Code Lyoko: Season 3

After Code Lyoko’s second season aired in 2005, a follow up immediately began development. Code Lyoko’s third season aired in 2006 (same year Happy Feet came out) on Cartoon Network as part of its former block, “Miguzi.” Like its predecessors, Season 3 earned positive reviews from critics and viewers alike. Code Lyoko’s final fourth season aired in 2007. A lackluster sequel series, “Code Lyoko: Evolution” aired in 2013, tragically killing the franchise.

“The Matrix 4” will be out in 2021. The controversial video game “Cyberpunk 2077” is out. As of right now, CD Projekt is repairing numerous problems when it first launched, all heck broke loose. What do these two have in common with Code Lyoko? They are associated with the cyberpunk sub-genre.

Today’s review doesn’t contain no crucial SPOILERS. I’m giving some of you guys and gals a chance to watch the series. I’m gonna give y’all a warning. SPOILERS from Season 2 will be mentioned. If you’re not fully caught up, read at your very own risk.

The Whole Season

Positive: Voice Actors from the previous two seasons all did an excellent job for their respective voiceover performances.

As I’ve mentioned from my previous reviews of Code Lyoko’s first two seasons, Aelita is my favorite character. When I was a kid, I used to have a crush on her besides Raven from the original “Teen Titans” & Clover from “Totally Spies.”

Season 3 takes place after Season 2. The Gang’s primary mission is to search for Aelita’s missing father, Franz Hopper on Lyoko.

In Lyoko, Aelita has an earring on one of her ears. A nod to Harrison Ford’s pierced ear.

Animation retains its unique anime style in both 2D & 3D format as they bring many elements to life including character models, fluid movement, action scenes, environmental locations just to name a few.

Action Sequences never got me bored from start to finish.

The show is influenced by “The Matrix Trilogy,” “Tron” “Ghost In The Shell” & Alita: Battle Angel.” Whenever an action scene displays “Bullet Time,” you can tell Code Lyoko is influenced by The Matrix.

XANA’s goal is to destroy the four sectors on Lyoko and then proceed to destroy “The Core Of Lyoko,” located in Sector Five. He plans on killing Hopper.

Negative: What the heck happened to Jeremy’s voice? He sounds like somebody possessed by Xana stepped on his nuts.

Episode 0 – Xana Awakens Parts 1-2

Active: Why is this Episode 0? Because it’s a two parter prequel on how The Gang got here in the first place. I’ll sum it up in three words. “An origin story.”

The Gang go on their first adventure together as they must put their differences aside and face Xana. Basically like any buddy cop movie.

Sissi plays a big role in the first episode in chronological order. Without giving too much away, there’s a huge reason why The Gang never trust Sissi.

If you’re knowledgeable of the series, several call-forwards predict future episodes. Especially somebody jokingly mentioning a teddy bear. If you know what I mean?

We witness how The Gang manage to retain their memories whenever they rewind back in time.

The two parter prequel builds the mythology of the series.

The episode’s second part ends with Jeremy, he will develop a materialization program to transfer Aelita to the real world. Thus, Season 1’s story arc begins.

Inactive: Jeremy’s Lyoko form is never shown. The show wasted a golden opportunity to see what Jeremy looks like.

Episode 53 – Straight To Heart

Yay: After Summer Vacation is over, The Gang resume their mission to search for Hopper’s whereabouts.

Odd attempts to blackmail Jim so he can attend class with Aelita, Ulrich & Jeremy. If not, he’ll show an embarrassing old movie of Jim to the entire school. Reminds me of that diary episode from Season 1.

Nay: Nothing stupid occurred.

Episode 54 – Lyoko Minus One

Plus: Xana’s possesses Yumi’s class. Odd runs for class representative against Sissi’s friend, Herb. Seems like a boarding school version of “Man Of The Year.” One scene pays homage to Neo’s battle with Agent Smith’s clones from “The Matrix Reloaded.”

Zero: A Plot Hole occurs when the jellyfish monster shows up to possess Aelita, why didn’t Jeremy doesn’t summon a vehicle for Aelita a few feet away and tell her to make a run for it.

Episode 55 – Tidal Wave

Float: I know it sounds ridiculous, XANA possesses food from the school’s cafeteria. Jim claims he’s in good shape. It’s ironic, because he’s a bumbling hypocritical fatass out of shape.

Sink: No con found.

Episode 56 – False Lead

True: After Jeremy hacks into a secret government agency, secret agents in black visit the school. They’re not Jay & Kay from “Men In Black,” those are the bad guys like the government from “ET The Extra-Terrestrial.” Jim assists the secret agents. Go with a “Mad Libs: Jim Morales Edition” by filling in a random job and then write down his catchphrase.

