WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS(from this and some other anime). If you have not seen GC, watch it, then read this review, and watch it again.
GC is set in a future Japan where a virus called Apocalypse virus has crippled the country and it is now under the control of a tyrannical organization called GHQ. Our protagonist, Ouma Shu, is just another highschool student who, after meeting with a mysterious girl, gets a mysterious power called power of the king. He must now work with a terrorist organization Funeral Parlour to free Japan. And for some reason, they use mechas.
The synopsis screams Code Geass rip-off and that's what the first few episodes deliver. However, as the story progresses, the plot takes a different turn and moves on to rip-off some other anime plot. It also gets more ridiculous each episode.
One thing about the story I found quite impressive is that even though it's full of plot conveniences, it stayed fresh. It constantly found new ways to be more ridiculous. If there is one thing GC cannot be accused of, it's being repetetive(that's pretty rare for an anime actually). It will always find new ways to make the viewer angry. Just when you'll think that this anime couln't get any worse, it does. That's really a big accomplishment.
The biggest strength(read ridiculousness) of GC lies with it's characters. Since each of them are a parody and crossover of different characters from different anime and stereotypes.
Ouma Shu is the regular wimpy protagonist stereotype. He bitches about his life, how he doesn't have any friends and taking responsibility. He has some really pathetic dialouges which only shows how much of a loser he is. In fact, this anime seems to take every opportunity to potray him as pathetic as possible. He turns from wimpy to Hitler to freaking JESUS whenever the plot demands it. He is a parody of those stereotypical anti-heroes in anime.
His power is even more ridiculous. He can pull out others people's heart called Voids using his power and use them as weapons. The nature of a void depends on a person's personality. So basically, it turns people into objects. This is GC's way of saying that most anime tend to either dehumanize its characters or reduce their personality to that of an object. That's what the void power represents.
Inori is Shu's girlfriend. She is mysterious and does not consist a personality. Nothing much to talk about her. Even the anime symbolises it by revealing that she is actually a shell, a vessel for Mana(the main villain). Now tell me that's not clever.
Gai is the leader of the Funeral Parlour. He is a charismatic leader who has loyal comrades that are ready to die to persue his dreams. He also gets reincarnated in the later part of the series as a demon who takes away Shu's power and Inori. Hmmm...reminds me of a certain character from a certain popular anime. Hell, he even has the same hairstyle, this is pretty obvious.
Ayase is the exaggerated version of Casca and Kallen Kouzuki(she even has the same red jumpsuit). She has the same development and role as these characters. Only she is a typical tsundere on a wheelchair to add some 'rage' factor.
The villains are hillariously pathetic. They have really stupid reasons to fight and even more ridiculous ways of carrying out their evil plans. Their evil plans and methods are so over the top that I can't help but think that they are actually a parody of anime villains.
All the other characters include the loli catgirl, loudmouth school council president, incest sister, the scumbag friend, the friend who betrays and every other annoying stereotypes you can think of.
On the other hand, it has good production quality. It's no surprise that the animation and background designs are top-notch when Production I.G is handling it. The fight scenes are cool and that's to be expected from the director of Death Note and Attack on Titan.
So, what is this anime? Pure evil. Think of all the popular animes and character stereotypes, filter out everything that made these anime and stereotypes fun, put them together in an anime and you will have Guilty Crown. It's like this anime was saying 'Oh you think THAT was bad? Watch THIS!!!'. I don't think any anime can be this unimaginative and rage-inducing if it wasn't trying to be. That's pretty much same as a parody.
If you have watched, liked and most importantly, understood Ergo Proxy, you will no doubt understand the ridiculousness and hidden messages of Guilty Crown. Or else this will easily take place in your most hated anime list because this is what GC aims for.
