First Impressions / Gurren Lagann

Summary:

It has been one week since the moon was stopped from falling, and Simon is telling the others that Viral will be attending their strategy meetings from now on. Viral doesn’t expect them to forget the past, but he does want them to understand that it’s not only humans who want to protect this world. When Simon wonders where Rossiu is, Leeron explains that Rossiu is working on a reconstruction plan for the planet’s surface. Leeron then starts up a presentation and goes over how the Cathedral Terra had been disguised as the moon, how their spiral power is from their fighting spirit, and how the Anti-Spirals were spiral life-forms who believed that continued use of the spiral power would destroy the universe. The Anti-Spirals hid their home base in a different dimensional axis, and after they won, they created the spiral life-form eradication system for the Spirals’ mother planet. The Spirals were thus forced to live underground. As for the Beastmen, Viral explains that they were all created by Lord Genome and that breeding was done through cloning. Leeron then starts talking about genetic diversity through sexual reproduction, but when he notices everyone losing interest, he summarizes it up by saying that love changes the universe. And with an exploration system being constructed on the Cathedral Terra, Simon intends to find the Anti-Spiral home base no matter what.

Viral tells Simon afterwards that he thinks he understands what their strength is, but Simon feels that they’ll become stronger yet. Rossiu meanwhile returns to his old underground village of Adai and when he runs into the priest, he gives back the sacred book. He wasn’t able to read it after all because he couldn’t identify the ancient writing and suggests that someone might have created it as a joke. The two then start laughing about how the book was nonsense, and Rossiu wonders if it’s evolution that they thought this was a treasure and now understand that it’s junk. The priest feels that this is the reason that people are interesting, but Rossiu replies that he doesn’t think that way. Back at base, Simon runs into Kinon who informs him that she got a mail from Rossiu with the reconstruction plan, but there was also a message to her on the last page. In it, Rossiu had wanted her to work with the people around her and had thanked her for her friendship. All this has Kinon worried, particularly given how Rossiu has been brooding over something since they returned to the planet from space. She also feels that Rossiu didn’t drive Simon from his position for personal greed and remembers how he had cried after Simon’s trial. Kinon then recalls that Rossiu always talked about his original village, so she and Simon head to Adai on the Gurren Lagann.

By now, Rossiu has started going further into the village under the pretense that he’s going to investigate if the moon getting closer had loosened the ground. As he walks, he thinks about how living required sacrifices because only 50 people could live in the old village. He had believed that the planet’s surface was where everyone could live, but he now feels that this was a mistake. Because of how he had tried to sacrifice a lot of lives, Rossiu feels that he has to bear the crime. Up in space, the Cathedral Terra’s spiral systems suddenly start up and Lord Genome’s head detects a high-speed spiral metastasis reaction coming from Simon and Kinon in the Gurren Lagann. When Rossiu points a gun at his head, the image of him pops up in their cockpit, and the Gurren Lagann fires a spiral beam into the air in front of it, opening up a portal that lets it travel directly to him. Simon jumps out as soon as the Gurren Lagann crashes onto the ground, and he heads straight for Rossiu to punch him right in the face. After admitting that someone hit him like this in his past, Simon goes on to say that everyone makes mistakes. Getting hit by someone for screwing up is fine, but there’s no need to enact punishment on yourself.

Simon knows that Rossiu might feel that this is a mistake he can’t start anew on, but he thinks that struggling with it will eventually let Rossiu move forward a little. In the end, Simon feels that it’s all okay because Rossiu tried to do what Simon himself couldn’t do, and he offers his hand, saying that he needs Rossiu. Once he helps Rossiu stand back up, Simon corrects himself and admits that there’s someone who needs Rossiu more than him – Kinon. She runs crying into Rossiu’s arms, and after he apologizes, they board the Gurren Lagann and blast their way back above ground. Riding on Rossiu’s lap, Kinon asks him if she’s heavy, and although he says that she is, it’s fine because he wants to feel what kind of thing the weight of one person is. It is sometime later that the entire group finds itself gathered behind a hologram of Lord Genome as the head goes through a complicated explanation about dimensions and finding the Anti-Spiral homeworld that even Leeron isn’t sure about. The key is Nia’s ring, and after another complex explanation, they conclude that with fighting spirit, they can warp to their destination. However, Simon worries about if it’s okay for the Gurren Lagann to leave the planet if their enemy can warp too. To his surprise, Rossiu urges him to go and says that he’ll manage while they’re gone.

