posts tagged “Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann”
[Anime Reviews]
26 Dec 2007
Posted by Martin [Tags: ABC, Gainax, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, Twelve days of Christmas]
Stromectol For Sale, And so, with the final day of our Twelve Days of Christmas countdown, I've worked my way through a metric tonne of turkey, numerous glasses of assorted alcoholic beverages and a countless number of mince pies to give you guys the last Highlight of 2007. Some will cite Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann as a classic in the making for the mecha action; some will have appreciated Yoko's fanservice x girl with gun combo but for me the series is purest win for re-affirming my faith in Gainax, about Stromectol. Stromectol dosage, After some pretty mediocre efforts I can't stress enough the importance of seeing them getting back to what they do best, and doing it well, Stromectol pics. Stromectol description, *Glaringly obvious spoiler within*
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There's something about Gurren Lagann that can turn even the most articulate and insightful bloggers into raving fanboys who eschew thoughtful commentary for fanboy raves peppered with superlatives and CAPS LOCK. Before placing my reviews on temporary hiatus after ADV's licence announcement I tried to get a grasp on the reasoning behind this bizarre phenomenon and came up blank, cheap Stromectol no rx. I guess the truth is, Gurren Lagann has a pure and simple raison d'être: it is supposed to be MINDLESS FUN, Stromectol For Sale. Order Stromectol from United States pharmacy, See. I'm hitting the caps lock button and I'm only onto the second paragraph, Stromectol from canadian pharmacy. Stromectol pharmacy, At the time of writing I have merely the slightest inkling of Nia's place in the story, with no knowledge of the spirals vs, where can i order Stromectol without prescription. Stromectol without prescription, antispirals and whatever happens in the second half. Stromectol For Sale, I did however catch a few minutes of the last episode which, while not being enough to be spoilerific, seemed to show entire galaxies being thrown like ninja shuriken on an outrageous scale that matches the two Gunbuster OAVs. This is possibly where Gurren Lagann acquires its cult following: it is so gleefully over-the-top, buy no prescription Stromectol online, Fast shipping Stromectol, gar and self-aware (or rather, fan-aware) that it endears itself to the audience, is Stromectol addictive. Stromectol forum, Memorable Moment
Because the show followed a no-holds-barred attitude, I found it difficult to pick out, Stromectol no prescription, Doses Stromectol work, say, one particular mecha battle that was particularly outstanding because so many of them had me glued to the screen and grinning like a dumb kid on a sugur rush, no prescription Stromectol online. Buy Stromectol without a prescription, The sudden gear shifts into characterisation mode were ironically the times when the series scored so highly in my view because it managed to show guts and a sense of fun but a great deal of heart too. The story is after all about Simon's emergence from an underground village as a shy young boy to becoming a Badass Hero™; if the characters were not as colourful and engaging, my Stromectol experience, Order Stromectol from mexican pharmacy, this could never work. So, Stromectol wiki, Stromectol from mexico, as my parting shot I declare a (predictably) high point of Gurren Lagann, albeit an early one, rx free Stromectol, Stromectol alternatives, as being the clash of eyeball-melting action with the manly tears of tragedy to be, the eternally awesome Kamina and his heroic last stand, buying Stromectol online over the counter. Stromectol gel, ointment, cream, pill, spray, continuous-release, extended-release, Huerrgh.
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[4 Comments]
[Anime Reviews]
23 Jul 2007
Posted by Martin [Tags: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]
Yep, this was as far as I got before the show got licenced. I particularly enjoyed the character interactions between Simon, Nia and Yoko in this episode - it highlighted the issue of how Simon has to step out of his brother's shadow and become not a carbon copy of Kamina, but a 'badass dude' in his own way. It makes sense as to why Nia ended up where she did, but there's no indication of why she was disowned by her father...her pacifist attitude is my best guess (the Spiral King doesn't like to be questioned, it would appear).
Thoughts on the series so far
Beyond that and another cool combat scene, there's not a great deal I can say about this episode in particular that hasn't been covered by everyone else. As a whole, the first ten episodes have teetered on disaster on occasion with some disappointing filler segments; generally though it's an outstanding series that I'll definitely be picking up on DVD and continue blogging it when that time comes.
