Forget anime, this is one of the best television productions that I have ever had the pleasure of watching - period.

This is the kind of show that you would show to a friend who "doesn't like anime," but also has never bothered giving the best of the genre a fair shot. So, yes, , give Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch a watch. Or read what someone on the Internet has to say about it first - whatever it takes for you to boot up Netflix.

If, in fact, you have never heard of Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch (コードギアス: 反逆のルルーシュ), or just Code Geass for short, before reading this review, well... ~~I have no room to talk~~. Indeed, up until a family member personally recommended that I watch it with them, I, too, have never heard of this geopolitcal, mechanized, dyspotian view into anime-WWIII. If there was a more poignant saying to express my nearly 14-year long delay in watching Code Geass, it would have to be "Better late than never." But I digress.

The first thing that stood out to me about Code Geass when I watched the first couple of episodes was how impressive the animations and art style were - perhaps even more so considering that it released in 2006. I genuinely thought that it was a relatively new show because of how colorful, smooth, and beautiful the animations seemed to flow through the characters' expressions and actions.
To this day, I cannot help but look back on how colorful the show itself was. This is a show with numerous grim, dark, and mature undertones that play a major role in the story and the development of the characters, and yet, the colors paint a much more vibrant picture that capture the viewers' eyes. Rather than saturating the artwork with darker colors that would, arguably, match the overarching theme of the show, the rainbow array of colors give each character a unique design and coat of paint - many of whom can be easily recognized by the very color of their hair, eyes, outfits, etc.

I can say with the utmost certainty that Code Geass has something that any fan of television would find enjoyable or endearing - it does what any great form of cinema ought to: combine all genres of storytelling into one incredible product. For example:

You like action? - On a seemingly episodic basis, something epic happens where giant mechs explode, gripping fights that will leave you locked into the action without the key, characters who knock at Death's doorstep and are nearly invited in... Everything manages to remain fresh for the whole season and keep viewers on the edge of their proverbial seats.

You like some suspense? - From the very beginning, the characters' motives and actions are put into question - it's a veritable snowball effect that just keeps growing and growing. Each main character has something suspicious or strange about them that leaves the audience wondering...wondering if they will finally watch the final puzzle piece fall into place...wondering who can be trusted and who cannot. It's a mystique that will make you want to keep watching all day - a mystique that grabbed my attention from episode 1 and still has me wondering to this day.

You like romance? - If you, like me, are a sucker for pairings and love stories in movies, video games, shows, etc., you will have a field day with Code Geass. This show has many incredible characters (and a lot who aren't, but we'll get to that later) - many of whom have some romantic involvement with another throughout the show. Some relationships are canonical while others are merely hinted at, leaving the audience in an omniscient state. There are even some that could be speculated by the fanbase itself - it really is its own rabbithole that provides an extra level of speculation and enjoyment.

You like a good story? - I suppose that everything I've described thus far could serve as a glimpse into Code Geass' plot, but I really cannot say enough how much I love this show's story - I just can't. I will admit, in its attempt to craft a perfect dystopian, mind-blowing plot, it can become a bit much at times. But I honestly don't care - I never did. The story is the engine that drives the Lelouch Express all the way to its destination and only makes one minor pitstop - the end of season 1 to the beginning of season 2 (which I look forward to reviewing as well).

Personal Ratings 1. Music: 93/100 - What would any good show be without its soundtrack to back it up? Code Geass does an incredible job of providing a soundtrack that seems to fit nearly every scene, every character, and every moment in the story. Whether it's the famous OP "Colors" by FLOW or the numerous battleground tunes that provide the backbone to the show's breathtaking battles, the OST makes experiencing Lelouch's journey that much sweeter.

2. Plot: 100/100 - I think I've already made it quite clear about how much I love this show's story - you probably don't need me to say it again. Code Geass is regarded as one of the best anime for a reason, and I personally think that the story is the main reason for this show's widespread praise.

3. Characters: 89/100 - I have always been of the mindset that a small cast of great characters is better than a large cast with a mixed bag. Code Geass is one such example of a large cast - there are a LOT of characters who play an integral role in the story, and even more who contribute next to nothing. You have the incredible characters like Lelouch, CC, Kallen, and Jeremiah, but you also have a lot of characters who many fans openly despise - i.e. Rivalz, Nina, etc. This show's cast is truly a mixed bag - you can take your pick from a long list of characters, but the gap between good and bad is very evident. Google search "Code MENT" and you'll understand this rather quickly.

4. Art & Animations: 94/100 - I often tell my friends and peers that I've always had more of an interest in Japanese pop-culture from the 1970s and 1980s - and that includes anime artwork and animations. However, I cannot deny incredible animations and designs when I see them, and the simple fact that I thought Code Geass was MUCH newer than it actually is upon first watching it shows well it has aged. It amazed me - plain and simple. It looked great in 2006 and it still looks amazing to this day.

Conclusions

Code Geass is, simply put, one of the best forms of cinema I have ever watched. The sheer enjoyment its incredible plot, soundtrack, and artwork have brought me has stuck with me ever since I first watched it years ago. It has some incredible characters who have stood the test of time, but there are plenty who, in my opinion, were more annoying than interesting. Nevertheless, the amount of positives FAR outweigh the negatives in nearly every way. Do yourself a favor and watch it (and maybe force your friend who "doesn't like anime" to join you).