Code Geass - Lelouch of the Rebellion: Episode 9
Rating: 8.8/10
Impressions:
We start off this episode with a bit of a recap, before heading into the new OP animation sequence. The music doesn’t change though. The animation change was probably sparked by the change in direction the anime is going. No longer is it just about Lelouch and his grudge against his father, but rather it has opened up and turned into something much larger, involving more characters, the Order of Black Knights, as well as further involvement of the already present yet less ‘main’ characters. Kallen is also shown with a new mecha, which she will probably get quite soon. Speaking of her, this episode focuses on developing her character by delving into her emotions, past and family. The deal with her mother is pretty obvious; staying as a maid just to be with her daughter, though Kallen is too thick-headed to realise the love she receives from her. This also gives her an excuse to change her attitude and goal, as her realisation of her mother’s care for her makes her come up with a new resolution. So now it seems she’s thinking a bit more like Lelouch and Suzaku, changing the world for the better for her dear mother to return to.
The episode overall is alright for Geass standards, though it’s still far better than a lot of the other ongoing shows currently. I’d like to comment about Lelouch for a while, and how he completely devastated me by his neglect and naivety this episode. Shirley comes to ask him out, but he is too deep in thought in whatever he usually wonders about to notice and completely throws her off. Such a shame. Even though I don’t really like Shirley, she’s been feeling for him for some time now, only to have her emotions stuffed deeper down. On the other hand, Kallen comes to Lelouch, thinking he is a ‘decent man’ and tries to open up a bit to him, though he replies with some babble that completely contradicts Kallen’s feelings. He even gets a good slap on the cheek for it. And I was hoping for some interest between them, although the eventual partner of Lelouch will most likely be C.C. Her random appearance this episode, and the several appearance in previous ones, always gives me the feeling she will turn out to be the greater evil in the end. Still, it doesn’t change the fact that she’s hot and my favourite girl (Kallen being a close second, though only in Knight mode).
Speaking of partners, Euffie and Suzaku, being the same age, will probably fall for each other and work together to corrupt from the inside. They seem like a good couple anyway, and there really needs to be some romance in this series. Only because it brings drama, betrayal, tragedy and all sorts of juicy stuff like that. Basically, they will convert their own monarchy from behind the front lines, while fighting Lelouch and Order of Black Knights and being school friends at the same time. Wow, what a day job! Still, I’m not sure what kind of vibes I picked up from Euffie this episode regarding her thoughts on Zero, though I’d really like to see her meet Suzaku’s new friends soon (especially Lelouch, so to see her reaction and possible comparing of him and Zero). That’s the main thing that I am anticipating from this series; the interaction and intermingling of candidate from both sides. Actually, regarding sides or factions, I’m not sure anymore. Firstly there’s Cornelia and the Britannian empire, then there’s Zero and the Order, and the other civilian side featured commonly in this series is of course, the Britannian academy. For now I will just call them empire, Order and school.
The school and Order are already unknowingly acquainted with each other through Lelouch and Kallen; empire and school by Lelouch and Suzaku; and finally Order and empire by Lelouch and Suzaku again, and possibly Euffie. However, there’s also that other group that’s shown throughout the series with the Kurogane look-alike, as well as the upsurging pair of Jeremiah and what’s-her-name. And what about C.C. and her kind? They’re involved too. The main reason why I am bringing this up, apart from my own curiosity is the new OP animation sequence, which features some of the new alliances and groups the characters are involved in. It is clear that several characters appear multiple times, which indicates multiple and secret affiliations with those groups. The aspect of Code Geass that is most attractive to me now is exactly those individual groups, hwo they turn out, fit in with the plot, interact etc. I also think there needs to be more students from Lelouch’s academy involved. Currently, only Lelouch, Suzaku and Kallen are really involved in the war. It would be pretty awesome to find out that this guy from class 2C is actually a member of so-and-so, while this girl from 1D is an assassin from…well, you get my point.
Preview:
Next episode - #10
Didn’t pay much attention to the preview…
Popularity: 12% [?]
13 Comments so far
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Great…all the great stuff I’m missing…thanks Danny for this overview…at least I won’t miss episode 10…I hope…
But you can download them when you come back can’t you? o_O
Well, yea, I suppose so…then again, they’ll take much longer then than now, see…also, considering there’ll be a huge backlog…
Yeah, I hate those, I still have a lot of anime I haven’t finished from seasons ago -_-;;
And to think I can’t play gg’s H264 encodes here on my ubuntu box… I’m missing out… T_T
This episode’s “slap scene”, or rather, Lelouch’s constant insensitivity and borderline obsession, dissapointed me too.
I agree with your points – as much as Kallen rocks, I can’t see her and Lelouch going anywhere. Actually, I can’t see Lelouch winding up with anybody.
But we could be wrong – this may just be an episode to throw off the fans’ assumptions or.. it may be just to make us not sympathize with Lelouch anymore. To make him a Captain Ahab of sorts.
Conclusion:
This anime is very similar to Death Note, and based on that, I can’t see Lelouch coming out on top. Ultimately, he’ll fail. Now, this show might prove to be a little different, and have him save himself in the end (IE give up the order of the black nights and support Suzaku), but Lelouch’s future doesn’t look so bright. Especially when we don’t know what pact he made with C.C. (whatever it is, it doesn’t seem to concern him though; maybe he traded his life for revenge?).
eiraku: aww how come? I use windows media player 10 with the ‘combined community codec pack’…maybe that’ll help
Nocturne: The thing I’m most worried about is that Lelouch will fail or die, and then Suzaku will be the victor and destroy Britannia. The problem with this is that I hate Suzaku!!
who doesn’t hate Suzaku ?
but let’s face it…..
unless there is something Big happening at the middle of the season like i don’t know…something that makes us forget the whole zero vs Britannia thing ( well , i suppose something big will happen with C.C and the ragnarock civilisation ..well i hope so ) , he is dommed to Die . Show Spoiler ▼
. Or a Kamui like death . yea..actually..i see more the Kamui-like death for him ….and Suzaku will be somehow the hero of the day . why ? cuz he has the same kind of logic Kira ( GS) had . he is the pure and innocent nice guy..so..yea…
Tomino , where are you ?
It’s too early to say anything about who will come out on top. The plot needs to be developed a little more before anything can be assumed.
The reason I like this show is because of its similarities with Death Note, but I do hope that it develops differently because it would be uninteresting to watch the same plot unfold twice. That way one of them can be my pick-me-up if the other falls through.
i want to watch this episode!!!!!:]
somebody upload Code Geass episode 9&&7 on youtube!!!
-.- i wanna watch!!:] this seems like an awesome episode lelouch&&his friend are cute xD please someone put it on youtubexD thankyou!!!:] -.-
… Stay out my Domain “Nocturne”.. GARGH!! Heh heh.. Ok I’m done..