Review of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

Synopsis: It is August 10th, 2010. The Holy Empire of Britannia began a campaign to conquer the whole world, and the first to fall was of course Japan. Thanks to a new weapon, called the Knightmare Frames, the Holy Britannia was able to dictate its will. Now the Land of the Rising Sun is nothing but a colony declared as Area 11. The EU, as well as China, are at the verge of extermination and the hope is lost. However, an unknown person appears becoming the last hope of the oppressed. Alas, it is still unclear if he will truly become the Messiah or the devilhimself. How will that mysterious person change the feature? Find out about it right now!

-Story-

Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch(Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion) tells a story about a student, Lelouch Lamperouge, who has his reasons to pay his homeland back. To fulfill the plan our hero will need a super power, or a technology giving him the needed superiority. By a pure fluke, Lelouch encounters a woman granting him that power. But even with that special power it would be simply unreal to fight against the whole empire alone! That is where Lelouch remembers about the dying Japan helping a group of separatists trying to create a better future for their land. This group of separatists has neither an army nor a leader, and it seems that that group of people is simply useless. Thankfully, everything is not that easy. Lelouch becomes the leader of this group, little by little strengthening it and revealing his true aim.

While this concept may sound not promising for one, Code Geass is able to prove its superiority in every possible aspect. The first season doesn’t leave unanswered questions; it gives shrewd reasoning explaining every problem you are interested in. I didn’t find any captious objections to the story-line; it is simply great.

One may think that an anime about robots is senseless and should be avoided at any cost. Indeed, but CG doesn’t have that mecha feel as the most mecha anime do. It is not a Gundam, it is an anime about Lelouch’s rebellion. On top of that, Britania has conquered almost the whole world thanks to that technology and it made it important for the story-line.

-Animation-

Thanks to the CLAMP ladies the anime is catching for both males and females. Even in spite of the fact that this anime is pretty old, there is charm in it, and you will surely appreciate it. The action scenes are also well done.

***Note: Clamp is an all-female Japanese manga artist group that was formed in the mid-1980.***

-Sound-

This show has, indeed, a weird set of the main themes. The first opening simply doesn’t suit this anime; it is an anime about aristocracy, war, intrigues and this opening is simply a bad idea. And after hearing such themes as: Yuukyou Seishunka by Ali Project and Innocent Days by Hitomi, you understand that incongruity of the themes even more. But it doesn’t matter. What matters is that this anime has some god-like tracks, which will make you feel like you are in the heaven. It is very difficult to describe that beauty of the soundtrack, but this anime has one of the best music tracks you will ever find in your life.

-Characters-

Code Geass (s1) doesn’t have any noticeable flaws, but when it comes to the characters, the whole picture changes dramatically. The title of this anime makes it clear that this anime is about Lelouch and Lelouch only. So, it is pretty obvious that he will take all the screen-time. On top of that, taking into account the number of characters, it would be impossible to give them all the same development.

Lamperouge Lelouch is the only figure, which makes this anime that amazing. He is like Yagami Light to Death Note, but the difference is their nature. Yagami Light’s hard-hearted nature can’t make him a remembering character. Without a doubt, he is a remarkable hero to mention, but this lack of feelings was a big problem. Lelouch, however, is more humane. Both Yagami Light and Lamperouge Lelouch are students, geniuses, have masterminds;yet, that difference in their nature makes the difference between their characters definitely obvious. It is an open secret, that we all watch anime for emotions and seeing an emotionless protagonist wouldn’t be a good thing. Thankfully, Code Geass offers us a hero, who loves his sister (No, he doesn’t have a little sister complex, his attachment is a bit different), has a girlfriend and has an old-friend he cares about. He is both a hero and an anti-hero, but don’t think about it now. You will have to think about it a little bit later.

The supporting cast is the real problem of Code Geass. For example take Suzaku. This person doesn’t make sense at all. Sometimes he tries to make us think that what he did is a good thing;yet, sometimes he shows that uncertainty about his deeds. The rest of the supporting cast has also some problems, but nothing major to mention.

Don’t be upset about the supporting cast. It is not a Code Geass: Hangyaku no Suzuku, it is Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch. And the supporting cast isn’t that bad to avoid this anime.

-Enjoyment-

The good:
1)It is realistic. It doesn’t leave you a feeling that some random people found some stuff on Wikipedia and made a show about it.
2)The music is simply brilliant.
3)The story-line is well-written, which makes it enjoyable to watch this show.
4)The main character.

The bad:
1)Supporting cast.

Overall (9,5=~10/10)

Overall, Code Geass is one of these anime, which will be appealing for both males and females. However, I wouldn’t recommend this show for kids. (Drugs, deaths (following one after another, mild fan service and other unpleasant things.))

Are you still unconscious after seeing Death Note? Do you want to see the continuation, which may become your new favorite? Haven’t you seen Code Geass yet? What are you waiting for?