In an array of military campaigns and conquests, the once small Great Britian became the Britannian Empire, the largest super-power in the world. Next in line is the European Union, and the Chinese Federation. The Britannian Empire however spanned around the globe, and was determined to complete their campaign. And so on August 10, 2010, a huge army of the Britannian Empire, using the latest and greatest in military warfare – the KnightMare Frames – marched into Japan and stripped the country and its citizens from all freedoms and rights. In the process, the country was renamed Area 11. Even a new flag was issued, replacing the iconic white with a huge red dot.
The titular Lelouch Lamperouge was disowned by Emperor Charles Vi Britannia, after his mother was murdered, and has vowed to kill his father, the Emperor, and destroy Britannia, thereby avenging the death of his mother. He also wanted a world in which his sister, Nunnally, can live in peacefully and happily. Taking on a world super-power is not really simple, but Lelouch has no idea how to do this – until one day fate decided to lend him a hand.
When Lelouch attempts to prevent a terrorist attack in which seemingly a tank with lethal gas should be released, he is more or less saved by a somewhat strange girl. She calls herself C.C. That’s it, nothing else. She is shot in the head, time is running out for her – just before she (seemingly) dies, she offers Lelouch a great ability that will make him different from all humans, but she believes it is important for Lelouch to have this power since Lelouch, so she says, has a reason to live. This power would enforce absolute obidience to anyone who’d be subjected to it, there is no escape. However in return, Lelouch has to grant her one wish – she however does not say what it is. Lelouch believes this power could in fact be used to fulfil both of his plans, so he binds the contract.
It’s a power with the intriguing name Geass. In Lelouch’s case, the Geass can be used to make any person do anything he wants, as long as there is a uninterrupted line of sight into the eyes of the person he wants to use it on.
Soon Lelouch gets a grip for this somewhat incredible ability, and takes on the secret identity of simply “Zero”. Using this identity he begins forming a movement which becomes known as “The Order Of The Black Knights”, with the ultimate goal to destroy Britannia and the empire. Since most “Elevens” (former Japanese) support the cause of the movement, it gains on momentum quite quickly. Lelouch was hoping that this would play out in his favor and soon an organization is required within the Black Knights. They also begin to develop and acquire military technology. Primarily experimental or equal mechas, named KnightMares. Interestingly the KnightMares of the Britannian Empire seem to be named after British cities – an older but popular model is named the “Glasgow”, while a more modern one is named “Sutherland”.
Lelouch’s move of taking on the identity of “Zero” has profound impact on him and his life, as well as his family and friends. Living two lives is not as easy as it seems. You have no idea what steps Lelouch is ready to take in order to fulfil his two wishes.
Obviously the Britannian Army is not so fond of Zero’s plan to smash Britannia, and soon they are starting campaigns against him and The Order Of The Black Knights. Most don’t know that Zero/Lelouch has a supernatural power, but suspect that something is going on… That’s all I can say.
Having seen the end of the first season just now, I can tell you that I have been deeply impressed with the development of the story, and the plot twists. There are jaw-dropping moments, emotional moments, make-you-cry-moments, and moments that will most definetely go ‘Whoa WTF no way!!’. The voice-acting is pretty good, the score is well composed. If the successor, “Code Geass R:2″ is as intense as this season, then I actually can’t wait to hop on that ride also. So far, this has been pretty incredible and toward the end of the show I dropped my pizza out of sheer amazement… That’s gotta tell you something.
If you’re into mechas, action, shinigami, love-triangles, and stories of alternative timelines, then this is most definitely a show for you. Get it in High-Definition, if you can.
Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion
Director: Goro Taniguchi
Studio: Sunrise
Genre: Drama, Mecha, Alternate history
Episodes: 25
Original Run: October 5, 2006 – July 28, 2007
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