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.