Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

Synopsis:

2010. The Holy Empire of Britannia, an international superpower, has already dominated a third of the planet recently defeating Japan in less than a month with super-powered weapons called Knightmares. Japan lost it's freedom, it's independence, even it's name becoming known as Area 11. The Japanese people have even been renamed "Elevens". Although the Japanese try to fight for their freedom with occasional terrorist attacks, everything to this point has been futile. During a trip through the city a young man named Lelouch finds himself the unwitting pawn of a terrorist hijacking of a highly classified alien life form. However, the terrorists are overpowered by Britannian forces and the transport vehicle they stole... crashes. Although Lelouch had become a forced stowaway, Britannian forces make it clear they intend to kill everyone onboard. Then the bizarre life-form they were transporting is in fact a young-woman of unknown origin was accidentally released during the crash and senses the despise that Lelouch has for his own people and what they've done, offers a pact. She will grant him power over his enemies if Lelouch agrees to use the gift to oppose the the people that he not only hates but also blames for the death of his mother and the crippling of his sister. Lelouch agrees and with this Lelouch is given the power to control anyone to do anything he says with a simple glance. Lelouch not only escapes his captors but also starts to set in motion plans to destroy Britannia and bring justice to the Japanese and avenge his mother and sister.


Reviewer: Endosanity
Number of episodes watched: 25


Review:

Wow... just, wow. I've read and listened to all the hype on this series and for a while, couldn't be bothered with it and honestly... I don't like mech-type shows. But after reading some positive comments and seeing how the DVDs were available for rent... I gave it a go. Let me tell you, I was blown away and it's almost impossible to review in one paragraph. I gotta say, this series does just about everything right and covers so many types of genres in one package that I was literally hanging on each episode from the get-go. It has one of the most intricate plot-lines I have ever followed full of complicated futuristic politics, espionage, terrorism, and military strategy. But, along with this it also supplies the viewer with more simplistic things like everyday life, drama, a little bit of comedy now and then, and just some plain old kick-ass action. Not only that, but the character depth is truly informative explaining things like Lelouch's hatred for Britannia, and how everyone he knows became involved in his life through the Japanese holocaust he was forced to be part of. And while this is explained you won't find it boring in the least because at the point it's presented, you *want* to know more about these characters you're watching as it fills in any gaps to the story. Don't be surprised if you find yourself stunned with the amount of thought put into the story line and making sure everything you see is presented in a coherent manner.

With it's unique animation style, a plot so thick you could cut it with a knife, and a fantastic orchestrated soundtrack... Code Geass must be watched, plain and simple... even if you like your anime dubbed in English. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion truly lives up to all the hype and if you were to pick one anime series to watch... this would be it.

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (opening)

Recommendation: |High|

Media type: DVD
From: Bandai Entertainment
Spoken languages: English;Japanese
Subtitles: English