I’ve heard many good things about this anime. It’s a popular belief that 2007 was a difficult year to find good anime in, and I’m inclined to agree. However, I am constantly seeing people heralding Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann as the best series of 2007. There are some that say it is their favourite anime of all time. The way people go on about it, you’d think this was the epitome of mecha anime. Obviously, if you know what my favourite anime is, I disagree. That does not mean it doesn’t make for good entertainment. I may have started this article on a fairly negative note, but really, I enjoyed it.
There are definitely weaknesses. Up to episode 15, TTGL has reached it’s biggest momentum, and cannot progress beyond that. The whole adventure starts out as breaking free from society, to ending up as an epic quest that ends with some fantastic scenes that dazzled me. Kamina’s lust for life, and Simon overcoming his fears make the series what it is. After epsiode 15, we are taken seven years into the future, and things get “too real”.
Simon is a commander of the whole human race, Rossiu is made his secretary, and the rest of the Gurren Brigade are appointed to various positions of power (somewhat predictably), despite them being obviously unfit to be leaders. Yoko has left because she doesn’t like politics and such, which is enough reason for me to sigh since Yoko is definitely the best eye candy of 2007. Eventually, things take a turn for the worse, and the entire world/universe needs saved by the Gurren Brigade. This is where the series becomes extremely linear. As I thought, they manage to make it through everything despite survival being impossible with every new (and more dangerous) obstacle they encounter. During this time, there are a fair few events that have no meaning or significance (character deaths, Yoko + Kittan, etc) in order to fill up the allocated time to stretch the series a little bit. The climax is wonderful to watch, but the prediction factor is somewhat jarring. The ending even more so.
There’s still plenty on offer. The characters are great to watch and see interact. Not many anime characters have had a more profound effect on me than Kamina. He is, without a doubt, inspirational. Apart from one or two episodes, the animation is absolutely top-notch and gorgeous. Gurren Lagann is a joy to watch fight. Speaking of which, the battles are quite intense, and there’s so much emotion flying about in the battles. No-one is fighting just for the hell of it. The music is pleasing to the ears, and the OP has become one my all time favourite OPs. It just keeps getting stuck in my head!
Throughout the series, the theme of never giving up constantly stands out. Everything else is almost dwarfed by this, and it’s something that occurs a lot in anime. In spite of this, I still find it to be very inspirational. There are things in my own life that I struggle with, and Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann has lit a fire in my heart again. No matter what the obstacle, we need to continue on. We humans have a tendency to give up easily, and this something we need to get past.
