Code Geass - Trainwrecking with Style
Posted by 0rion on August 14th, 2008 - 11:45 pm
OH GEASS NO!!
When Guff and I awarded Code Geass with the “Trainwreck of the Year” award in our 2007 Anime Awards Show, many people took offense, rushing to defend what they claimed was an excellent show worthy of greater respect. At the time, I tried my best to explain that our labelling the series as a “trainwreck” was not intended as a derogatory term necessarily.
Indeed, I happen to believe Code Geass is one of the best, most fun shows in recent memory. After all, what could be more fun to watch than two huge, thousand ton vehicles hurtling toward each other at breakneck speed? That said, I think the nature of our “trainwreck” designation is becoming increasingly clear as the series begins its spiralling descent into what appears to be its final chaotic story arc.
At the same time, I have a few thoughts regarding where the story appears to be going, and some of the interesting thematic elements that are really starting to present themselves more clearly in these recent episodes. First though, time for the obligatory screencaps and witty comments…
And of course I would be completely remiss if I did not take time to properly point out what is without a doubt one of the great high points of the series for me.
Namely, Kallen beating the shit out Suzaku, complete with the backhand pimp-slap. I mean honestly, this guy has had this coming for a LONG time, and who better to put him in his place than Miss Kouzuki herself. This scene right here will almost certainly be making another appearance at our 2008 Anime Awards show this December; it was far too satisfying to not win some kind of award, that’s for sure. 
You see that sort of self-important, smug look he has? Wouldn’t you just want to smack it off of him too? I know I sure would.
Speaking of satisfying, with both Kallen and the Guren Nishiki out of the action for so long, it was great to finally see them reunited and back on the field of battle to kick some serious ass. I don’t know what kind of upgrades Lloyd made to that thing, but it must have been pretty hardcore because this battle sequence was like some kind powered up DBZ hax fight.
And by the way Lloyd and Cecil’s reactions to having “their” mecha stolen were highly entertaining, as well. Honestly I think the two of them are my probably favorite characters from among the minor cast.
Not to be outdone, Toudou wastes no time in reminding us that he is, in fact, one seriously B.A.M.F.
It just wouldn’t be Code Geass without a nice smattering of completely unexpected scenes that make you go “WTF was that?!” and start reaching for the rewind button.
Coming soon, Sunrise makes this into an actual spin-off series where Millay Ashford teaches you how to cook delicious Japanese confectioneries while also saving the world using giant robots.
Come on, it’s Sunrise…it could totally happen.
Not the least of which was Toudou’s reaction to getting his TV make-up on. I’m definitely seeing him starring in his own new show next season - “Queer Eye for the Samurai”.
Hey, this is Sunrise we’re talking about here…it could totally happen.
And let’s not forget Orange-kun. It entertains me to no end to see that he’s now finally come full circle and embraced his citrus-y fresh nickname. 
Look to see him appearing soon in a Tang ad coming to televisions near you. Hey, this is Sunrise we’re talking about… you know it could totally happen!
Ok ok, so back to what I was talking about earlier…
During the exchange between Suzaku and Lelouch at Kururugi Temple in episode 17, I began to realize that all of the thematic elements of the plot are finally starting to converge. Towards the end of their heated exchange, Suzaku commented to Zero that he must makes his lies into truth by “living the lie until the bitter end.”
We’ve already seen Lelouch take on this role when he accidentally geassed Euphemia. In order to salvage his ambitions for conquest, he was forced to move forward and capitalize on that turn of events despite his true feelings. Indeed, Lelouch’s very identity as Zero is that of the Deceiver, hiding himself behind a mask and concealing both his true identity and his true self, even from those he is closest to. Now, if he truly intends to carry on his plans and see them through until the very end, he must turn his back on everything, sacrifice everything in order to truly live his ideal.
Just as Suzaku said, Zero has many times claimed to be an “ally of justice”, the protector of the downtrodden, the defender of those who Brittania has no use for. And of course, in a sense this is true, as his deepest motivation is to protect Nunnally and create a world in which she will be free and safe. Now, however, while the chain of events he first set into motion has led him tantalizingly close to realizing his goal, it seems that he has also been forced to sacrifice that which he sought to protect in the first place.
If Lelouch wishes to move forward and accomplish his goal despite this chain of events, perhaps he will need to become in reality the ally of justice he has named himself in word, Like the soldier who sacrifices himself in order that others can live, Lelouch seems to be at a key turning point in his character development. He has two paths set before him. He can either follow Suzaku’s advice and become a hero of justice, making his lies and deception into truth and freeing the persecuted peoples under the thumb of the Brittanian Empire. Or on the other hand, he could self destruct Death Note style, bringing everyone down with him in a fiery crash of epic proportions.
And the beauty of Code Geass being the trainwreck that it is, is that either of those outcomes would be very satisfying to watch, in my opinion. ^_^;
Somehow the series managed to blend sublime storytelling that conveys deep truths about humanity with the most over-the-top cheesy WTF moments, and makes them both work. It’s a rare series that can line up a dozen freight trains, run them into each other at full speed, and still somehow, like some kind of bizarre modern sculpture, have the end product come out a thing of excellence.
Likewise, Suzaku the “Betrayer”, who killed his father and has betrayed his country and friends to pursue his ideals, must follow his own advice and carry his chosen path to the very end. Much like Lelouch’s accidental geassing of Euphie, Suzaku had no choice but to make the most of his “accidental” betrayal at Kururugi Temple and take that opportunity to defeat Zero. His launching of Freya is the final nail in the coffin, showing that like Lelouch he too has had to sacrifice everything to live his ideals, even betraying his final promise to protect Nunnally.
