Other than Keanu Reeves gracefully evading bullets in slow-motion or Lawrence Fishburne eloquently discussing the illusion of our reality, is there anything more iconic from the Matrix films (playing on SYFY this week) than the endless rows of spooky green computer code that represents the Matrix simulation? It’s hard to imagine something more emblematic!
Indeed, that’s merely the beginning of an intriguing journey, if I may say so. Brace yourself for an exhilarating ride, as we delve deeper and uncover the surprising roots of a captivating image that became synonymous with a groundbreaking series in cinema.
Where did The Matrix‘s green code language come from?
Back in 2017, Simon Whiteley, the creator of the now-iconic green code or “digital rain” as fans call it, shared with CNET that this design was inspired by one of his Japanese wife’s cookbooks. He jokingly stated, “I like to let everyone know that The Matrix’s code is made up of Japanese sushi recipes.” He emphasized, “Without that code, there isn’t a Matrix.
During a chat with VFX magazine (previously known as before & afters), he shared insights about the topic. He mentioned using Japanese alphabet books, which his school-going children utilized, to draw inspiration. The Wachowski siblings were captivated by Japanese animation and martial arts movies, aiming to incorporate some of that timeless aesthetic into their coding and screen graphics, as Whiteley explained further. Interestingly, he personally sketched all the symbols for this purpose.
For More on The Matrix
1. Through an intriguing White Rabbit character, ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ offers the pinnacle of self-referential cinema. (This version keeps the original structure but simplifies and clarifies the meaning by explaining that ‘peak self-aware cinema’ means the film is highly self-referential or introspective.)
2. The personal loss that Lana Wachowski experienced served as the catalyst for her return to direct ‘The Matrix Resurrections’. (This version focuses on the role of a real-life tragedy in bringing the movie into existence.)
3. Keanu Reeves’ popularity led to his character being chosen, which in turn allowed us to reconnect with our emotional Matrix. (This version emphasizes the appeal of Keanu Reeves and how it played a part in the audience’s emotional experience of the film.)
At first, the code displayed diagonally on the screen, but later it changed to a vertical format similar to traditional Japanese writing, going from top to bottom. This change produced an impressive cascade effect, mirroring the Matrix’s talent for fooling its organic power sources, or humans.
Whiteley noted, “When we set it to operate vertically and then allowed it to function, you paused to gaze at it immediately.” Later, as we constructed it in three dimensions, it appeared to resemble rainfall. Rain carries a sense of sadness and melancholy, which might be why it is effective. The reason for this, according to Whiteley, is that the visualization doesn’t resemble code; instead, it appears like raindrops streaming down a window, offering a view of a chilly, dismal world – much like the Matrix.
He eventually realized: “Starting with nothing more than playing around with a recipe from a Japanese cookbook at that time, it’s absolutely absurd where things ended up… My Japanese friends also appreciated it. They found it amusing that the origins could be traced back to Japanese cookbooks. They even examined the code to see if they could spot sushi cascading down the screen or menus or cooking instructions, which is quite humorous.
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2025-06-10 18:46