Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann - Main Page

A REAL BREAKTHROUGH: As a resident of the underground village of Giha, 14-year-old Simon spends his days drilling underground. With expansion towards the surface forbidden, Giha can only deal with any growth in its population by expanding its boundaries downwards. But the very expansion that allows the village to grow and survive also puts it at greater risk for severe cave ins and its eventual destruction.

Such contradictions play a big role in the overall story of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann (which literally translates to "Break Through the Heavens: Gurren Lagann"). As one of Giha's most skilled diggers, for example, Simon plays an important role for the village. But his knack for digging also makes him an outcast among the people in his community. As the story progresses, Simon's world eventually takes a life-changing turn after he digs up a strange drill-shaped object. This is then followed by his unearthing of a large mechanical head shortly thereafter. The discoveries, along with his association with a hot-headed dreamer named Kamina, will ultimately trigger a chain of events that will propel young Simon from the depths of the Earth's underground confines all the way to the surface world, the wide skies and the vast expanse of outer space.

Just like Simon's world, Gurren Lagann's story continues to expand as the series progresses. Don't let the simple art style, goofy robot designs and slow initial pace of Gurren Lagann fool you. Beneath the show's whimsical exterior is one of the deeper, most fulfilling stories ever animated, and folks who stick with it all the way to the end will be handsomely rewarded. Studio Gainax really knows robot shows. With the exception of some truly weird stuff toward the end of Evangelion, Gainax has consistently succeeded in re-inventing mecha shows and in crafting some spectacular stories.

As always, Gainax's robot designs are spot on. While the initial '70s style robot designs may not be everyone's cup of tea, it should hit a soft spot with purists who appreciate their robot history. Some of the designs also evolve into more "modern" forms as the series progresses, starting with Gurren Lagann's initial combined form all the way to his ultimate iteration. (Let's just say that Gunbuster needs to make a lot of room in the Gainax robot stable.)

But while Gainax robots typically get the spotlight, it's the human experiences that really make a Gainax series shine. In Gurren Lagann, people laugh, cry, fall in love and get their hearts broken by tragic twists of fate. People rise, people fall and and people rise again. People grow up and people grow old. By the time the series ends, what starts out as a kiddie cartoon matures into an amazing, expansive tale that would stir even the most disillusioned anime watcher. Evangelion may get all the acclaim for Gainax. But in Gurren Lagann, I think Gainax truly breaks through the heavens and produces its best work yet -- minus the "trying too hard" psycho babble. Truly one of the finest works of animation I have ever seen.

Recommended if you like: Mazinger Z, Gaogaigar

Episode 1: Pierce the Heavens With Your Drill

Gurren Lagann 01: Pierce the Heavens With Your Drill

A BOY AND HIS DRILL: While digging deep within the depths of the underground town of Giha, young driller Simon comes across a mysterious drill-shaped object. Simon immediately takes a liking to the tiny drill and turns it into a necklace. But his good mood is quickly doused by unflattering words from several girls. Fortunately, for Simon, his gloomy mood is immediately lightened up by fellow townsman Kamina. After giving Simon some goofy advice advice about ugly girls, Kamina then proceeds to kick off his latest plot to escape the underground confines of Giha...








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Nagasarete Airantou - Main Page

DRIFTIN' TO PARADISE: Tom Hanks' experience as a castaway was just plain miserable. Dude ended talking to a freakin' volleyball after all. But instead of conversing with your ball, balls -- whatever -- what if you were a male castaway stuck in an island full of girls instead? And what if many of the girls happened to be cute? And what if they all happen to be fighting over you because, aside from certain animals, you're the only guy in said island? Can you even imagine a more terrible situation than that for a man? Oh the horrors!

As a full-fledged, virile man, all I can say is, thank goodness I've never been in such a horrible situation. But unfortunately for Nagasarete Airantou's main protagonist, Ikuto Tohoin, that's exactly the predicament he finds himself in after getting thrown overboard from a ship during a storm. To make matters worse, the island Ikuto drifts to usually prevents anyone from leaving or getting in due to some weird natural (or is it unnatural?) phenomenon. In short, the "poor guy" is pretty much stuck in this island filled with cute if not mildly psychotic chicks (literally and figuratively).

Since Nagasarete's charm is best discovered on your own, I will refrain from spoiling the plot any further. I was actually going through one of my extended droughts where I didn't watch anime for several years until I accidentally came across this show in 2007. Needless to say, I was hooked after the first episode. I even started checking out other shows again because Nagasarete Airantou reminded me why I used to like watching anime so much. All because of a show about some dude who gets stuck in an island filled with girls and talking animals. Yes, I know it sounds strange -- almost as if I was smoking something I shouldn't be. But you'll likely understand once you give Nagasarete Airantou a look.

Recommended if you like: Seto no Hanayome

Episode 1: Drifted to Paradise

Nagasarete Airantou 01: Drifted to Paradise

TROUBLE IN PARADISE? Young runaway Ikuto Tohoin decides to board a ship after deciding that he's had it with his overbearing father. Unfortunately for Ikuto, his plans are literally thrown overboard after a storm rocks the ship and the crew decides to abandon him. Confucius say: Them's the breaks. Ikuto's sorry, drenched carcass drifts to a nearby island where he is eventually saved by a girl with a strange-looking piglet. This whole thing's starting to sound good already. Upon seeing the seemingly half-dead Ikuto, the flabbergasted mystery girl immediately attempts to kill, er, save the young lad. Ikuto's troubles in paradise have now officially begun.

Arriving in Paradise


The Bridegroom Chase


The Great Escape ... Or Maybe Not


shingenmochi's post-viewing thoughts: The formula of one popular guy attracting several female interests is potentially one of the most overplayed and tiring plot points in anime. But it's a formula that Nagasarete Airantou pulls off surprisingly well. It certainly helps that the manga-based show features an interesting and likable cast of diverse if not cooky characters with varying ranges of neuroses. To minimize potential spoilers, let's just say that I started laughing the moment Suzu attempted to revive the hapless Ikuto and pretty much kept laughing all the way to the end. A great introductory episode to a wonderful series that does a refreshing take on what could've easily been a tired, old concept.

Chi's Sweet Home 03: Chi Suffers a Terrible Experience

NOW THAT'S SOME QUALITY H2O: Chi may be cute. But his traumatic experience as a stray cat also means she's one filthy little kitty. That means a trip to the shower is in order. And as any cat expert knows, cats love nothing more than being given a nice, watery bath. Go ahead, try it. And don't forget the Band-Aids while you're at it. It's like being locked in a fierce battle with a pint-sized Wolverine. Pity you don't have the X-Man's healing powers...