False: One of the secrets agents speaks in a high pitch voice. What his he a battle droid in human form or was the agent sucking too much helium? Am I suppose to take this seriously?

Flashbacks further show Aelita’s first arrival on Lyoko. I’m gonna come clean, it made me cry.

Weak: No flaws found.

I believe The Foo Fighters named their hit song after Episode 58’s title. Maybe their kids are fans of Code Lyoko. Yumi has a hard time when a boy follow her everywhere. Jim said his catchphrase yet again. Never gets old.

False: Aelita & Ulrich make a stupid ass decision. All I can say is, why didn’t they stay inside a tower? You can’t leave a tower when there’s danger. That’s like staying outside during a hurricane. Beavis & Butthead are making fun of them for their idiocy.

Episode 59 – The Secret

Open: Yumi finally has an epic moment. She’s come a long way being the Rodney Dangerfield of Code Lyoko who gets no respect via always getting devirtualized. About time somebody throws Yumi a friggin’ bone. William finds outs about The Gang’s secret. The Gang attempt to prevent XANA from destroying the factory by using a set of bombs. If they fail, it’ll be like The Old Bailey blowing up from the opening scene from “V For Vendetta” with “The 1812 Overture” playing in the background. The bombs remind me of The Neuralizer from Men In Black.

Closed: Once again, Aelita doesn’t stay in the tower. She didn’t learn from her mistake. Imagine if she plays any “Dark Souls” game fighting a tough boss doing the same tactics over and over again ignoring help from others?

Aelita & Yumi work together by escorting Ulrich & Odd to Lyoko so they can retain their vision.

Insane: No flaws were found.

The Gang make an ultimate decision. Without Jeremy’s help, The Gang must repair the supercomputer leaving Aelita to take over her boyfriend’s place and deactivate a tower in a race against time. XANA takes control of plants. Even one scene pays tribute to “The Evil Dead” when vines grab a victim.

Trapped: A continuity error showing Aelita holding a box. Same scene cuts to her empty handed. Then the scene cuts to her holding the exact same box.

Episode 62 – Nobody In Particular

Somebody: Due to an experiment gone wrong, Ulrich gains the power to possess people resulting in “fish out of water” moments. He possesses an adult. He’s like Tom Hanks in “Big.” Xana takes over Ulrich’s lifeless body on Lyoko so he can finish his dirty work. Gotta love Jim’s catchphrase. He needs a spin-off about his random jobs. Perhaps a prequel like “Better Call Saul” could work.

Nobody: No con found.

Episode 63 – Triple Trouble

Trio: Episode 63’s title is named after a Beastie Boys song. The title is a double reference to Odd’s clones. Again, Episode 61’s title, “Sabotage” is also named after another Beastie Boys song. Speaking of clones, a bug in Odd’s teleportation ability causes him to unintentionally duplicate two clones. Wait a minute. Multiple Man from “X-Men: The Last Stand” made his cinematic debut the same year Code Lyoko’s third season aired. Could be worse if Odd merges with a fly like Jeff Goldblum in “The Fly.” After Aelita, Ulrich & Yumi use their special powers, I laughed my butt off over Odd’s one liner, “What am I a groupie?!” His delivery deserves an Extra Point. Cartoon Network got pretty sneaky getting away with that risqué line. Odd addressed he lost his precognition from Season 1 when Jeremy reprogrammed him and his friends’ perks. Odd is fed up with his friends’ special powers, he persuades Jeremy to give him the ability to teleport. However, it doesn’t go according to plan. XANA’s scheme is using a cloud of smoke turning anybody into stone. Or in this case *puts on sunglasses* stoned. “YEAAAAAAAH!”

Zero: No issues found.

XANA creates an exact duplicate of one of the heroes. Jim uses his catchphrase. Will somebody please give him a spin-off?

Danger: Aelita doesn’t runaway from the jellyfish monster. Meanwhile, Jamie Kennedy as B-Rad from “Malibu’s Most Wanted” is yelling “Run he gonna kill you!”

Ulrich’s father visits the school. All I can say is, he is not in a good mood. Without giving anything away, a member of The Gang meets his fate.

Season 3’s ending sets up the final season. Meaning, The Stakes drastically increase.

Fail: On Lyoko, William acts like a complete dumbass. If you’ve seen this episode, guess what happens?

The Final Verdict: B-

Code Lyoko’s third season is an average follow up to the series. If it weren’t for a few flaws including Aelita behaving like a buffoon at times, I would’ve given Season 3 a B. As a fan of the series, I have to give it tough love by ranking Season 3 a painfully average score. If you wanna relive your childhood, watch all four seasons.