In the end, in order to realize their ideals, both men must throw away everything dear to them. Having set the present course in motion, they have no choice but to be carried by this flow of events that is bringing their respective ideologies to their logical conclusion. And in that process, they will both most likely be forced to sacrifice everything that is important to them. How they will handle that and what it will say about them is anybody’s guess, but regardless I’m sure we’ll all be on the edge of our seats waiting to find out how the final stage for Code Geass will play out.
Oh and by the way, as for Nunnally, I’m still waiting for episode 19 to see whether she’s “really” dead and I should start posting teary-eyed, mournful “In Memory Of” posts or not.
I actually think having Lelouch self-destruct and taking everything down with him is actually the more satisfying router. Code Geass is already an epic wreck, so let it be so until the very end.
But it would really suck if they don’t bring back Nunnally and Sayoko. I’ve just begun to like the ninja meido. The way they died was somewhat anti-climatic on their side, but Lelouch’s reaction did make up for it.
“And the beauty of Code Geass being the trainwreck that it is, is that either of those outcomes would be very satisfying to watch”
Indeed whatever they decide to do with the story now, I really couldn’t care less since it’s bound to be Entertaining on all sorts of shallow/deep/wtfdidyoujustsaydeep? levels
(Yes, Entertaining with a capital E)
I don’t think it is, though you probably don’t want to hear any replies that aren’t in complete agreement. I’m just bored, so I’ll reply anyways.
The thing is, the term “trainwreck” does have several derogatory interpretations.
In other words, it’s a colorful way to say that the show is crap and that it’s only entertaining because it is crap, so the show deserves to be scored 5/10 or less. Like Dragonaut.
But then again, if you asked me if Lelouch’s life and that of other characters in the show is a “trainwreck”, I’d agree.
Yet, can you say that is crap when, precisely, the point of the show is to make Lelouch (and others) suffer as much as possible now, only to (extremely likely) give him a win (or at least some form of redemption) in the end?
Whatever….
OMG a comment that is not in complete and total agreement to my way of thinking!! * BALEETED! *
j/k of course…and sure, I understand what you’re trying to say. My point, the same I reiterated the last time I talked about this, is that just because a trainwreck is messy doesn’t mean it isn’t also great fun to watch. ^_^
It’s hard to deny that the plot structure and many of the story developments in Code are just completely zany and ridiculous. I mean…random lesbian table humping…the Orange-kun spinning yo yo of doom…now he’s got his Mr. Gentleman bionic upgrades and switches sides…plus just the all around entertaining emo facial distortion.
Every single episode there’s got to be at least 10 things that make me do a Captain Picard caliber facepalm, but it doesn’t mean its a bad show because of it. Instead, Code Geass seems to really embrace its own wacked out craziness and make it into a strength, bringing people back week after week asking themselves “What on earth will they do this time?”
You see, I think you’re exaggerating a bit. I could leave it at that, but I’m still bored.
Yes, the show has enough ridiculous stuff in it, and it’s completely natural to laugh at it. But the overall plot structure actually makes decent sense, and most story developments, even when they are over the top in their execution, do have some logic or reasoning behind them and aren’t as random as you’ve described them.
The reason behind Orange’s side-switching was foreshadowed in an earlier picture drama, the bionic parts aren’t that weird if you recall he was being experiment upon, and even the infamous NinaxTable scene showed that Nina had a weird side, as well as her obsession with Euphie. The emo facial distortions are pretty much intentionally over the top.
It doesn’t mean you can’t laugh or facepalm, since that’s probably the reaction the staff expects (more of the earlier than the later), but even in the midst of that the show isn’t exactly aimless or without some internal coherence.
I only continued to watched Code Geass for the CLAMP diet + emo facial distortions, to be honest. But the plot’s always been decent.
I’d agree with the way you’re calling it a trainwreck. Is it complete crap? Absolutely not.
Code Geass apologists… always entertaining, but really? Is it even worth the effort guys?
If I’m not mistaken the first season kicked off around autumn last year…when I was moving house and had no internet. I think that’s the reason why I didn’t get into it so missed the first season entirely - a shame really, since I’ve been reading blog posts to the tune of “Empire of Britannia!” “CLAMP does mecha!” and “Sponsored by Pizza Hut!” for the best part of a year and didn’t know what the fuss was about.
I want the DVD release so bad, trainwreck or otherwise. Good to see this place updated again though. *thumbs up*
@Beowulf Lee: Yes it is, even if just to break the daily boredom. Too bad I’ll never join the “kewl boyz club”, eh?
Plz update your blog more often, I can’t diside if you’re alive or dead anymore..
^ LOL Just think of them as Naraku times two from InuYasha, only
lessnot shitty.No matter how many times they die, they’ll always come back!
Good write-up, I’ve had very mixed feeling about both seasons, it’s a mess but at least it’s fun to watch.
I think that the last bit about Suzaku throwing everything away is right for the wrong reasons, because he fired the uber-nuke while under the “live” geass. So that part wasn’t him deciding to throw things away, what he does after that however definitely is him saying f* it.
@ ogma
Definitely it was not quite of Suzaku’s own volition that he launched Freya. Nevertheless, I think the event was thematically the next logical step in portraying his own descent, so it makes sense in terms of the plot’s thematic development regardless of how it happened. In addition, Suzaku was definitely considering firing on his own; he wanted to finish Zero once at for all, to create peace regardless of the cost, he was just extremely conflicted.