The idea of elemental super-humans is nothing new, explored in other shows like K and, more thoroughly, in the Toaru series. While the huge bishounen to female ratio is different, this only adds further questions to the show's purpose and target demographic. While the pretty-boy to girl ratio might seem to hint shoujo, don't expect any semblance of relationships here- it's all about calling out pointless catchphrases and battles. The plot is mildly entertaining but builds to a climax that just doesn't make sense. Not in the way of K's "there's some crazy s**t going on here" but in the illogical reasoning of the antagonist. Some may argue that this would have been better if it were longer but I'd say I'm pretty glad it's over. Unless you love action and are too young to use reason, please do yourself a favor and watch something else.
Animation:
In general. the animation is fairly good. There's good detail, shadowing, and color balance. Character designs are unique and emotions (or lack thereof) are conveyed appropriately. However, combined with the plot, certain elements don't seem to mesh. For instance, you'll see Sakura getting pummeled (kicked in the face & body repeatedly) yet two minutes later she's walking fine with no bruises. Not to mention the special abilities themselves, which makes Dragonball appear scientifically sound, relatively speaking. Think you know chemistry? Ice vs fire? Forget it as here willpower and shouting determines which "element" wins.
This is ultimately a shonen show with lots of fighting and no fan service (unless you count Sakura's weird mother who constantly cosplays as a schoolgirl). Expect a lot of fighting and a lot of special effects.
Sound:
The show opens with a techno-heavy rock piece, but the dude almost makes it feel shoujo appropriate. The ED reminds me a bit of some of Naruto's EDs, standard rock fare. More unique is the BGM, which is almost always on during the show. I'd go as far to say that BGM is overused in this show, as if they're afraid you'd lose attention if they stopped.
VAs do a fair job but are limited by the script and, well, lack of unique characterization in general.
Story:
The show follows Sakura as she shadows the cool, calculating, and emotionless Rei Oogami- supposedly trying to stop him from killing other people. Despite her moral cries of "there must be a better way", nothing is ever proposed and she basically ends up as a spectator to the works of the Code Breakers. The central plot line is indeed contiguous, but it is also riddled with unanswered questions and fallacies that end up ruining the show for those of us who have a brain. All the seemingly isolated terrorist events and killings eventually get linked to a single individual, and then the show builds to a predictable climax encounter that is resolved in just about the worst possible way, that is other than the Mass Effect 3 ending.
You get the impression that Code Breaker was going for something deep (moral questions, government conspiracy, etc.) but it ends up all feeling shallow and not terribly thought out. For instance, there are only six Code Breakers at a time. Why only six when they show literally hundreds of special ability children? Also, the support organization for the Breakers, Eden, seems to employ just about every other person in Japan so it seems that the general "populace" isn't as ignorant as suggested. In the end, this show ends up somewhere between K and Zetman. Not as baffling as the former and not as outright disappointing as the latter. While Code Breaker has decent action, the reasons behind it is underwhelming.
Characters:
Sakura reminds me of other shoujo female leads (think Special A & Maid Sama). She's apparently every guy's crush at school and academically/physically gifted, though I find it odd that no one realizes that she's a child of basically a yakuza family. She's definitely labeled as "slow when it comes to love" as her actions make everyone else think she likes Oogami, when in fact she obviously has no interest in any guy. Both Sakura and Oogami have bewildering moral beliefs, Sakura will put herself at risk to help others while Oogami is on a crusade against "evil", whatever he thinks that is. So what character development can we expect here? Oogami goes from trying to kill Sakura repeatedly to being her bodyguard at the government's request. Yes, at the government's request. He himself shows little if any interest in Sakura's well-being.
Likewise, you'll find very cold relationships between practically everyone in this show. Confusingly, at times the code breakers act like a well-oiled team. Yet at other times they themselves claim that they almost always act solo. Ultimately, all the characters are given cookie-cutter personalities and are in general impossible to relate to.
Value:
The greatest value in this show is finding all the inconsistencies in the directing, presentation, and story. The story itself a mess that isn't worth telling and the characters might as well be amoeba. If you're not particularly desperate for a bit of action, steer clear.
