Post by cyberlink420 on Feb 17, 2008 1:51:12 GMT -5
Since we did one of these for Eva once we finished that, it seemed only fitting that TTGL get a topic of its own. Perhaps we'll do this with the other shows we play once we finish them as well.
Now as you guys are well aware by now, I watch a lot of comedy anime, so when I first heard about this series, I quickly decided to check it out. Not only did it sound funny, but it had one of my favorite Japanese voice actors, Noboyuki Hiyama, as a main character (Viral). However, nothing could prepare me for the unparalleled amounts of awesome this show would bring.
Right from the beginning, I was drawn in by the slick animation and goofy slapstick humor, but what really got my attention was the chemistry between the characters. Each one manages to bring something to the table that compliments the others, and that often leads to some great dialogue exchanges.
However, this comes as a bit of a double-edged sword as well. A lot of characters, such as Makken, Leite, Tetsukan, Gabal, Zoushi, Kidd, and Ailac, tended to either got no screentime to the point where they weren't identified by name until the timeskip, or were overshadowed by other with more distinct quirks like Jougan, Barinbou, and Beamspam Mc-I mean Attenborough. While they are admittedly minor characters, it would have been nice if they had a bit more of the spotlight to themselves every once in a while.
In terms of plot, I thought things were pretty solid. The first few episodes did a good job of bringing everyone together without feeling too forced (and on that note, MANY lulz were had on my first viewing of episode 6 uncut). When the big scene occurred in episode 8, though, my jaw dropped. I was shocked. Then when I saw Kamina get back up, I regained hope and practically got chills when I saw them do the Giga Drill Breaker for the first time. But then I saw that alas, Kamina was truly finished. I shed a manly tear that night... For the rest of the arc, though, I was quite entertained. Lots of humor, lots of action, lots of story, and everything else that makes a good series. In fact, after Lord Genome's defeat, I figured they could end the series then and there, and I'd be just with it. Ultimately, however, the **** had not yet hit the fan...
I have mixed feelings about the timeskip. To me, it kind of felt like an entirely different series. In fact, I think that the transition between the two time periods was a lot like the transition between Beast Wars and Beast Machines. You start off with characters in a primitive world battling against evil, but with more slapstick-style action. An awesome main character dies halfway through the series (Kamina, Dinobot), and the others push on and triumph over the villain. Once that ends, though, the characters end up in the future in a more technologically advanced setting where they battle their polar opposite (Spirals/Antispirals, Organic/Technological) while the drama level gets turned up and almost all of them go through major personality changes that don't always work (I'm looking at you, Rossiu). In both cases, I have to say that they're good on their own, but not so much as a follow-up to the epicness of the previous series. TTGL totally made up for it, though, with an absolutely insane fight scene at the end of the series. I warned you guys that the final form would be huge, and I meant it. The series' ending, while bittersweet, was also quite solid. The epilogue managed to clean up all the plotholes and put the characters into stable, rather fitting situations while still leaving just enough uncertainty to allow speculation as to qhat could theoretically happen next (i.e. when the Spiral Nemesis finally occurs). I doubt they'll do a follow-up series, though.
All in all, I thought Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann was a solid series, one that any fan should add to their collection. I'm definitely anticipating the DVD release this month, and I'm hoping that the dub can do the series justice. (After seeing the cast list, I've got high hopes...)
But enough about what I think; what about you guys?
Now as you guys are well aware by now, I watch a lot of comedy anime, so when I first heard about this series, I quickly decided to check it out. Not only did it sound funny, but it had one of my favorite Japanese voice actors, Noboyuki Hiyama, as a main character (Viral). However, nothing could prepare me for the unparalleled amounts of awesome this show would bring.
Right from the beginning, I was drawn in by the slick animation and goofy slapstick humor, but what really got my attention was the chemistry between the characters. Each one manages to bring something to the table that compliments the others, and that often leads to some great dialogue exchanges.
- Simon, while fitting the stereotypical nervous 14-year-old hero mold to a T, has a lot of really good qualities (such as not going all emo for more than just a three episode mini-arc) and grows into one hell of a badass in just seven years.
- Kamina is the epitome of manliness, and his can-do attitude mixed with his patented brand of humor make him one of the most memorable characters in recent years.
- Yoko is interesting in that she's clearly the fanservice character, but she also has a distinct personality far different from the "ditzy boobs with legs" stereotype that seems to befall a number of anime females. The schoolhouse episode in particular definitely showed a different side to her.
- Nia has her own sort of goofy charm. Admittedly, I don't like her as much as some of the other characters, but I can appreciate the contributions she made story-wise, especially post-timeskip.
- Boota...well, he's freaking Boota! What more needs to be said?
However, this comes as a bit of a double-edged sword as well. A lot of characters, such as Makken, Leite, Tetsukan, Gabal, Zoushi, Kidd, and Ailac, tended to either got no screentime to the point where they weren't identified by name until the timeskip, or were overshadowed by other with more distinct quirks like Jougan, Barinbou, and Beamspam Mc-I mean Attenborough. While they are admittedly minor characters, it would have been nice if they had a bit more of the spotlight to themselves every once in a while.
In terms of plot, I thought things were pretty solid. The first few episodes did a good job of bringing everyone together without feeling too forced (and on that note, MANY lulz were had on my first viewing of episode 6 uncut). When the big scene occurred in episode 8, though, my jaw dropped. I was shocked. Then when I saw Kamina get back up, I regained hope and practically got chills when I saw them do the Giga Drill Breaker for the first time. But then I saw that alas, Kamina was truly finished. I shed a manly tear that night... For the rest of the arc, though, I was quite entertained. Lots of humor, lots of action, lots of story, and everything else that makes a good series. In fact, after Lord Genome's defeat, I figured they could end the series then and there, and I'd be just with it. Ultimately, however, the **** had not yet hit the fan...
I have mixed feelings about the timeskip. To me, it kind of felt like an entirely different series. In fact, I think that the transition between the two time periods was a lot like the transition between Beast Wars and Beast Machines. You start off with characters in a primitive world battling against evil, but with more slapstick-style action. An awesome main character dies halfway through the series (Kamina, Dinobot), and the others push on and triumph over the villain. Once that ends, though, the characters end up in the future in a more technologically advanced setting where they battle their polar opposite (Spirals/Antispirals, Organic/Technological) while the drama level gets turned up and almost all of them go through major personality changes that don't always work (I'm looking at you, Rossiu). In both cases, I have to say that they're good on their own, but not so much as a follow-up to the epicness of the previous series. TTGL totally made up for it, though, with an absolutely insane fight scene at the end of the series. I warned you guys that the final form would be huge, and I meant it. The series' ending, while bittersweet, was also quite solid. The epilogue managed to clean up all the plotholes and put the characters into stable, rather fitting situations while still leaving just enough uncertainty to allow speculation as to qhat could theoretically happen next (i.e. when the Spiral Nemesis finally occurs). I doubt they'll do a follow-up series, though.
All in all, I thought Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann was a solid series, one that any fan should add to their collection. I'm definitely anticipating the DVD release this month, and I'm hoping that the dub can do the series justice. (After seeing the cast list, I've got high hopes...)
But enough about what I think; what about you guys?
