Before i head to my thoughts, A little background:

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I ran into Code Geass quite recently after finishing (and adoring) Mobile Suit Gundam: Witch from Mercury, and wanted to see more from Sunrise as a studio.

Code Geass Season 1 is a great show, and I loved every bit of the story, tension, tone, and characters in that story (also the subtle Pizza Hut sponsors are nice)
All of the ideas this show brings to the table, even if badly executed, are very good ones.

Now, my genuine thoughts on this season:

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It is better in every single department, which is very surprising because season 1 already had very good writing and characterization, this season has a lot more emotional moments, and a gut-wrenching ending to back it all up.

It actually made me cry, (which is a thing I never expected during my time I watch/read fiction) and made me genuinely feel sad for all of the character deaths AND gloomy moments that happen throughout this season.

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Animation:

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It's one of the best visual treats I've seen, no matter if a character talks, or an action scene plays, the entire show just looks amazing, and doesn't age poorly (which is a big plus)

Although some of the characters may be pretty skinny and have the same "Sharp Chin" look as some of the older anime have, it still doesn't ruin the experience and felt very natural.

The Knightmare Frame action scenes are easily the highlight for the animation, they look beautiful, and combined with an immaculate sound design, it makes it A LOT more enjoyable.

___ Characters: ___ An EXTREMELY well-written cast of characters and a main character(s) that you sometimes do and don't sympathize with

Let's start with Lelouch Lamperouge:

He was established in season 1 that he will conquer Britannia because of the death of his mother, and here, he's still the same, extremely confident, and extremely suicidal human-as-pawn-using madman, with a lot of depth and emotion to his character, Shirley's death is a highlight for his personality.

Also, his characterization DOESN'T EVEN end there, Episode 25 is also another important highlight to note because he IS the reason why the ending was amazing, a main character WHO ACTUALLY DIES in the end is not very common, and this feels like both a gloomy and refreshing way to end a series out.

Next up is C.C:
She still is an ally in Lelouch's side, ultimately wearing a (admittedly, very scrumptious) outfit to fight with Lelouch, she still eats pizza, from time to time (which is a bonus), and has some emotions, that are although not NEARLY as emotional as Lelouch's, still makes her character different from him, especially when she lost her memories and goes into the C World.

Every scene of Lelouch seeing her past just adds to her character more and more, since apparently she was a slave before she got her Geass powers.

Another notable character is Suzaku Kururugi:

Established before that he swore revenge for Lelouch after he killed Euphie, there are a lot more to his character than just that, He is one of the Knights of the Round, which is a prestigious title giving to the most elitist of Knightmare Frame users, and is being commanded by the Emperor, and that alone really sets his character in a good light, despite later joining with Lelouch.

Episode 25 is also a highlight for not just Lelouch's, but Suzaku's as well, since after killing him, the latter was instructed to help Nunnally as Lelouch's alter ego, Zero, and becomes the NEW Black Knights member, which is also exciting.

the First F.L.E.I.J.A shot is also very amazingly executed with a lot tension too, even if they fire the first F.L.E.I.J.A, that doesn't equal a win.

Rest of the other characters: WELL all of them are good

Jeremiah is back with new cybernetic powers and eventually goes to Lelouch's side.

Kallen is still being a Black Knight despite the truth revealed from her (Lelouch is Zero)

Xingke and Tianzi are also great characters that flows in with the old cast of characters quite well.

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Story:

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Here is the most important quality:
If any of you can't STAND the school elements in this show, be happy, since there are MUCH LESS of them here.

the pacing is still very great, and the overall lore is EXTREMELY deep, Geass powers, Knights, Knightmare Frames, etc. every single plot point introduced are very deeply explained.
The worldbuilding is also a thing worth to note, because every place introduced are brilliantly told.

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Overall opinions

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A must-watch, that's all i could say.