Recap: Plan For An Independent Japan

Hello again, and welcome back to Code Geass R2 month. When we last left the series,

we found out that the Black Knights had lost the rebellion and were imprisoned. We found

out that there are still people that depict the Chinese in racially insensitive portrayals. We got

social commentary that was far less subtle than the first season; and we found out that it's

going to be a dumbed-down role rehearsal of the first season from the word go. Now that I

have this out of the way, let's move on to the second episode, “Plan for an Independent Japan.”

We open on a review of the previous episode that is far more flattering than the way

I worded it above. I have no intention of holding back throughout this month's recaps.

We then get the same woefully-inappropriate J-pop theme song and red and gold text

on a gunmetal background title card. As I explained in the Bakugan recaps, uncreative title

card art bores me when I see it over and over.

It's going to get worse, folks. Be ready for it.

We pick up right where we left off from the previous episode, as the new Black Knights

and a group of Britannian soldiers are in battle; set amongst a smoldering tower surrounded by

aircraft. Given commemoration of certain events this week, I shall move on.

We then see Kallen piloting a Knightmare Frame, trying to hold the situation together.

In yet another thing that was not present in the first season, she is sitting in a manner that

accentuates her body's curves. This will become a constant throughout the season. I don't know

whether Sunrise, Clamp, or Goro Takenuchi himself demanded this; but it's an unnecessary

form of sexism to include in a Code Geass work. Especially since the male pilots are allowed

to sit normally in the cockpits, meaning the aforementioned parties do not wish to provide

fan service for the female viewers; creating an unfortunate double standard.

As if that's not enough, we cut to a flashback that seeks to swiftly de-canonize the

ambiguous ending of the first season. Like being able to have an open-ended conclusion

that leaves the interpretation to you, the viewer? Too bad! Goro Takenuchi, Sunrise, and

Clamp say this is what happened; and you can like it or lump it, and I don't like it one bit.

I'm serious. The staff really decided to say “fuck you” to everyone who liked the

ambiguous ending, in order to accommodate the people that weren't satisfied with it.

It's understandable, since the average viewer is hardwired to only accept a certain type

of ending; and they can get upset if it goes against their expectations and they're not

prepared for it. Still, for those who can process an ending like that; it's the equivalent

of a middle finger to the face.

How did they do this? Let's begin. Kallen is shocked to find out that Lelouch is Zero,

and she flees the scene. Suzaku then brings Lelouch to the Emperor of Britannia. Are you ready for this?

We get a scene that proves that it took 25 episodes to tell a great story, and only 2 to

ruin it. Suzaku demands to be sworn into the Knights of Round for capturing Lelouch. This

is absolutely disgusting. I know Suzaku would go to any lengths to keep up his position, but

this goes against his character entirely.

Also, look at how Suzaku is holding Lelouch. I know his intention is to cover Lelouch's

Geass eye so he can't manipulate the Emperor, but look at the way Suzaku's hand is placed. The way Suzaku is holding Lelouch's head, he could easily bite his finger to get him to let go.

An 8.96 out of 10, yet Azumanga Daioh only got an 8.34. What is wrong with your review

section, Anime News Network?

Rather than have Lelouch executed for treason with his rebellion, the Emperor decides

he can still make use of him. He then does something that should not have played out at all.

That's right! According to this second season, the Emperor has a Geass of his own. It

was never set up or alluded to before, meaning the writers just pulled it out of their ass. I

believe this is what's referred to as a Voodoo Shark.

The Geass that was given to the Emperor can rewrite memories at will. He can start

by erasing the public's recollection of this season. So, the Emperor agrees to Suzaku's terms,

and he uses his Geass on Lelouch to make his warp his mind to the Emperor's desires. Goro

Takenuchi, why do you apparently resent your own characters?

Well folks, this time it took a lot quicker to point out fatal the flaws in this show are.

I have never seen such a contrivance of plot or an improperly set up moment. By the way,

we're just five minutes in.

Oh hi, Rolo!

Anyway, back in the present, Lelouch is in a tight spot with the battle, and consults his

journal for his exit strategy. He really accounted for the fact that he would need an exit strategy

in his journal? He really planned for everything, didn't he? Except for that imbecilic plot device

about the Emperor having a Geass.