The thing I found disappointing with this show at first is that Gainax seemed to have made a definitive departure from the deep and meaningful stuff, but in all honesty they've always delivered genuine emotion and feeling in a saccharine and cartoony package so this isn't really all that different from any of their older works such as
Gunbuster. As with
Gurren Lagann, there were some serious messages and themes in that series but these were carried along by cheeky fan service and over-the-top mecha action; looking back at the bigger Gainax picture (i.e. seeing past NGE), I can honestly say that
Gurren Lagann is arguably their best work since
FLCL in terms of entertainment value and, if it continues to impress as much as it has done so far, I can see it being another fan fave that we're still talking about years later.
The bravado and mecha side of things give it a decidedly male-audience friendly vibe which, along with the manic pace, pushes it into a bit of a niche so for every viewer who agrees enthusiastically with my positive feelings on the show, there will be an equal number who hate it just as vehemently - it's fair to say this is a 'love it or hate it' experience. There's no pretence of being 'deep and meaningful' here; for sure, the character drama is very real and moving but at the same time it seems to resign to the fact that it is, and always will be, shallow entertainment. The reason why
Gurren Lagann rocks so hard is because it achieves this modest goal so damned well! Basically, as much as it goes against my policy of trying to see anime as artistic and sophisticated, I can't help but admit I'm all out of excuses. It's just no-holds-barred, fun TV...pure and simple.
[8 Comments]
[Anime Reviews]
11 Jun 2007
Posted by Martin [Tags: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]
Wow, it's been a while, hasn't it? I've had a load of other stuff to attend to but now I can start on my viewing backlog again. Initially I was worried about how TTGL would fare after the (in)famous episode #8 but it turns out my fears were unfounded.
Make no mistake, the loss of Kamina had me wiping away a manly tear and swallowing a lump in my throat the size of Peterborough; in the dully coloured, rain-soaked aftermath we see the Gurren Brigade adjusting and getting on with the business of living. There are some great scenes in which we see how the Brigade has made the Beastmen's ship habitable, and the crew go about their daily duties, such as the mundane act of peeling potatoes. Sorry, that just seemed all the more noteworthy in a show that never usually finds time for the mundane and everyday.
Interestingly Rossiu is in the pilot's seat now and all things considered is doing a fine job. Sadly the same thing cannot be said of Simon. While he could have moped and wallowed in self pity, the legacy of his adoptive brother extends beyond the others picking up the cheesy battle dialogue (the cry of "May your entrails taste the fresh air!" from one of the other guys would make the great man proud). He's angry but vents it: not entirely expected but perfectly understandable. He's trying and failing to get his head around things, which gives some great character-driven moments where he confronts his comrades and generally makes for some excellent drama. Gainax are still the masters of teenage angst it seems, and it's still great to watch.
Needless to say Simon has lost faith in pretty much everything. He desparately needs to find something - or someone - worth fighting for, and the reason comes from an very unexpected (isn't it always?) source. Now, my first impressions of Nia were roughly "A moe character! Noes!" but by the end of the episode I understood her interesting origins and realised that she isn't going to sit around talking in a high, childlike voice and behaving like the helpless damsel in distress. Thank heavens.
Quite why she was boxed up and discarded, apparently by the Beastmen, given who she is, not to mention why she looks so human, I don't know. Actually, the whole opening scene featuring the Spiral King and his minions throws up fundamental questions about the Gurren Lagann universe, so I don't think that the series has shot itself in the foot after all. On reflection, this episode was not only a fascinating one but it avoided the pitfalls it could so easily have slipped into.
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[Anime Reviews]
22 May 2007
Posted by Martin [Tags: Huerrgh!, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]
This is worth a double-post.
After episode #7 I didn't think this show's recovery in quality could continue. This one however was even better: it portrays a very unexpected and significant event in the story, and in great style too. If you haven't watched this far yet, go see it before reading any further - SERIOUSLY. I really don't want to ruin it for you.
Even without the shocking ending, it was a decidedly above-average offering that gives plenty of character interaction and action: the battle with the Beastmen picks up where the last one left off with entire armies of ganmen clashing. There's drama, explosions, tension and, ultimately, tragedy.
