Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 is the direct sequel of iCode Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion. Code Geass is without a doubt my favorite mecha series, and possibly my favorite anime ever (I've watched both series somewhere around 5 times). I laughed, I cried, I rinsed, and I repeated.

Review

When comparing story execution and plot, the first series was much much better than R2. That being said, the two series are inseparable and R2 should always be viewed after the first series. Furthermore, the ending of R2 is arguably one of the greatest anime endings to date, and possibly one of the more shockingly fitting. However, as many a reviewer has said before me, the beginning and ending are fantastic, but the middle is just plain "meh." Some of the "big reveals" of the series are rushed while side stories like the China arc take up more time than they need to (and then there's the comedy episodes...). Some major plot holes arise, and much of the plot hinges on "miraculous recoveries" from seemingly fatal circumstances. Still, I really enjoyed this series.

I still adore these characters, and the way Suzaku acts in this series makes me want to cry...even new characters like Anya Alstriem and Gino are super awesome to watch. Difficult sibling relationship between Lelouch, Rolo, and Nunnally is grippingly interesting. That being said, I really dislike how they treated the character of Kallen (I like to call it Gundam Seed Destiny syndrome). In the first series she was one tough chick, but suddenly she becomes overly emotional and just a source of fanservice--a real injustice to a great female character. Other characters change a lot, and some call this character inconsistency. While this is partially true, much of it is circumstantial and justifiable given the situations these characters are living through.

The animation for R2 is immensely better than the first series' due to higher production values and a primetime TV spot in Japan. The mecha fights are beautiful and the character designs take on a much more flattering composition than before. The music is, as expected beautiful, with the highlights being Hitomi's insert songs "I Became a Bird" and "Continued Story."

Violence
This is a war story, including mecha battles and ground soldier battles. The mech battles are mostly bloodless. However, a lot more blood is shown later in the series and these deaths aren't just soldiers--mecha ruthlessly gun down civilians, people are shot at close quarters and stabbed through the head and heart. A fitting level of blood is shown here, but it splatters quite a bit and pools around bodies. Though not immediately visible, Spoiler: millions of civilians are vaporized by the equivalent of the atomic bomb.
Other scenes include more slapstick violence.

Sexual Content/Nudity
With the exception of one scene, there is really no nudity in this series, the exception being a scene with a naked woman with conveniently placed hair. Waay less nudity than the first series.

That being said, R2 REALLY ups the ante on the fanservice. Dresses show IMMENSE cleavage, and even the outfits with high necks are fit so tightly that the outlines of the breasts and butt are clearly visible. One character wears a revealing bunny suit for an infiltration scene and later pilots a mecha in this getup, cuing lots of cleavage bouncing. Actually, every female pilot gets her own fanservice screen time with lots of jiggle. Elsewhere, female characters are shown in the shower with steam hugging their chests. The school swim team hosts a cafe and prompts various skimpy bikinis and swimwear.

Elsewhere, a female character falls on top of a guy in a compromising position. One especially creepy man seems to be interested in raping a female prisoner. A boy makes reference to "things a woman can do to comfort a man." Several characters kiss. One adult couple ends up becoming pregnant outside of marriage--they later marry. Some fangirls will also try to convince you that there is also boys'-love in this series, but that's only in their heads.

Problematic Theology
C.C. is still referred to as a witch. The idea of Geass and C.C.'s immortality are explored in full, revealing a cult-like "Geass Order." A flashback takes place in a church with a nun. Spoiler: The Emperor's main goal is revealed to be to destroy "God." "God" is defined as a kind of "collective unconscious." To defeat his now-immortal father, Lelouch uses his Geass to "request" of the "God" that time continue to march forward. A character proclaims "There is no God." The Emperor of Britannia quotes the 10 Commandments as lies created by the weak to protect themselves. Elsewhere, a media man refers to "turning a leader into a god."

Problematic Themes
Minor swearing appears here and there.

R2 continues the debate over whether the "ends justify the means." Nearly every action is a moral quandary. For example, consider Lelouch's question to an enemy:
"Let me ask you something, Lord Guilford. Supose there is an evil that justice cannot bring down. What would you do? Would you taint your hands with evil to destroy evil? Or would you carry out your own justice and succumb to that evil?"
No morality in this show is black and white, and many times there seems to be no right answer. Among the characters, hypocrisy seems to be rampant as they question and go back on their own ideals as they try to do the right thing. If this is bothersome to you, then this is not the series for you.
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For me, one theme stands out to me: the wish for the future. One character desires the past, another desires the present, and one desires the future. In the words of Lelouch:
"Why do people lie, it isn't only because they struggle against each other, it's also because there is something that they're seeking. You now want a world without change. How stagnant, you could hardly call it life. The same as a world of memories, just a world that's closed and completed, that's a place I wouldn't want to live in."
It's a strong message, especially coming from a character like Lelouch who lives with so much guilt, despair and regret for deaths he caused and could have stopped. It makes you realize- "If someone with that kind of past can desire the future...so can I."

Overall, if you can stomach the fanservice, the Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion series are a must-see for any anime fan.

"NOW, I, LELOUCH VI BRITANNIA COMMAND YOU: ALL OF YOU, WATCH CODE GEASS!"