Review of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

When I first watched Code Geass Season 1, I gave it an 8/10. It had an intriguing premise, an overpowered but flawed protagonist, and a world full of tension, politics, and rebellion. But while I appreciated the mind games, moral ambiguity, and plot twists, something felt incomplete by the time I finished the first season. It was good — even great — but I held back from giving it a full score. Then I watched Season 2, and everything clicked. Season 1 is all about building the foundation — establishing Lelouch as the anti-hero who takes on the corrupt empire with the power of Geass and hisown brilliant tactics. It sets the chessboard and introduces a wide cast of characters, each with their own loyalties and personal conflicts. The pace is tight, the twists are sharp, and the stakes keep escalating. Lelouch’s double life as a student and revolutionary is portrayed well, and his descent into deeper levels of manipulation and sacrifice makes for compelling viewing.

The character work is strong, though not fully realized until the second season. The cliffhanger ending of Season 1 left me with questions, but it also left me hungry for answers.

After finishing Season 2, I came back and changed my rating for Season 1 to 10/10, because in hindsight, the setup was brilliant. Every move, every moment, every bit of world-building paid off later. And now, I can confidently say Season 1 is one of the best openings to a story I’ve ever seen.

Ratings:
Story: 9.5/10
Art: 8.5/10
Character: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Overall (after watching S2): 10/10