Simon's moment of self-doubt, brought on by the events in the episode's first half, threaten to scupper the operation entirely. While it's easy to criticise him as not 'acting like a man' or whatever, remember that he's still learning what it takes to
be a man: he's been denied any sort of role model until his adventures on the surface but the final assault that Kamina and Simon make together is downright EPIC. Pulling victory from the jaws of defeat is no small thing, and it's on a suitably grand scale here: an uber-macho Gunbuster almost.
You have to admit though, writing a major character out of a series when it's only a third of the way through is about as unexpected as it gets (see why I warned you now?). Utterly, utterly, shocking! I was surprised at myself for being surprised though - the warnings were filtered down last time that Kamina makes a habit of dicing with death; it would appear that even I became convinced of his apparent invincibility. He's Kamina: the shirtless, shades-wearing Master of All that is Cool and Awesome! He can't die! Alas, being the ultimate in manliness, he was just a man.
For all this, it's somehow fitting that he went out this way: grinning, fearless, regretting nothing - his final thoughts were for those of his friends as he made his exit is characteristically grand style. How the series will go now, I won't even hazard a guess: it's proved to be way too unpredictable. Can Simon and Yoko carry on without such a determined powerhouse of energy? Who will now take the place as the beating heart of the Gurren Lagann? The way in which these questions are addressed will decide whether this series winds up as Gainax's greatest triumph since FLCL, or a spectacular disaster. Either way, it'll be interesting to see how it pans out from here on in because I don't know how they can follow this episode without things feeling like a let-down or just plain odd.
May he rest in peace, the man who lived as a fool but died as a hero.
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[Anime Reviews]
22 May 2007
Posted by Martin [Tags: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]
GAINAX, I'm sorry I doubted you. For all their misfires, questionable endings and crippling shoestring budgets over the years, I can't help but respect these guys. After what was essentially half an episode, I hoped to be proved wrong about this show: were they really losing their touch or just saving their energy for a blinder of an episode? Well, It's a blinder.
Apart from a bit of Yoko/Kamina dialogue at the end, this is wall-to-wall, balls-to-the-wall action: it's as if the writers were apologising for a run of filler episodes by delivering an instalment that will have fans glued to the screen. I'd say they're forgiven. There's not much to speak of story-wise because it's just one long, exhilerating battle in which Viral brings in the big shots, in a very literal sense.
Initially, there's the overblown orchestral score as the Daiganzan makes an appearance (doesn't it look a bit like the Macross??), before the guitar driven rock track kicks in. While it may have felt out-of-place before, the music, just like everything else in this episode,
works. Yes, it's overdone. Yes, it doesn't progress the storyline or characterisation. Yes, it's so full of excessive amounts of Kamina's testosterone it runs the risk of spontaneously combusting. The truth is, I was too gobsmacked to care. Of course, there's a fine line between bravery and downright stupidity, as our manly hero ably shows. Kamina is saved from his own hot-headedness and lack of self-preservation by Simon's quick thinking; it was great to see the roles reversed and Kamina placing faith in Simon's abilities in the heat of battle.
I've gone on for too long already. A series that was meandering and stalling is back in its stride, and provides a multicoloured, explosive, slab of mecha radness. I want more!
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[Anime Reviews]
18 May 2007
Posted by Martin [Tags: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]
Recaps? Already?! They say some things never change but sadly this adage extends to Gurren Lagann and the infamous GAINAX recap tactic. This is going to be another short post since half of this ep was just recap - what original material that was here was great but there wasn't enough of it!
There were references and parodies galore here - the Spirited Away bath house was the obvious one, and there were some cameo appearances from
Top O Nirae! 2's Nono and Raruku, as well as Mahoro, Asuka and Rei (as bunny girls, no less). Good to know us long-term GAINAX fanatics are catered for. ^_^ The writers and cast are clearly having a lot of fun with this show but if the story falters as much as this I don't think the viewers will share the same good feeling for long - it's quite a frustrating experience to have comic gold buried so much recycled material.
