[ Episode 27: All the lights in the sky are stars.]

Well, now that was something wasn’t it? I’m not evening going to delve deep into this episode because if you haven’t seen it by now then you should DO SO RIGHT NOW. I will, however, point out the parts that I loved. Firstly, I loved how they finally showed us Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. That thing was pretty damn massive and just radiated with power. I loved how the battle was displayed to everyone on Earth. They had the best tickets in the universe for the battle for existence. The best thing in this episode was the entire fight, especially the ending. Seeing Simon go through Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann to Chouginga Gurren Lagann to Arc Gurren Lagann to Gurren Lagann and then finally to the Lagann was absolutely epic and brilliant. I don’t think they could have ended the battle any better than that.

As awesome as this episode was it really ended up being bitter-sweet in the end. I knew something was wrong when Nia flashed in the cockpit with Simon and it was pretty damn sad to see her fade away on such a beautiful wedding day. I really thought that she and Simon would live together happily but that wouldn’t be the case, unfortunately. I think it only would have been worse if Simon had freaked out but he knew beforehand that it would happen since they did defeat the Anti Spirals. The epilogue was quite satisfying as well. Seeing Darry, Gimmy, Viral, Yoko, and Simon brought an indescribable feeling within me but I can say that it was warm and had me smiling. It proved sufficient closure to what has been an amazing ride this past season. Although I wished that Simon and Nia had a brighter future and that he and Yoko stayed with the rest of the Dai Gurren Dan 20-years after I really don’t have any complaints about this episode or the ending in general.

[ Final Thoughts ]

I’ll try to be brief because my final thoughts for this show are so scattered and great in volume that it would all just sound like fanboying and babble. When I first started this show I was pretty excited. Knowing that GAINAX was jumping back into the mix with a brand new show had me jumping for joy and I couldn’t wait to see what all of their creative minds had crafted. I didn’t expect to be blown away so hard by their efforts week after week nor did I expect to be moved by the message it was conveying so fervently. The music, while I did expect it to be good, was a blessing to my ears. Every track was perfectly suited for TTGL’s unique pacing and made sure that there wasn’t any odd silence where it didn’t belong. The animation reached new levels in my eyes and, with the exception of one episode (episode 4), was consistently fluid and displayed things such as explosions and transformations flawlessly.

If you’re looking for something that’s tons of fun with lots of GAR and don’t care about things like being scientific accuracy (like that ever matters in anime/manga in general) then you owe it to yourself to watch TTGL. “Epic” describes this show perfectly and no one can tell me different whether it’s now or some time in the future. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann has been highly entertaining from the start and will forever be an absolutely amazing experience that I will hold dear to my heart for a long time to come.

[Overall series review: 95/100]

EDIT: After much thought on my previous score of 90/100 and internal discussion with, well, myself I’ve decided to re-score Gurren-Lagann at 95/100. The reason being simply because I felt bothered by the previous one and felt that I personally didn’t express the full impression I had of Gurren-Lagann in my heart. With this score I feel that it reflects my thoughts more accurately.

[ Episode 26: Let's go, my friends!]

What the hell was that? This episode was so many kinds of awesome that it can’t be fully comprehended. Those alternate universe sequences were quite interesting. I found Simon, Yoko, and Viral’s in particular quite well done. Seeing Kamina again was just so awesome that the manly tears couldn’t help but form in my eyes. His interactions with Simon and Yoko were the best. With Simon they basically had a little chat after he had saved Simon. Just mentioning things like him growing taller and their ‘final goodbye’ along with seeing Kittan and the rest of the guys was almost too much to bare. Kamina and Yoko’s interactions were quite interesting with him changing the television for her. While it was pretty nice I felt more closure could have been done between the two of them if a few more words were said but I suppose they weren’t needed and I’m just too picky.

I’m just glad there was closure with Simon and Yoko regarding Kamina. Viral’s dream sequence was really beautiful as well. Who would have thought the guy wanted a family and such a beautiful wife? Then again, yeah I suppose he would. Does this mean he’ll die next episode? I’m not so sure about that but you can never tell with this series. Oh, the last “WTF” for this episode was Boota turning humanoid. I didn’t expect that at all. He looks like the guy from the guy from the very first episode. Now I’m just in wait to see how GAINAX ends it all. Knowing their writers it’s completely up in the air and will probably cause some to go crazy with predicting it. I’ll just wait for it to come peacefully. ^__^

[ Episode 25: I accept your dying wish!]

Spiral Power can never be defeated!

