If any anime would rival Death Note in genius, it would have to be Code Geass.
Like how Death Note is a story of Light Yagami and how he decides to change the world when he is granted the power of the Death Note, Code Geass is the story of Lelouch Lamperouge and how he goes into a war against the Great Britannian Empire once he receives the power of Geas.
I won't give spoilers, but whenever I look at Lelouch, I always find myself thinking of Light as well. It's uncanny; they're like mirrors of each other. The way they think, the way they put this indifferent act when they're not in battle, the way they love winning...
Lelouch Lamperouge, Code Geass
Light Yagami, Death Note
I also found Misa Amane's and C.C.'s roles similar, to some extent. (But I do think C.C. plays a more crucial role in Code Geass than Misa did in Death Note.)
LightMisa
LelouchC.C.
I just finished the thirteenth episode of Code Geass, and I'm thinking Lelouch has more conscience than Light.
One thing that bothers me about this series is that I'm dreading to know how it would end. I've tried my best to avoid spoilers (I'm succeeding!), but I sure as hell can't imagine how it would turn out. Well maybe I can, but I don't like what I'm thinking. I can't shake off the feeling that Lelouch would end up the way Light did...
Because absolute power corrupts - absolutely.
I guess I'll see for myself.