When I tell someone to watch Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, they look at me like I'm some kind of retarded monkey. If you haven't seen Gurren Lagann(Or TTGL) then you are missing out on an essential part of human life. If you haven't seen it yet, you can't call yourself a dedicated anime fan.
Story:- 7.5
When I try to describe TTGL I call it "Power Rangers on steroids and testosterone". Every episode has crazy fights with large robots, called ganmen, fighting each other and then rinse and repeat, at least until episode 16.
After episode 16, the anime tries to become serious for a change. This part of the series is the part with some depth to the story, this is seen as the worst part of this series. The decision of whether the serious arc is a good arc or not would depend on the watcher's mentality. In my opinion, the serious arc is not as "crazy" or "fun" as the first 16 episodes, but it is a good arc if it's not compared to the rest of the show.
Overall the story is overdone, but is extremely unique in it's own right.
Art:-8.5
The art style throughout the show, is one of the most unique art styles ever in anime. There's a flurry of flashy and quick animation revealed to your human eyes. If you're a seasoned anime veteran and are seeing this for the first time, it might throw you off since the style is so much more different then most other anime.
Then we have the infamous "Episode 4". Episode 4 was an episode which was directed by a man called Osamu Kobyashi. His work is arguably watchable, but for the case of his work in episode 4, it was a disaster. I have, personally, not watched this episode many times during my re-watches of TTGL.
Overall the anime had a brilliant and new style of are that would've gotten a 10 if not for Osamu Kobyashi.
Sound:-7.5
I know I might be belted for this, but I didn't find the music in TTGL to be anything outstanding. There were 2 songs that really stand out from the anime though:
1. The first opening: "Sorairo Days"
2. The famous "Libera me to Hell" or better known as "ROW ROW FIGHT THE POWA"
Aside from these 2 there are really no outstanding tracks in TTGL.
As for the topic for dubs and subs, both are amazing. Every character is near perfectly portrayed in both the sub and dub.
Character:-9.0
I could just leave this part of the review at "Who the hell do you think they are?!" but that would be lazy. So let's go into detail to why this anime has one of the greatest roster of characters.
Simon:- This is our main protagonist throughout the story. He's sort of a non-bitchy Shinji Ikari(From Evangelion) if you can imagine that. During the first 13 or so episodes, he is basically a toned down version of Shinji. But after those episodes he becomes an amazing and leader-like character. His growth is one of the best examples of great character development.
Kamina:- This is our other sort of main character. In one sentence he is "The manliest character ever". Although later on in the story he's used as a tool to allow other characters to grow. He is the father figure for many in the series specifically Simon. Without him this anime couldn't have been as good as it is an Simon would've turned into a copy of Shinji.
Yoko Littner:- Yoko is an... "interesting" character. She is really badass at somemoments and at other times she becomes a classic fan-service character. Her character is constantly messed around with throughout the show and it feels like the writers couldn't decide what personality to give her. So overall, she was a badass mess of a character.
Side characters:- There are many side characters in TTGL. These side characters are usually comic relief characters. There are many brilliant characters in the supporting section ranging from a "homosexual" man to a badass villain to a watered down version of Kamina. There is at least one character for everyone to enjoy in TTGL.
Overall the cast is one of the best casts in all of anime. There is no character who I flat out hated and there were many whom I adored.
Enjoyment:- 10
This is an anime that you really can't think about. There is NO underlying or deep meaning. There is no logic to the story. You need to switch off your brain to watch this and enjoy this. If you just watched something like Code Geass or Death Note before this and then try to watch this, you will hate it. This is an anime that you watch when you just want to have fun. It's not complex, deep or even heartbreaking, aside from a few scenes in the series where you'll almost shed some manly tears.
If you don't find this anime good that's fine. But it is definitely one of the most fun and unique anime you will ever find.
Because when your characters throw around goddamn galaxies.. You're in for one hell of a ride.
Overall:- 8
