Code Geass - Closing Review

I'm going to try and make this particular blog a hybrid of sorts, consisted of a bit of everything. Be it personal or catering for an actual reader.
Not exactly a pioneering movement, but I'll do as I please.

And... with that said, here's my first anime dedicated post. Probably not my last either.

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Did you read that? Good. Glad you didn't. Now onto the anime:



Code Geass Final Rating: 9/10
Season One: 23 eps aired, 2 left (Summer) Season Two: Confirmed

Episodes watched: 23 out of 25

I'm sure this anime which was widely hyped long before it's final airing on Japanese TV may have made it's name known to your ears or perhaps even your DVD collection by now, but I felt it was worth a mention.
I know it isn't quite finished yet, but I think episode 23 was enough of a finale for me to write this early. You can expect a follow up post regarding the proper end of the series.

The story, set in an alternate world, follows a young man who was once an heir to the throne of the great Brittanian Empire.
Cast away by his father, the story begins with Lelouch hiding in Japan as it comes under invasion by his father's attack.
Still feeling a deep hatred for his family for not being able to save his household from an attack that killed his mother and serverely injured his sister, Lelouch has a chance encounter with a mysterious young woman who bestows upon him a power known as Geass. Combined with his strategic genius, he finally has the chance to take his revenge, and on an unexpectedly large scale at that.
Lelouch's Geass gives him one-time-only absolute control over an individual's mind through eye contact and verbal command, but as he develops his powers, it becomes apparent there is much more to it than a simple mind trick.

Well, that's the first episode down anyway. The storyline is definitely one of Code Geass' strong points as an anime, not that it is really let down by anything else. The animation is superb, and character designs are top notch, courtesy of the infamous CLAMP.
They didn't hold back with the action either, as the well animated battle scenes and interesting mech designs will have already caught the eyes of many fast paced anime enthusaists.
Soundtrack does not stand out as much, but it does the job. The only gripe I have with the music in general is the choice of OP and ED themes.
The series gets more and more addicting as you watch the characters make their way through the plot's many twists and turns, with surprises around every corner which keep you guessing on the edge of your seat.
If you're looking for an drama/action/mech anime, with injections of comedy and quality production, then look no further. Even if you're not, I'd advise giving this one a shot. Especially if you enjoyed the likes of Death Note and Gundam Seed. Highly recommended.

Edit: Regarding the DVD specials, which are short unanimated clips with narration, they're worth watching if you're a fan but you're not really missing anything otherwise. There are some interesting tidbits of information about the past of certain characters though, and abundant fanservice in 3.5 should be noted.