With the operation green-lighted, the group first uses the Cathedral Terra pierce into imaginary space with its dimensional anchors so that it can pull out the real moon that had been hidden. Simon is meanwhile back on the planet saying his goodbyes to Rossiu when Old Coco suddenly appears with a huge Dai-Gurren-dan flag. Unfurling it with the Gurren Lagann, Simon and Viral fly it all the way into space and plant it onto the Cathedral Terra. With his new outfit, Simon then boards the bridge and orders the launch of the ship that he has renamed the Chouginga Dai-Gurren (Super Galactic Great Gurren). After identifying everyone standing there with him, Simon declares that if they’re united as the Dai-Gurren-dan, then they have nothing to fear. And with that, the engines start, and Simon sends them on their way to what he calls their final battle.

Preview

I don’t know if they were making fun of the genre or not, but this episode seemed rather tongue-in-cheek with the way it approached the techno-jargon heavy explanations that Leeron and Lord Genome provided. Even so, the first part of the episode felt a little too lets-go-over-what-we-know and could have probably been said a lot clearer in less words. That’s not to say that Leeron didn’t explain anything new, but I definitely understood how Kittan and the others felt as he was talking. In any case, I thought the part with Rossiu trying to commit suicide was portrayed quite well, even if it was a bit predictable in terms of Simon saving him. Predictable that is, except for the warping part, but I’ll just chalk it up as another advantage of the super fighting spirit and spiral power that Simon has.
The final few minutes of the episode were quite exciting with the arrival of Simon in his new outfit just exuding confidence (Yoko’s outfit meanwhile left little to the imagination) and the launch of the renamed flagship. I guess Rossiu won’t be taking part in the final episodes much at all, but given how much development we’ve seen of him this past arc, I’m probably not going to miss him much. Instead, I’m looking forward to the Dai-Gurren-dan’s exploits in space which start next week against some rather ugly looking enemies. Four more episodes to go…

97 Comments

  9. Those outfits certainly are ridiculous looking. I can’t help but laugh when I look at them, lol. XD They *really do* look like a team of galactic superheroes now. 😛 Too bad Gimmy and Darry aren’t shown with new outfits..

    omchan
    Reply

  25. Episode 1 Simon:

    1. Makes chain noises when he walks.
    2. Skull + Shades belt buckle.
    3. Red shades on his skull.
    4. Beastman operator.
    5. Sash.
    6. Cloth neck brace.
    7. Cloth haramaki.

    23 ‘s Simon:

    1. No noises.
    2. Bandana.
    3. Boota.
    4. Gold rings on his trenchcoat.
    5. Seamless pants.
    6. Plastic haramaki.
    7. Plastic neck brace.

    I would discredit the other differences with easiness, but the lack of a beastmen helper is too big to pass.

    Terek
    Reply

  35. The outfits are over the top, but did people just now realize they were watching a cheesy space robot animu? come on now. It’s also not like the outfits (white jumpshit on simon) was the epitome of awesome and cool before. The only complaint I have is Yoko’s boobs are way too large, but other then that I think the outfits are awesome. The episode was good too.

    ann
    Reply

  39. lol, Dayakka’s new outfit makes me laugh, he looks like an actual super hero, and the day… was saved, thanks to…… Dayakkaiser…, oh and also Gurren lagann’s teleport ability is awesome, Gurren Lagann really is the 2nd strongest mecha in all anime existence

    lol
    Reply

  40. fun episode. interesting revelations, finally punched rossiu, and all the loose ends planetside have been tied up. wish they hadn’t been so liberal with the colors on the new costumes (really feels like they went a little overboard with the bright primaries), but otherwise they’re a fairly nice homage.

    hopefully we’ll actually get to see a few of the anti-spirals in person next time.

    ashlay
    Reply

  41. Interesting, the Dai Gurren-dan now have Warp tech. Anyone notice how Gurren-Lagann’s entrance into the underground amphitheatre just screams Top o Narae 2/Buster Machine 3 style warpout?

