I just finished this one hell of a masterpiece of a show a little over a week ago. I don’t know why I didn’t notice it before. What can I say? I created an account just to talk about it.
I have seen A LOT of anime. While each has done has delivered in one way or another, NO show, anime or live-action has put me through such an inspirational and heartrending experience like Tengen. It seems like I was even destined to watch previous animes just to prepare me for it. As of now, every four out of five animes have been downgraded because of it and many seem minor.
The show is the BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN! I don't know what it is. Every show from FMA to Evangelion to Cowboy Bebop never stuck out as front-runner. Don't get me wrong, these are all A-material and fantastic animes, just one never stood out to overthrow the rest as my favorite. After watching this, a victor has emerged piercing through the heavens.
We can agree that this show made both men and women cry. Few shows have done that to me. if any at all. Not only that, I laughed, I cheered, and cried again of strong, manly tears.
After rewatching this bittersweet anime, the plot; the characters, however minute; the setting; the music; and the message of never giving up are all even more legendary.
Most people will agree that the story left few unanswered questions. Even after reading the "Secrets of TTGL" interview held at an anime expo in Japan, I still have questions boggling my mind. Mostly pertaining to Yoko and Simon.
-Why didn't Simon tell anybody he may have by accident aided the killing of Kamina because of his own selfish inhibitions for Yoko? Someone said “He went emo.” Was it guilt? Also, what of Simon’s previous feelings for Yoko? Was Nia his remedy?
-Why does everyone stereotype Yoko as someone with the kiss of death? I believe that these were times when her emotional side was exposed as well as the people by her and was followed by a series of unfortunate events. I believed what Yoko and Kamina had was love, not just a crush. Kittan acted like he needed to do something heroic in order to live up to their fallen leader's hot-bloodedness expectations and save the Dai-Gurren Brigade.. I believe Kittan’s kiss was facilitated by his decision to be a martyr and probably stirred up some emotions and was invoked by it. After all, there was just a hug after the Kittan kiss instead of a second passionate kiss like with Kamina. So the feeling at that time was not mutual.That being said, I think her love for children was all she needed to remedy her heartbreak(s) in life instead of another lover. Though she may have been lonely at that island, those kids no doubt helped her through it. As you can tell, I believe Kamina is the only one for Yoko.
(I spoke to my friends in Japan about this after-death scenario that I created for the entire Dai-Gurren Brigade and they think it’s a pretty happy scenario. Too bad I couldn’t fit the immortal Viral into this. Sigh. If only Hiroyuki Imaishi were to read this. Bigger sigh.)
Cue the disappearance of any city built after the twenty-seven yearish period after Kamina’s death by the place of their first kiss (Yoko x Kamina) and replace it accordingly. Slowly draw in a close-up of Kamina looking off at the distance on that fateful ledge with his back towards the point-of-view Yoko via the camera. Only for him to turn around as she approaches to see Kamina's smiling face to cheer up her heartbroken soul. Pan out of point-of-view for her to gaze at him, only for him to respond “Remember when I said I would repay you back ten times. That’s not nearly enough.” They kiss only to hear the cheers of the entire Dai-Gurren Brigade below the ledge with Nia by Simon and a sudden smile and nod from Kittan letting her know that it was okay. They kiss more passionately and the camera pans out to see the Gurren Lagann raising the flag of the Dai-Gurren Brigade as Attenborough repeatedly pushes a button that shoots multiple fireworks in the air. Panning out once again to see the flag like a reflection in the starry sky.
I know that might've sounded cheesy and even Titanic-y. But this is only thing I can think of that gives any poetic justice to these memorable characters to commemorate their adventure in this legendary, epic and yet tragic tale. Forget the impossible and kick reason to the curb.
I can’t wait for the movie and hopefully possible other OVAs and other movies. One of which that may take place when my scenario does. Smiles.
I’m glad I got that off my chest.
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, the standard for all other anime. It's not perfect but sure as hell close.
If you can't take my word for it, then "Who the hell you think I am?"
10/10
(EDIT): I found this picture in another thread but it is so beautiful because it it gives a similar idea of what I hope, post-epilogue.
Graphic Designer
I personally would have preferred having Yoko and Nia switch places in the end to a certain extent, Yoko dying in an exploding Ganmen for instance and Nia being able to stay as Simon's wife (I am well aware to the controversy of whether or not Nia is "dead" but I will just mark her as so.) Random characters such as the old man that randomly appears here and there, and the weirder characters like Boota where both awesome and added a great deal to the show. I was not pleased when both my favorite characters, Kamina and Kittan, died. It was obvious that it was going to happen to both of them (they wre cursed by the she-devil's kiss :P), but it was still something that made me sad 
I also scowled when the rap music started getting out of hand as background music, but seeing at how epic the show is it is hard to dull how beautiful it is simply by background music. There is so much more i could write about, but I don't want this to get too long, so I'll wrap it up now.
