Review of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch Overview What would you do for your family? Protect them? Kill for them? Wipe out an empire for them? Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch is an anime set in the year 2010 when the Holy Empire of Britannia is at the height of its power and has set out to dominate the planet. We as viewers follow the story of Lelouch Lamperouge as he uses his newly gifted powers to take revenge on his family and move towards creating the perfect world for his sister. Lelouch is voiced by Fukuyama, Jun who has done other work such as Black Clover, Bleach & Boruto: NarutoNext Generations. The anime itself was produced by Bandai Visuals who are known for work such as One Punch Man, Ghost in the shell & Cowboy Bebop.

Audio
The overall sound quality of the anime is very good. The music works to escalate the scene to push the viewer to continue to watch the anime. Most of the music in Code Geass is used within fight scenes or conversation between the main characters. Although I do feel not all scenes that have music require it. A lot of the tension in each scene is already made by what is actually happening in the anime at that point in time. The music is just an added extra.

The intro songs for Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch was COLORS by Flow this was used for episodes 1-12, Kaidoku Funou by Jinn was the second opening theme and was used for episodes 13-23 of Season 1, Hitomi no Tsubasa by Access was the third opening theme and was used for episodes 24 and 25 of Season 1.The ending songs Yukyo Seishunka by ALI PROJECT was the first ending and was used for episodes 1-12 of Season 1 and Mosaic Kakera by SunSet Swish was the second ending theme and was used for episodes 13-25 of Season 1.

The music played through the intro and ending is different to music played within the anime, due to this I feel that the intro and ending songs aren’t what the audience think of when relating to Code Geass.

Video
In my opinion the art style used within Code Geass is one used within multiple anime. This is for both the characters & Mech’s. Although this is an art style used in other anime it is one viewers do enjoy to look at. I would say noteworthy effects would be the weapons used by mech’s. Noteworthy weapons would the Guren MK2’s Radiation Wave Surger, Gawain Hadron Cannons & other energy based weapons. I believe this is due to the fact that the energy based weapons are used as more iconic tools. Each scene that includes these weapons are scenes the audience would remember when discussing the anime.

Story
The story of Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch shows us that being born into a great home with a powerful family doesn’t always allow you to be the most powerful person in the world. Sometimes stripping yourself of that status and working from the bottom upwards can have better results. This is shown through the anime by Lelouch giving up his claim to the throne and creating his own organisation to root out the Holy Britannian Empire and claim to the world for himself.

I enjoyed the story of Code Geass due to the logical side of the story with strategy based combat and quick wits to help ensure the the Black Knights are able to enforce their power and show the world they are a force that can make a change. Although I don’t feel as though this was a unique story. This being due to the fact that there are other anime that also follow a similar story line, such as Fullmetal Alchemist & Death Note. Both anime have main characters who are extremely smart and are working towards defeating a powerful foe. Throughout the story all three anime explain the works the main characters do, which helps to ensure that the viewer follows the story.

Characters
The personality of the main character Lelouch is a very unusual one. The character goes through many different changes from simple high schooler to leader of a rebel faction to than dictator of a Holy Empire. All the while using each position of power to create a better world for his sister to live in. Lelouch is designed as a character who is able to easily outwit each and every enemy he comes up against. This can be seen as both a good & bad quality. This being due to the fact the audience will enjoy watching the main character win each battle or fight and the storyline progressing. On the other hand this can result in the viewer becoming bored of the main characters ability to beat all enemies easily. Although within Code Geass Lelouch is met with some characters who remind the viewer that Lelouch, while strong, isn’t unbeatable.

Other Characters from other anime that are similar to Lelouch would be Light Yagami from Death Note & Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist. Each of these characters relate to Lelouch in different ways. While Light Yagami relates to Lelouch desire to create a better world. Edward Elric relates to Lelouch humane side in helping a family member (i.e. his brother Alphonse Elric).

While in the anime itself, other characters mostly only have a small part in the anime whenever shown they help to further not only Lelouch but also the story of Code Geass along. One such character is Kallen Kozuki, not only is she leader of the Zero squad (Lelouch personal guards while he command the Black Knights). Kallen also is one of the characters who helps to develop Lelouch in not only leading the Black Knights but also while in school. This connection is truly shown after Kallen becomes aware that Zero is Lelouch. Another character to note would be Suzaku Kururugi. Suzaku is another character who helps develop Lelouch through the anime. While throughout the first season and most of the second Suzaku is in some sense the arch rival of Lelouch. Continually halting Lelouch’s plans and sometimes forcing Lelouch to choose a more difficult path to create the perfect world he wishes. Moving towards the end of the second season Suzaku becomes Lelouch’s Knight of Zero, this after Lelouch becomes the emperor of the Holy Empire of Britannia. At this point he works with Lelouch to create the perfect world that Lelouch has desired throughout the anime. Other characters in the anime while some being more influential than others more simply work towards furthering the anime story line or to help Lelouch’s goal to create the perfect world.

Summary & Score
Overall Code Geass in my opinion is a very good anime. It provides the audience with a thrilling story which continually keep the audience guessing as to what will happen next. The story shows the rise, fall and rise again of the main character. And instead of the anime implying what the audience should feel, it simply shows the facts and allows the audience to make their own judgement on the conclusion of the anime.

In my opinion while Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch does have it flaws I would still give the anime a 10/10 & would recommend if you haven’t to watch this anime.