Code Geass: Akito the Exiled (Limited Edition Blu-ray) Unboxing

Code Geass: Akito the Exiled (Code Geass: Boukoku no Akito) is a 2012-2016 original video anime series helmed by director Kazuki Akane, screenwriter Hiroshi Ōnogi, and character designer Takahiro Kimura. The anime was produced and published by studio Sunrise. The series was theatrically released in Japan, with the first film released in August 2012 and wrapping up in February 2016.

Background:

“Leila Malcal, commander of her very own W-0 unit for the European army, takes on dangerous missions with her powerful and mysterious lieutenant, Akito Hyuga. With a group of rebels on their side, they fight the Britannian army but face more than the typical perils of war. A foe from Akito’s past seeks his life and a dark power threatens all that Leila has worked for.”

Plot Synopsis via Funimation, December 2021.

Sunrise are known for producing so many original anime projects, with Gundam and Love Live! as one of their biggest properties. Along the way they also made Code Geass in collaboration with artist group CLAMP which is one of my favourite anime shows. Alongside the two seasons and eventually a bunch of films with more anime projects in the works, they also released a spin-off OVA series called Code Geass: Akito the Exiled.

Code Geass: Akito the Exiled is set in-between the two anime seasons of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, and follows a different cast of characters with the same themes of an individual having Geass powers. The episodes were released in the span of a few years and I never had the chance to watch them.

Considering they rescued the main series from Bandai Entertainment’s closure as part of a Sunrise package deal, it was inevitable that Funimation would eventually acquire Code Geass: Akito the Exiled and release it on Blu-ray, but this was after the five episode OVA series had wrapped up.

In the UK, the license was originally with KAZE UK and was going to be distributed by Manga UK in multiple parts similarly to the French release without an English dub, as this came way before Funimation’s US branch had acquired the series. After numerous delays, that release eventually disappeared and was silently cancelled alongside Terra Formars.

While a lot of KAZE rescues have gone with Anime Limited, the main Code Geass series ended up with Manga Entertainment and eventually they managed to rescue the UK & Ireland rights for Code Geass: Akito the Exiled a few years later.

Limited Edition Contents:

In a rare occurrence, Funimation UK is offering a limited edition that basically matches the style of their US counterparts but is done for the UK audience. It’s very weird but it’s welcoming considering how there are some titles that should have gotten special treatment in the US and ended up as a standard only release.

Code Geass: Akito the Exiled did get special treatment when it was released in June 2017 by the US branch, but was mostly like HAL where it had a slipcase cover the physical items than a rigid box. The UK limited edition is more akin to the rigid box type sets.

This package offers a rigid box that houses the series in an Amaray Blu-ray case and slipcover alongside a few physical items. Those physical items being a 36-page booklet, and 6 Art Cards. The booklet goes over more information about the series.

The artwork is free of any information or BBFC content and the info sheet covers the information and specification like recent Funimation UK produced limited edition releases. Unit count isn’t specified for these sets but is probably around 1000 units for an SRP of £44.99. A standard edition Blu-ray and DVD are also available on the same day as the limited edition release.

I pre-ordered the series via retailer United Publications UK which arrived ahead of schedule, going for £28.

Physical Contents:

• Rigid Box with Amaray packaging and clean artwork
• Info sheet for specification and BBFC description
• 36-page Booklet
• 6 Art Cards

On-Disc Contents:

Distributor: Funimation UK
Released: 6th December 2021

The Funimation UK Blu-ray release of Code Geass: Akito the Exiled contains all 5 OVA episodes across two Blu-ray discs which were authored/encoded by Funimation. The audio options available include Japanese with English subtitles and the Funimation English dub.

The white subtitles are locked during playback, and the regions are locked to Blu-ray players set to B.

Blu-ray Specs:

Languages	English, Japanese
Audio	English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Japanese Dolby TrueHD 5.1
Video	1080p High Definition Native format 1.78:1 aspect ratio
Region	B
Subtitles	English
Locked Subtitles	Yes
Discs	2 BD-50s

Blu-ray On-Disc Extra Features:

Disc 1:

• Episode 1 English Dub Commentary

Disc 2:

• Episode 3 English Video Commentary
• Funimation Trailers

Unboxing Photos:

Final Notes:

Code Geass: Akito the Exiled is available to order through multiple retailers in the United Kingdom & Ireland. The limited edition and standard edition are both available to order on Amazon.

(Disclaimer: Amazon links are also included when available. They are affiliated so if you decide to order them, I’ll earn a small percentage if they ship which will help me with any hauls or small bills.)