First Impressions / Gurren Lagann

Summary:

With Simon locked a nearby cell, Viral is amused that the hero of humanity’s liberation and the traitorous beastman would be equally imprisoned. Simon, however, is more concerned with how there’s only two weeks left until the moon crashes down onto the planet. Meanwhile, Rossiu is getting a report from Kinon and Kimbley about the progress of the evacuations and from Leeron about how the moon is slowly dropping. Leeron then requests to see Rossiu and claims to have something to say to him. Back at the prison, the various inmates are deriding and mocking Simon for what’s going on with the moon, and one beastman in particular attacks him in the locker room. This bird beastman has a grudge against Simon for defeating Cytomander, which led to him being stuck here and losing his wings, and he blames Simon for it. Simon manages to avoid the first few swings, but when the beastman trips him and is about to kill him, Viral steps in. After kicking the bird into the wall, Viral questions if the Simon who has lost the Gurren Lagann, his woman, and his comrades, and who he feels has been reduced to being just a naked monkey, can’t even defend himself.

After being challenged to bring it on, Simon tries to punch Viral, but Viral sidesteps and counters with his own lunge. Simon manages to jump over this, and a crowd soon gathers around as the bird tries to re-enter the fight. His claw punctures through Viral’s hand, but Viral kicks him into the wall again and instantly heals the wound. Explaining that he got an immortal life from Lord Genome, Viral starts fighting Simon again and has a real problem with Simon saying that he’s only doing what he has to do. It makes Viral question if doing nothing is what Simon has to do, and he compares Simon to Lord Genome. When the bird beastman tries to jump in once again, he gets caught in the middle of both Viral and Simon’s punches, but the two are soon broken up by the arrival of the guards. Back at Kamina City, Kittan tries to approach Kinon to talk to her, and in trying to make conversation, he makes note of how Rossiu has numerous animal species being loaded into the Arc-Gurren. This causes Kinon to turn around to say something to him, but she finds him gone already. Inside the ship, Leeron and the others have hooked up Lord Genome’s head because they need it in the same way that Simon is needed for the Lagann to move.

When Kimbley heads off to report to Rossiu that the engines have started, he gets cornered by Kittan who wants to know what Rossiu is thinking concerning the animals being loaded. Rossiu himself shows up with Leeron to reveal that the reason is because they have to live in space for one year. Leeron has prepared a simulation that shows the moon crashing into the planet, leading to it being covered in an atmosphere of scorching heat that will prevent anything from living on or underneath the planet’s surface for one year. Kittan questions if this means that they’re going to let the people who have escaped to underground die without helping, but Rossiu feels that they don’t have any other choice since the Arc-Gurren can’t fit one million people. Trying to think of ideas, Kittan then suggests that they use the ship to destroy the moon, but Rossiu had already considered this and points out that if they fail, then humanity will truly be extinct. Rossiu questions if Kittan can take such responsibility, and he says that they’ll save only the lives that can be saved – he intends to make the Arc-Gurren a second earth.

Unhappy with this, Kittan pays a visit to his sister in the hospital, and his yelling at them about evacuating wakes the baby. After the baby calms down again, Dayakka joins Kittan on the roof of the hospital and confirms that he turned in his resignation because he wants to be with his family. As the two are staring up at the sky, they notice a portal open up and countless numbers of Mugan come streaming out. These Mugan immediately attack the government building and the ground under it, making Rossiu wonder if they noticed the existence of the Arc-Gurren. Leeron thinks that the Anti-Spirals are reacting to the strong spiral power from the ship and are thus attacking it. Fortunately, Lord Genome’s head explains that they have a spiral power shield because this is a spiral combat vessel. The Grapal squad meanwhile has engaged in the battle equipped with their special weapons that destroy the Mugans and prevent the tiny pieces from falling to the ground, but the enemy just keeps coming. Across town, an explosion hits the hospital, but luckily Kittan and the others have already gotten out. With a Mugan hovering less than a block away, Kittan gets Dayakka to drive the survivors away while he heads towards the enemy with a single shotgun.

