Saturday 4 February 2012

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann or more commonly known as Gurren Lagann is a story of an underdog belittled by his surroundings but later illustrates his triumphant journey in changing + saving the world. It's an anime which I watched during term last year (3rd year 2011). Ah.... the memories.


epic gurren lagann wallpaper


The anime starts off with Simon being the main protagonist of the film: 


It was a world where humankind inhabited in underground caverns as a demonic race reigns the upper world. It was a form oligarchy which was held supreme by this demonic race known as 'Beastmen'. Yea it sounds pretty corny but please bear with me.

So human kind lived in hiding not knowing that an outside world existed. Well ok they were more or less banished from the outside world by the Beastmen to make things clear. Simon lived in an underground village known as Giha Village where he was tasked as a digger. Digging was a means of expanding the underground colony and he was a perfect match with the drill. He was the best digger in the colony but he is often belittled by the rest. Depicted more of a coward with no self-pride and despised by the opposite gender. But Simon was content with life. he enjoyed digging and he often prized himself with treasure which he digs out on occasion. 

Here comes Kamina:


Kamina is a man full of pride with an ego too large for retention. So yea he exhibits a hint of arrogance and rebellious in nature. Even so, he is a 'bro' to Simon, always telling Simon to keep his chin up as Simon will be the one to drill towards the heavens. Kamina was an adventure seeker who was always keen on seeing the outside world. I can't recall his reasoning but it had something to do with his late father who left the colony to become an adventurer. So yea Kamina was a spirited man in seek of the truth and not wanting to settle.

There came a day when Simon stumbled upon a small but strange drill shaped object which glowed as Simon held it in his hands. Digging a little further he finds a large head-like object which glowed in sync with the little drill pendant. The first episode continued with a colossal head-shaped-torso-weird looking mech which comes tumbling down into Giha village. In its pursuit was a young lady clad in a skimpy outfit known as Yoko:


Like a true man, Kamina steps forward to subdue the beast with a..... err..... katana? lolz. With the help of Simon and his drill, Yoko saves Kamina in the process. Simon then tells Kamina about the odd head-shaped object he found which turned out to be a mini gunman (The mech with the head shaped torsos are known as gunmen). Once again like a true man, Kamina rejects the gunman and tells Simon that the gunman belongs to him and he had no intent of taking advantage over his findings. So Kamina pilots Lagann (the name of the gunman) and subdues the foreign mech with its special weapon: DRILLS. Yeap yours truly by Simon:


So Kamina, Yoko and Simon embarks on a journey to hunt down the beastmen in search of the truth and of their origins (The truth of why they are banished to the underground life). They had their fair share of hardships and conflicts which later bloomed into friendship. 


They then formed the Dai-Gurren team which set forth to subdue the Spiral King which reigned over the land with the beastmen being his henchmen:

File:Gurren-lagann-16-.jpg

Under Kamina's lead team Dai-Gurren advances through the lands. With the enchanted powers of Lagann, Kamina combines his mech (Gurren) with Lagann which formed the ever-powerful Gurren Lagann (yea what  creativity. lolz):


Kamina was an optimist who never faltered whenever things got rough. He kept pushing forward and channels his determination to Simon with his famous saying: "Believe in me who believes in you" whenever Simon doubts his own capabilities. Kamina was often depicted as the character which instills courage in his comrades especially his partner Simon. The catalyst which sparked the light of hope over humanity (in the context of this anime of course). Unfortunately he meets his doom in one of the very important battles in their journey. He fought till the end with his spirit held high knowing that his efforts would not go to waste. 

Simon is hit hard by the incident. His closest friend, his idol and his 'bro' is no longer by his side. Simon goes into a fluster rendered incapable of controlling his emotions even when in control of Lagann. Team Dai-Gurren was at a standstill. With no direction they stalled to rethink their plans. But instead, the beastmen arrives to teach them all a lesson. This time around there was no Kamina to defend them and Simon was unable to operate Lagann. So Team Dai Gurenn gets a good beating this time. But not all hope is lost. A mysterious girl named Nia reminds Simon of his pro-found courage and determination during his adventures with Kamina. And obviously the late Kamina wouldn't want to see his bro all held up without him around. So Simon starts believing himself, "Believe in the Simon who believes in himself". LOLZ. So Simon returns with a blast and finishes off all of the beastmen with Gurren Lagann at full force. 

The episodes to come illustrates Simon being a leader of team Dai-Gurren. He is shown as a mature leader with a charisma matching that of the late Kamina:


Ok so it's a pretty corny story with a fictional twist making it akin to a children's show. But the music and portrayal of scenes make the story truly EPIC 


Looking over the story once more, it is the journey of an underdog who was never appreciated by the masses but finds hope in the eyes of the few (Kamina for one). The drill was a metaphor used to portray diligence and achievement. The drill was no wonder tool but with every turn of its handle, it paves a path closer and closer towards our goal. SO never stop turning that drill and one day we shall reach the stars.

With a little passion, all it takes is a push of determination and optimism to get the gears running. It's been a year since I watched the anime and yea true its a freakin anime!!!! But I'd say I've learnt a thing or two from the underlying values of this epic saga. Go watch it! NOW!!

Until next time ;)


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