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Code Geass is an anime that stands out for its striking aesthetics and its approach to political and social themes, especially those related to imperialism. What intrigued me the most was the dynamic between colony and empire, and more specifically, how the anime tackles the idea of revolution.

The two main characters, Lelouch and Suzaku, represent opposing strategies in response to the oppression of the Britannian Empire over Japan (renamed “Area 11”). Suzaku believes in reforming the system from within, while Lelouch advocates for armed revolution to overthrow it. This contrast between reform and revolution is one of the most fascinating aspects of the show, opening ... the door to reflections on the viability and limits of each path.

The anime explores how the Empire suppresses Japanese culture and identity—for instance, by calling the Japanese “Elevens,” a dehumanizing label. This echoes real historical examples, like the colonization of Brazil, where Indigenous peoples were generically labeled as “Indians,” a term used to erase and marginalize their distinct cultures. Furthermore, the depiction of ghettos and poverty in the series highlights the destructive effects of imperialism and cultural oppression.

That said, despite these political layers, I find Code Geass relatively superficial when it comes to some critical issues. The revolution led by Lelouch, for example, lacks a clear and solid political foundation. His motivations are often selfish and driven by personal goals, which weakens the revolutionary narrative. While the anime is rich in military strategy and political intrigue, it often falls short of deeper, more materialist discussions of the issues it raises, instead relying on oversimplified moral dilemmas like “do the ends justify the means?”

Moreover, some characters and plot developments feel overly contrived. Many events seem “scripted by hand,” steering the story toward predetermined outcomes in ways that feel unnatural. For example, the character arc of Orange (Jeremiah Gottwald)—who shifts from enemy to powerful ally without convincing development—and the abrupt tragedy involving Euphie, caused by Lelouch's powers, both feel jarring. These moments may heighten tension or drive the plot forward, but they compromise the story’s coherence and narrative integrity.

That said, the emotional and intellectual impact of Code Geass is undeniable. Despite its flaws, it remains a captivating and unique series that sparks meaningful discussions about politics, revolution, and human complexity.

Final rating: 8/10
Code Geass is a very good anime, but certain narrative choices and the superficial treatment of some themes keep it from reaching the level of excellence it could have achieved.

An interesting experience, but one I don’t think fully reaches its potential. It has aesthetic and symbolic value, which is nice, but I miss having more depth to the characters and seeing their inner conflicts pushed further.

It’s a good portrait of adolescence, touching on guilt, desire, and nihilism. While its more poetic tone works to reinforce some points, the lack of a more orthodox writing style takes away from the enjoyment of the narrative as it unfolds. I feel like the story repeatedly promises something, but it never really leads anywhere. Then again, adolescence is kind of like that too.

I like the unresolved ending, where ... the characters simply go their separate ways. In the end, the manga is about how (especially when we're teenagers) we desperately seek meaning and significance; we want to be special and feel different from everyone else—but really, most of that is just in our heads, and life is more mundane than we’d like to admit.