When the Mugan fires on Kittan, all seems lost until the Moshogun suddenly appears and blocks the shot. Its pilot Makken then fires a pair of special missiles that destroy the Mugan, and Reite soon shows up in a truck with the King Kittan and the Dayakkaiser. Aboard the Arc-Gurren, Rossiu is shocked to see Gunmen out there, so the head of Lord Genome explains that the Gunmen were originally weapons for fighting the Anti-Spirals. Deciding to leave them alone, Rossiu prioritizes the launching of the Arc-Gurren and wants it above the stratosphere in 30 minutes. They have no choice but to leave behind anyone who can’t make it into the ship by that time because that’s how long the shields will hold. It is at this point that Kittan enter the bridge and comments on Rossiu’s decision to save those lives that can be saved. He then asks for Simon’s core drill back because he feels that they don’t fit into the government – they’re just the Gurren Brigade, and the drill represents Simon’s soul. After Rossiu hands it over, Kittan flies off in the King Kittan, and the Arc-Gurren takes off, leaving behind a large crowd of people who didn’t get to board yet.

At the prison, Simon and Viral seem to be the only ones left still locked in their cells, and they can hear the roar of the Arc-Gurren taking off. Though Viral doesn’t like how this is their end, Simon feels that it’s okay as long as the others can survive. However, Nia suddenly appears and reveals that Rossiu has abandoned people. She explains that the people on the planet will get annihilated when the moon crashes down and declares that even if they reach space, despair will be waiting for them – what the Anti-Spirals want is absolute despair. Suddenly, a bullet fired through Nia’s hair interrupts them and announces the arrival of Yoko who comments on how boring a woman Nia has become.

Preview

The big winner this episode for me was Kittan since the episode focused a good deal on him and even managed to scare me a little into thinking that he might die since all the right death flags seemed to be there. Fortunately he didn’t, and it seems that he’ll be a big part of bringing back the Gurren-dan, particularly since he’s taken charge of the core drill to return to Simon. It was also through him that we find out that going underground isn’t going to save anyone from the moon crashing into the planet (which I had commented on last week). With this flaw in the plan, they made it pretty clear with all the shots of his shocked face that Rossiu is losing control over what’s happening and is just trying to do what he can to save those who can be saved by this point. That probably opens up the opportunity for Simon’s return with both Viral and Yoko at his side and maybe a plan to save everyone.
Speaking of which, I thought that ending the episode on Yoko’s appearance made for a pretty good cliffhanger since I wasn’t expecting to see her yet. I didn’t think that they’d completely write her out of the story, so I guess this was as good a time as any to reintroduce her into the story, but it remains to be seen if she’ll play as big a role as she did in the first arc. From the preview, it looks like at least part of the next episode will be about what she’s been doing during all this time – teaching it seems. Her outfit reminds me a lot of Mizuho’s from Onegai Teacher!

53 Comments

  6. guess who’s back…back again…lol. I was waiting for the screenies. I left the site for 5 mins and when i came back, poof there they were. Many thanks, and this ep looks kick ass.

    klazyguy
    Reply

  7. ok watched it; nice episode, really nice.

    – Rosui chose to abandon most of the population on earth and choose to help only those who can get on the ship. he bring in animal for preservation and also food.

    – Arc Gurren took off carrying the last hope of humanity, 30 min limit was imposed because Spiral shield can only activate for that long.

    – ah, yeah. Arc gurren need spiral enegy to run. So they are using Spiral King to run it. Spiral King is nice enough to help them not just hijack the ship :\

    – Kittan is GAR! Simon’s soul is within your hand now!! You impressed me now Kittan. The man who stand against all odd to revive the true Gurren-dan!. GO KITTAN!

    – Viral the immortal!! woot~ awesome, he has the power of GEASS now! heal wound and live forever!

    – Yoko as exspected is in this week towards the end. and she brush off Nia’s hair again.

    – Next episode probably be Yoko’s flash back in the first half, how she learn about the truth and what has she been doing. Her student probably still in shelter now, implying they will die if the moon hit the earth. Great Teacher Yoko will save them all!!

    – Nia’s action is VERY weird, why is she giving Simon status report every episode -_-; Extremely ineffective about her plan as well. Still Yoko has balls going against her without having spiral bullet; “I havn’t seen you for quite a while, you becomes quite a boring woman, Nia.” Yoko…she might beam spam you~

    intense intense INTENSE!~

    Quina
    Reply

  25. “Am I seeing things, or is that the SR-71 Blackbird?!”

    Close. The SR-71 has a higher length to width ratio, simply based on visual comparison. Also the SR-71 has has only 2 rudders mounted on the two engines. The plane in the picture has a third rudder (or giant antenna) mounted near what looks like its center of mass.

    abc
    Reply

  28. Tokkan: Gimbley is probably better, but without the official page updating with the English spelling, I’m just going by what Wikipedia says since I can’t find a precedent for the name. If you’re really concerned about it, start a community-agreed-upon “Correct English Terms” page.

