yes this anime starts off as very similar to code geass, in the way that the protagonist gains the "power of the kings' from a mysterious girl. But the team behind it said they never intended for it to be another code geass. This anime soon diverges from the similarities it shares with code geass, and we see a lot of amazing plot twists and WTF moments (also in a good way). the first 6 episodes got me hooked, and albeit episodes 7 and 8 were seemingly boring and a waste, everything comes together incredibly well as evident in the CRAZY, AWESOME, MINDFUCK that is episode 9 and 10. lately the anime has been coming out of its shell and if have stuck with it, then you know what im talking about.
I recommend this to those who love action, romance, comedy, drama, mechas, apocalyptic scenarios, rebellions, tragedy, school life, and character development. This anime has a little bit of everything, even a small amount of ecchi.
I suggest that everyone at least goes to episode 10 before they quit on this anime if they dont like it. The writers and producers said themselves,
"We're not trying to be like Geass. We didn't plan to take anything from it for this show. Actually, as for the setting, Code Geass is quite apart from, way beyond modern Japan. But for Guilty Crown, the situation is more natural. So we're not trying to do a similar plot. Of course, there are some similarities."
Now on with the rest of the review and the summary.
On Christmas Eve, 2029, an unknown "apocalypse" virus appears out of nowhere in japan and creates a quagmire in the infrastructure of japan, political, social, and economic pandemonium, as well as countless deaths of the citizens of japan. This event, now referred to as the "Lost Christmas" incident, was able to be contained through the interference of the GHQ, an international organization.
Fast Forward 10 years, 2039,. The GHQ keeps order and stability in japan through their Martial Law. Ouma Shu the socially inept yet perspicacious 17 protagonist has a run in with fate. Through sheer chance, he meets Yuzuriha Inori (the heroine) the lead vocalist in a rising band called egoist. And of course, she turns his life inside out as she is actually a member of Funeral Parlor, a resistance groups that seeks the freedom and liberation of Japan. Through his encounter with funeral parlor and Yuzuriha Inori, he gains the "power of kings" in his right hand, bestowing upon him the power to reach into a person and extract a part of their soul (known as voids, and each person has a different void just like how each person is unique) and materialize it into a weapon.
He is now blessed with this new power thereby making him a prominent and essential member of funeral parlor. Is this power and the support of new comrades enough to help Shu change the outcome of devastating events around him? or will he break from the pressure and death of those around him?
The art is simply outstanding compared to other anime series. Of course thats just my opinion, just like everything else ive said so far. The music is also very unique to this anime. The action, romance, comedy, WTF, drama, and slight fanservice moments really blend in well with the anime, almost all of the time.
the characters are pretty good, but nothing new.
we see a variety of characters here
there is Shu the hesitant and indecisive main character who has a lot of heart and compassion. The mysterious enigma, Yuzuriha Inori. The badass strategist and leader, Gai Tsutsugami, and many others. We see a huge amount of character development in every episode. Especially with Gai throughout the anime, and with Shu in episodes 9 and 10. I would have given it a 6 at first but lately its been getting really good so i was even considering giving it an 8, but i settled with a 7.
I have really enjoyed this anime so far and i hope everyone gives it a chance and i hope many who disliked some aspects of it, reconsider
