Since the next episode is due out so soon, and I just got around to watching it today, I wasn’t going to bother even blogging this one. But I feel compelled now, after reading so many comments on the MAL boards about how “moe” and “cute” C.C. is now, as opposed to her “badass” old self. If nine pages of comments on an online forum can be taken as indicative of general opinion, the new C.C. is widely adored.

I’ve spoken before about my frustration with female characters in various anime series, and I’ll speak of it again and again for as long as I continue watch anime. But this new incarnation of our cold, green-haired Geeser is one of the models that I have the most problems with. She used to be strong, more powerful even than our hero Lulu, and she used to be an essential part of his scheming and planning, hunted by his enemies. Now she’s a simpering, cowering child, stripped of all agency, her disgustingly feeble mewling explained away by some sob-story background about her childhood centuries ago before she got all immortal and capable.

Excuse me while I barf up my insides.

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This episode confirms my love of Lelouch: not because he’s a CLAMP noodle boy, not because he’s oh-so-pretty, but because he is one hell of a charismatic mastermind and easily one of the best anti-heroes to come out of recent seasons. Maybe the best.

Miles ahead of that notebook-wielding douchebag. What was his name again?

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This is a late reaction, due to my crazy end-of-semester schedule. I’m happy to report, though, that I am now completely finished with my first year of graduate school and free to devote myself to Lulu. (He Geesed me, so I’d say that. Naughty boy.)

If I lapse into a discussion of Cooper’s Last of the Mohicans, please forgive me. My brains are still a little mushy.

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Code Geass - or Code Geese or Code Gayass or Code Greatass, whatever your flavor of pet name happens to be - knows how to make my little heart skip a few beats. Oh, you naughty series, you had me going with that first episode!

But Code Geass doesn’t abuse its fans. It doesn’t treat us like we’re idiots (ahem) and it doesn’t revel in keeping us in the dark (ahem ahem). No sir. Code Geass raises questions and then…gasp! Answers them.

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So Lulu and the gang are back for another round of stretched-out limbs and mecha, sorry, Nightmare battles. OH BOY! I have to admit, I saw and enjoyed the first season. It felt a bit to me like Death Note, if Death Note hadn’t been so retarded. Death Note done right, if you will. That’s not to say Code Geass wasn’t full of its own little gems, but it is at least able to resist bursting through the doors of Campiness to sing out, “HERE I AAAAAAAM!” (Code Geass just knocks politely.)

After the end of the first season, I was all but wetting my pants for the premier of R2.

One episode in and the new season promises to be…uh…very familiar?

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