That said, there are one or two details that could prove to be important once the story gets back on track: Kamina suggests that if they can break to the surface so easily, why not carry on and go the moon? This alludes to what I thought was an out-of-place opening scene in ep #1, in which our heroes appear to be in space. Rossiu also gets to do a bit of mecha piloting and those three girls from the infamous fourth episode turn up again (they could become regular characters after all).
All in all this was a mixed bag of an episode - there were some moments of brilliance but with the past controversies in mind this is beginning to look like a production that's dogged with setbacks. I really don't what the writers are playing at.
[2 Comments]
[Anime Reviews]
15 May 2007
Posted by Martin [Tags: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]
After the controversy with ep #4 I wonder how many people still enjoy this show. In fact, after this one, I wonder how many are still following it. My view probably won't be popular but I think this episode was great. Seriously! There's no big battle to speak of but it boasts some impressive characterisation and the art style really struck a chord with me.
After our heroes fall through a hole they encounter a village not entirely unlike their own - that is to say, it's an underground settlement of austerity and fear, presided over by a figure who Kamina takes an instant dislike to. Because they're not on the surface any more, almost all of the episode, save a couple of shots inside the Lagann, are rendered in greyscale with only fires and torches lending any sort of light and colour; just so you know it's not my knack of picking lousy creencaps. Anyway, it paints a very grim picture of the underground village in which the High Priest, who makes the laws the villagers follow, has decided that the population must not exceed fifty people. Every time a child is born, lots are drawn to decide who leaves. Needless to say Kamina is very frustrated with the way these people go about things and tries to get them around to his way of thinking.
It is at times like this where we see the limitations in Kamina's philosophy: his simple, black-and-white, view of the world is ill-suited to a place such as this in which things are not as simple as he seems to think. It's easy to see why Kamina left his own village: contrary to his own views the High Priest is not some 'old fart' who is trying to spoil everyone's fun, but a man making difficult decisions as best he can. Simon's attempts to diffuse the situation shows that, this time, he is the more mature of the two.
Like the colour palette used, there are other little details that caught my attention - the weird brown lizard in the foreground in the opening scene, for instance. For all its flashy action, bold visuals and fan service,
Gurren Lagann has subtlety that probably isn't apparent. Even when GAINAX aren't firing on all cylinders they are still able to deliver a tale of surprising depth that leaves you thinking about what you've just seen - this episode is a timely reminder of where Simon and Kamina came from.
As a result of this episode three more join the team who are on their way to the Beastmen's lair; whether or not they are necessary to the story or would be better of as characters revisited later, I'm not sure. Right now I think the contrasting personalities of Kamina and Simon, as well as the surprisingly likeable Yoko, provide all the dynamics necessary but time will tell. If nothing else we can rest assured that
Gurren Lagann is back on track; I'm all too aware though that not everyone will be happy with the direction it's taking.
[No Comments]
[Anime Reviews]
09 May 2007
Posted by Martin [Tags: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]
This will have to be a shortish post since I have an exam tomorrow...worse luck. Anyway, this episode is notorious for the fan backlash, which is a shame because it's not really too bad. The problem seems to be that episode #3 was so damned awesome that it would take a lot to better it. It follows the same format as the others though with some comedy, drama and a bit of an insight into the series' own bizzarre world in the first half, and a mecha battle with a ganmen in the second half. Unfortunately I have to agree with a few others in that there is a special 'something' that is missing here. It seems a bit filler-ish for one thing. Unless the Black Brigade turn up later in the series it would have ended up as a distraction for Simon and Kamina's journey.
The black Brigade aren't really introduced properly and by the end of the episode we know little about them beyond their names and the fact that they're related. Where are they from? Why are they hunting the 16-Face beastman (beyond the obvious)? Visually though, I wasn't as disappointed as I expected to be. The sketchiness of the animation reminded me a little of the
FLCL manga, although a pivotal moment in the battle was reduced to a series of stills. Overall however I noticed no serious problems.
My main criticism of this episode is that apart from a mecha battle and some new characters that may or may not reappear, not a great deal happens. I don't think it deserve the panning it did though (especially with the furore that ensued) but there's no depth or dramatic meat for the viewer to get their teeth into. Like poor Simon and Kamina, it goes into battle this time around on an empty stomach with only the tail end of a weird creature to sustain it. Boota's backside may be delicious but it can't keep us going for long!
