Review of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

How many Code Geass reviews are there? I know, way too many. I think I have something a little different to say abut the show though, so bear with me. This functions as a spoiler-free review of both seasons of Code Geass. I'm a huge Code Geass fan. I've described it before as the crack cocaine of anime because there reached a point where if the series had been the same length as One Piece it would have ruined my life. My first run-through I was truly addicted. Now I'm well aware that the show is wildly popular already. I'm pretty sure I've seen Lelouch Lamprougeon more "favorite character" lists than anyone else. Any top list without Code Geass will undoubtedly be assaulted by enraged fans demanding why this worldwide phenomenon isn't #1 on everything. It almost seems as though Lelouch has used the power of the king on millions of people worldwide to make them swear undying loyalty to his show. Despite this, the show does take a lot of flack from more scrutinizing critics for its plot contrivances, unexplained magic powers, absurdly over-dramatic characters, ridiculous robot sequences, and the escalation of all of these things in the show's second season. If you're the kind of person that values thematic soundness or plot cohesiveness over all else, that places an emphasis on realism over cartoon mania, feel free to sink your teeth into Code Geass. It's not Utena and it's not Eva: as I see it, Geass has two major goals:

1. To provide insight into the true nature of revolutionary leaders and what it entails to change the world, and to challenge its viewers to pursue an equally grand change.

2. To entertain the fuck out of its viewers.

I'm going to address the first one first. One of the things that makes Code Geass so compelling is Lelouch. Not in the sense that he's fun, though he is that, but in the sense that he is one of the most accurate reflections of the leader of a revolution or similar organization existing in fiction. People like Napoleon or Martin Luther King Jr. or even Ghandi are often drastically simplified by historical texts. People often take one of two sides: they side with the ideals of the person, or the criticize them for not being a perfect reflection of them or having alternative motives. In truth, these people are far more complex than that. Yes, they have ideals, and yes, they pursue them, but they are also human beings: they falter, doubt themselves, lose their way, have personal reasons for wanting to change a larger system. They do not behave in fully one-sided or rational ways, they are inconsistent, flawed, and confused. This is Lelouch. Lelouch breaks down the non-existent boundary between "everyday people" and people like Martin Luther King Jr, demonstrating that Lelouch is just as human as they are. Yes, he is an exceptionally intelligent person, but it doesn't take some genetic fluke or divine incarnation to change the world: it takes passion, determination, allies, timing: things that supposedly everyday people can have if they choose to embrace them. Lelouch initially strives to create the ideal world for Nunally, but realizes that he also legitimately wants to change the world because it's what he personally believes in as well. He claims to use people as pawns (such as Rolo) but he constantly demonstrates that he is not emotionally disconnected from them and can even alter his actions to selfishly protect those he cares about. He's neither a saint nor a martyr, and he's not asexual either (Lelouch semi-frequently demonstrates his hormonal urges, and whilst usually able to control them is not always the embodiment of chaste.) Lelouch shows that it takes more than just one brilliant mind to make a difference: all of Lelouch's allies are essential to his cause, furthering the point that just because you aren't Lelouch himself doesn't mean that you can't be an equally important part of the cause. Kallen is a far more talented nightmare pilot than Lelouch, and without her his tactics would be moot in the face of far-too superior forces. Diethard ensures that Lelouch's achievements do not go unnoticed: without publicity, his victories would be of minimal importance. Zero is an idea: he's not a person. The idea is pure, driven, resolute, refined. The people behind the idea are not. As individuals, they are messy, convoluted beings. But together they balance and complement each other and they come together to create the idea.

Code Geass doesn't come up with any solutions to war or oppression or imperialism. From a political science aspect it's a trainwreck and its resolutions are completely unbelievable. But from a people aspect, it's informed and understanding. It's inspiring. It demands more from its audience, asking them how they want to change the world and what they can do to make that happen.

Now, let's move on to part two.

Code Geass is entertaining. What exactly do I mean by that? As far as I see it, there are three main elements that make Code Geass such a huge heap of fun to watch.

#1. THE CHARACTERS
Code Geass has an absolutely enormous cast. In the fifth opening they actually showcase all the ones that aren't dead yet and it takes up an entire chorus. Each and every one of these characters are about as colorful and over-the-top as possible. They're loud, expressive people. They love to give speeches, profess their emotions, espouse their ideals, engage in battles of philosophy, and move/pose in dramatic fashions. From Lelouch to Suzaku to Shirley to Kallen to Lloyd, everyone is memorable. Thanks to this it's an extremely engaging cast since you can remember everyone and a lot about them. These characters are extreme, and it makes them pop like a 3-D picture book. It's more than this, though: despite being absurd, the characters are also actually really good! They all get a lot of screentime, and this is extremely beneficial because we get to see how much most of them make sense: their motivations, their growth, changes, decisions and words all fall into place in a way that is extremely satisfying.

