Imagine if at the end of the World War II, America had decided to take advantage of a war-ravaged world and systematically subjugate foreign governments, making their countries territories and taking away the national identities of the citizenry. While many liberals would argue the United States has done just that to a lesser extent, Code Geass presents an alternate reality where an imperialistic state called Britannia exists as the sole superpower and pretty much controls the entire world, with the exception of the European Union and the Chinese Federation, who just barely cling to independence.

Japan is among the many countries that lost its sovereignty and its citizens can no longer call themselves Japanese; instead they are known simply as “elevens,” in reference to the country being the 11th territory conquered. Needless to say the people are not thrilled with their second-class citizenship and meager existence in ghettos, but given the power of their oppressors, they have little choice.

In time, even the most egregious tyranny will be contested, and in this story, the challenge comes in an unlikely form. Lelouch Lamperouge superficially seems like an ordinary high school student bored by a mundane existence at his Britannian boarding school. However, Lelouch’s past betrays a life of bitterness consumed by a need for vengeance against his father, the Emperor of Britannia; a man who stood idly by while his wife, the Empress Marianne, was assassinated and his daughter was left crippled. Seeing little value in his “broken” children, the Emperor sent Lelouch and his sister to Japan as a sign of good faith. The Emperor then left them for dead when he invaded the country, but Lelouch secretly survived the ordeal and has carefully bided his time, awaiting an opportunity to strike down the despotism of his homeland and create a better world for his sister.

When some rebels decide to harass a Britannian transport, Lelouch gets caught up in the disturbance and meets a mysterious being called C.C. Sensing Lelouch’s disenchantment with life, she offers to make a contract with him, giving him the power he needs to satiate his desire for revenge in exchange for a promise to fulfill a single wish that she will not disclose until later. Eager to finally move forward, Lelouch accepts without hesitation and is granted a power called Geass, which in his hands allows him to compel anyone he makes eye contact with to follow his orders.

Assuming an alias as the masked mastermind Zero, Lelouch quickly organizes the disparate factions of rebels throughout Japan, forming an organization known as the Black Knights. With the insurgents at his disposal, Zero wreaks havoc on the Britannian government by assassinating its overseer. These actions only escalate the conflict, and soon Britannia’s elite arrive in an attempt to put down the uprising.

Zero’s tactics care little for methods, only results, which puts his style in stark contrast to the beliefs of Suzaku Kururugi. Suzaku was the son of Japan’s last Prime Minister, and having accepted Japan’s subjugation and joined Brittania’s military, he seeks to change the Empire from within. Like Lelouch, he soon gets an opportunity to fulfill his dream when he is selected to pilot an experimental Knightmare, which is your typical anime mecha. Adding to the intrigue, Lelouch and Suzaku are childhood friends who are soon reunited when Suzaku joins Lelouch’s school.

The rivalry and ideological differences between the two is often the focus as the story is carefully played out. Lelouch must not only helm his rebellion, but protect the identity of himself and his sister, lying even to his friends and allies, while the enemy is all around them. Plenty of action and plot twists keep the audience engaged, while the array of characters give them plenty of personalities to love.

While the conclusion of the first season will leave viewers with a cliffhanger, it will also leave them thoroughly entertained and motivated to buy the second season. Bolstered by the signature character designs of CLAMP, an interesting plot, and complex, likable characters, Code Geass, Lelouch of the Rebellion is a highly recommended series.