[1 Comment]
[Anime Reviews]
04 May 2007
Posted by Martin [Tags: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]
Whoa! I'll try not to turn this post into a wide-eyed rave but honestly this was the best episode so far. Gurren Lagann takes its 'excess all areas' approach and ups the ante to parody the old super robot thing to mindblowing effect. Most viewers will be tunng in for that awesome action sequence in the second half but this episode has much more to offer, not least the background to Yoko's village and some character development on Simon's part.
I really enjoyed listening to Simon explain the situation with Kamina's old man, which makes him out to be quite sensitive and switched-on in terms of recognising his elder brother's feelings. Being the token fanservice character whose wardrobe leaves a little to be desired and nothing to the imagination, Yoko ought to irritate the hell out of me. Except she doesn't. In fact, her character is pretty darned cool in that she is as fully-developed personality-wise as well as physically. Her very forcefully-delivered words of encouragement to Simon turned the tide of battle and proved that she is as much a central character as Simon, Kamina and Lon. Except Lon does annoy me. "Hey, let's put an androgenous, drag queen character in for the hell of it!" Not such a good move in my book. I did enjoy the hunting trip though, since it gives that story of how the villagers came to the surface and also features a great knife-fight between Viral and Kamina. If anyone can explain what the hell the animators were on when they designed this sort of creature, I'll be most grateful! This is just the sort of zany details that make the show what it is for me.
Speaking of the battle, well, what can I say? Drawn-out, Shounen Jump-style combat scenes with cliched dialogue isn't my thing but those who dig that sort of stuff will be in their absolute element here. Even I found myself drawn in and carried along for the ride as the oversized robots clashed - Viral is a great adversary and Kamina is a bottomless mine of cheesy and brilliant one-liners. Like many aspects of
Gurren Lagann it's all been done before but that is beside the point. My exam revision timetable NEEDS to be punctuated by blasts of no-holds-barred entertainment such as this.
So, the third instalment takes our heroes through a multicoloured storm of action and onwards towards a new setting and another battle with Viral and the Beastmen. Like Kamina himself, it's a larger than life ball of energy with a small brain but a big heart.
[1 Comment]
[Anime Reviews]
01 May 2007
Posted by Martin [Tags: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]
The problem of living up to the opening episode is neatly avoided with this show: the manic action and intriguing backgrounds follow on nicely with some more combat scenes that seem to jump out of the screen. It's not deep and meaningful stuff by any means but Gurren Lagann is the perfect antidote to the dark and broody angst-fest my viewing schedule usually turns out to be.
Simon and Kamina are on the surface but even with the help of Yoko's villagers they have their work cut out with some nasty monsters who turn up in increasing numbers. I'm quite intrigued as to why these Beastmen are fighting the humans but I have a suspicion we might never know. Right now it's bright, bold, over-the top mecha action with countless homages and parodies thrown in - I'm spotting moments that remind me of everything from Eva and Gunbuster to Nausicaa and Laputa (it's another series that makes for a good game of 'spot the reference'). I'm actually warming to the cartoony art style, which is a refreshing change from what we're seeing these days - all the same, I don't think Gurren Lagann has yet matched the manic genius of FLCL but then, what has?
In between the gleeful mecha action (which had me chuckling and grinning inanely at numerous points) there's some attempt at character development along with a nasty revelation at the end; Kamina and Simon are proving to be quite a team and they are both beginning to get their heads around Simon's mecha (pun intended). There are one or two quite touching scenes in the rare moments where the show pauses to draw breath though, such as a relaxing scene where our two heroes are gazing up at the night sky for the first time. As always, a boundless sense of adventure runs through the series which helps you forget that it's formulaic fluff, and allows you to just concentrate on having fun.
The cliffhanger at the end of this episode promises some more serious stuff for episode #3, and the Beastmen will no doubt make another appearance after getting their butts thoroughly kicked. I'm also looking forward to seeing Simon and Kamina working together in their respective mecha - this series is proving to be undemanding and exhilerating entertainment. Bring it on!!
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