    Myssa Rei
    Reply

  43. Honestly I dont really like Kamina, so when simon was shown as somewhat another kamina my view of the show fell. Also can they kill rossiu already, damn that backstabber , skipped almost the whole episode. A show without that annoying rossiu will be paradise.
    Despite all of that Im still eager for the remaining episodes.

    SkyKing
    Reply

  47. Yeah.. and u guys saw the next preview.. Looks like Gurren Lagann will be destroyed and wonder if they left Arc Gurren Lagann on earth and just bring Catheral Terra with them and yet they bring another moon to Spiral earth. Just wondering wouldnt that triggers the 1mio amount if it reached the figure on Spiral earth ???

    Tsukasa
    Reply

  49. @ Tsukasa
    arc gurren is inside cathedral terra (explained by Leeron) while everybody drools out of boredom

    and I’m not sure but in preview the one being destroyed is not GL but one of those Mass produce Grapal

    ah yeah pulling a moon out of nowhere is ridiculous

    Nekozama
    Reply

  50. MWAAAH!!! A slow pace episode, yet it was better than the previous one, GL’s Chaos Control was nice, so is the punch scene. Sadly, the new outfits look totally gay, and even Simon who has become a Neo-Kamina should be rename Gaylock (Garlock was the name of a vengeful badass who roam the universe to get rid of his girlfriend’s murderers). Gaylock should get rid of Nia and marry Leeron by the end of the serie. Kittan is a perv, period.

    Bogus
    Reply

  52. @Bogus: It’s Harlock, smart thing. Please hide your ignorance and immature homophobia where people can’t see it. It’s a disgrace to the entire blog.

    I love, though, how all Gurren Lagann episodes have at least one of those sketchy moments.

    About that, has anyone else noticed the title screen font has returned to its “Kamina” version?

    Drizzy
    Reply

  54. So we expected 40% and instead we got Gaylock, ridiculous boobs, a ridiculous new uniform (Dayakka’s outfit is the same as everyone else’s) and half episode trying to make Rossiu and his slut likeable, and failing miserably at it.

    This is too goofy at the moment, we need someone dying soon to get some sense of danger and epicness back, which hopefully will happen in the next episode. Guess I’ll be skipping this episode when I rewatch the series, along with the episodes 4 and 14 and fastforwarding the monster of the week arc.

    nutbladder
    Reply

  55. OMG Nia is so cute in the picture! I know she’s already cute but I can’t help saying it again.XD

    Anyway, the new outfits remind me of Kamina. And Kamina = Simon!!! Simon’s getting more like Kamina each episode. Remember when he’s young, he can’t even punch somebody’s face like that…and feel sad alone. Now, he’s a KAMINA!!!

    linnah-chan
    Reply

  57. @Drizzy: yep I should have put it in a softer way, I relly don’t have anything against gay people, really (I have more trouble with Attenborough or Dayakka than Leeron). Harlock rulz, Garlock was revealed to be Gaylock and the show’s artistic direction for the final arc is revealed to be crap (Viral’s outfit SUX, Yoko’s outfit STINX, and Simon’s one makes him look like gay -just fact, not as much as Leeron still-).

    Characters like Viral, Nia or Rossiu found redemption in the blink of an eye so maybe Simon will try to speak with anti Spiral about some truce in order to put a musical show matching their outfits for the last 4 remaining episodes…

    Bogus
    Reply

  58. Lol, wow Yoko suddenly got 70’s titties and Simon’s hair is a lot bluer now. I for one loved this episode, it was the first time we got to see Kamina-sama’s grave since the time skip. I actually thought that they’d put him under the statue that those bastard citizens pulled down ala Superman. And that was badass how Viral teleported onto the bridge. Hopefully by the time it is time to fire the Elshtreim Cannon the bridge (and Simon’s costume) will look like episode 1’s, for veracities sake.

