In the final episode of the animation, after the "Zero Requiem" arc concluded, the ending sequence began. Through a series of simple shots of various characters, it depicted the so-called "New World."
Witch C.C. was the last character to receive a shot:
A carriage rolled along a country road, driven by a figure wearing a straw hat that completely concealed their face. Though their features were hidden, their tall, slender build was clearly visible.
Inside the hay-filled carriage, C.C. lay with a doll, sighing: "The Geass known as the King's Power... it makes one so lonely... But, it didn't quite turn out as expected."
As she spoke, she lifted her head slightly, her gaze shifting as if addressing the driver or perhaps reminiscing about Lelouch: "Right, Lelouch?"
This scene ignited intense debate and speculation: Had Lelouch truly died? Was the driver the same Lelouch?
The audience divided into two main factions over this mystery.
One group adamantly insisted the driver was Lelouch, citing their evidence:
"I've measured Lelouch's body measurements. Based on the data, it's not just similar—it's identical. If that's not Lelouch, I won't believe it."
"C.C. even said, 'Right, Lelouch?' That's pretty obvious, don't you think? If that coachman wasn't Lelouch, I'd be doing a handstand and running naked in Roppongi Park a month from today, welcoming onlookers. You'd be welcome to come and watch."
"The main thing is, when she said 'Right, Lelouch?', her gaze was clearly directed at the coachman. Based on that alone, the coachman has to be Lelouch."
"Speaking of which, didn't we discuss this before? Geass users with enough power can kill immortal beings and inherit their immortality. Leader V.V. of the Geass Order died at the hands of the Imperial Emperor, so the Emperor gained immortality. Later, Lelouch defeated the Emperor, so Lelouch also became immortal. Makes perfect sense, right?"
"Actually, the animation hasn't given us enough information about Geass. Maybe Geass itself, when it reaches a certain level, grants immortality. So, that coachman is definitely Lelouch."
"Lelouch still has a contract with C.C. to fulfill. How could he possibly be dead? If C.C. is still alive, then the only explanation is that the coachman is Lelouch. Besides, a Witch can only be with a Demon King. If Lelouch died, who would C.C. be with?"
The opposing faction argued that the Coachman Party was overthinking things—how could that possibly be Lelouch?
These people presented their own reasoned arguments:
"The Zero Requiem made countless people cry. You're telling me Lelouch didn't die and that coachman is him? How is that even possible! Are you trying to make me take back all the tears I've shed?"
"C.C. was just reflecting on Lelouch's fate, talking to herself. In your eyes, it's become a conversation with the coachman. You guys really love to overthink things."
"It could be Lelouch, but there's no need. The Zero Requiem made the animation a masterpiece. If Lelouch didn't die here, I'd have to say it's a terrible ending—a complete betrayal of the audience's emotions."
"Lelouch did take down the previous Imperial Emperor, but he didn't kill him himself. He ordered C to make C's World consume the Emperor. How could he possibly gain immortality? You're just overthinking it."
"First, Lelouch couldn't have possibly achieved immortality. Second, Lelouch made a resolute decision to sacrifice himself. That's why his death was so moving. At least the Zero Requiem part couldn't have been an act—he couldn't possibly still be alive."
"Lelouch driving a car is just absurd. It would make more sense for Queen C.C. to drive him. The proof? Every time they shared a Knightmare Frame, C.C. was always the pilot. And Lelouch's physical condition was terrible—he had to retake sports exams every time. You think he could handle driving? That's a joke!"
Both sides had valid points, and neither could convince the other, leading to endless debates.
Some fans even went to the official websites of Code Geass and L.S. Production to ask if the coachman was Lelouch.
Of course, others remained neutral, even dismissing the whole debate as a waste of time. They argued that whether it was Lelouch or not was entirely up to personal interpretation.
Whether he was Lelouch or not, the vast majority of Code Geass fans would be delighted. Even if he wasn't, it didn't really matter. After all, the scene never showed his face clearly, and the single line, "Right, Lelouch?" provided no basis for a definitive answer.
People should just enjoy it however they like; there was no point in arguing.
In truth, even the people running the official website didn't know whether it was Lelouch or not.
As for Lin Zhiyan, he had deliberately followed the original version. In such a situation, he couldn't possibly provide an answer either.
The original version included this section, likely due to various factors, including the possibility of a sequel in the future.
After all, this is a phenomenal anime. Even a poorly made sequel could make a lot of money, perhaps even more than a completely new original work.
There's nothing shameful about making money.
Even Sunrise, one of the giants of the animation industry, wouldn't turn down extra profit.
In another timeline, Code Geass received a theatrical film, Resurrection of Lelouch, years after its conclusion. This film told the story of Lelouch's resurrection after his death, and its release was widely seen as a victory for the Coachman Party.
However, Lin Zhiyan had no intention of making that theatrical film.
While he wouldn't refuse to make more money, he felt that the Resurrection of Lelouch film was merely selling nostalgia. It was barely acceptable and nothing to brag about. In his opinion, the best way to end the story was with Lelouch's death.
With so many other good anime out there, there was no need to dig up an old story after all these years and try to reheat it.
The reason the Coachman Party scene remained unchanged was primarily due to another factor: its potential to generate buzz.
Political factionalism can greatly boost a show's popularity. When neither side can convince the other, it keeps the animation relevant and maintains a certain level of interest long after the series ends.
In fact, it can even further amplify the animation's popularity in the initial weeks after the finale.
Lin Zhiyan had long decided to concentrate a massive amount of promotional resources on the final episode. By using a highly impactful ending, he aimed to elevate the animation's popularity and reclaim the top spot on the trending animation charts. Given this strategy, it was natural to preserve the scene that could generate such significant buzz.
The final episode was inherently controversial. After the massive promotional push, Lelouch saw its popularity surge dramatically in a short period.
Of course, this wasn't solely due to the heavy advertising. After the final episode became legendary, audiences and media outlets spontaneously helped spread the word about the animation.
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