a second season on the way, countless viewers eagerly awaited its return.
The clash between these two phenomenal anime for the top spot was like a battle between gods, and the result was a massacre of other anime that had been released in Japan in 2002.
Even the popularity of Naruto and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex was significantly eroded by the rivalry between Code Geass and Gundam SEED.
As the creator of Code Geass, Lin Zhiyan was naturally aware of the online war raging over the anime.
His feelings were complex.
As he had said, the competition between the two anime might not be entirely bad. Even before the second season of Code Geass had premiered, the benefits were already emerging.
However, the online war had caused Code Geass's ratings to drop significantly, which was problematic.
Moreover, the real competition hadn't even begun yet. Once the anime aired, when it came time to sell DVDs, and compete for awards, who knew what other complications might arise?
Just thinking about it gave him a headache.
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