The point I'm trying to make is this - this show is all about the dramatic. The overacting, 'camera' angles, the unseemly plot twists at the end. I don't know your life, but I can almost certainly guarantee that you will cry. Perhaps only once, and perhaps only a sniffle, but it'll happen.
Trust me on this.
The story itself is flashy, and developed enough for me to keep watching, even though it's not always justified - There's plenty of plot holes, and holes that were plugged in such a way that they would only make sense if you don't think about it - But it serves its' purpose. It's fun, it's engrossing, and it makes you care. Well, most of the time.
Some of the times you want to punch people in the face.
A lot of characters in this season are nothing more but half-assed plot devices, and they're lucky if they're at least that. You might not be bothered by it all that much, but I was. This anime is known for a very diverse set of side character, and only a small amount of them receives the time of day, and even fewer actually get something worthwhile. Most are reduced to nothing but weird comic relief or a last minute plot device, without so much a decent explanation or an apology for all my troubles. I can still weep at the complete waste of character potential that is Shirley. It will stick with me for a long time.
There is, of course, the action aspect of this series, which is fantastic. The battles of well choreographed, and some fights left me speechless on my couch for a few minutes before I recovered. If you appreciate mecha and action then you have no excuse not to give this franchise a go.
I won't touch up so much on art and sound because I like to assume everyone can see the art is very, very good, even if it has its' set of rough edges, so I will get right down to the conclusion.
This show is gorgeous. It's both visually and emotionally satisfying. It lacks a lot - too much, for me to give it a better rating, but it serves its purpose. It's filled with fan service galore, and is executed tastefully. The ending (of the Geass storyline, not Lelouch's) is mediocre at best, and is best consumed with your brain powered off. The actual ending of the anime, however, receives full points for making me weep into my pillow for about a week.
It's worth your time anyhow, but just don't expect it to be the masterpiece it had the potential to be during season 1.
