Written by: Kevin Berge
Of course at the head of this picture is Boota, the true hero, with Simon carrying him to his greatness. (Image Courtesy of: myanimelist.net)
Mecha anime are a dime a dozen. Gundam Wing basically has been riding the genre for decades with a whole host of off-shoot focused on mecha wars. Still, there is a reason it has found such resonance in Japan and can translate to a more global stage as well.
Anime is one of the few mediums that can create such imaginative inventions and set them in conflict. Mechas are fundamentally exciting in that they are the pinnacle of war combat. They are a fusion of hand-to-hand, gun-slinging, and space warfare.
They often look human because are the symbol for greater human achievement, a weapon that can battle against even Lovecraftian beings of overwhelming might. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann though is more than just a mecha anime but an exploration of the genre, a celebration showcased through a legend.
Anime is one of the few mediums that can create such imaginative inventions and set them in conflict. Mechas are fundamentally exciting in that they are the pinnacle of war combat. They are a fusion of hand-to-hand, gun-slinging, and space warfare.
They often look human because are the symbol for greater human achievement, a weapon that can battle against even Lovecraftian beings of overwhelming might. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann though is more than just a mecha anime but an exploration of the genre, a celebration showcased through a legend.
Basic Story Set-Up
Taking place on an Earth where human beings live trapped underground to avoid the dangers of a surface dominated by the tyrannical Spiral King, Kamina seeks to escape his home and get to the surface with the help of his unrelated blood brother Simon.
When Simon finds a mecha hidden underground just as a Gunmen crashes through the ceiling to attack, the two find their escape with the help of the mysterious sniper Yoko. Together, the three begin a movement against the Gunmen and the Spiral King to take back the surface and reclaim Earth.
When Simon finds a mecha hidden underground just as a Gunmen crashes through the ceiling to attack, the two find their escape with the help of the mysterious sniper Yoko. Together, the three begin a movement against the Gunmen and the Spiral King to take back the surface and reclaim Earth.
Who doesn't love watching big robots punch and shoot each other? (Image Courtesy of: gurrenlagann.wikia.com)
Story Arc Analysis
***This is the only section of the review that will include spoilers and expects the reader to have seen the anime. Those who have not should skip ahead to the Impact and Art Style section.***
Kamina and Simon's Gurren Lagann (Eps 1-8): The trick of Gurren Lagann is expecting you know what you're getting into going in. This is a far more detailed and complex tale than it lets on, a legend in three parts that is far removed from its original opening episodes. It is certainly possible to see the twists coming, but they are also immensely shocking.
The death of Kamina is the real turning point in the show. While the opening for the show constantly stated the story was about one man's destiny, it was never clear who the main character was until that moment because it was Kamina who brought people together but Simon's undying will that pushed them forward.
When Kamina dies, it is finally clear that this is all about Simon growing up. Throughout these opening episodes, he is just the scared kid that Kamina is helping along, pushing toward a greater purpose in each innocuous mecha battle. The eighth episodes reveals he is not the leader but rather the sacrificial teacher who stands as Simon's inspiration.
The Birth of a Legend (Eps 9-15): Twist number two of the series is that it takes only half the series for Simon to take down the Spiral King and save the world. The emotional arc in this section is powerful as Simon goes from emotionally distraught to intense leader with the help of the arrival of the Spiral King's daughter Nia.
While the story moves quickly, there is a bit of a drag in the character moments in this section as many of the characters get larger roles that are not all deserved. Meanwhile, Yoko does not gain any more spotlight which is a waste as she is one of the best characters.
The battles here are the true height of the series as the wars get more and more intense and explosive. Simon is at the center of a war for the entire world, and the show does not milk the epic feeling, pushing all the way to the heart of the conflict with Simon defeating The Spiral King only to get the warning that he has made a terrible mistake.
Team Gurren Lagann Drill Straight to the Heavens (Eps 17-27): This is the most intelligent section of the anime as it subverts expectations while still keeping the epic feeling at the center. The warriors are marginalized in a changing society only for the threat of the Anti-Spirals to force them back into action.
This section again struggles a bit with its character moments with Rossiu's coup particularly underdeveloped to the point he just comes off as unlikeable. The fast pacing leads to an exciting homestretch in a battle that should be impossible to win, but getting there is a mixed bag.
Ultimately, this is where the series shines brightest in its complete vision which is never fully clear until near the end. Questions of purpose and nonchalant aggression are brought to the table, and nothing is truly answered only left disturbingly hanging on the end of one last incredible victory.
The Movies: There are two films which are simply abbreviated versions of this tale. While the action scenes are better animated and more impressive, the story cannot be told as well in such a short time span. If you have the time, invest it in the series and watch the movies afterward just for the action scenes if you want more.
Kamina and Simon's Gurren Lagann (Eps 1-8): The trick of Gurren Lagann is expecting you know what you're getting into going in. This is a far more detailed and complex tale than it lets on, a legend in three parts that is far removed from its original opening episodes. It is certainly possible to see the twists coming, but they are also immensely shocking.
The death of Kamina is the real turning point in the show. While the opening for the show constantly stated the story was about one man's destiny, it was never clear who the main character was until that moment because it was Kamina who brought people together but Simon's undying will that pushed them forward.
When Kamina dies, it is finally clear that this is all about Simon growing up. Throughout these opening episodes, he is just the scared kid that Kamina is helping along, pushing toward a greater purpose in each innocuous mecha battle. The eighth episodes reveals he is not the leader but rather the sacrificial teacher who stands as Simon's inspiration.
