So, can Code Geass as a series thrive in 2024? The answer is both yes and no. My biggest criticism is how they rushed things to fit everything into a 12-episode anime. While the available material may not justify a full 24-episode season, and there might be budget constraints (despite the flawless animation), the story could easily have been expanded into 16-18 episodes. Even though the main revenue comes from the theater releases in Japan, they could have just made the 4 longer movies longer. Due to the pacing, most of the side characters are underdeveloped, feeling like remnants of the original cast. The show also goes out of its way to restrict the old characters, making every possible excuse to prevent them from easily solving the conflict.
The villains, on the other hand, are overpowered to the point of being unrealistic. Without spoiling anything, the financial and time investment needed for the villains' grand plan is absurd, and it’s hard to believe no one saw it coming. The use of Geass and tactical elements is also underwhelming. The series starts with an intriguing premise but gradually devolves into a typical mech battle anime. However, the final episode is incredibly hype, reminding me why I loved the series so much in the first place.
In summary, "Code Geass: Dakkan no Roze" is far from perfect, but it has a lot of potential and is definitely the best Code Geass spin-off compared to others. It has its flaws, most of which could have been avoided, but for a dedicated fan of the series, it’s still worth checking out.
