At school, many students were buzzing with conversation:
"Did you guys watch the final episode of Code Geass last night? It was incredible!"
"Yeah, I never expected it to end like that. It was pretty shocking."
"It was so moving. The 'Zero Requiem' scene had me in tears."
"I'm still wondering if Lelouch actually died. I heard that driver at the end might have been him."
"No way! We never even saw his face clearly. How could it be Lelouch?"
"Is this anime really that good? I've heard of it but never watched it."
"It's amazing. Truly spectacular. I bought every volume of the two seasons on DVD. When the complete set comes out, I can lend it to you."
Ratings for Code Geass Season 2 surged on major review sites, with Season 1 also seeing a significant increase. On Anikore, a prominent Japanese review site, both seasons surpassed 9 points, even exceeding the original Death Note.
Unfortunately, the initial competition with Gundam SEED had led to a barrage of negative reviews, preventing Code Geass from reaching the 9.30 score it achieved in the original timeline.
Regardless, audience satisfaction remained exceptionally high. In Japan, Code Geass was undeniably hailed as a masterpiece.
Media outlets across the animation world clamored to report on the series. Several featured Lelouch on their magazine covers and published special features, such as:
* "The Million-Strong Audience Wept at the Zero Requiem!"
* "The Just-Concluded Masterpiece Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion—Why This Anime is a Masterpiece."
* "After Death Note, Lin Zhiyan's Next Masterpiece—Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion."
* "Millions of Viewers are Buzzing—All Because of the Masterpiece Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion..."
* "Voice Actor Interview: Code Geass Voice Actors on the Zero Requiem."
* "Exclusive! Animation Master Mamoru Oshii's Thoughts on Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion."
Many media outlets approached Lin Zhiyan for interviews.
Previously, he had been hesitant to accept interviews, especially when the story had particularly dark or controversial elements, as he knew it would only attract negative attention. But now that the anime had concluded and achieved legendary status, interviews posed no problem. In fact, they could further boost the anime's popularity. Naturally, he agreed to all legitimate media interview requests.
During these interviews, he answered a variety of questions.
For example:
Q: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion is hailed as a masterpiece by countless viewers. This is your second masterpiece after Death Note. With only two anime series to your name, both have achieved legendary status. What are your thoughts on this?
A: Nothing in particular.
Q: Aren't you happy?
A: I am happy, but it's not as joyful as I imagined. Looking back, the happiest times of my life might have been when I first joined IG and became a Key Animator shortly after.
Q: Could you share some of your secrets to success in animation?
A: First, set a small goal—for instance, to create a masterpiece, or to win a few awards. Once you have that goal, work steadily and methodically to achieve it. That's pretty much it.
The audience spontaneously helped promote the animation, and the media enthusiastically covered it. As a result, for some time after the animation concluded, its popularity and buzz reached unprecedented heights.
Then, on the popular anime rankings, Lelouch Season 2 overtook Gundam SEED, successfully reclaiming the top spot.
Although Gundam SEED would undoubtedly regain the throne in a few weeks, this was understandable. With Lelouch Season 2 already finished and Gundam SEED scheduled to air for another quarter, its eventual loss of the top position was inevitable.
However, this successful reclaiming of the first place had already solidified Lelouch's momentum. Those who had previously claimed Lelouch had been utterly defeated in the competition between the two phenomenal anime now had no room for argument.
The loyal fans of Lelouch were ecstatic and even more motivated to promote the animation.
The surge in popularity and ratings, and its elevation to the status of a "masterpiece," naturally demonstrated the animation's immense success. However, the true measure of an animation's success extends beyond these two metrics.
Winning awards should be no problem. It's just a pity that the Grand Prize and Excellence Award in the animation category at the Japan Media Arts Festival are likely out of reach. As for the Best TV Animation Award at the Kobe Animation Awards and Tokyo Anime Awards, the competition from Gundam SEED makes it a long shot this time.
That said, securing several minor awards is certainly possible. It won't be like Death Note back then, which came away with nothing.
Beyond the awards, the remaining factor is commercial performance.
The first season's DVDs have long since sold out, with an average cumulative sales of around 48,000 units. This initial release performed significantly better than the original version in the other timeline.
The second season is currently up to volume four. After the final episode aired and the anime was hailed as a masterpiece, the latest volume, the fourth, sold exceptionally well. This surge in sales also boosted the first three volumes. However, due to competition from Gundam SEED, sales will inevitably fall short of the original version's performance in the other timeline.
The final cumulative average sales for the initial release are expected to hover around 40,000 units, possibly reaching 41,000 at most.
Although the second season's performance doesn't match the first, the combined sales of both seasons still significantly surpass the original version's performance in the other timeline.
Furthermore, the various Code Geass merchandise sold exceptionally well, and the overseas distribution rights were sold at a premium.
In terms of commercial value alone, the two seasons of Code Geass combined generated at least tens of billions of yen. After deducting distribution fees, production costs, and marketing expenses, the net profit wasn't as high, but it still amounted to several billion yen.
With the company's finances steadily growing and its risk tolerance increasing, it could now recruit more talent and establish additional animation production teams.
Moreover, following the success of Death Note, Code Geass also became a phenomenal anime. With both series achieving immense popularity, Lin Zhiyan's "Divine Status" was essentially secured. L.S. Production had established a strong reputation, becoming an animation company that audiences eagerly anticipated new works from. Although this reputation was currently largely tied to Lin Zhiyan himself.
After these two anime, releasing new projects would become much smoother. Before they even aired, they would likely garner massive audience anticipation without needing much promotion.
Building on this foundation, Lin Zhiyan immediately began working on new animation projects.
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