Code Geass is still one of the most popular mecha anime of all time. The recent release of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection and the mobile game Code Geass: Genesic Re;code have brought the show back to viewers’ attentions, at the same time introducing Lelouch vi Britannia’s adventures to a whole new generation of anime fans.
In Code Geass, protagonist Lelouch faces the impossible task of dismantling the tyrannical empire led by his father, Charles. Serendipity guides him to the witch C.C., who makes a contract with him and grants him the Geass of Absolute Obedience. Unbeknownst to Lelouch, there are many other characters who possess such abilities. Some of the Geass in Code Geass are very reminiscent of the Quirks present in My Hero Academia, including Lelouch's.
10 Lelouch’s Absolute Obedience Is Exactly Like Hitoshi Shinsou’s Brainwashing
Lelouch’s Geass allows him to take control of others and forces them to obey his commands. For his Geass to work, it requires eye contact and a certain range. The Geass also has a limit of one command per person and cannot make people do things they are physically incapable of.
Lelouch also loses control of it during the final episodes of season one, though that changes in Lelouch of the Re;surrection. In many ways, Absolute Obedience is exactly like Hitoshi Shinsou’s Brainwashing Quirk. They are both forms of outright mind control. Hitoshi’s Quirk requires a verbal response from its target but does the same thing in essence.
9 C.C.’s Geass Blends Shinsou’s Quirk With La Brava’s
While C.C. first appears as an immortal Code Bearer, she originally has a Geass of her own. Like many Geasses, her ability also affected the mind, influencing people to love her.
The connection with Hitoshi’s Quirk appears in C.C.’s Geass as well, but viewers might also recall La Brava’s Love. The Quirk allows La Brava to bestow a power boost to people she loves. While the people who love C.C. don’t reap the same benefits, the essence of the Quirk carries the root of the same emotion.
8 Mao’s Geass Involves Telepathy Like Mandalay’s Quirk
One of the most classical mental Quirks in comic book history, telepathy appears in Code Geass in many different forms. The strongest one, however, is Mao’s Geass. His ability allows him to hear the thoughts of anyone around him, within a certain radius. Its main weakness is that it cannot be turned off, and the avalanche of thoughts can become overwhelming for Mao.
A more limited version of telepathy appears in My Hero Academia in the form of Mandalay’s Quirk. She can telepathically transmit messages to people, an ability that comes in handy during rescue operations. Unlike Mao, she can project her thoughts, not hear the thoughts of others.
7 Emperor Charles’s Geass Is Like A More Powerful Form Of Giran’s Muddiness
Lelouch’s father, Charles zi Britannia, has more than the strength of arms at his disposal in his quest to reshape the world. He has a Geass of his own that allows him to manipulate memories. The only perfect Geass ever seen in the series, he wipes Lelouch’s mind after his son is captured by Suzaku Kururugi at the end of season 1 of the series.
During the Akito The Exiled OVAs, Lelouch appears in his brainwashed state, as the strategist Julius Kingsley, struggling with memories that aren’t his own. My Hero Academia also has a character who can modify memories, though not quite to the same extent. The informant Giran uses his Quirk Muddiness to ensure his safety throughout his life of crime. Muddiness allows Giran to give the people he touches amnesia. The ability is limited to short-term memory, making the previous and next five minutes vague.
6 Jeremiah Gottwald’s Geass Canceler Is Identical To Eraserhead’s Erasure
The true dark horse of Code Geass, Jeremiah Gottwald starts out as a fairly unlikable character who persecutes the Japanese. He later makes a comeback and his loyalty toward the house of vi Britannia makes him join Lelouch’s service. Seriously injured during two individual battles – with Kallen Kozuki and C.C. – he is experimented on and receives the Geass Canceler.
A very particular form of Geass, Jeremiah’s ability allows him to erase any preexisting Geass effects from its targets and makes him immune to other such powers. It has many similarities with Eraserhead’s Quirk, Erasure. Shota Aizawa can temporarily prevent his targets from using their Quirks, though the skill is less efficient against individuals with mutant abilities.
5 Bismarck Waldstein’s Geass Is Reminiscent Of Sir Nighteye’s Foresight
The Knight Of One and pilot of the knightmare frame Galahad, Bismarck Waldstein is the strongest warrior in Emperor Charles zi Britannia’s service. While this is primarily thanks to his own combat skills, he also has a Geass ability that allows him to see into the future. His power is similar to Sir Nighteye’s Foresight, but Nighteye’s Quirk can view distant futures as well and appears to have greater applications.
Despite their respective abilities, both characters are overpowered and killed. Sir Nighteye falls to Overhaul during the Shie Hassaikai Raid while Bismarck is defeated by Suzaku after Suzaku becomes Lelouch's Knight of Zero.
4 Rolo’s Time Suspension Geass Freezes His Targets Like Habuko Mongoose’s Paralysis
Introduced in season 2 of Code Geass, Rolo is an assassin trained by the Geass Order who masquerades as Lelouch’s sibling during his time as an amnesiac. Rolo's Geass allows him to suspend the perception of time of its targets, essentially paralyzing them – both physically and mentally.
In My Hero Academia: Training of the Dead, a similar Quirk is displayed by student Habuko Mongoose. Habuko is able to paralyse her targets with a single look, though in her case, they remain aware of what is going around them. A second Quirk that has some similarities with Rolo’s Geass is the Hero Killer Stain’s Bloodcurdle, but his requires the ingestion of blood to work.
3 Marianne’s Geass Is A Form Of Astral Projection Like Nyikang’s Spirit Possession
Lelouch’s quest for revenge is guided by his desire to avenge his mother Marianne’s death. In reality, Marianne survives the attack on her life by using her Geass. A form of astral projection, it allows Marianne to possess the body of Anya Alstreim and linger at the back of Anya’s consciousness.
The ability is very similar to Pro Hero Nyikang’s Spirit Possession. A lesser-known character from My Hero Academia: Two Heroes, Nyikang can convert his consciousness into spiritual energy, which he then uses to possess others. It’s a very interesting skill, and a shame it doesn’t get the chance to shine in the series.
2 Orpheus Zevon’s Geass Has A Lot In Common With Himiko Toga’s Transform And Camie Utsushimi’s Glamor
A character who shows up in the manga Code Geass: Oz the Reflection, Orpheus Zevon receives his Geass from V.V., much like Rolo. He escapes his hellish existence at the Geass Order with his romantic interest Euliya, but they are pursued and Euliya is killed. Orpheus later joins the terrorist organization Peace Mark, his end goal being to avenge Euliya’s death.
Orpheus’ Geass of Transformation allows him to take on the appearance, mannerisms, and voice of anyone he chooses. This has some traits in common with Himiko Toga’s Transform, along with Camie Utsushimi’s Glamor. His Geass is illusion-based like Camie’s, but it is focused on him like Himiko’s.
1 Shamna’s Geass Is Even More Powerful Than Eri’s Rewind
A Geass user who appears in Lelouch of the Re;surrection, Shamna possesses a unique ability. The Queen and Holy Priestess of Zilkhstan can send her consciousness six hours back in time whenever she dies. The skill is so powerful, she is only defeated because of Lelouch’s genius deductions. Interestingly enough, this isn’t her original power.
Shanma claims to have had another ability that allowed her to see the future. This makes her Geass a special combination between Sir Nighteye’s Foresight and Eri’s Rewind. Using Rewind, Eri can return a living being’s body to its previous state. Shamna’s Geass is far more powerful, but Eri is still very young and her ability may yet evolve. Shamna isn't so lucky, as she is killed at the end of the movie.