Even this close to the finale Gurren Lagann continues being so awesome that I begin to shiver. Though, I have to say that when I saw Kittan on the eye-catch I immediately thought back to the previous episode and immediately began to think the worst. It’s a pity he died but he went out in a stellar way. The music was absolutely epic and him performing the Giga Drill Breaker was just too damn sweet to deny. One thing I’m glad didn’t pan out was any sort of KittanxYoko. He’s a cool guy and all but I just don’t find it attractive as KaminaxYoko once was. At least he got his kiss though which given the circumstances anyone would have done knowing that they were going on a suicide mission. Yoko knew that as well so she wasn’t going to stop him and even gave him a hug. I can only wonder now what’s going to happen next to the crew. Is anyone else going to die? If so, then who? I don’t think I even want to imagine so I’ll just stop right there.

The preview for the next episode was pretty odd. It looked like a peek into a past that may be fake or a trap the Anti-Spirals may have sprung on Simon. I don’t know what else it could be other than that. At least I think it is safe to say that we won’t get a weird-as-hell ending since the rest of the preview featured more kick-ass space action featuring the newly formed Chouginga Gurren Lagann! Only two more episodes left so there is no other choice but to spiral towards the conclusion of one of the best shows of 2007!

[ Episode 24: Never Shall We Forget, This Minute and Second]

Always say goodbye to your loved ones when going into a battle!

An epic, high-energy episode. That’s exactly what this episode can be described as. Sadly though a few members of the supporting cast had to leave us but not without kicking even more Anti-Spiral ass than one can count. Zoushi, Ailac, Kidd, Makken, Jougan, and Barinbou all showcased a lot of awesomeness in their final moments and they have earned my respect without fail, especially Makken, Jougan and Barinbou. Makken’s death was probably more felt because they showed Reite responding at the very moment he died. One can only hope that she makes it home alive now to take care of their children. I don’t know if they plan on killing anyone else but from the next episode title it seems that might just happen. I was scared for Darry in this episode because at one point it looked as if she was done for but both she and Gimmy were saved by the twins.

I hope this high-energy is maintained throughout the last few episodes because it always manages to keep me on edge. As it is right now Simon and the Gurren-Dan are really disadvantaged and have to find some way to get out of the numerous traps the Anti-Spirals are laying down for them. I’m looking forward to seeing Chouginga Gurren Lagann in action in the next episode as I’m sure there will be total kickass action to behold.

[ Episode 23: Let's Go! This is the Final Battle!]

EPIC SNOT PUNCH OF DOOM

This was such a feel-good episode. So it’s finally shown that while Rossiu was acting like a jackass in the previous arc he was crying his eyes out while doing so. Eh, I suppose that’s enough for forgiveness since he wasn’t being coldhearted. I have to applaud his character thus far and especially the writers who made him seem like a bad person but then turned his character around in this episode and a bit in the previous one. I wasn’t really surprised at the suicide attempt by him nor at Simon’s epic punch to stop him from going through with it. Can’t say I saw the spiral warp thing coming though. Well, that’s fighting spirit and spiral power for you.

The last few minutes of the episode were just awesome. The Dai Gurren-Dan flag returns and everyone is now aboard the newly named Hyper Galaxy Dai Gurren. Everyone gets a make-over with new outfits, the best ones in my opinion being Simon’s (GAR and radiating with confidence) and Yoko’s (insanely sexy). I’m glad to see that almost all of the original Gurren-Dan is in place (except for Rossiu, Kinon, Kiyoh, and Kiyal) and that they’re all hyped and prepared for the final battle. I look forward to seeing the last four episodes more than ever.

Next episode is going to be intense with lots of fighting and cool explosions. Though I have to say those enemy ships look very UGLY. Literally.

[ Episode 22: This is my last duty]

ARC-GURREN-LAGANN! FULL POWER!!

This episode was about kicking ASS. What could be better than that? Well, kicking ass so hard that you send the poor fool out of space and time! Seriously, that scene right there was absolutely orgasmic. Who the hell would have expected that to happen? I also didn’t expect the Moon itself to be a Ganmen though I guess it makes sense after all that was shown during the episode. The old Nia still seems to be alive and well from the discussion she and Simon had during the second half of the episode. I liked how the ring stuff was brought up after it being focused on for a while (and even in the OP). Now that she’s been called back to the Anti-Spiral planet and their army is on the move, Simon will be launching onward to the final battle.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens in these last few episodes now that Simon has his battleship and has GARcoat. Next episode seems to focus on both him and Rossiu. I spotted Rossiu with a gun in his hand and I assume he’s going to try and kill himself of which Simon doesn’t allow and punches the living hell out of him (thus the EPIC punch animation in the preview). As always, I can’t wait to see it!