Review of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

Finally got around to watching this classic, and I have to say, I wasn't disappointed. Code Geass is pure fun in anime/mecha. I haven't been able to binge at all recently, but I watched Code Geass in a matter of 1-2 days. Let me explain why I believe this anime is so much fun. Review contains spoilers. Code Geass is centered around Lelouch, an ex noble who fled to Japan out of hatred for his fathers way of rule and his disinterest in his mothers death (which he likely has something to do with). Britannia then takes over Japan, and Lelouch is believed to be dead,but he is just living under the alias Lelouch Lamperouge with his sister Nunnally. Code Geass' story is definitely its weak point. While I am invested in the story, it's hard not to notice some of the glaring flaws in it. Why does Lelouch completely remove Shirley's memories of him when he could've just told her to forget he was Zero? How convenient is it that his Geass acts up right as he makes a joke to Euphemia about her killing the Japanese? Why does Nina exist? The story can be downright silly at times, but I believe that's what makes it much more enjoyable at times. It flows along well even though it feels a little funny occasionally. One thing I like that Code Geass does is stringing in filler episodes with important plot points. The most important example of this is episode 21. Code Geass also loves its cliffhangers, and for the most part they are good cliffhangers. The biggest cliffhanger we got was the one at the end of the season thought. Code Geass episodes also sometimes follow an episodic pattern, where Lelouch and the zeroes try to stump Cornelia's plans, and some form of plot convenience keeps anything major from happening. Critical people will probably see this and want to gouge their eyes out, but I personally didn't mind, as material is still covered enough so that it makes the fights worthwhile. The story itself is sufficient enough to keep me entertained, pretty much.

Code Geass has pretty great art for its time. The mecha fights have clean animation and I like a lot of the color usage. The hardest part to get used to in Geass would most likely be the character designs. Everyone is drawn really tall and really really skinny, look at Shirley and Milly for example, makes Risa from Lovely Complex look like nothing. While it was strange looking at characters who looked like they hadn't eaten in years at first, I honestly really like the designs now. My main complaint with the art is that sometimes faces look weird, Lelouch in particular.

The soundtrack is fucking bomb. The first opening and ending are easily both in my top 5's. The second opening is good, but the second ed wasn't great in my opinion. 3rd op only played twice so I don't really remember is lmao. Other than the openings, the soundtracks in the show are amazing. The one song with the trumpet is honestly my favorite, and I love the Spanish inspired feel all the music has.

Characters are great for the most part. Lelouch is is awesome. He doesn't live up to Light Yagami or other characters, but he's a great lead. Suzaku is a great character as well, as his motives become clear after Mao reveals he killed his father. Kallen is one of my favorites, as I like her split school and Black Knight personality. She's really fun and her mothers backstory is great. The student council is great too, except for one character (we know who I'm talking about). Rivalz is probably my favorite in the council, he's one of the fuinniest characters in the show. I like Lloyd, but I want to know more about him. Same with C.C., as I sometime forget she exists with the lack of development she had this season (why did they kiss?). Obviously though, the greatest character in the show is Jere- sorry, I mean Orange. Great characters!

I loved this anime. I've heard the ending is spectacular, so i'm very hyped for the second season.

If you are looking for an incredibly deep and complex story like Death Note or Evangelion, you will not find that here, but instead, you will find one of the most fun mecha anime out there!