Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch and Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch R2

Cover for season one

When the Holy Britannian Empire conquered Japan on August 10, 2010 a.t.b., it was renamed Area 11. The Empire was able to crush the Japanese so easily with the introduction of the humanoid armored vehicles called Knightmare Frames. The Elevens lived as second-class citizens to the Britannians and had no weapons to fight the conquerors on equal footing.

Among those privileged residents was Lelouch, an exiled Britannian prince studying at Ashford Academy. Lelouch became involved in a terrorist attack where he met a girl with mysterious powers. C.C., as she introduced herself, saved Lelouch from the Royal Guard by making him agree to a contract. This contract granted Lelouch a power called Geass. It allowed Lelouch to control a person's actions when he makes eye contact and gives a command.

Lelouch decided to put his powers to good use. And what better way to use it than to find the person who killed his mother and to destroy the empire his father built. With the safety and happiness of his sister Nunnally in mind, Lelouch disguises as Zero and becomes the leader of a Britannian resistance movement known as the Order of the Black Knights. Lelouch however has to keep Zero's identity a secret even to his friends; friends that seem to want to take a different path than him in saving Japan.

In Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch, Lelouch is still testing his powers and makes his plans. As the story progresses, he meets challenging opponents and more difficult decisions in which he sometimes has to play the bad guy to achieve his plans. The first season has 25 episodes.

Cover for season two

In Hangyaku no Lelouch R2, Lelouch's secret is out. Knowing the extent of his powers and the motives of his enemies, Lelouch's playground as a master strategist is growing smaller. His mettle will be tested even further as he loses not only his allies but as he also begins to waver in his resolve.

Lelouch and his best friend Kururugi Suzaku

What made Code Geass interesting besides its fast-paced, action-packed scenes was watching Lelouch come up with strategies. This he does both for individuals in his command and with a group of  people. Lelouch's ability to anticipate people's reaction, like when he's setting a trap, is entertaining for those who are interested in battle strategies. I'm not a fan of the animation though.

Another interesting element is Lelouch himself. His guile as Zero is consistent with his alternate personality as an active, brilliant student. After all, it would be unbelievable to watch an antisocial man be so good at reading people's actions. However, some scenes make it difficult to discern what he has in mind when he makes decisions. Sometimes I find myself thinking he likes using people and he looks down on them, at other times I agree with him. He's a perfect example of an antihero. He's willing to play devil's advocate to achieve what might be better for the majority. He's driven by a tragic past and the vision to spare his sister from all the troubles in the world. But even heroes with great visions can overlook many things. Lelouch may be good at manipulating people, but he seems to forget that these same people have visions of their own.

Lelouch as Zero

C.C.

"The only ones who should kill, are those who are prepared to be killed."

Suzaku pilots Lancelot

I watched the series out of curiosity. I don't regret that I did. I thought it was going to be an examination of people living in an advanced society but its residents have the same needs and urges ('cause that's what most of science fiction is about). But it was about a young man, an outcast with a grand vision and a power he thought he could handle.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10