Gurren Lagann

Where’s the WATCH & LEARN for COWBOY BEBOP #11? Don’t worry. It’s on its way. Lemon and I are putting together a special, live-action video for that particular episode that’ll make your experience a lot more fun. It’s coming, just wait. In lieu of that, I’ve decided to finish up the rest of GURREN LAGANN through this weekend, since we’re down to the nitty gritty. Before I get along to that, I have to ask - - is there END OF EVANGELION-style movie conclusion I absolutely must watch for this? Let me know, so I can prepare.

Now, onto this episode…

Kittan’s confessions of his feelings to Yoko in this episode is a sign that either  the lady's  the biggest tease in the galaxy or hot-blooded Gunman pilots are big wimps when it comes to women. Yeah, I noticed the parallels this scene had with Kamina’s pre-blaze-of-glory send off.  I don’t think it’s much of a coincidence that both of these dudes put off making a move until the last possible, consequences-free moment.  It’s amusing that the Gainax shows I’ve watched so far have all been about guys who’re in some stage of arrested development. These knuckleheads might not be crawling up into a corner like Shinji, but they’ve definitely got some inner obstacles they haven’t scaled yet.

What’s been interesting about this show is that you’re getting all the thrills and grandeur of the familiar heroic epic, but it’s all presented in such a quirky milieu.  Kittan’s dash into the anti-spiral heart, for example.  It’s gripping, edge-of-your-seat inspiring stuff that moves you even as you realize you’re watching this doofus pilot a giant star fruit-shaped, banana looking mecha within another star fruit-shaped, banana-looking mecha.  I don’t know what comparison to use to adequately describe what’s going on. It’s like… like… getting a protein bar in a candy bar’s wrapper. 

The super-mega-ultra Gurren Lagann finally manifests here and it reminds me of the shelved Unicron toy from Generation One of TRANSFORMERS. Hasbro tried to make it roughly to scale and it ended up being far too big for any kid to feasibly handle. I look at this new mecha, and realize it could use the first lagann like a toothpick. Talk about a serious escalation of scale. 

The anti-spirals are going get their ASSES handed to them.  And it’s hilarious how the thing was built by Simon going through hours of Goku-style constipated mediation, basically pumping all his positive vibes into the engine. It's almost like a mecha take on the Care Bears.

Anyway, watch this episode, "I Accept Your Dying Wish!" below, decide for yourself and read my comments on the previous episode here.  

  

Tom Pinchuk’s the writer of  HYBRID BASTARDS! &  UNIMAGINABLE . Order them on Amazon here  & here .

ThI have a theory. The TV version was cheaper, but the DVD version is far, far more human. It's these changes that make people buy the DVD.
 
You're into a VERY End of Evangelion ending, but with threeMASSIVE differences.
Shinji Ikari's not here, Giant Rei isn't friendly, and replace all the Mind Fuck with Preposterone.
 
The movie takes this scene to beautiful levels, especially Simon's determination in the creation of the SUPER GALAXY GURREN LAGANN.
 
Just a small spoiler. This machine is equal to the GODS. It doesn't even compare to the SECOND strongest mech the good guys use. THAT, my friend, is what you are in for.

Ah, tears of manliness. 
 
Logistically, no. No End of Eva style movie. 27 episodes is all you get. The two movies are just recaps of the series (although there's a whole bunch of new footage and some minor plot changes). Nothing major there, but worth watching for the pure awesomeness of what's been added, especially the final battle, which they managed to make even MORE epic than it is in the series, something I didn't think was possible.

@lurkero said:

" Gurren is so much better than Eva, just sayin. "

I think thats down to opinion really = P

My friend and I think it looks like a cross between a crecent moon and a star of david.
 
Also, I would skip the movies.  There are some new scenes, sure, but they don't really add anything.  Maybe just watch the climactic battles in each if you're really curious.
 
About Eva--I think its one of those shows that you have to see to understand what the mecha shows after it were doing.  It was sort of a watershed moment in the genre.  I thought it was pretty good, although the side of me with a philosophy degree wants to get out a copy of the script and write snarky things in the margins.  It has a message, and articulates it well, it's just that the message is completely philosphocally bankrupt. 
 
In the next episode, pay attention to Viral.  I think they say a lot with his character in this episode with relatively little screen time.

@lurkero said:

"There's no need to watch the Gurren movies because they're bascially recaps of the series. Gurren is so much better than Eva, just sayin."

DON'T LISTEN TO HIM, HE'S A MADMAN. RECAPS DO NOT WIPE THEIR ASSES ON THE PITIFUL ATTEMPTS AT AWESOME OF THE ORIGINAL SERIES.

@mediaright: I think I'll leave it at 27 episodes. I've never been really fond of clip shows, anyway.

@lurkero: I like EVA more, but GURREN communicates its theme/message more cogently.

@lurkero said:

I have to really disagree both shows are different and I initially didn't like Gurren Lagan because people kept talking about it as the anti eva....I am glad I watched it as it is just as good.  Just as amazing in the end as eva was and honestly I don't know why everyone has such a hard time understanding eva...its really not that hard...if you want hard try tecnolyze or lain...
 
 
" Please don't remind me about Evangelion. When you kept mentioning it in the beginning of the Gurren Watch & Learn I got curious and decided to watch it.  I regret that decision (not really, now I can say that I watched it AND dislike it legitimately). I have no idea why the hype behind that show exists other than pure nostalgia for a cool looking anime that was created at a time when anime wasn't as popular as it is today. I'll give the first 13 episodes so credit, it did keep me interested, but after that the series took a huge turn I did not like. End of Evangelion did not help either.  There's no need to watch the Gurren movies because they're bascially recaps of the series. Gurren is so much better than Eva, just sayin. "

@Tom_Pinchuk: It's not a clip show. All the dialogue was re-recorded. Some of it is ground already covered, but there's a whole lot of new animation. If nothing else, go to half-way through the second movie, and pick up at the final battle. You won't be sorry.

@Tom_Pinchuk: I cannot stress how much you need to watch the second Gurren Lagann movie. The first one was basically a clip show, but the second one is one of the greatest animated movies of all time. And yes, I've seen Grave of Fireflies.