He uses his Geass on a Britannian soldier to steal a Knighmare Frame and the command

codes for it. Now his wanted meter is going to go up, and they're going to be after him even more!

Then, we cut to the outside of the building, and the camera pans down to show the

Chinese Federation headquarters for their branch in Britannia. Say what you will about their

appearance in this show, they did get the architecture right.

I guess life at Highton View Terrace isn't that bad after all.

Anyway, we see the Chinese Federation representative again. How racist is he? Well,

imagine if Jar Jar Binks got in a car crash with Mudflap and Skids and got attended to by the

spirit from The Wild World of Batwoman. That's as nice as I'm going to get.

General Carares, a member of the Britannian army, is sent in to address the situation.

He knows something is going on in the tower, and uses the excuse that he doesn't like the spice

of Chinese food to check it out. Go then. I love Chinese food. The spices are what make it the

most appetizing. They could make frozen monkey brains tasty if they had to.

Seeing as how Carares knows there are Black Knights in there, he decides to hunt

the most dangerous game. If that's an excuse to turn down duck sauce and Mongolian beef,

it will pass.

We cut back to the Knightmare Frames fighting in the tower. I think Bandai used their

funding of the show to shill some Robot Chogokin Figuarts and model kits of the Knightmare Frames with these battle scenes. It happens sometimes when a TV show of any kind that isn't

normally merchandise-driven gets a toy company as a private backer. That said toy company

will step in and make demands in the story in order to continue giving the show's crew money

to keep making episodes.

That's some action figure weapon you've got there.

Amidst all the chaos, we see Lelouch acting like himself for once-a cunning strategist

and warrior. We also see another CGI wireframe. Why do they keep investing in these? It

doesn't help the deficiencies of the story.

We then cut to Suzaku and the Emperor in some sort of cathedral. We'll get to this nonsense. For now, my whole thought on this situation: Suzaku knowing Lelouch is Zero

and has a Geass is not necessary to keep up the suspense. The connection would work fine

if they kept it at the level it was in the first season. If Lelouch was revealed to Suzaku, it should

have ended on the ambiguous note and their fate unrevealed.

Anyway, the cathedral is home to a location that is known as the Sword of Akaha. This

will get more nonsensical when it reappears later in the season.

Yeah, I don't think this playset will sell.

We cut back to the tower where the action is. Kallen is now at Lelouch's throat for not

telling her he was Zero. You know, if these plot elements were set up better, they could actually

work. Instead, they're just thrown together and kicked out the door.

Go ahead and shoot. You'd be doing me a favor.

Kallen goes on to say that she believes in Zero, but not Lelouch. What kind of logic is

that? She also notices that she's still dressed like a Playboy bunny, and Lelouch gives her his

uniform coat to cover up. I don't know who was in charge in giving her this outfit.

CC radios Lelouch and tells him that she's in a tight spot in battle. She also is strangely

fine with wearing a flight suit that has a huge bloodstain from her on it. I'd have stopped to

change into a clean one.

Carares arrives at the scene, his intent to get results. Why do they have to battle at a

smoldering tower when I watch it this week?

Behold the power of my muttonchop mustache!

The battle sees even more Britannian army Knightmare Frames entering the building.

Looks like the Craterites are at it again. They soon arrive at Lelouch's location and start

trying to kill him.

We will slaughter you before you make Valkyria Chronicles!

The battle scenes. Sweet skin of Uxie, the battle scenes. Although they are better-animated than they were in the first season, they are also clumsier and noisier. It's like going from Christopher Nolan to Michael Bay.

Urabe, one of the officers of the new Black Knights, remarks what they are going to

do in this situation. He is sitting normally in his Knightmare Frame's cockpit. I know this

because Kallen is sitting in a position that accentuates her panty-clad behind; furthering my

theory on the fan service double standard.

You know, I'm starting to think Goro Takenuchi had
some serious repressions to demand all these shots.

They decide to make a retreat through the hallway of the building. In their attempts to

do so, their way is blocked by another Knightmare Frame of a newer design.

HA-HA!

This is a really bad day for Lelouch. He gets threatened by a gangster, trapped in a

building, finds out his life is a lie, and now he's being outfoxed by his enemies. To drive the

point home, the Knightmare Frame begins decimating the other Black Knights in the tower.

