Code Geass: Boukoku no Akito 2 - Hikisakareshi Yokuryuu

September 24, 2013 Update: Just like my last review, I am getting countless messages asking me where online I saw this. Before asking, please do yourself and especially me, one very^over 9000 easy favor; LOOK AT THE FUCKING LOCATION ON MY PROFILE AND THAT WILL GIVE YOU A DIRECT IDEA HOW I SAW THIS MOVIE!!!

Continuing where the last movie leaves off, Ryo, Yukiya, and Ayano have joined the EU army. The first act concentrates on how certain members of the EU have issues with them joining in concerns to their previous activities and how the trio feel about being part of the team. Despite this tension, Reira has faith in them and wants to protect them. Earning their trust, the trio agree to participate in a mission with her and Akito.

Obviously, you are going to need to see the first movie in order to get this. Akito has a bit of a smaller role this time, but whatever time he is given will make a significant impact in the movie. It does further give hints and details about his past and his obsession with death. If any character shows any significant developlement, it is most likely Reira and how good of a leader she can be.

From Britannia, one of my favorite characters had to be Ashurei. He is crazy and craves battle. Granted his kind is stereotypical of the mech genre, but he really fits within context of the story and is used very well.

Also, the movie has a surprise cameo which will in someways bridge the connection between this movie series and the TV series and hints how the events of the movies will affect the show which I thought was really cool. Even though I said with the first movie you don't need any familiarity with the TV series to watch the first movie, for this movie, you will need familiarity for a couple of scenes. Unfortunately, there are no after credit scenes like the first movie which will give any significant preview rather than drawings of the cast in gypsy clothing.

There are less action scenes this time but whatever it does, it will do it big. Doing action in day time with more lighting brings more detail and is easier to follow. It is very fast paced but still excellently framed. There is a sense of strategy and intricacy that is put into it, but yet still offers an exciting feel of danger. The knightmare designs are also really fresh though one in particular in the last battle is kind of ridiculous but works in its own way.

There are a few scenes that I also want to share that really makes the animation truly wonderful but they would be spoilers.

The background music really doesn't stand out until the beginning of the action which uses something kind of jazzy which reflects the excitement of the EU troops and the incoming intensity.

And whatver I said about the voice acting in the first movie can be applied here too.

I say this is a must see for people who love character study, relationship developments, and Code Geass. read more

If you're reading this and you're a fan of the original Code Geass series (then again who isn't?) and you HAVEN'T seen the Akito the Exiled series yet, here's your TL;DR: Watch it.

This special expands upon the last Akito special, which more or less served to inform the viewers of the new setting, new Knightmares, new characters, new customs, etc. that we're not used to outside of the original series. Now we get to know a little bit more about them and get into doing what Code Geass does best: using geass to advance politically and outdo your opponent and having robot sword battles.

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Story: We still don't know a whole lot about where the plot's going, but the story that Akito 2 tells is enjoyable and engaging nonetheless.

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Art: The characters themselves are nothing out of the ordinary for CG. Everyone's chin is sharp enough to cut steel and each tit seems to have its own gyroscopic motion independent of gravity (by the way, there's a good bit more fanservice in Akito 2 than there was in 1). The Knightmares have received a pretty significant visual upgrade and one nightmare in particular, piloted by the main antagonist, that gets introduced in Akito 2 is visually stunning to watch.

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Sound: The soundtrack is very good, as always. The Knightmares make noises in Akito 1 and 2, akin to Evas going berserk. Not sure how I feel about it, but it's good quality nonetheless.

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Characters: We learn a little bit about Akito's Geass (though parts of it are still a bit fuzzy) as well as his past, and a nice motley crew of exiled Japanese round out the main/supporting characters. There's a nice surprise relating to the characters towards the end of Akito 2 that's sure to have any fan of the original series squee just a bit.

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Enjoyment/Overall: Not as much is happening in Akito as in the original series. It's much slower paced, and even after two of these specials it's still unclear where the plot's going even though we should theoretically be nearing a climax in the next installment. Despite this, Akito retains some of the suspense and excitement of the original series even though Akito himself is more of a "beat everyone into the ground" kind of person as compared to Lelouche's "sit back and outsmart everyone" attitude. I'm anxious to see if Akito 3 will at any point make me feel the same way watching the original CG did, but even if it doesn't this is still a good side-story to watch nonetheless. read more

After watching the first movie for Boukoku no Akito, I couldn't help but to compare it to the original series and find it entertaining, but lacking. This movie has made up for that.

Story: 8

The reason I give this an 8 is mainly because I am still comparing this to the original in my head. But without watching the previous, you would be extremely confused. I do like that it is set up in Europe, and is showing that France/EU is also resisting Britanian control. While the story is incorporated with the original Code Geass timeline, it shows a different view of the war. Despite the movie being an hourish long, there isn't that much story development. The greater first half of the movie consisted of talking and politics, but I frankly got a little bored. Once the action picked up, I was immediately taken in. It was a rough start for me, but I enjoyed it in the end.

Art: 10

I am pretty picky on art, but the animation was beautiful as all of the other Code Geass episodes. The fighting scenes were far more elaborate than before and detailed. I was extremely impressed on this front.

Sound: 9

I can't really judge the sound, since it is the same OST from the original show. But it was beautiful as always.


Character: 7

They made Akito, one of the Mains, a far more interesting character and added the usual tragic back story. I don't want to go into too much detail, in fear of spoiling if for others, but the added element of the history behind his Geass powers made him a far more compelling character for me. Needless to say, he is now the main reason to watch the show. ( Well, besides the 3 minute cameo from the original Code Geass cast)
Leila is honestly not my favorite character, but I can't hate her. She definitely adds the story, but I find her contradicting herself and wish her character would be developed a bit more.
The rest of the characters are your standard " We don't trust anyone but ourselves, so we look out for each other only" kind of group. They are not the most interesting characters, but maybe they will be developed more in the next movie.

Enjoyment: 8

I enjoyed this episode a lot, but like i said earlier, mostly the latter half. The Mechs are awesome and fights were interesting and flowed nicely. Less talk, more Mechs and I would have given this a 10.

Overall: 8

While I did enjoy it and the story is developing a bit more, it is still lacking that character that steals the show. I am hoping for more character and story development with less politics in the next movie. But so far I am impressed and can't wait till the next two! Which hopefully won't get delayed again... read more

Code Geass: Milking the franchise 2 - Hikisakareshi Yokuryuu is yet another story which is titled under Code Geass so people would watch it.

The story is about that one guy who has nothing to do with Code Geass. He fights mecha and gives his fair share of logic to the series by being alive despite being dead.

The story and characters are useless and you should watch this for the mecha fights and conclusions which will rape R2. This movie will finally answer such questions as "Did someone stole the code?" and "Who was driving the cart?" and "Am I supposed to take this seriously?" It is very funny. I especially recommend this to people who hate Code Geass and the fandom.

The voice acting was pretty terrible. Especially with some of the side female characters. I had to check twice whether the audio was on sync or not since it looked and sounded more unfitting than anything. So very often the voice acting doesn't match characters body language in any way whatsoever. It was cutely awkward.

The animation was pretty neat if you ask me. Same with the mecha design. Action scenes were watchable and smooth, even entertaining, possibly the best thing in this movie. The art gives Code Geass feel even if the series had little to nothing to do with the franchise, if anything.

I did enjoy watching this. At least it didn't annoy me or make me bored, but I'm afraid that this is just another thing which Sunrise did dollar signs in their eyes, or yenswhatever. Not that anyone was excepting anything else. read more