Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann

Tengen Toppa … is one of the greatest mecha anime ever. I know I haven’t written a review of a crappy one, but I believe that it’s my obligation, as a mecha fan, to write the review of Tengen Toppa… Although it is brilliant, with certain visual styles, it has it’s little moments, when, even for a mecha anime, it loses logic. Unlike other anime, when the lack of logic is frustrating, here I don’t really give a shit because it’s so entertaining that you will stop trying figuring things out. But even so, for the sake of this review, I’ll bring them to light. Now, first of all I want to comment on the title. It’s not that it doesn’t make sense, it’s just, well…. It’s so fucking long. Why ? Gurren-Lagann would’ve been enough, or even just Lagann would suffice. Why not Tengen Toppa ? Because the only time these words are pronounced is at the end. The plot is that in a bleak future where humanity is oppressed by an army of mutants and forced to live underground, a young orphan unearths a powerful robot. Together with a boisterous man named Kamina, a beautiful sharpshooter named Yoko and many other friends, they use the robots power to fight against their oppressors and take back the surface. In their closed-off underground village, Kamina and Simon chafe at the limits imposed by the village elder. Yet all this will change, when Simon stumbles across a fantastic device - just as the village's peace is broken by a violent intrusion. So eventually this adventure takes the form of a war for survival, when our heroes capture more mecha for the humans and form a resistance group to fight the Beastmen. Well it’s all bright and blue, but… where the fuck did they get weapons to fight ? Well they say they found a stash of weapons with ammunition. Ok… but how the fuck did they know how to use them ? And what do they have unlimited ammo ? Best not try to think about it to much. It’s like I said, these are just tiny details, not like Pokemon, and you don’t really pay much attention to them. What’s important is that they have them, and they can use them, and that means you will see a lot of fighting. The plot, even though sounds simple, you know, like… we fight… they lose… the end… isn’t that simple at all cause there are a lot of twists and turns. There are a few moments that I’m sure you haven’t ( or won’t, if you haven’t seen it yet ) even predicted. I would tell you more about some things that don’t have logic, but that would be spoiling for those that haven’t seen it yet but read this review, and they don’t matter really much.
The opening song is nice and energetic which really defines the anime. As the story progresses ( both character development and timeline ) there are multiple openings but with the same song. All I can say about the ending is that it’s not memorable.
The character cast really steals the show. Like in any mecha anime it is big and has variety. Everyone has his/her own distinct feature and have great personalities and design. One of the biggest characters is Kamina, and rightfully so. He is like a hero of the oppressed and the symbol of the resistance. He is brave, strong-willed, caring and pure-hearted but sometimes… behaves like a total MINDLESS ASS. I mean he says and does stupid things sometimes, and the only reason they work out well is not because of skill but because of luck. Lucky monkey-brained bitch. Also he says some weird things to Simon, like ,,Don’t believe in yourself, believe in ME that believes in YOU”. Ok… so you’re saying ,,Fuck self-confidence, just focus on me”. What a self-centered bastard. But wait, later he says ,,Don’t believe in yourself, don’t believe in me that believes in you but believe in yourself THAT BELIEVES IN YOU” Ok… how does that work ? I don’t know, I just think he is retarded, makes things easier.
Sound effects and visuals are pleasing. The musical score is good and always puts you in the right mood, voice work is believable and sound effects are realistic. But it’s the graphics that take the highlight in presentation. Character models define they’re personality, there is a lot of sex-appeal, and all the mecha, although don’t look very realistic, are rich in detail and color. The visual style here really depends on rich coloring and laser-show effects. They are awesome to look at.
Overall this is one mecha you do NOT want to miss, cause it delivers entertainment and delivers it with style.