I'll keep this review short to avoid boring you, esteemed reader. In my opinion, Gurren Lagann is far from a masterpiece. It is, however, an almost perfect recreation of the imagination of a preteen/teen boy, with all the good and bad that entails. I was a teenage boy once (technically, I still am), and Gurren Lagann is exactly the kind of beautiful, over-the-top nonsense I'd dream up in my spare time. Ridiculous action that escalates beyond your wildest imagination? Check. An earnest belief in the power of humanity and one's inner strength as the driving theme? Check. Badass macho posturing so self-assured it'll make you bleed testosterone? Check. A complete lack of interest in its female cast beyond jiggling boobs and support for the male characters' emotional arcs? Unfortunately, check.
That's the kind of story Gurren Lagann is. If that's your cup of tea, dive right in and enjoy. There are worse things in life than seeing the world through the eyes of a teen boy for a few hours. Just be sure to make it through at least episode 8 before you give up, because the first arc can be PAINFUL to sit through at times, thanks to weak characterization and some truly obnoxious fanservice moments.