    Omni
    Reply

  29. I want GAR Simon back 🙁
    Guess we’ll have to wait until 22 or 23 for that, meh :/

    It was still a great episode. I never really liked Kittan that much, but this episode kind of changed that. Still, I want Simon back.

    Kamion
    Reply

  32. With all of the comparisons made between Simon and Lord Genome, shouldn’t the characters be making the comparison betwen Rossiu and LG? Rossiu has essentially resided to taking the “best” path and save what he can without even trying to save the ones on the planet. He might even agree that LG had the right idea all along and Simon was probably wrong to force his and Kamina’s views on the planet. Rossiu probably sees the two as immature kids who can’t be responsible in running a government and just want to go out and save the world.

    Anyways, love seeing Yoko back. School teacher Yoko is very nice, especially since she is 21-24 now. Her old outfit probably won’t work now. Can’t wait for next week!

    jounin
    Reply

  33. @jounin

    But Yoko is back in her old outfit again. No more teacher now that it’s time to fight! If I was GARlock Simon I’d go after that sweet ass imo. Forget Nias anti-spiral ninja ass, she’s teh enemy now.

    GP
    Reply

  41. Yea, well we all knew the ganmen would be back from the OP, it was just a matter of time. Of COURSE they were designed to fight the Han Rasen… *forehead slap* Stupid Dekosuke and his faith in mankind’s technological prowess!!

    So I’m thinking that Yoko will die to save Nia from Anti Spiral control, because Nia’s the only one with the real power to stop the Anti Spirals. Because she is one. Or whatever. o_O; As much as I love her, I just can’t see Yoko living through this series. Kittan either. Even Dayakka might bite it. But I did love Kittan this episode. Shotgun wielding badass for teh WIN!

    Now taking bets on the appearance of Han Rasen Kamina Clone in coming episodes! I’ve got 50 bucks on episode 22, right before the credits. GAR SIMON VS DARK NINJA KAMINA GOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

    DLazLong
    Reply

  42. GP, when Yoko was 14 (probably not but you don’t ask a women her age) her bikini outfit was nice. Now that she’s around 21, I prefer the school teacher outfit compared to the flame jacket she’s wearing at the end of this ep. Yeah, it makes her look older, but it’s a very mature kind of nice.

    jounin
    Reply

  43. My respect for Kittan greatly rosed in this episode. This was a great episode and a quick and simple explanation of why gunmans are still existent made me laugh. I was hoping Rossiu was able to pull his part after being a complete arse in the last two, but now I feel like some one should say, “I told you so” to him. For some reason I think this situation would have been avoided if Simon gave a Kamina speech and led the whole planet to war against the anti-spirals. Also, NIA COME BACK!

    NINDOX
    Reply

  44. Yay!!! once more i cant help but feel that EBIL NIA is HOT HOT super duper NOVA HOT.
    Sigh. Me and my fetish with evil hot women… lolz
    Well i definitely liked the episode and in a way i cant blame the idiot rosiu for his ideas. He’s pretty much what i expected him to be without someone kicking some reinforcement on his backbone.
    Mwahahaha…
    Viral + Simon on the lagann??? WOW would be fun to see that happen. Lol.
    Can we have the wing componet have a pilot too?
    Three pilots for the lagann would be fun. Lolz. Just to push the envelope on how much of a super robot the lagann is.
    mwahahahaa

    sdliddo
    Reply

  46. Maybe to bring despair upon him (since he is the Spiral Nemesis rather than her boyfriend now) ? A moment earlier he was relieved Rossiu & co escaped onboard Ark Gurren an then she shows up and bring out some “don’t feel too cool, Earth will be destroyed, Ark Gurren will know despair and you are stuck in prison unable to help anyone, feel the almighty despair made in anti-spiral !” ? And then, Yoko save the day !

    Bogus
    Reply

  47. Viral is definitely the coolest and most interesting character in this show. I hope he gets more free time from now on. I really love his attitude, how he does not take any crap from weaklings. What he said to that chicken guy:

    “How about you stop squawking and be quiet like a weak bird should do. I can’t forgive beastmen who are as reckless and pathetic as you.”

    That was PURE GOLD.

    Kittan is probably the only one who comes close to him in terms of being badass.

    Darklord
    Reply

  52. :0 Viral’s right eye is probably hidden because they like to make parallels between VAs’ characters – viral’s voice actor previously voiced Masamune Date in samurai warriors, who only has one eye. I’m guess it’s not really significant.

    crouton
    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *