As hoped, after fifty episodes, Code Geass is done. Lelouche vi Britannia’s struggle is over, and we have our winners and losers. There are certainly some plot threads that were left unresolved — the interaction between Lloyd and Rashata comes readily to mind — but not many, and none that were prominent to the story. The final plot twist was appropriately dramatic, if not unpredictable. Not to spoil anything, but calling his plan “Zero Requiem” was a dead giveaway.

Over all, I’d give Code Geass an A-. Very much a worthwhile investment of about twenty-four hours of viewing time, a series I’ll likely remember fondly several years from now, and one of the few multi-season shows I’ve been willing to see through to the end recently. I give them credit for maintaining animation quality over the haul and for finding such an entertaining way to mix together so many Japanese animation tropes (particularly the ones I normally avoid). Partial credit for easing off a bit (at least towards the end) from the continuous escalation of scale and power level so typical of the action genre. Deductions for the overabundance of “just as planned” hare-brained plot twists.

Fourty-nine episodes into Code Geass and I just can’t wait for the final episode. Not out of a great burning edge-of-my-seat anticipation of the latest cliffhanger. No. At this point I’m watching with the morbid curiosity of a driver that slows down and glances over at the upended sedan in the median. That guilty little tug that makes you need to know something you don’t really want to know. I’ve already remarked on the silly procession of shocking revelations, crosses, double-crosses, triple-, quadruple- and pentuple-crosses. It’s still going. Happily, it has been several episodes since any new loose ends have been introduced.

Code Geass has been an interesting show, very well-produced and executed despite its manifold thematic problems. Its producers took a broad array of weaknesses and forged them into strengths, but could not seem to get past its cast of over-the-top, too-clever-by-half leading characters. Here’s to hoping there won’t be a third season!

It’s been a while since I’ve commented on any anime. That would be because I’m really only following Code Geass at the moment. This past week saw the twentieth episode of its second season, and I am convinced that the writing staff has been smoking crack. The number of paper-thin plot devices characters has grown completely out of control, with a couple dozen conflicting interests butting heads, and so many plot twists that things have devolved into a simple matter of “what’s this week’s crazy revelation going to be?” This show has truly been a guilty pleasure, what with its Clamp character designs, giant robots, anti-western sentiments, melodrama, love triangles, weaboo fightan action, magical superpowers, and its mess of stupendously-competent characters that keep preventing each other from accomplishing anything.

A big part of me hopes Code Geass ends permanently soon. Wrap up the main thrust of the plot (Lelouche vs. Charles) and be done with it. I’m accepting recommendations for titles that have the following qualities: not a high-school romantic comedy, not tragically hip, reasonably interesting protagonist, reasonably unpredictable plot. Haven’t seen a lot of those floating around lately.