Review of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

(This is a review of both R1 and R2 as a whole.) The biggest hurdle for the show arose from the fact that I had seen Chuunibyou before watching this show. I just couldn't stop comparing the two as I was watching this one. And similarities between the protagonists in these two shows, coupled with the absolute contrast in the tone of the story line, underlined the childish power fantasy nature of the protagonist and the main story, making it accidentally comedic. Which comes off bad when the story is played straight, and the show obviously wants to be taken seriously. And mostof the time watching this I felt embarrassed for the show, and just plain old embarrassed that I was watching this.

As a result of a steady stream of twists and turns, the plot gets more and more contrived towards the end of the second season. The character dynamics are flipped over and reversed so many times during the course of the story, that in the end I just couldn't care anymore. It's about as exciting as watching a game of Calvinball.

Also I hadn't watched Death Note prior to watching this. So that may or may not have contributed to me not liking the show. As I didn't have a previously watched show to be nostalgic about while watching this.