Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

Without knowing anything about Code Geass before watching, I did not know what I had gotten myself into. Right from the start it grabbed my attention, evoking questions in a compelling way. I will not outline the plot as I believe other reviews do a very good job of that, but I will describe personal thoughts for someone who wants to know what they are in for if they decide to watch. The series has a way on ending each episode on a "what's going to happen next?" way but making you watch episode after episode, back to back. I have watched the two seasons at least 4 times over (no exaggeration).

It most certainly earns it's place with the "must see" list. The plot development is excellent, carrying forward characters who represent certain ideals within the well thought out story. It is one of the few animes I have seen which really does have you guessing left and right, but more often or not, you turn out to be wrong. With an inclusion of a vast array of characters, it contributes to what seems to be an ever growing story. Even though I have watched it over 4 times, I still have the ability to just sit and watch with full enjoyment. To say that Code Geass has a re-watchable factor is an understatement, but what seems to add to that is the time scale at which it all takes place,it feels like a quite long and progressive trip, making you feel as if you have just been on an epic journey with the protagonist. From start to finish it had my full attention. I really do not have any complaints about Geass, aside from the fact that I was left wanting the third series to be released already.

On a final note, everyone that I know that has seen this anime, being an avid watcher or not, has been converted by the likable plot and character development right from the get go, which can tell you something about the power of Geass. 10/10 (wishing it could be 11/10)

Plenty of people have already written what this anime is about, and many have sung it's praises, but I didn't feel like any of them were able to truly convey what this anime series really is. I have personally watched over 200 different anime titles, of all of those I have watched Code Geass from beginning to end 9 times now. I will watch it again when I find someone else who hasn't seen it.

This anime is extremely character- centric, and all of them, are well thought out and given their own sense of worth in this series. As the story progresses you begin to empathize with them and are drawn into the story to an amazing degree.

I watched this anime while it was being released in Japan, and was both frustrated and glad at the same time when the writers took an extra week or two to write or animate the show. The characters that are supposed to be "genius" level aren't just spewing overly complicated words and having others around them go "oh wow that guys is just so smart" that most movies and series' do to let you know a character is substantially more intelligent than everyone else. This series has more than just one genius level character, and all of them can and do make mistakes.

I feel like I could go on forever with all of the good things to say about this series, but I guess it really comes down to two things.

If you can empathize with a cartoon character and you are smart enough to follow the story line, which at times can be arduous, than you will absolutely love this series. I guarantee it.

This was my second time watching Code Geass. It's been 10 years and all I remembered was that the ending was amazing. Actually, it's the whole reason I rewatched it. I rarely watch shows or movies twice, but I had to see that ending again. I can confirm that it did not disappoint.

Code Geass is set in an alternate universe, after Japan's conquest by the Holy Britannian Empire, with their powerful new robot weapons, the Knightmare Frames, stripping Japan and its citizens of all rights and freedoms and renaming the country Area 11. Lelouch is a Britannian prince who gave up his right to the throne after his mother was murdered, and has vowed to destroy his father, the Emperor, and Britannia. He gains the ability through the mysterious power of the Geass, granted by the mysterious girl C.C., becoming the leader of the resistance movement 'The Black Knights' 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.

But beware, this is only a short outline of what the two seasons of Code Geass are about. Is this really one of the best anime series ever made (if not the best)? I certainly do believe so, because it does excel in all areas. It is a character driven series first and foremost, and here it makes no mistakes. There are absolutely NO STEREOTYPES to be found in Code Geass. All characters are as real as it gets. This is were most anime series fail, but character development is this series best feature. Apart from the two protagonists, we basically have more than 15 characters than can be considered main. As I have said before they are all full fledged and round personalities and even the gigantic supporting cast only consists of fully fleshed out characters. But make no mistake; Code Geass is a story of war and therefore great tragedy and drama. As it is in war, there is no real good or evil, and all the characters have their own motivation for what they do. Betrayal and changing sides, lies and deception can be found around every corner, along with incredible plot twists and character development. But how can the viewer keep track of these developments on such an epic scale? Easy. Code Geass is set in a realistic environment and a believable world is created (despite Geass and mecha action). All the characters decisions can be reconstructed and their motivation is understandable. Be it love, betrayal, pure insanity or maybe all of them.

However, the anime does not offer any sense of right and wrong, good or evil and the characters even deceive themselves at times. There is no ultimate hero to be loved and no real villain to be hated. Everyone is right and wrong, good and bad at the same time when it comes to revolution and warfare; and everyone who is not shamelessly used by others, follows his/her own egoistical agenda. Sides change often so quickly, especially in season two, that you never can decide who to root for. This may seem like a negative point of the series, but that is actually why the story and therefore the entire anime succeeds. Because it never strays and cops out, uses the deus ex machina device or lets characters decide things they wouldn't, just to make them likable. They have to make decisions and accept the result and keep on living. As they say, ''sometimes you have to choose the lesser of two evils'', but since you know all characters so well and what drives them, you still feel with them, but hate and curse them at the same time for their foolishness and weakness. The animation is excellent and the mecha action top notch. It is the first time they actually bothered to make the machines as realistic as possible. Sometimes the animation seems very clean and cold, suitable for the world it creates though.

Everyone seeking an emotional roller-coaster ride get on, you won't regret it. Code Geass is as epic as it gets.

This is the most fabulous sequel of any anime. The ending of Code Geass gave a very wide idea of choices for a next season BUT Code Geass R2 was beyond my expectations. As soon as it started, the plot was great and full of amazing ideas. The flow of ideas coming and going was a wonderful experience.

The continuous story of this anime grew and grew...The feeling of sitting on the edge of the couch...That is what I felt. Waiting impatiently for one episode every week.

If u have watched Code Geass, then the sequel is a MUST.

Simply, Code Geass R2 is 10/10 and will stay forever one of the greatest anime of all times.