[MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD]
[INTRODUCTION]
Writing a review twelve years after the initial release of the show, I know to expect not too much attention. Even so, if I have a chance to rain praise on this show, I'll take it. This is probably going to be my highest-rated review ever.
I watched Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann four years ago, at the recommendation of a friend. The Netflix synopsis didn't say much, only about "breaking through the roof of your world to find another one", or something like that which doesn't really describe the plot of the show at all. In those four years, even after finishing it once I regularly come back to it to appreciate this show more and more, making it my second favourite show of all time. It's really impossible to dislike or not enjoy Gurren Lagann unless you're a soulless monster with no heart.
[STORY *9]
One of the best parts about Gurren Lagann's story is that it leaves you satisfied, showing you every aspect of every character, but we'll move onto it later. Gurren Lagann is split up into two parts, and I'll depict which is which to keep this spoiler-light. The first half deals with a lot of topics that don't really come to mind when viewing before thinking back to it. It's easy to project yourself onto Simon when he deals with lots of problems that many of us deal with as well, like losing the will to fight, dealing with bullying, and coping with loss, yet you don't really realize it due to how bizarre his point of view actually is compared to ours. As the introduction to each episode states, Gurren Lagann is about Simon's journey to grow into the greatest man he can be, and you can't help but feel proud when he shows it. The plot structure for the first half is centered around a large empire that reigns over humans, and how humans overcome them. Most of this is set up for the second half when the true intentions are explained and clear. The plot utilizes a drill to symbolize the burning spirit of the human soul, ready to go through any hardships to achieve victory, which stays apparent throughout the show and acts as gospel to Simon and Kamina
*SPOILER ZONE FOR SECOND HALF*
Gurren Lagann fills the hunger of wanting to see what happens after a show's main story by continuing the story until the end of the character's lives. It's very thrilling to see Simon as the man he is after becoming the saviour of mankind. You are able to see the development in the world and its inhabitants in small details the animators slid in, something which the first half was lacking a little bit. After Nia is captured by the Anti-Spirals, the show drags it's viewers to the end of their seats. The show does a good job of making you care about the characters, making you long for Nia as Simon would, almost hate Rossiu as Simon would, and feel defeated when subjected to court as Simon would. Not many animes can make the average viewing interested in politics, but this show grabs you and doesn't allow you to tear your eyes away. After launching into outer space, less focus is put on the story as it is put on the characters and animation, so I can't say much more. However, in Kamina's character bio on MAL, it states that he came back to awaken the fallen team of Dai-Gurren, which I disagree with. It is my take that it was Kamina's memories and ideas that were drilled into them when Kamina was alive and maybe even more so when he was dead that rose from their subconscious to rejoin the fight. This shows just how much Kamina meant to everyone and just how much his ideals and perspectives were so impactful upon everyone, which I think is brilliant.
[ART *10]
This is GAINAX at it's finest. It is my opinion that GAINAX/Trigger is the greatest anime studios that exists, but none of their works can stand up to Gurren Lagann. This show can display elements shown in many other shows. The vibrancy and multiple art styles in Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt, the defined yet lively animation in Kiznaiver and Darling in the FRANXX, and the explosive action in Kill La Kill, Little Witch Academia and Neon Genesis Evangelion.
The colour palette is bright when it wants to show off it's breathtaking world and can also tune down when the plot gets heavier and reveals more serious undertones. The animation is fluid like a river stream and switches art styles
from laid back and relaxed to time-to-fist-fight-for-the-sake-of-humanity-and-all-beings-residing-in-this-universe. Character designs are eye-catching, memorable, and show a lot about the characters themselves. The small, reserved Simon who always keeps goggles nearby in case he wants or needs to dig, the loud and spoken Kamina who fears nothing, the royal yet humble Nia, and Yoko who is 16.
[SOUND *7]
While not too impressive, the soundtrack of Gurren Lagann isn't too subtle, ready to pump you up before, during, or after a fight, and even during commercial breaks. I do thoroughly enjoy the opening "Sorairo Days", though.
[CHARACATERS *10]
If I could give this category an 11, I would. Gurren Lagann's characters are definitely the greatest part of this show, and I'll be happy to tackle the big ones one at a time.
Simon: As I said before, Simon is easy to project ourselves onto as he faces problems similar to what we face. However, what makes him a hero is how he copes and eventually overcomes those problems. The slowest part of the show is when Simon gets depressed, refusing to eat or even talk to people. And when he does talk to people, its not really what people want to hear. It doesn't even seem like Lagann likes him anymore either. However, through Nia, he learns how to deal with his mental blockade, a voice telling him he'll be unable to measure up to Kamina. He instead learns that he never needed to be comparable to Kamina, and instead sets out his own path in life while keeping Kamina's ideals. In the second half of the show, everything is taken away from him. Nia, Rossiu, Lagann, and even his reputation. After seven years of comfort, he had become lax and let himself easily be defeated when at an impasse. It is at this point that he remembers and rekindles the ideals of Kamina inside him to realize what he has to do and how to do it. Finally, at the end of the show, he is shown as an old wanderer, favoring not the fame and fortune he once had, but instead the joy of traveling the world he had saved.
Kamina: Kamina acts as a beacon of hope for the resistance. It was through his actions that they were able to gain a fighting chance. He displays himself with an unyielding spirit that is only satisfied when victory s=is achieved. It is through him and his ideals that any conflict is won by the human side. His passion ignited the flames of many of the characters' hearts. He leaves an impression so large his memories are enough to spark a reawakening. He teaches Simon how to have the strongest will of them all, in a world where firepower is determined by sheer will.
Nia: Nia served as a ray of sunlight for Simon when she came along. When Simon was hurting, and fearing his inferiority to Kamina, Nia, who never knew Kamina, let him believe otherwise. Her character isn't too diverse, but her struggles and eventual victory against her Anti-Spiral programming can make you punch the air as I did.
[ENJOYMENT *10]
I consider enjoyment the greatest factor in grading an anime. If you found all aspects of a show appalling yet still laughed at the jokes and had a good time, that should contribute to the show's score. Likewise, if you consider a story strong yet almost fell asleep while watching, that should also contribute to the score. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann nails all of these points. It has a rich, fulfilling story that covers many aspects of its world, yet leaves you jumping up in the air and punching with the Gurren Lagann. This show is a rollercoaster of emotions and ends so nicely you don't even long for more.
Thank you,
Casa Cristo
