Code Geass R2 — Episode 9
This happens way too little in real life
After last week’s break, episode 9 is finally here! I find this episode’s plot logically defective but the character interactions melodramatically delightful, so on the whole the episode is sufficiently entertaining. Hey, it’s like I just described 90% of Sunrise’s works.
Summary
The Chinese Federation leases Horai, an artificial power generation island, to Zero to house the one million Japanese who have escaped Area 11.
Judging by the rudimentary map shown, the fictional man-made Horai is located off the eastern cost of Jiangsu, about 300km from Nanjing, which happens to be my hometown. Yes, I did check Google Earth.
Oh yeah, isn’t it interesting how Japan’s geographical outline appears so detailed in the map above, but China’s looks like a rough outline drawn in Illustrator? Artificial coastline due to geo-engineering, or lazy animators? You decide.
More hair = more powerful
The Black Knights get a timely resupply, including brand new Knightmares from India thanks to Rakshata. Apparently India is actually part of the Chinese Federation, which I find quite interesting. I always assumed it was part of Britannia, what with Rakshata being Llyod’s former colleague in Britannia mainland and the whole real-world British colonial era thing.
A romance that transcends generations…
Unfortunately, before the Black Knights have time to bask on their new concrete island, a terrible news rudely interrupts their high spirits. The Empress of the Chinese Federation is to be married to the crown prince of Britannia, in a political arrangement by Schneizel and the Head Eunuchs. Britannia gets some land concessions and the Empress as their hostage, while the Head Eunuchs get Britannian titles and presumably the benefits that come with them.
Kaguya is too loli for my taste, but she sure is awesome
A party is held to celebrate this sham, and Zero takes the liberty to invite himself in as usual. Much drama and awkwardness ensue as familiar faces meet. Kaguya kicks Suzaku’s metaphorical butt and Nina predictably goes Eva-Berserk on Zero.
She carries a cutter around with her all the time?
Meanwhile, Xingke and his group of loyalists are shocked by the eunuchs’ action and a plan is drawn to save the Empress from that sad paedophilic excuse for a crown prince. Unfortunately, a surprising betrayal gets the better of everyone…
“Your assault rifles are no match for my antique sword!”
Thoughts
The whole episode pivots on the fact that the Head Eunuchs basically decided to trade the symbol of their nationhood, the Empress, in exchange for useless Britannian titles.
He’s like twice her height and thrice her age
This is the part that makes no sense to me. Why would the eunuchs want titles? They are corrupted, I get that. But isn’t there enough wealth and power to be had in the Chinese Federation already? Giving away the Empress, essentially the sovereignty of the Federation, just for some stupid titles makes no sense.
Unless perhaps the Chinese Federation is actually so weak that the Head Eunuchs intend to appease Britannia and accept its dominance before their impotence become apparent. (I kid.)
And another thing…
Spoiler Alert |
Screencaps
Jeez, does he ever wear normal clothes?
“I’ll just stand on this unstable bit while Lelouch is below me and…”
“Oh wow. This is totally unexpected.”
“I want Tabasco…”
Just what race/nationality is Cecile anyway?
Nice… uh… hair style.
Anyone get the feeling that he is grooming her to be a ruthless killing machine?
Can’t a would-be assassin conceal a knife in his right hand behind his back?
Don’t ask, don’t tell
They stand no chance against Kaguya’s teasing power
Awkward…
Yup, still insane
What era is this again?
Oh yeah, Simplified Chinese was a communist invention
He’s not helping his own case with that orange accessory
By the way, some guy went on a stabbing spree in Akihabara today. 7 people are confirmed dead. Apparently it was a random act of violence and he only chose Akiba due to the high pedestrian traffic.
June 11th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
@Ash: I also think there are likenesses to Death Note, BUT Death Note doesn’t have plot holes, isn’t sponsored by Pizza Hut, and don’t provide unnecessary fan service, and so forth…After all Geass is very “commercial” in its aesthetic, with big breasts, colourful clothes, loli characters and whatnot, where DN was sombre, if stylishly so.
The only real likeness that I see is the main figure (Lelouche/Light) pulling the strings of the people around him, creating a world he himself have decided good. But it’s still artificial stuff if you ask me. Geass is way more outrageous, and thus fun on its own right. But I wouldn’t say Geass is a BETTER anime. Death Note obviously had higher artistic aspirations behind it, i.e. being truly original.
I love Code Geass for its outrageousness, always providing fan service and references to other animes/ anime culture. What might be original here is how shamelessly they do this! xD
June 11th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
They just started the fan service in R2….To get more viewers maybe?
June 11th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
I just wish they had picked someone other than Kallen for it.
June 12th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Nice reviews. Your screen caps always make me laugh.
And also, you (DM) did not comment about Schneizel’s aide’s comment. Hehe. When I saw the lines (from the subtitles), I was already wondering how you’d parody it. :D
June 13th, 2008 at 12:29 am
He’s like twice her height and thrice her age
How old’s she?
June 13th, 2008 at 4:06 am
“He’s like twice her height and thrice her age
How old’s she?”
Probably around the same age as Kaguya, if a little younger. I reckon Kaguya’s a few years younger than Lelouch, ’bout 14/15? I’d put Tian Zi at about 12, though with Anime you can never be sure. Putting Odysseus at 35+, which going by his appearance wouldn’t be far off imho.
June 14th, 2008 at 1:12 am
this was interesting, lots of loli themes but watever, i want to see the big fight already.
June 14th, 2008 at 6:09 am
Just watched the ep. WTF’s with the 朱禁城?! It’s 紫禁城!
And yes the chess move was good. Back off Zero and lets see a bad ending for the show!
June 15th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Well V.V. said it’s gonna be crazy from now on so i’ll keep him to his word.. It seems the fighting is finally gonna begin again. The introductions are over..