The Birth of a Legend (Eps 9-15): Twist number two of the series is that it takes only half the series for Simon to take down the Spiral King and save the world. The emotional arc in this section is powerful as Simon goes from emotionally distraught to intense leader with the help of the arrival of the Spiral King's daughter Nia.
While the story moves quickly, there is a bit of a drag in the character moments in this section as many of the characters get larger roles that are not all deserved. Meanwhile, Yoko does not gain any more spotlight which is a waste as she is one of the best characters.
The battles here are the true height of the series as the wars get more and more intense and explosive. Simon is at the center of a war for the entire world, and the show does not milk the epic feeling, pushing all the way to the heart of the conflict with Simon defeating The Spiral King only to get the warning that he has made a terrible mistake.
Team Gurren Lagann Drill Straight to the Heavens (Eps 17-27): This is the most intelligent section of the anime as it subverts expectations while still keeping the epic feeling at the center. The warriors are marginalized in a changing society only for the threat of the Anti-Spirals to force them back into action.
This section again struggles a bit with its character moments with Rossiu's coup particularly underdeveloped to the point he just comes off as unlikeable. The fast pacing leads to an exciting homestretch in a battle that should be impossible to win, but getting there is a mixed bag.
Ultimately, this is where the series shines brightest in its complete vision which is never fully clear until near the end. Questions of purpose and nonchalant aggression are brought to the table, and nothing is truly answered only left disturbingly hanging on the end of one last incredible victory.
The Movies: There are two films which are simply abbreviated versions of this tale. While the action scenes are better animated and more impressive, the story cannot be told as well in such a short time span. If you have the time, invest it in the series and watch the movies afterward just for the action scenes if you want more.
Only in anime do you define ultimate masculinity with bare six packs and blue spiky hair. (Image Courtesy of: zerochan.net)
Impact and Art Style
Gurren Lagann is a mecha anime that fully embraces the ideas of its genre. Early on, it is somewhat troubling over masculine and testosterone-driven, but it is important because those heights of simple emotion lead into shifts in focus that make you reevaluate all that came before.
It could have been smarter and done more with its premise, but it fully captures the idea of a true mythology unfolding. The legend of its characters attempting to save the world fully showcases the heights of mechas at war in brilliant battles.
If there is one main issue I have with the anime beyond it not fully embracing its potential, it is that the anime is eerily similar to Eureka Seven which came out a few years ahead of Gurren Lagann and is honestly better in portraying its characters. The two both bring something special to the mecha genre, but Eureka stands above it in many areas.
The art style of Gurren Lagann reminded me a lot of Soul Eater despite the anime having different artists and studios at the helm. The characters are vibrant and wide-eyed while the environments are heavily jagged. It's a colorful and effective art style that lends itself well to the wild tale.
It could have been smarter and done more with its premise, but it fully captures the idea of a true mythology unfolding. The legend of its characters attempting to save the world fully showcases the heights of mechas at war in brilliant battles.
If there is one main issue I have with the anime beyond it not fully embracing its potential, it is that the anime is eerily similar to Eureka Seven which came out a few years ahead of Gurren Lagann and is honestly better in portraying its characters. The two both bring something special to the mecha genre, but Eureka stands above it in many areas.
The art style of Gurren Lagann reminded me a lot of Soul Eater despite the anime having different artists and studios at the helm. The characters are vibrant and wide-eyed while the environments are heavily jagged. It's a colorful and effective art style that lends itself well to the wild tale.
Sub vs. Dub
The English dub of Gurren Lagann is nothing to write home about, but English speakers should find it an easy listening experience. Everyone is cast well enough with no real negative outliers. The action may sound a bit better in Japanese, but the dub is smooth particularly in its dramatic dialogue moments.
Recommendation: Either
Recommendation: Either
I'm pretty sure that Viral and Soul are at least cousins. You just cannot mistake those canine fangs. (Image Courtesy of: absoluteanime.com)
Conclusion
Gurren Lagann is a love letter to the mecha anime genre that revels in its silliness with intense pacing that focuses on getting to wilder and more crazy moments at every turn. It also uses those confines to convey a variety of messages that are surprising and affecting.
While I wish it had more to offer at times whether it be character development or depth to its concepts, it is a great ride from start to finish. Once I started watching, I could not stop. It helps that it draws from some anime that I love, but I was frustrated whenever I realized I could not keep watching.
Simon, Kamina, and Yoko are such charismatic characters that they could all carry their own shows. Honestly, I wanted more of them at every turn and wish there was more of them. Yoko in particular is criminally underused which emphasizes how she is oversexualized, another overly masculine aspect of this overly masculine series.
Step into the legend of Team Gurren Lagann and just let go of your inhibitions. The ride is well worth the time investment and the twists and turns that come with it. It may not have had me considering its subtleties long after it was done, but I can still feel the pull to rewatch it and rejoin this wild adventure.
While I wish it had more to offer at times whether it be character development or depth to its concepts, it is a great ride from start to finish. Once I started watching, I could not stop. It helps that it draws from some anime that I love, but I was frustrated whenever I realized I could not keep watching.
Simon, Kamina, and Yoko are such charismatic characters that they could all carry their own shows. Honestly, I wanted more of them at every turn and wish there was more of them. Yoko in particular is criminally underused which emphasizes how she is oversexualized, another overly masculine aspect of this overly masculine series.
Step into the legend of Team Gurren Lagann and just let go of your inhibitions. The ride is well worth the time investment and the twists and turns that come with it. It may not have had me considering its subtleties long after it was done, but I can still feel the pull to rewatch it and rejoin this wild adventure.