    Menos
    Reply

  59. Would people shut up about 40% already? It was some stupid rumor. This was a transition episode to the final battle. I’m sure next week you get some big exploding things. This show should end with a huge bang.

    I hate Rossiu as much as the next person, but dying is the easy way out for him. Having to live with his failures and knowing he was wrong and that the only reason he’s alive now is because of Simon should humble him a bit.

    Characters like Viral, Nia or Rossiu found redemption in the blink of an eye

    What did Viral need redemption from? He wasn’t on a bad side as we have found out. Different means to an end don’t mean that side is automatically the bad guy. Just like with Rossiu. Rossiu has to live with her mistakes. Nia had no real choice in the matter of what happened to her.

    ann
    Reply

  61. @Myself:

    Oh. 40% of the budget into the final episodes. Nevermind. I remember.

    This was a transitional episode in the first place; even if the rumor is true, there’s only so much you can expect with an episode like this.

    Heiae
    Reply

  62. I agree with Heiae, on both counts — I don’t get the whole 40% thing, and the ‘Gaylock’ jokes are really tasteless. :/

    But the episode was pretty good! Simon’s definitely transcended his aniki here, and he’s on the way to becoming something totally awesome. (Yoko, meanwhile… LOL, LUCHA LIBRE MUCH?)

    Kalle
    Reply

  72. I think people are just blowing (the costume of Simon not appearing as they expected) out of proportion. It’s obviously a nod to Kamina’s getup (cape, no shirt, high-waisted pants). Those who can’t see it for what it is really need to rewatch the first few episodes (the ones with Kamina still in it).

    Myssa Rei
    Reply

  75. Yep simon has kamina in him. I somehow am believing that the book that rossiu had, can be a key for the happenings on earth. I am really looking forward to more, this is just so awesome. Best mecha ever, it pwns everything easily…

    It seems kittan really is the person for comedy, his reactions on yoko 😀

    Sad thing: at the end of the preview it seems someone of the dai gurren will be attacked heavily. Another death?

    legno
    Reply

  76. Man, i just watched ep 23 and continuing to get real excited…dont think i have had this feel-good feeling about a space adventure since outlaw star and cowboy beebop…Had to revisit ep 1 of Gurren to see that likkle clip of the future that we are now in….Even more awesome looking at it now. Curious though, the fellow Simon was talking to in the future clip of ep 1…anyone know who he is?
    Loving this series.

    Kurik
    Reply

  78. Oh my. The episode with Yoko turning from teacher back to kickass rebel girl was the best so far. These last two were rather disappointing me, tbh. I neither like the style of the “Super Galactic Great Gurren”, nor the new outfits. The whole Dark-Nia-still-having-feelings-for-Simon and Rossiu-not-being-the-bad-guy stories were poorly executed and sooo predictable imo. But maybe that’s just my imagination after the uber-awesome Yoko episode. Still, I liked the “rebellion” style of this series more, before the time jump.

    Not even sexy anymore: Yoko’s cup size seems to grow with the number of episodes. What will await us at the finale? Dual-punchbag Yoko, Kamisimona, Nosebleed-Kittan and Latex-Viral vs Ninjania’s ring?

    However, I’m still being optimistic and hope these last 40% can bring back the Gurren Dan feelings of the first bunch of episodes.

    PS: Is it going to be Simon x Nia, Rossiu x Kinon and Kittan x Yoko now? T_T

    Neara
    Reply

  79. @Neara
    I think it will be like this too, after this episode. But I liked the episodes(22 and 23).
    Outfits with motion = No problem
    Outfits with no motion = Gay(I have nothing against homos, k? ;/)

    Maedhros
    Reply

  81. At least Rossiu won’t play a big part in the remaining episodes. If he followed them to space I would have cried.

    KittanxYoko is kind of weird though… What a perv.

    RossiuxKinon seems too sudden on Rossiu’s side.

    NiaxSimon is still okay to me though…

    Ori
    Reply

  83. Simon’s costume is reminiscent of the first episode and Kamina. Which signifies that both Kamina and Simon are direct descendants of the Spiral Tribe therefore making His actions instinctual. I hope those pirates turn out to be alies afterwards.

    Jounouchi
    Reply

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