Code Geass R1 Synopsis :The series is set after Japan's conquest by the Holy Britannian Empire on August 10, 2010, a.t.b. with their powerful robot weapons, the Knightmare Frames. Japan and its citizens stripped of all rights and freedoms and renamed Area 11. The titular Lelouch is a Britannian prince who was disowned by his father, Emperor Charles zi Britannia, after his mother was murdered. Since then he vowed to destroy his father, the Emperor, and Britannia. He gains an ability through the mysterious power of the Geass, becoming the leader of the resistance movement to fulfill his two wishes: to seek revenge for his mother and to construct a world in which his beloved sister Nunnally can live happily. As Lelouch furthers his conquests, he begins to find questions to his personal belief because of that of those closest to him.
Code Geass R2 Synopsis:
It's been one year since the failure of the Black Rebellion and the supposed death of Zero. Britannia has assigned Area 11 a "correctional education" status, where Elevens are made an example of by brute force, to try to prevent any future uprisings and suppress rebellious thoughts. Unsuspecting high school student, Lelouch, oblivious to his rebellious past as Zero, stumbles upon a scheme on his life and the life of a mysterious woman known as C.C., who reveals to him his forgotten purpose and his "true" self. Destroying his assailants and declaring himself Zero once again, Lelouch sets out to finish what he started.
Storyline :
This anime has one of the best story plots ever. It is fast-paced filled with action, emotions and drama. This anime is very addictive. Every episode hooks you even more. This story has many twists and turns. The sudden plot twist is so good that you never guessed it.
Music :
Code Geass R1 :
The songs are pretty good. I liked the first opening which is "colors" by FLOW and the second ending which is "Mosaicku Kakera" by Sunset Swish
Code Geass R2 :
I really liked all the both the openings which is "02" by Orange Range and "World End" by FLOW. I didn't really like the endings.
Background music :
The background music are very well done. It really suits with the anime. Songs such as masquerade, continued stories and Tori ni naru are really soft and nice. The background songs do drive in the emotion of the anime even more.
Animation :
The animation is done very well. Of course, it's done very well. This is a high-budget anime from Sunrise Studio and the animation is done by the best. CLAMP are the mastermind behind code geass character design. The animation has CLAMP signature all over it but then, I'm not complaining. I really like CLAMP's work.
Maybe, the characters are drawn a little too thin or unreal but this is an anime, it's not suppose to be real. Other than that, the art is excellent.
Characters :
The title character and protagonist of the show, Lelouch Lamperouge is a seemingly ordinary student at Ashford Academy. In reality, he is Lelouch vi Britannia, the exiled son of the Emperor of Britannia, after his mother's assassination. When he gets caught up in a battle between the military and Japanese rebels, he gains the power of Geass, and begins a quest to utilize this power to destroy Britannia under another identity known as Zero.
C.C. is one of the most important character in Code Geass as she was the one who granted Lelouch has Geass. Much is not known about her except that she's immortal and wishes to die.
C.C. is not her real name; she involuntarily reveals her real name to Lelouch in her sleep, but it is muted so the viewer cannot hear it. (I wonder why?? Damn Sunrise for being so secretive. Until today, people still argue on C.C's name in forums.)
C.C is quite a mysterious and sarcastic person when she is having a conversation with Lelouch. At the same time, she is also very kind. Their relationship is quite weird, honestly. And one thing that makes C.C so lovable is her penchant for pizza's and she will go to extreme length to get it.
Suzaku Kururugi is Lelouch's best friend and his worst enemy. Suzaku character is a little odd and hard to understand. But when the story ends, you will understand him a little deeper.
Suzaku isn't really a favourite character due to his thinking and actions. There's even a Suzaku must die fanclub. However, I think Suzaku is an important character in the series and he is actually a nice character if you can accept his reasons.
Awards :
Yes, code geass has awards. Yup, it's that good.
Fukuyama Jun won best leading best voice actor for his performance as Lelouch in the Seiyu Awards 2007
Ami Koshimizu won best voice actress in a supporting role for her performance as Kallen Stadtfeld in the Seiyu Awards 2007
Code Geass R1 won the best TV anime series award in the 2007 Tokyo International Anime Fair
Best TV Animation at the 12th Animation Kobe Event.
Best TV Animation at the 13th Animation Kobe Event.
Code Geass was voted most popular and Lelouch was voted most favourite character in Animage's 29th Annual Anime Grand Prix
Review :
This is a must watch anime. It's the best of the best and you can expect one hell of a roller coaster ride from code geass. I rate it 5 stars.
People compare Code Geass with Death Note and Gundam because people claim that code geass = gundam + death note. That may seem to be true but even so, Code Geass has it owns identity.
Only complain I have is that the plot is sometimes a little too fast and confusing. Other than that, it's pretty damn epic! (Yes, I'm using the word "epic")
~Additional Reviews by Chi no Hana~
Code Geass is a very theatrical series - rather complex storyline, intricately woven characters, and a good dose of philosophy, as well. Its animation style is clean and crisp, and of good quality.
The characters are not exactly realistic looking but they're all unique in their own way - you have the typical angst ridden lead who would do anything to gain his goals Lelouch, then there's his EXACT opposite, christlike, idealistic, personality lacking goodboy Suzaku.
Code Geass has great rewatch value. It has flaws that prevent it from being a classic, yet it has every element to be a "must watch" anime - making it both exciting and interesting to follow.
Verdict: 9.0