This is for Transformers Energon!

Lelouch then has another breakdown, even asking himself why he's panicking. Yes,

why are you panicking? You used to be cool and collected in danger!

He goes on to say the way the new Knightmare Frame fights and moves is impossible.

Most robot anime tend to throw logic out the window and have the science behind them do

whatever the Hell the writers and animators want it to.

Yes, Sunrise. We know you made Gundam. How much
is Bandai paying you to promote the Figuarts of these mecha?

The Knightmare Frame continues to take out Lelouch's forces. I've got to say, this

is actually one of the few battles in this episode that is not only well-animated; but shot in

a way that we can actually tell what's going on.

And this is for Transformers Cybertron!

Urabe is killed in battle. I really have no reason to care, as he was so underdeveloped

that he could have been anybody in that crate.

As if that's not enough, we get another blatant ass shot of Kallen in the cockpit of her

mecha. So, constantly put the female pilots in awkward positions in the robot's cockpit, but

male ones maintain normal and non-sexual posture. That's some double standard that

Sunrise and Clamp put up.

Anyway, the Black Knights manage a pull-from-behind victory, with Lelouch climaxing

at his winnings. The tower finally collapses. Due to what happened this week, good taste shall

win the day and nothing shall be made of this. Instead, enjoy the sounds of Elton John.

After this, we get some officers being briefed on what to do now that Zero has returned,

overlaid with his speech being broadcast over most of the televisions in Britannia.

Once again, this is the same spiel as the first season, only less subtle and more

dumbed-down. An 8.96 out of 10, ostensibly better than Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex at 8.42.

The speech reaches the Knights of Round, and one of them gets buddy-buddy by

wrapping his arm around Suzaku. With Lelouch and Suzaku now at odds with each other,

the shipping has to be directed somewhere. There's also some talk about how the Knights of

Round don't want to assault generals, even though it's no different from what they said

Lelouch just did. Also, a female Knight of Round makes a statement about ant Hells.

Ant Hells? Are there grasshopper Hells as well?

As Zero's speech continues, we see Nina. You want to know what I think of her? Well,

I have no formal opinion on her. I know that must disappoint you folk that want to see her

burnt at the stake. If I had to say, I find her just a little cuckoo; because of a certain incident

that involves a dark room, a piece of furniture, and her panties on the floor.

Zero declares that he wants to form the United States of Japan, a place free of prejudice.

We will have mass-produced electronics, cars, toys, and video games at competitive prices!

We will have thriving agriculture and fishing industries! We will have cost-effective animation

that 20-year-old men can give analysis of because they have too much time on their hands!

Zero declares the Britannian branch of the Chinese Federation the first territory of

the United States of Japan. I've seen more ridiculous ways to form a country. I know a micronation near where I used to live in Dayton, Nevada; that a group of internet celebrities

tried to take over.

We close on Rolo attempting to gain entry into the Chinese Federation. Apparently Rolo

has a Geass too. This was dumb, but it's not the dumbest it can get.

“Plan for an Independent Japan” was an unpleasant experience with Code Geass R2.

While the action scenes remain in a great splendor, the idea that Suzaku would so readily

betray his friend, even given the circumstances; is unthinkable. Couple that with the idea

that Geasses are being handed out like candy to principal characters, and you have two

solid arguments against de-canonizing the ambiguous ending of the first season. The

peculiar decision to put Kallen in seating positions that focus on a well-filled pair of underwear,

yet leave the male pilots untouched also adds sexism to the growing faults of this series.

Even Zero's plan is just a rehash of his plan from the first season, yet it will not be executed

as smoothly. Code Geass R2 month will return, so here is a song far more appropriate for the

subject matter than what Orange Range composed.

A Couple Anime News Tidbits.

Hey guys. I took the notes and screencaps for the next Code Geass R2 recap late last night, and I will start writing it today. You should expect to see it posted later this week.

In the meantime, I will share a couple bits of anime news.

In the recap of Digimon: The Movie, I made a statement hoping that Saban Brands would reacquire the Digimon license and handle the planned dub of Digimon Xros Wars. Well, lo and behold, Saban has indeed done just that. As part of the new media acquisitions of Saban Brands, they have reacquired the Digimon license and they are in the process of dubbing Digimon Xros Wars. Websites such as Jefusion and Henshin Justice broke the news. It is unknown if older voice actors will return, or some of the original writing staff such as Jeff Nimoy.

