Code Geass Series

More interesting that it is great, CG does a few things very right, and other things kinda par, or just not that appealing to me in a series. Filled, and pushed through with a more political side of things, it is a good watch that spans a total of about 40ish episodes.


Set in an alternate universe where there are more or less three superpowers, Britania (usa...), China, and European Confederate.. combo thing, Japan was one of the only countries to straight up surrender when attacked. What makes them different is that Britania continued to slaughter those at their landing area rush. This completely unnecessary act of aggression sets the atmosphere for more or less the rest of the series. Japan becomes known as Area 11, and cultural traditions and language are slowly suppressed. During the initial landing, the main character Lelouch, has his mother killed infront of him. To make matters worse he is the heir to the Britanian empire (albeit a few siblings down the line). No that he is at the ripe age of highschool, like most anime characters, he has honed his ability in chess and spends times in between classes at casino's destroying the upper class champions. On the way back from one of these challenges, Lelouch gets caught up in a terrorist smuggling of what is thought to be a nerve gas. When the container opens it is in fact a girl who has the ability to grant Lelouch a power above normal humans. With this he is able to turn the situation around, and more or less begins a revolution.

What this anime does right is the politics. The acting, and some of the more extreme responses to feelings are kind of overboard or there are more annoying characters that live for too long. What happens in episodes largely affects how the next episode will go. Also what is done well is how Lelouch is able to pull himself out of seemingly any situation with the power of his brain. He is an intelligent individual who thinks about the wide stretched effects of his actions. With his power he takes up a Machiavellian way of governing his revolution with the ultimate goal of world change. The steps taken to make this story believable are well done too. The main thing that tied it in for me was the advancement in technology. From the beginning of the series to the end of the series the machines of war drastically change. You have to stay ahead of your enemy in order to win, or outsmart them. I have seen very few series incorporate a changing world into their already changing plot. Also something I've forgotten to mention as of yet, is that this is another series that does not shy away from violence. You may not get the kind of gore seen in Elfen Lied but there will be innocents mowed down in name of a cause.

What I didn't particularly care for was the art style and similarity between characters. It takes a while to not care about how tall and thin people are, or at least not be consciously disliking it. That being said, colors and frames are very smooth and has definitely seen modern treatment to make good. While carrying a pretty good plot with few filler episodes, or low pacing episodes, it irked me a little how obviously over exaggerated almost every female was in this series. For the most part they are just sort of there, and only Kerin really plays a monumental role.

In summary strong points: plot, pretty good pacing, smooth animiation, concept of time is realistic and shows great understanding for the malleability of the world. Also discusses primarily Lelouche's Machiavellian take on ethics and morals and what is justifiable.
Weak points: There are obvious comic relief characters. You will know him when you see him. Style decides to stretch torsos and appendages. Makes for kind of twiggy looking people and makes this a little harder to believe. Voice actors sometimes get carried away.