Code Geass: Akito the Exiled-Episode V: To Beloved Ones (2016)

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General		Extras
Category	Anime	Trailer-Japanese PVs Trailer-Japanese Trailer Trailer-x 4 for other anime
Rating
Year Of Production	2016
Running Time	57:33 (Case: 60)
RSDL / Flipper	No/No	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	Kazuki Akane
Studio Distributor	Madman Entertainment	Starring	Maaya Sakamoto Miyu Irino Satoshi Hino Yoshitsuga Matsuoka Yoko Hikasa Masaya Matsukage Jun Fukuyama
Case	Alpha-Transparent
RPI	?	Music	Ichiko Hashimoto

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 (448Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.78:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio	1.78:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	English	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

"When you gaze long into an abyss,
the abyss also gazes into you"

     Code Geass: Akito the Exiled Episode V: To Beloved Ones is the fifth and final episode of this Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion spin off series which transposes the story to Europe where the nations of the United Republic of Europa are holding out against Euro-Britannia. These are the links to the reviews of the first four episodes: Episode I: The Wyvern Arrives, Episode II: The Torn-Up Wyvern, Episode III: The Brightness Falls, and Episode IV: From the Memories of Hatred.

     To Beloved Ones follows on immediately from the end of From the Memories of Hatred, in fact it starts by repeating the scene after the closing credits in that episode and continues from there. Most of this final episode is taken up with an attack by Britannian forces led by Shin Hyuga Shaing (Masaya Matsukage), leader of the Order of Michael and older brother of Akito, against Leila’s (Maaya Sakamoto) fortress HQ. Leila and her special “Wyvern” Knightmare unit (W-0), comprising the expendable Japanese exiles Akito (Miyu Irino), Ryo (Satoshi Hino), Yukiya (Yoshitsuga Matsuoka) and Ayano (Yoko Hikasa) plus their new ally Ashley (Takuma Terashima), fend off the overwhelming force of Britannian Knightmares until Akito and Shin face off in a moment of truth, and memories.

     To Beloved Ones is a tour-de-force action episode that is chaotic, loud and colourful with swirling Knightmare fighting machines, gunfire, explosions, booby traps and crashing walls. Yet, the episode is complex for it also delves into considerations of family, loss, sacrifice, betrayal and, above all, love, the relationship between Shin and Akito, Geass principles, the impact of the intellect on the real world, altering the past and a controlling deus-ex-machina (sort of). This is a lot to fit into one 57 minute episode so some strands that were prominent during the earlier episodes, such as General Smilas’ (Unshou Ishizuka) coup against the teetering civilian government of the United Republic of Europa, are disposed of in a cursory manner. As well, characters and plots introduced in the earliest episodes are ignored, which is not surprising I guess in a series of only 5 episodes whose first episode was released way back in 2012. Nevertheless, the concentration upon the castle assault and Akito and Shin’s relationship in this final episode results in a compact and compelling episode that is never less than beautiful to look at.

     Episode V: To Beloved Ones, also termed the “Final Chapter” in the credits, is a worthy conclusion to the Code Geass: Akito the Exiled set. However a scene after the closing credits suggests that Julius Kingsley ( Jun Fukuyama) may not have played his last hand.

Video

     Code Geass: Akito the Exiled V: To Beloved Ones is presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, the original ratio, and is 16x9 enhanced.

     This is a nice looking print. The pastel colours are quite beautiful including the greens and blues of the trees and water. The reds and yellows of gunfire and explosions are deep and vibrant, the winter landscape of snow and trees are nicely grey and white and the golden flashbacks stunning. Blacks and shadow detail are good, brightness and contrast consistent.

     Marks are absent and the print copes well with the fast action sequences.

     It is anime so lip synchronisation is approximate although not too bad.

     The English subtitles are in a clear white font. They are easy to read and do not contain errors although in the subtitles the W-0 unit continues as wZERO. The subtitles are burnt in so cannot be removed for Japanese speakers.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

     Audio is a Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 track at 448 Kbps.

     The dialogue is clear. The surrounds and rears are utilised for spirit voices, engines and music plus gunshots, impacts and explosions during the Knightmare fights. The sub-woofer provided appropriate support to the crash and thump of the fighting machines, the cannon fire and explosions.

     The score by Ichiko Hashimoto was effective, with less of the jazzy trumpet during the action scenes.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Japanese Trailer (1:14)

Japanese PVs (1:52)

     Five TV spots for the series and the Blu-ray / DVD release.

Trailers

     Trailers for Cute High Earth Defence Club Love! (1:39), Nanana’s Buried Treasure (1:38), Wolf Girl & Black Prince (1:36) and Black Butler: Book of Murder (1:15).

    Code Geass Akito the Exiled V: To Beloved Ones does not seem to be available elsewhere at present.

     Code Geass: Akito the Exiled V: To Beloved Ones is powerful, complex, loud and exciting. It covers a lot of ground but is a worthy conclusion to this excellent series. If you have followed Akito and Leila thus far, you will not be disappointed.

     The video and audio are very good. Extras are minimal.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall