Review of Code Lyoko

Code Lyoko could have been a really great show, but for many reasons it's not. I loved this as a kid, but now after watching it again as an adult, I realize it's best as an "episode now and again on TV" kind of show, not one you want to watch from start to finish.

Let's start with the good. The premise of the show is unique and interesting. The theme song (and the music in general) is catchy and well done.

Now for the bad. The show is very repetitive. Once you see the first episode, you've seen most of them, because it's the same thing over and over again. The show is one big "filler episode". The animation is not very good. 2D is okay, but still a bit simplistic with weird looking characters who have gigantic foreheads and sulky eyes. 3D is disturbing with its jarring, uneven feel. The characters themselves are all poorly written with boring or bizarre personalities. The main villain is probably the best character, and the best thing about the show in general. Action scenes inside Lyoko are not exciting or tense, they are repetitive and dull with little suspense. Lyoko itself is barren and empty, and overall is a missed opportunity.

Overall, it's not a bad show, but it's well below most good animated series.