Additionally, Saban intends to give the series a proper DVD release after being out of print for nearly a decade. There were some sets around the time Digimon Frontier aired in 2003, but they now command prices upwards of $600 for a sealed copy. Starting in October, the previous Digimon seasons will be released on DVD box sets; beginning with the first season of Digimon Adventure. The set is $80 for preorder on Amazon, which may seem pricey; but it's certainly a steal compared to the aforementioned $600 for a copy of the previous sets. The release will have all 54 episodes remastered with improved video and audio quality, as well as a small book telling of the story and characters of Digimon.

Elsewhere, Viz Media has licensed Tiger and Bunny, and they are currently promoting it in San Francisco, CA; with the release of Tiger and Bunny: The Beginning, a movie that tells the story of "Wild Tiger" Kotetsu before the events of the main series. Viz is making a big push with the large amount of Japanese-Americans and anime fans in the Bay Area; with the movie traveling to various sites in the city and surrounding areas. Many promotional goodies are being given out and sold as well. Most of them can only be acquired at one of the showings of the movie, but Bandai is also putting out wares for those who can't make it. Bandai is continuing their popular Tiger and Bunny line of SH Figuarts upscale action figures, with a Wild Tiger Figuarts of Kotetsu's pre-series form. Big Bad Toy Store is currently accepting preorders of the figure. The film is expected to be released on DVD not long after it leaves its limited theatrical run in the Bay Area.

That's about all I have to say. I intend to get my next Code Geass R2 recap up this week, so I need to get started writing it tonight at the latest. See you later.

Recap: The Day A Demon Awakened

Hello again. Now it's time to talk about an anime I've wanted to do recaps of the whole

time I started this blog. An anime that simply takes all the good done by its predecessor and

completely flushes it down the toilet. A series that has caused some of the biggest arguments

in its own fandom and out of it. That series is Code Geass R2.

I have no problem with the original Code Geass. I found it to be a powerful look at

the effects of war and racism; and a great analysis of the argument of idealism vs. cynicism.

The ending to it was highly ambiguous, and I liked it for that. I felt a second season was

unnecessary, denying its existence when I was told about it. When I did choose to view it,

I ended up regretting it.

It is a hotly-debated subject about the quality of this anime. Many saw it as a disappointment, others regard it as highly as the first season. Anime News Network even

gave it an 8.96 out of 10, making it objectively better than Elfen Lied at 8.26. I will put

in my stance on this: Code Geass R2 is not a very good anime. It is a veritable affront to

the original series, and series creator Goro Takenuchi takes all the goodwill he set up in

that series and smashes it to pieces.

That is why I have declared this month to be Code Geass R2 Month, where I will do

nothing but recaps of Code Geass R2 all this month; deconstructing its flaws and explaining

why it doesn't work. I will start with the very first episode, “The Day A Demon Awakened.”

Spoiler Warning: This month's recaps contain plot events for both seasons of Code Geass. If you do not wish to know what happens, please turn away now. Otherwise, scroll

down to continue.

We open on a brief review of the events of the first season, telling of how the Britannian

Empire conquered Japan and foiled their resistance to reclaim it; exiling them to derelict

settlements making up a place called “Area 11”. They were thereby branded as “Elevens” for

their treachery. The second rebellion by Zero and his group, the Black Knights, was also

revealed to have been foiled. This is going to be a long 25 episodes.

Are you ready for some football?

We pan over some din of the students of Ashford Academy talking about Zero. One

of them brings up how the Black Knights may have failed, but it's too early for despair. Of

course it's too early for despair. That part comes when we see what they're doing to this series.

Enter Lelouch, who is walking down the halls of the school, where he is confronted

by a teacher about his absences. Don't worry, I have a rant prepared for what they're doing

to his character.

This results in a chase scene between Lelouch and the teacher, and he manages to pass

Milly; and he still has enough time to get a piece of bread from her before ducking into a pantry.

The teacher confronts Lelouch, saying that he is non-athletic as ever. Bullshit. He just

outran you into a pantry. Now, let's break out the wine and the gorgonzola! No, instead, he uses

some colored gas to escape where a motorcycle is waiting.

We then get our theme song. Once again, this is the first time listening to it. Since I

will be making a lot of comparisons to the first season; I will tell you what I thought of the

other theme songs first. The first Code Geass theme song was a jazzy tune that I did not enjoy.

The second one was a punk rock theme with a great lyrical hook and four-chord guitar riff.

This theme song is a bubbly J-pop theme that jars horribly with the subject matter of the show.

On top of that it was written by Orange Range, whose theme song for the first season of Bleach

was every bit as inappropriate. As we'll discover, the theme song is the least of this show's problems.

We then get our title card, with red and gold text on a gunmetal grey background.

It is OK for this, but it's just another letdown for this series.

Brace yourselves, because it's all downhill from here.

We see Lelouch and his brother Rolo riding through the city on a motorcycle, sharing

the bread Milly gave him. Two young men, sharing a long, floppy piece of bread. I'd make

a joke, but I'm not sure what I'd accomplish with it.

Regarding Rolo: I just found him to be bland. This is in the face of all the criticism

against him. I did not find him to be awful. It always baffled me how people got angry about

Rolo, but never said anything about Lloyd or Rivalz; who are arguably worse characters.

At least, that's what I think.

While they continue to ride along, we get some exposition about how Zero and the

Black Knights lost and how the Emperor Charles is continuing his reign; making things even

harder in Britannia. We also get some talk about how Lelouch isn't sure what he's going to do

when he graduates; or how he's going to handle adulthood, for that matter.

Yeah, I think maybe I'll take a year off, cruise around Area 11,
get a pizza, pick up some women, I dunno. What do you think,
heterosexual life partner?

Their conversation is overlaid with images of the captured Black Knights and Area 11

construction workers being chastised by their Britannian superiors. You know, something I

admired about the original Code Geass was the subtlety it conveyed in its social commentary.

As you will find, subtlety is something that goes out the window this season.

As the two enter a building's elevator, we get a CGI wireframe of the building. Try

not to think how the money spent on this CGI could have gone to curing cancer, or diabetes,

or HIV/AIDS. We cut back to Lelouch, who talks about the difficulties in his life. Yes. It's

so hard to be a male, white, affluent citizen in a world where people in slums live off what I

throw away!

It turns out the building they were going into was a casino. See what I meant about a lack of subtlety? Goro Takenuchi actually sunk to pulling the rich folk gambling card.

I'm not sure what Goro Takenuchi was trying to get across,
but I'd rather not think about it.

There's even a scene where a couple Elevens fight in a mixed martial arts match for

the amusement of the rich. You know, if this series was more subtle, delivering the

commentary in this manner could work. Instead, it just comes off as preaching to the choir.

Are you fighters ready for some football?

If this was meant as social commentary, it falls completely flat. Now, Kallen enters,

and we see just what will happen to her.

Here is the moment I lost all faith in humanity.

Kallen, who was one of the strongest characters in the first season, has been very

effectively demeaned here, and I don't like it. She was one of the bravest fighters I've

seen in an anime, and now she's been reduced to wearing a Playboy bunny costume to

be auctioned off to rich folk for dates.

Get used to shots like these, you'll be seeing them a lot.

At that moment, a rather homely-looking rich man grabs Kallen by the hair and starts

talking down to her. In this country, a guy who looks like that trying to do that would get a

swift kick in the nuts.

You see what I meant with those shots?

This man's actions are reprehensible. Simply reprehensible. As if that's not enough,

there are even more Playboy bunnies to be auctioned off for dates. Lelouch declares this

will not stand. This aggression will not stand.

Do you feel in charge?

He challenges the rich man to a game of chess. A game of chess. There's something

very familiar about this...

We cut to another outdoor shot, and we see yet another advertisement for Pizza Hut

on the side of the building. Pizza Hut supports the rebellion! Only the Empire goes to Domino's!

We also get a brief look at the prison where the Black Knights are staying. I'm just

going on record to say that it's some setup they have there. There aren't even any toilets in

these cells. What happens if they have to use the bathroom?

Back at the casino, the rich man has lost the chess game. It kind of looks like he's

making an “IMPOSSIBRU!” face because of this. Surprise surprise! The rich man is also

a gangster.

He says that he'll lose face if this rumor spreads. Lose face if this rumor spreads?

