Story: For me, the standout element to Code Geass is the story. While it often pushes it with the amount of Deux Ex Machina present, it pulls it off in such an engaging way that no episode ends without you wanting to watch the next one (showcased by the fact that I binge-watched both seasons within a 2-3 day time period). While there's plenty of plotholes if you look for them hard enough, the story is so fun and interesting, the methodical feel to all of our protagonist's actions will leave you dumfounded regardless. Even with the odd filler episode, there's not really a dull moment in this show.
Art: Again, I was apprehensive to Geass' art style at first, as it's quite obviously proportionally awkward and, not going to lie, seeing the characters almost appear cross-eyed at times was enough to get a snicker out of me. But the thing is, Geass made it work. The art was dramatic and bold, giving the appropriate atmosphere when needed, and the fight scenes were pretty badass.
Sound: The very first opening aka COLORS by FLOW will always make me nostalgic despite being such a cheesy opening to such a serious series. Also at the end of R2 Continued Story by Hitomi Kuroishi makes for a heart-wrenching but artfully conducted conclusion. Dramatic scores at Lelouch's many dramatic moments really solidify the intensity of the situation.
Character: While there are many characters to discuss, we will focus on the most iconic one of all and our main protagonist/antagonist, Lelouch vi Brittania/Lamperouge. The great thing about Lelouch is that blurred line between protagonist and antagonist, to the point where half the time you're trying so hard to love him as he loses his humanity more and more each episode (in fact, for a good part of my time watching I referred to him as Lelouch the Douche. Bc let's be real). Yet, Lelouch is the prime example of how to do a true anti-hero correctly. His internal conflict is complex and constantly changing, keeping the audience interested, and I actually loved not ever truly knowing how he felt about a situation. We get to see the metamorphosis of Lelouch's motives as his mentality degrades, but in the end of it all you're never quite sure what he was feeling the entire time. Despite his amny very questionable actions, you grow an attachment to this character as the story progresses. Lelouch was the stand out element of the entire show in my opinion, and what makes Geass so memorable.
Overall: Code Geass is a classic that has earned its title. It's riveting, and despite having Gundam, doesn't rely heavily on the Gundam element, has a colorful cast of characters that are constantly changing in response to the plot, and an intricate and all around engaging plot. Geass is one of the shows that truly shows off the art medium known as anime's true potential for storytelling.
