Tengen toppa gurren lagann

Personally, I'm not a massive fan of anime, but I can get down with it. This is the first show I've watched all the way through, based on the recommendation of a few anime fanatics, and it was incredible.

Generally, the show defies realism by a long shot and is fairly lighthearted, although it expresses very abstract and interesting concepts, and also tense subjects we can all relate to. The first 10 episodes will probably make you think the whole show is going to be about fighting machines battling on a barren landscape, but everything changes dramatically halfway through. The last few episodes nearly had me crying in pure awe. Honestly, this anime is so well done, words cannot really describe it.

The show illustrates one primary message: willpower and love are much greater than you can imagine. If you're a bit unsure in the beginning, hold on until halfway through. I promise it gets intense.

After a long time of evaluating I think I've finally admitted to myself, this has become my favorite anime (sorry, Berserk).

On the surface it's a "more power" anime with giant robots, over-the-top action and ridiculous characters. However, the show knows this and plays into it while basically saying to itself, "I'm going to be the best more power anime with giant robots, over-the-top action and ridiculous characters that anyone has ever seen, and make it so epic that no other giant robot show can compete". And for me, it basically is.

If I could only use two words to describe Gurren Lagann, it would be "pure energy". As far as entertainment value is concerned, I don't believe I've felt more entertained by any other anime. Not a single episode was boring filler (well half an episode, which is common in most anime), and along with the theme of the show, each episode is progressively bigger and better than the last. They could have easily made this a 2 season show by breaking it after a certain point, but instead kept it compact and fast-paced.

I think what makes the show special is that it never takes itself too seriously (evident by artwork and animation), but ultimately is quite serious in its message, and very thought provoking by the end. Most philosophical anime tend to bog the viewer down in loads of symbolic jargon, and in the end, often end up confusing or boring the audience. Gurren Lagann has all that symbolism that loves to pop up in anime, but basically stays in the background and plays a secondary role. If you wanted to completely ignore the philosophical undertones in the show you could do it, and it would still be very entertaining.

The story is pretty straight forward, but if you're wanting to dig deeper, I think the spiral concept used throughout the show is the most unique theme that has been done in an anime. The music is memorable and used very well throughout, with the Libera Me From Hell track from the final three episodes still occasionally being chanted by me, years after hearing it the first time. The ending is feel-good and appropriate to the series.

I know this review will probably be seen by only a few of the already converted, but to those who are on the bubble, give the show a shot and there is a good chance it might just become your favorite.

People usually think of Gainax for Evangelion, and its obvious because Evangelion got all the people of my generation into anime (even if they don't want to admit it...) It was a freakin crazy i-don't-understand-nothing kind of anime series i've never seen before... but nowadays, now that we've seen more and learn more, its not thaaat great, except for the fact that everything we saw after Evangelion was heavily influenced by it, even western stuff.

Why do i talk about EVA?, well after all (except for the giant robot part) its nothing nothing at all like Gurren Lagann, its not serious, its not heavy, doesn't keep any information from you, and the main concept of the series (you know, like getting better day by day in Dragon Ball, the search for your own ideals in Samurai x, or the blues in Cowboy Bebop) its completely the opposite. While the main idea in EVA is quite dark and depressive and tries to reach the heart of people through emphathizing with the main character weaknesses, the spiral concept of Gurren Lagann is a call to heroism and faith.

So why do I want to compare this two?, first of all the style Gainax made for EVA is clearly present in Gurren Lagann like in most of their series... And second, because for me this two made the same thing in their current time periods, they reminded us why giant robot are so cool!!!

Yeah, Evangelion is clearly built for the nineties's standards, being secretive and revolutionary in its way of telling the story, its what we wanted in those days, an anime series that we could call a masterpiece in front of people that didn't watched anime at all... but today we don't care anymore, and Gainax know exactly what we want, super attacks, great fights, great fun, a good story without too much unnecessary story weight, and the best relation between all those parts, if you don't know what i mean go check Gurren Lagann out. It didn't get me addicted like Death Note, Code Geass, claymore or the first Fullmetal alchemist, but later i started to realize i love each one of the episodes of Gurren more, i don't really want to repeat all those series but its been two years and i still watch a Lagann episode or the movie now and then.

I love Gurren Lagann, and yeah it has issues, i got bored in one episode (Yoko's episode), but damn its good, even though the second half gets really transformed and sometimes gets you confused you will finally make one big universe in your head for this series... also has the best first episode because it puts in line the main concept trough the chapters of the story getting you all the way to the greatest oh-my-god final episode in anime history, the best.

love it love it love it, highly recommend it!

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is the pinnacle of anime insanity. No Dragon Ball or super robot show can come close to the ridiculousness of TTGL. It breaks the record, then reaches a million miles further. Its so over-the-top that any anime that would try to beat it would only chase its coat tails.

But what really makes TTGL one of the best is its controlled juuuuust enough for you to take it seriously. It isn't amped to 11 every episode. Its well-paced, and gradually progresses. The characters are very likable, the animation is solid, and the music is great! The best moments of the show are perfectly executed, working on so many levels. Its more than gigantic explosions and drills.

You'd have to be a sworn enemy of fun to hate TTGL. Its awesome, but emotional too. Its easily one of my favorites.

Final note - The movies are mostly rehashes of the TV series. But the final battle...well, let's just say it managed to top itself, somehow. See the second movie's ending for the stunning conclusion to the series, skip the rest.

I'm speechless.. this show has left an enormous hole in my heart, i feel like a pet or family member has just died after finishing the last episode just knowing that its over. This is possibly the deepest anime or show I've ever seen, it speaks on so many levels. I didn't think a show could have so much substance. I put off watching this show for about 2 years because i knew it was a "mecha" genre and i can't stand that type with very few exceptions, i believe that to be one of my biggest regrets. This show is a master piece in every aspect, there's not much more i can say that can sum it up better than that. The story is absolutely amazing from episode one to the very end, the animation style is breath taking and my favorite from any style. The music is crazy, its perfect in every way. The opening and ending themes are catchy and you can just sit there and listen to it endlessly and the voice acting is spectacular. And for any people that are like me and are thinking of passing it up because "mecha" this is one title you absolutely need to take a leap of faith with and i am 100% positive you'll fall in love with this show, it doesn't even feel like your typical mecha show even slightly. There's not much more i can add without getting into the show itself, i'll just add this is what every anime or show in general should stride to be.

5/5 Why? It IS perfection (imo). The story is just..perfect. The artwork and animation is just so good i want to throw up from excitement, and the music matches it all perfectly. I literally can't think of a single thing i disliked about this show. Do NOT pass this up, it'll become one of your favorites.