#2. EMOTIONAL RESONANCE
If there's one thing I hate, it's stories trying to garner emotional investment through tragedy. You shouldn't have to make something horrible happen to your characters in order for me to care about them. Code Geass has plenty of tragedy but never ONCE does it rely on it. It packs an emotional punch because its characters actually grow and change drastically yet subtly, making the viewer feel as though they actually know them. This is because that's what it's like to be around actual people. They grow and change, and you don't always notice it at first but when you look back you realize it. It's because it's so effective at creating this bond between you and the characters that it doesn't need to rely on tragedy. Merely seeing the characters you care about in perilous situations creates intense investment, because the show also proves that it is not unwilling to kill them if that's what makes sense. This is the type of story where you don't care about characters because the die, you fear that they will die in the first place. One of the reasons that this is so effective is because Code Geass has a tangible sense of grounded conflict: there are tangible stakes in each battle, it is understood why the various sides are fighting, and the possibility of a variety of different outcomes feels very real. One thing that will forever stick with me is when a single poorly-timed joke from Lelouch results in Euphemia's horrific demise. It makes the show feel as though it's not glossing over the details: any small moment or decision could legitimately result in drastic repercussions.

#3. THE ABSURDITY
This is the real kicker. This is where Code Geass truly shines. The show manages to smoothly transition between being completely serious and not seeming to give a f*ck. It's like what Akame Ga Kill was going for, but actually done right. It's not even two sides of the same coin: they're completely entwined. What I mean by absurdity should be pretty obvious: Pizza Hut product placement. Lucrative bombastic speeches by Lelouch. Nonsensical conversations about mech abilities that are never explained (super energy beam cannons! Increase to 200%! Activate the rearview legacy thrusters of doom!). Unexplained magic powers. The fact that no matter what, everything always comes back to the goddamn high school. Entire episodes dedicated to chasing a cat. This works so well because never ONCE does the show have the characters draw attention to it. There's no stupid anime humor. All the characters are always completely serious, and this contrasts against the nonsense of the world they live in PERFECTLY. A lot of people complain about the amount of mech mumbo-jumbo in the second season, but I thought that it fit perfectly. The second season had some of the show's most intense and serious moments, it seems only natural to juxtapose those against a backdrop of INSANITY. What the hell is the 'Mordred' and why does it shoot death lasers from its chest?? Why can all these robots suddenly fly?? Now there's nukes, energy shields, people that can stop time, see the future, and even a collective unconscious. This is like Gurren Lagann, people, except instead of having women as housewives and teachers it has them as nuclear physicists and front-line tanks. This is the kind of over-the-top nonsense I expected from a genre with as much potential as anime, but instead we get dumb slice-of-life shows that think they're funny. Code Geass absolutely nails down fun, often at its own expense, and that's something I completely respect it for.

Now take that surreal absurdity, add emotional attachment and add amazing characters. Hilarious, shocking, creative, fast-paced, tear-inducing, epic, and just the right amount of over the top. That's Code Geass. That's what makes it so much goddamn fun. It's not some pseudo-intellectual nihilistic bullshit like Death Note, it's not idiotic slapstick comedy, it's dumb fun that also knows how to be good. It's both intelligent and stupid, and it absolutely works.

Let's go back for a moment though, to purpose #1.

This is the part where I have no idea what the creators were intending. This is pure speculation. However, regardless of intentions, Code Geass does something that more shows could definitely aspire to emulate.

It has an impact.

Through its addicting nature and emotional staying power, Code Geass might be one of the easiest shows to get obsessed with. It's massively appealing, affecting millions of fans worldwide and permeating their hearts and souls. So naturally, they're going to listen to what it has to say. It's not the most complex message, but it's an important one nonetheless. The main point is, as I discussed earlier, that it has one. Because whatever the message of a show like Code Geass is going to be, people are going to hear it LOUD AND CLEAR. Take Revolutionary Girl Utena, for example. Brilliant commentary on the nature of sexism and social expectations in society, phenomenal use of symbolism, excellent insight into adolescence and the obsession with permanence and eternity created by a fear of death. Virtually non-existent fan base. Due to its repetitive and grinding nature, slow progression, abstract presentation and confusing execution, Utena is only going to reach a very small and dedicated audience. It's not going to make an impact on a wide population, it's not going to turn into any sort of gospel of the masses, it's not going to get its point across to anyone other than a select few. Which is a real shame, because it has a lot of important things to say. But, if Utena had adopted the same tactics as Code Geass: seeking to ENTERTAIN as well as make a point, striving to engage its viewers on a fun, intelligent AND thematic level, I GUARANTEE that we would be looking at a very different reception. That version of Revolutionary Girl Utena COULD bring about the world revolution, because people would listen. Code Geass makes people listen, and then it has something to say. That is the value of entertainment: what can be done with it. That's why I think Code Geass is so great. Because it is entertaining. Because it did manage to entertain me more than any other show to date. And because it was able to do something with that. Sure, the themes are incomplete and basic, but they're also important. Code Geass isn't as refined a revolution as Utena, but it's the one that's more likely to actually happen.