This my first ever review, comment on my profile if you want to share some ideas with me.
Why do we watch anime "x"? Maybe because it caught our interest and we want to be entertained.
Why do we love anime "x"? Maybe because there is a justifiable reason why. A combination of great story and characters etc.
OR... it's such a memorable experience that it gets engraved in your mind and leaves you in awe.
This is what I think of Code Geass R2, my all-time favorite anime. An unforgettable anime with flaws, plot holes, and questionable use of fanservice that I simply cannot dislike. I'm going to try and review this anime with serious criticism, keeping my "fanboy self" aside, at least until I share my experience in terms of enjoyment. So don't go too hard on me, since reviewing isn't really a thing I constantly do. Also, my English isn't my primary language, so some sentences may sound weird or cringy.
Story (5) - A complete headache compared to the first season, Sunrise either couldn't fit the entire story for R2 in 25 episodes or they did it in the most questionable way possible. The main story continues as a kind of reset, you can obviously draw parallels to R1 episode 1, which at first seems confusing, but as the story progresses, some things get cleared up, but not everything. Geass R2 has the balls to try and explain the whole "Charles and the Ragnarok connection" substory, which it did rather successfully, but pacing issues and Lelouch's flamboyant use of dialogue made it a tad harder to understand. Mechas take more of the spotlight compared to the first season, but they adopt the classic "my mech is far better than yours" technique, which can infuriate some people. Everyone says the ending saves the show, but while I do agree the ending episodes are better, they do not fix most loose ends.
Art (9) - The noodle people are back! I got used to it, and I quite enjoy the changes. The designers over at Sunrise embraced the stylistic boldness Season 1 was afraid of using to the show's advantage.I do believe some of the show's most memorable scenes wouldn't be the same if Sunrise adopted a more "realistic design". Mecha fights are more fluid and the designs are way better. New Knightmares like the Shinkiro, the Vincent and the upgraded versions of the Guren and Lancelot look stunning.
Sound (8) - An improvement of Season 1's already good OST. Code Geass can show more of its theatric nature with new additions like "The Master" and "Madder Sky". The new openings are great but nothing can beat Season 1's "COLORS". Unfortunately, the endings are forgettable. There are new mecha sounds and, to put it shortly, they're pleasing, yet subtle.
Character (6) - I found Lelouch's and CC's character development kinda fast-paced, yet they became my favorite characters. Again, if this season had more episodes, something unique could've really been done. New supporting characters are introduced by the likes of Rolo, Gino, Anya, and many more. I am the type of person who doesn't care if a hundred characters are introduced as long as they receive proper attention, but I can't stop questioning myself what the people at Sunrise were thinking, knowing the show would end up with only 25 EPISODES. While they can develop some of these new characters, time is wasted and characters like Nina, Milly and Rivalz are stuck as the same shallow characters they were in Season 1. BY FAR my biggest disappointment is Kallen, part of the MAIN CAST, who, in this season, is reduced to mere fanservice. She simply does not have the charm she had in season 1, apart from a few cool lines included in this season. Suzaku is the MVP in terms of character development, which is not that big of an accomplishment, since most of the viewers found him... braindead, to say the least. This season we can truly see how the events of Euphie's Administrative Zone changed his psych and made him turn a complete 180. No longer a whining little boy, but maintaining the hypocrisy that makes him, in my opinion, an iconic character.
Overall (7)- Again, I believe criticism does not include our enjoyment of something, so if I were to give a rigid score to this show it would be a 78. Story and Characters have major problems that could be easily fixed but aren't a complete pain in the ass. Art and Sound are almost flawless. However, I also believe that not mentioning my enjoyment would be a bad way of ending this review.
Enjoyment (10)- R2 is like fast-food. You know it has its downsides, but it's a meal that leaves you satisfied. At the end of the day, people have their opinions on fast-food. The truth is I still can't get over how satisfying this meal called "Code Geass R2" is. Maybe it sounds childish, meaning I can't move on, but I'm happy with my decision. I learned you can love something that is flawed (I mean, we all have flaws and we fall in love with each other), and in my heart, R2 will be a 10 for how much it changed me, as an anime lover, and as a person in my everyday life.
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