Good lord, there’s just no stopping Team Dai Gurren, is there? I’m remembering my comments about how the Beast Men were getting beat pretty easily early on. I thought it was just some early exuberance - - beginner’s luck, perhaps. Now, the team’s come toe-to-toe with the ultimate villain, Lord Genome… and soundly kicked his ass! We’re barely halfway through the series and the big bad’s already defeated? Uh… shouldn’t this show be over, now? They’ve beaten all the bad guys. Outside of an epilogue, what more is there left to do?
This episode doesn’t even end with a cliffhanger!!!
You know, normally I’d be critical of a show making things too easy for the heroes, but I don’t really have a problem with it in this case. It recalls my thoughts on RAMBO IV. See, Rambo never gets thwarted in that movie. Not once. He doesn’t get captured, he doesn’t get injured, he doesn’t even find himself stymied by a temporarily-more-powerful enemy. Basically, no impediment blocks him from putting the hurt on the bad guys. And I’m fine with that, as I am here. If you imagine that there’s a whole continuum of heroes and villains, the odds are that there will be some struggles that are solved without complication. The good guys trounce the bad guys. End of story.
So here, Simon gets a hold of his mecha, he gets out of the ground and, after Kamina dies (which is one setback) he proceeds to beat all the Beast Men down. Simple as that. The twelve or so remaining episodes of GURREN LAGANN will be all about these kids partying on the beach. Lagann will be converted into a roof top hot tub, thus furthering the JERSEY SHORE comparisons.
On a more serious note, I continue to be impressed by Nia’s character. They’ve managed to keep fitting her into the innocent princess archetype while simultaneously giving her stronger convictions than any body else in the case. She must confront her father and she will denounce him for the evil of his ways. Take note: this is how to redress outdated clichés without making it smell of a hamfisted agenda.
Watch this episode “I Will Head Towards Tomorrow” below and decide for yourself, then read my comments on the previous episode here.
Tom Pinchuk’s the writer of HYBRID BASTARDS! & UNIMAGINABLE. Order them on Amazon here & here.
You know, even though Kamina is "one" setback, it's one hell of a setback. So many shows treat death like a common occurrence, something that happens everyday, and doesn't give it much thought. And...even though those things are true, death takes its tole...especially if it's a guy like Kamina, this kid's guardian. So even if TTGL does drag out that one event over so many episodes, I'm glad they do, because that's how death actually affects people (putting aside the statue-building).
We'll break for an episode now while we catch up on what's happened so-far (it's fun, artful, and wonderfully foreshadowing, so don't tune out). Get ready though, the fun and epicness have only just begun.
No spoilers or easy hints guys.
If I wasn't spoiled for the second half I would have NEVER expected what the second half has in store.
Also, you should really mention how awesome the moment Seemon defeats Lord Genome is. It was a little damp because Seemon said too many words in the process, but edit out that 10 seconds and its very awesome.
And honestly? Lordgenome's the most badass villain in ANY mecha anime so far. Dude, he backhanded the Giga Drill Breaker. He left his own mech because it wasn't strong enough and tore his enemy's mech apart with his bare hands.
HE TALKS WITHOUT LUNGS FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!
Sorry, should be somehow fixed now. And yeah Lord Genome is indeed very awesome.
Shit is only just beginning to get real.
Gurren Lagann is made about being over-the-top, and what's better than beating a badass story arc with a second more badass story arc. Tom, you are going to be very surprised about what all comes next. Lord Genome is very awesome and that's all I'll say.
But wait!! There's more!!
Also, how could you call Lord Genome a pushover when he gets out of his gunmen after is broken to pieces to fight Lagann fist to metal fist?
@Tom_Pinchuk:
3) This one's @Tom_Pinchuk: Maybe you should rate each episode out of five, like GodLen does for Bleach, Naruto and One Piece each week? It's one way of keeping track of your enjoyment of a series, even though you WILL get people who will argue with you based on numbers so the system will probably do more harm than good, and may ruin the casual feel of the Watch & Learn column by turning every one into a review. Hey, every idea's worth considering, right?
Also, when do you imagine yourself taking up FMA again? Because I'm kinda getting shipped out of the country away from the internet for two years in a couple of months. Yes, I know I won't be around to see you finish it, no where near, but still, It'd be nice to enjoy the reminders of the series as it went on.
And ahh look now he watched the recap episode...