Code Geass can be described as many things, if I was to try and sum it up in one line I'd say it's an epic mecha sci-fi romp, intertwined with political scheming, super powers, superfluous dialogue and a hint of fanservice. I mean this show really is epic in every way, if there isn't something epic happening then something epic is about to happen or has just happened. People converse in the field of battle with overblown speeches and retorts, and even when characters are alone there is usually a soliloquy of some sort. Depending on your preference this might sound terrible, or awesome, but I'll just say that it works. Yes, the series is over the top, but that's exactly how it needed to be.
Aside from watching mechas (Knightmares) play beat-em up there is a story to be told. It's the tale of a world suffering from the tyranny of Britannia, in this fictional future Britannia have taken over roughly 1/3 of the world, the most recent country being Japan. The story focuses on Lelouchs (An exiled prince of Britannia) rise against the enemy in order to create a peaceful world for his sister. Lelouch is masquerading as a Britannian student, but when he stumbles across C.C he is given the Geass. The "Power of the Kings" which allows him complete control over any person. The bulk of the series takes place in Area 11, formerly known as Japan. We see that under the rule of Britannia we have a segregated country in which the "Elevens" have little rights and are kept in poverty, the racial undertones of the series may not be the focus of the story, but it adds depth. It's not all just robots and superpowers, but it's a fight against oppression.
The series is backed by some great sound work and art design. The soundtrack captures the moods perfectly with adrenaline pumped battle music for the fight scenes and softer poignant pieces for the more heartbreaking moments in the series. The voicing of the main cast really stand out, with Lelouchs voice actor stealing the show, I imagine this series wouldn't have been half as enjoyable with his commanding vocal presence. In a series with such verbose dialogue you need the voices to pull it off, and all the cast do a fine job. The character animation has a lanky style to it, but it's all obviously well drawn, the mecha battles especially are fun to watch. I might as well mention the fanservice here, there is a bit of nudity in the series (those really are some odd shots of the female knightmare pilots, I guess an under-the-seat view of the action really helps!) but it's nothing extreme and neither adds nor detracts from the series.
There isn't a shortage of characters here and despite the constant mecha battles it's really the characters that are the driving force. Our main protagonist is of course Lelouch, his character is one of righteous indignation who believes that the ends justify the means. He doesn't hesitate to use his powers to kill, and often uses even his own allies as pawns in his greater scheme. But despite all of this he remains a constantly moral character, everything he does is for "the greater good", yet his likeability does remain divisive among fans. Lelouch and his closest friends/family share an incredibly well woven relationship. The start of the series has a light feel to it, but as the story progresses the show becomes emotionally charged by the breaking or strengthening of bonds between them. Somehow Code Geass manages to give depth to not only the main characters, but also the myriad of supporting cast are each given unique personality and set of relationships. I was impressed at how such a large cast was assembled yet almost all of them were memorable in their own way.
All in all it's a highly enjoyable show. From the first episode the pacing is set to turbo and it never relents, with the final few episodes culminating in a crescendo that ends with one of the most heartbreaking, bittersweet or even happy endings depending on your point of view. If you want to experience the ultimate creation of "extravagant anime" then there really is no better choice.
