Two cents

[spaleween.livejournal.com]

First off, I like this anime because it involves war, political intrigue, friendship, and betrayal. Then I was miffed at the stereotypical characters--bad protagonist, heroic antagonist/best friend/greatest enemy, sexy and mysterious girl with mystical powers, helpless sister, megalomaniac king.

And then, as other LJ people have mentioned, they're not stereotypical after all. They're not completely good/bad people...most of them anyway.

There were two things I hated: (1) the Pizza Hut product placement, but this has already been beaten and murdered in other posts so I won't do it, and (2) the god-awful deus ex machina.

There were plenty of deus ex machina in Code Geass (read: V.V.), but what annoyed me most was when Euphie dropped out of nowhere and into Suzaku's arms. Somebody explain to me why a princess would drop out of nowhere? Ah, *forehead smack* convenient plot device...of course.

Many people don't like Euphie because she's a Lacus clone. I initially agree. But when she became a killing doll, I liked it. She became one of Lelouch's many accidental pawns in that last-8-minute chess game of his. This confirms Euphie's purpose in the series: convenient momental plot device.

Now Nina. Everyone is creeped out. But I like it that there's a one-sided-stalker-worship-dirty-love going on with Nina. She never really had anyone care for her before, and here comes this radiant glowing princess that values Nina's life so much that she's willing to exchange her life for hers. Nina is so awestruck because no one ever does this for her before that she entrusts her never-ending and never-wavering loyalty and devotion to her. Someone actually treasured her, in Nina's view. So the girl who was never appreciated before becomes obssessed with the radiant princess because she's afraid no one would appreciate her life again. I kinda understand it.

Suzaku. Agree with the initial Kira-clone impression. Agree with the later omg-he's-actually-two-dimensional-because-of-that-patricide impression. I truly appreciate characters who are not one-dimensional. I don't like perfect characters. I like it that he's a contradictory character. I like it that he's trying to convince himself of doing the right thing, justifying himself of his father's murder. He's haunted by all the bad things he did, but he still weaves the illusion onto himself that "this is for the good". He has a mask, just like Lelouch's Zero, but Suzaku's mask is harder to remove as it's from childhood. I agree that he keeps repressing all that emotion. Once, he managed to let a bit out in front of Lelouch, but that's just a bit. His guilt is slowly eating him and he doesn't notice it. Euphie was, once again--convenient plot device--, the trigger to release all that pent-up emotion since childhood. He doesn't care anymore. He doesn't care that Nunnally is in danger. He doesn't care that Japan is in complete chaos. He doesn't care that Lelouch is his best friend. He doesn't care. All he cares about is killing this guy, riddle him with bullets and make sure he's DEAD.

I haven't read Suzaku of the Counterattack, you see.
A favor? Would anyone mind doing a character sketch of Suzaku? I really want to understand him more.

Comments

Re: Some mighty big claims you got there

[kadekmoment.livejournal.com]

I'm actually really curious to see what went down in the cave, since the trailer was definitely putting an emphasis on its consequences for the situation a year later. I do think that Suzaku could have killed Lelouch right then and there (and the directors have said as much), but that he would probably feel the regret set in with the same immediacy as with his father's death. And most likely with much, much more intensity considering that it would have been his second murder in blind rage/impulse. I wouldn't be surprised if he turned the gun on himself not long afterwards. The only thing that could hurt more than murdering your own family is to hurt someone that you chose to be close to and believe—namely, a friend.

Also, if Suzaku doesn't need cookies, I don't know who does. . . . actually, scratch that, the entire cast could use a batch.

Re: Some mighty big claims you got there

[rkold.livejournal.com]

OK to make sure you get to see it too!
My friend got back in touch with me and said that she understands it as follows:
Suzaku says: "I didn't have any words to say in response to your vow. What you are trying to do is patricide. It's probably the wrong answer. [Not clear if he means "Patricide is the wrong answer to your problems" or "It would be the wrong answer to your vow to point out that you're trying to commit patricide."]
And then he says "I know. I was the only one who could know."

Whee, ambiguity!

My friend is bilingual so I admit I'm more willing to go with her translation than either of the fansubs. ^^;


I am really curious about Season 2 though I am trying to stay mostly spoiler free lol If I could afford it, I would so try to go to the premier in March *___*

But yeah, considering Suzaku is in the military he easily could have killed Lelouch, particularly since he had his gun out long before Lelouch raised his. But if he knows Lelouch survived, that would certainly give Suzaku huges amounts of guilt. I'm sort of wondering if Suzaku didn't pass out like the last time on the island.

I admit I think Suzaku needs cookies more than anyone else, then Lelouch and then poor Cornelia lol

Re: Some mighty big claims you got there

[kadekmoment.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the speedy reply! ♥ ♥ Good to have that cleared up.

The spoilers so far are special and confusing to the extreme. And very little on Suzaku himself. I think waiting to see the premiere in full is a much smarter (and less AUUUUGH-inducing) plan, haha.

"SUDDENLY: GEASS POWERS ACTIVATE. And Kururugi is dooooooown!" . . . if that happened, I will laugh.

They can share! All three can afford to gain a pound or two.