Reviews Anime / Code Geass

Code Geass Review

An unparalleled strategist with a superpower that can make others obey him fights against his father, the Emperor of Britannia, to build a perfect world. Oh and he uses giant mecha called Knightmare Frames in his battle. What more could you want?

Good:

• Suzaku's idealism and Lelouch's cynicism are give equal weight. It's not just one side preaching about how the other side doesn't understand people.
• Characters are fully developed and 3 dimensional. Characters have their own personalities which usually shape what they do. Everyone is given a flaw even if it takes a while to notice what they are.
• There is a good blend of emotional conflict and action. It's not just a nonstop mecha fight nor is it like Neon Genesis Evangelion where the plot is mainly driven by emotional conflict.
• Realistic political applications and good display of tactics. Except for the very end, Code Geass shows it has a strong grasp on politics and real leadership situations. Also the strategies are good unless you pay attention to the chess matches.
• Lelouch is often shown to be courageous despite, literally, the entire universe being against him. He has no real opponent that can beat him, so the universe decides to screw him over at every chance. And he doesn't whine about it.

Not So Good:

• The Knightmares advance to quickly. At the start of the series they travel about the same speed as a tank, have to use regular rifles and close combat weaponry and have only recently developed beam weaponry and laser swords. Within 2 years, all the mecha suddenly have the ability to fly (with energy wings no less) there are giant laser canons everywhere, and multiple airborn aircraft carriers.
• Lelouch as Zero is a giant ham. Not necessarily bad, more like Kirk from Star Trek bad. It's hard to take him serious sometimes but it doesn't take away much from the series.
• Poor choice in dramatic music. Often when a dramatic event happens, a trumpet will sound off a few notes that sound rather pathetic.
• The Black Knights sudden betrayal of Zero. It is the biggest Wall Banger of the series and serves only for plot advancement but the execution is seriously flawed.
• If you've seen Death Note before seeing this anime, then Lelouch seems like a total Light Yagami rip off. He isn't but it could take you a while to realize that and might ruin your experience.