I guess my main issue is that it's supposed to have a so-called 'amazing storyline' with unexpected plot twists and surprises that just blow your mind. I found it to be anything but - to me the direction of the story and characters was leading and easily predictable, and to be honest downright boring at times. I was frequently disinterested, to the point of barely being able to resist watching something else.
What really struck me was how 'western' this show felt compared to any other anime I have watched, possibly why i found the story and outcomes so predictable and mind-numbing. It was somewhat reminiscent of watching Dexter (HBO), but full of seemingly pointless mecha battles, and severely lacking in hot female characters and fanservice.
I was really irritated by it towards the last few episodes *SPOILER ALERT* where Lelouch's crew, who had trusted him and were willing to die for an unknown masked man for basically the entire series, were swayed into betraying him, by the enemy who boarded their ship, within a single episode - and at a time when the rebellion clearly had the upper hand. Even the few crew that were aware of his true identity and had been keeping quiet the whole time also suddenly decided to become turncoats and side with their enemies whom they were bitterly fighting to the death up until a few minutes prior. What the hell is that? To me, that's another hint at western influence behind this anime, since Japanese tend to be honorable to a fault, rather than treacherous at the drop of a hat.
I consider Code Geass highly overrated, and unjustly sensationalized into popularity for reasons I still cannot explain. Perhaps the blatant Pizza Hut advertising throughout the two series had something to do with it, which further bolsters my feeling this show was meant for a foreign audience that is easily pleased.
