As an antagonist, Akane Shinjo is complex yet sympathetic, which make sure her entertaining. Her arc is a brilliant commentary on the dangers of escapist fantasy, and telling us all that eventually, we have to grow up and enter the outdoor world to comeback towards fragile, mortal reality. Living in the world of a god, isolated from all else, drives us mad.
The writing blends action perfectly with an emotional and melancholic storyline while also paying plenty tribute to the show that bore its name: Superman Samurai Syber Squad (and Gridman the Hyper Agent). Each episode escalates events more, and even when an episode feels like potential filler, there’s still something to help push the storyline along. In 12 episodes this show tells a spanning story that creates wonder and justice, while also justifying common tropes seen in shows such as Power Ranges (e.g. how the city repairs collateral damage after every battle).
The giant Tokusatsu battles are undoubtedly incredible, and a testament to the potential that CGI could have in anime if more studios applied it beyond background filler. Each fight feels incredibly powerful, and the first time each new form appears is nothing short of mindblowing. You truly feel the weight of each robot as the fights clash, and every time Gridman gets upgraded, they make sure the transformation is mighty and intensely powerful. TRIGGER makes a good point to ensure that each different mecha gets at least one epic battle, from base form Gridman to even Powered Zenon.
The main theme and music are all pleasure to my ears, and they’ll probably be tunes I’m still humming long after i’ve finished watching.
This is an anime I actually would prefer not get a 2nd season, if only because there’s no way to really top that ending, that beautiful ending. It is certainly beautiful.
SSSS Gridman is an exercise in the beauty of animation and it’s a declarative love letter to the Tokusatsu genre that evolves it to the limits of heroic power. If you can, watch this show because it is amazing.