You've got an entire casino full of witnesses! You better start coughing up, fancypants!

No, instead, he's going to cover up his loss by smearing Lelouch and killing everyone

in the room. What kind of gangster is this? He'd rather smear a student and murder an entire

room of witnesses than simply get out his checkbook and pay people to keep quiet?

At that moment, a group invades the casino; giving Lelouch and Kallen a chance to

escape. Kallen also manages to fight off and get away from the gangster.

In Soviet Russia, ass kicks you!

We also see more Knightmare frames coming into the casino and wrecking up the

place.  

Are you mechas ready for- you know what, that joke's played out.

As we enter the second half of the episode, we get to see the first member of the

Chinese Federation. These are by far the most stereotypical depictions of a world nation

I've seen in an anime. Hell, it's often seen as one of the key factors cited for when China

banned the series.

At least when Hetalia did this, it was played for laughs; so it was more understandable.

Here, we are truly expected to believe a Chinese person would actually look and act this way.

He looks like he came from a 1950s propaganda poster.

He also has a bodyguard that looks like he came from a Wuxia film. In any other anime,

he'd be good; but he's completely out of place in a Code Geass work.

Back at the casino, Kallen is now struggling to keep her footing. Well, good job. I've

never seen such a deliberate attempt to build up a character's fighting prowess, then completely

jettison it in the next scene.

We get another CGI wireframe shot. Again, this money could have been spent on

something better. On top of that, we also get a very disenchanting battle scene. What happened

to you, Sunrise?

Here it comes, folks. One of the reasons why I can't stand this anime. Lelouch is not

acting like himself, which will be a common feeling throughout this show.

In the middle of the action, we cut back to Ashford students Shirley, Milly, and Rivalz

gardening. One problem I have is whenever a show goes from an action scene to a calm one

like this. It is spectacularly jarring in this situation especially.

We cut back to the casino. Here is one of the reasons Code Geass R2 fails as a second

season. It turns Lelouch, a cunning strategist and warrior from the first season into a whiny,

simpering wreck; going against pre-established characterization entirely. This is something

that will continue throughout the whole season.

Seriously, Lelouch goes through the better part of this episode's third act hyperventilating and doubting himself, something that was never present in the first season.

At that moment, CC appears to Lelouch to remind him of his mission. Thank you.

Try to talk some sense into him. He's been acting like a stroppy child all day.

As if to drive the point home, CC gets shot. Again, this is all very familiar, and you'll

find out why in a moment.

This is gonna ruin my whole day.

Just then, an entire battalion of troops arrive to take Lelouch and CC in. The baron

who was leading the mission had apparently read Lelouch's diary to gauge where he was going

to be that day. They read his diary to draw him out? What kind of shithole planet is this?

I'm just transparently evil. I like what I do. Is that a crime?

So, it's the same situation as the very first episode; except instead of knowing what he

has to do, he's acting like a cow that got caught on the railroad tracks!

CC has survived her wounds, and she restores Lelouch's powers. Here we go again.

He then gives the exact same command with his Geass as the first episode-”die.”

When Britannia is in ashes, then you will have my permission to die.

Meanwhile, in a secret bunker, a man is briefing several members of an elite group

of soldiers that will be known as the Knights of Round on their mission. We see the last one

is Suzaku, and the episode ends.

“The Day A Demon Awakened” is a fitting sign of what's to come in Code Geass R2.

While Sunrise and Clamp invested more money for glamorous action scenes in the second half,

the character motivations have been completely screwed up from the first season. The writing

quality has taken a significant dive, to the degree that the series is like a dumbed-down rehash

of the first season from the get-go. I have seen every episode of this season, so I can vouch for

it not being up to snuff. The first season still holds up, and the whole series at least did well

enough to get various manga spinoffs. One I'm reading right now is “Nightmare of Nunally,”

which I recommend checking out. Another one I might get into is “Suzaku's Counterattack”.

Both are available in online scans and in books from Bandai Entertainment. One I'm looking

forward to is “Oz the Reflection,” which tells a new story that takes influence from L. Frank

Baum's Oz books. There are no scans yet, but I'm still looking. Don't go away, because

Code Geass R2 month will continue; and I will be lording that 8.96 out of 10 over Anime

News Network.