US Channel: Sci-fi Channel - Selected Mondays @ 9/10PM CNT/EST Time
JN Channel: TV Tokyo
Storyline: 10
Suspense: 10
Humor: 9
Originality: 9
Overall: 9.5
Rated PG-13
Comments: Gurren Lagann as known now in the US, does the impossible by combining a lot of elements into 27, 25 -minute episodes. From a simple man vs. beast point of view into a universal epic battle of good vs. evil and choice vs. fate. From the creators of Evangelion, FLCL and producers of Bleach and Samurai X comes this fun, twisty paced anime.
Although the series starts as just another typical anime where the main characters seem to just fend off against their enemies and destroy evil, from episode to episode, Gurren Lagann develops into an explosive outburst of emotional, comedic, and epic sensations. Even when there seems to be a period of slow-down, there’s always something around the corner to regain your attention and send you deeper into the revolving storyline and suspense that this show has to offer. And if you keep watching as the consequences of the victories of our heroes change the pace of the series dramatically , you’ll find yourself submerged and shocked by how the story, the surrounding and even the characters develop and completely change.
The story involves two heroes in a post-apocalyptic era, that they aren’t even aware of. They’ve been living in an underground village as long as they can remember, and as long as their ancestors can remember. However one of them, named Kamina, is determined to break through the roof and see the “outside” that his father and him used to talk about, and even saw when Kamina was a small child. He pairs up and makes a plan to escape with another underground dweller named Simon, a scarey-cat type of kid that’s an excellent digger. After their plans are deliberately foiled by their village chief, Simon finds a mecha, which Kamina names Lagann. After that, a series of events happen, in which the roof is broken and our heroes expand to the outside world. The following events are not really connected to the finding of the mecha, but rather is that mecha that allows them to go through those events and find out the truth about the why, how, what and who of their world.
The humor in Gurren Lagan is through. No riddles or things to figure out. There are indeed some sexual jokes (but nothing too crude) and some sexual-oriented moments that are funny but again, not too crude and still SFW and PG-13, and indeed enjoyable. Although the humor is there through out the series, there is a shake down when the storyline twists and you’re left with less humor but more suspence. Even though some elements are able to be foretold, there’s revelations and consequences that are indeed unexpected but very welcome, because that’s what adds the excitement to the story and the development of the characters. Ridiculous at some points (but come on, it’s an anime, you lost your right to be logical before you started), the storyline changes pace at when it has to, and it all seems to begin well and conclude gracefully, even at it’s 27 episode count.
The characters, introduced periodically in numbers, each have their own personality and originality that adds gold to the anime. In a few animes you get to see the kind of development and evolution that the characters in Gurren Lagann go through. Although the theme of their goal may seem cliche, that doesn’t stop Lagann’s characters from showing their originality when it comes to development and involvement in the storyline. Like Simon, one of the heroes, changes from a kid that feared the world into a man that would take the world by heart. Seems simple right? Within his changes there’s various conflicts between friends and enemies that recalls his fears and hopes. And even in the end, realizes that for change there’s a high cost, a sacrifice, that has to be made. And that only then, life can go on. That is just to mention one of the many characters, each with their own pace and view of what is happening. They also deliver emotional moments when tragedies arrive and when they find out that winning isn’t always a good plan. Specially when there’s something more sinister always coming
The music in Gurren Lagann is a key factor. From the brilliant mind of the composer that brought you the music from Samurai X, considered one of the best OVAs, comes the score of Gurren Lagann. It’s a fantastic mix of Jazzy-electrified orchestra that suits well for it’s mecha-fast-paced-fun-theme. Every moment, whether bad or good, is emphasized by the outstanding sound and marvelous orchestrated music that doesn’t let you down. Specially in those epic moments of good vs. evil, it is then when you find out, that music really is a factor to bring out the true excellence in any anime that uses it. The opening theme , as with the rest of the themes, will blow your mind and set the perspective of what the show has to offer.
The voice acting in both Japanese and English are to die for. There’s always almost a bad comparison hand-in-hand within the Japan-to-US translation, but Gurren Lagann breaks that barrier, by having very precise same-voice voice acting. The differences between the regions, in pitches and tones are very minimal which is to be wanted, because a lot of the success of the anime comes from the personalities of the characters, and their voices are a fundamental element to those personalities that ties everything together.
The animation is simply, but beautifully, clear and crisp cel-shade. Everything drawn and little computer effects used. This is remarkable because since this is a mecha-anime, all the mechas have to be drawn, and with that come challenges, but this anime does it right, by drawing the giant robots out and not leaving out a shine, shade or corner out of sight. They also do an superb job at bringing out the emotions and feelings in each of the character’s faces, posture and other places where some kind of expression can be shown (including the mechas themselves). There’s only one catch to this however; in the 4th episode there’s a very noticeable change in animation. This is due to a guest director that was in charged of that single episode, but it was still great, so don’t let that affect your viewing pleasure, the regular animation precedes afterwards.
Overall, Gurren Lagann is without doubt a fun filled anime with lots of humor, suspense, romance, epic and sprinkle of sexiness and tragedy, that concludes into an original epic masterpiece. It’s a must to watch if you want to watch something new and fun-paced. Or if you like sci-fi or just plain good vs evil. Gurren Lagann is not likely to disappoint and will probably find a spot in your favorites list and maybe in your heart.
