Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann

[Newton]

Alright, I've got a confession to make.

For many years now, I've felt that GAINAX is dead. As in "dead to me." As in, "I got my divorce, and I never wanna see that (expletive of choice) again."

OK, everybody went apeshit about FLCL, but it left me cold. Folks lost their minds about Eva - I was about it, too, until the marketing juggernaut went into high gear in the late 90's. Also, on rewatching the show, I realized just how much hate was in GAINAX members' hearts for fandom. Basically, I watched "of, for and by the fans" morph into "F*** the fans; we were just out to rape 'em all along."

This was further supported by the corruption charges, bankruptcy and reorganization of GAINAX, resulting in a flood of predigested pap that only blind brand loyalty would cause me to watch. And I ain't THAT brand-loyal.

Well, now I've got a glimmer of hope.

I tried watching Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann (hereafter known as TTGL) 'cause when I saw the promo art, "GAINAX + robots - Eva MIGHT = interesting." Of course, looking at the damn robot made me wanna heave. It just screamed, "Hi, I'm a cheezy mexploitation show, and You're gonna get RAPED AGAIN!!!" Watching the first episodes of the show, with its unhealthy Freudian references to drills, guns and manhood, coupled with a plot that felt a lot like warmed-over FLCL bits in a tepid, congealed marketing gravy, I quickly dismissed the show. As someone on 4chan put it, "Shin-Getter FuriKuri."

Meh. Feh. Sheer, utter, unmitigated crap, said I.

But a little, tiny voice inside me said, "Maybe it'll get better later on?" I spat on that little voice, and screamed, "JUST LOOK AT THIS CRAP! Somebody at GAINAX decided that Modok from Marvel Comics made a great base for a mecha design! And SUNGLASSES on a mech? Ahhh, gimme a BREAK!!!"

Well, I kept TTGL on my peripheral vision, just in case - and then, like a divine bolt from the blue, TTGL got INTERESTING.

Seven-year time-skip. A plot. Characters that were INTERESTING, not just GAINAX stereotypes. Oh, and a return to fannish HOMAGES as opposed to fanservice and snide little, "see why you're an idiot? You actually WATCH this sh**!" moments.

I've actually seen subtle, non-sarcastic references to stuff like the opening of "Nadia". I've witnessed moments of actual *gasp* LOVE for the anime genre, and the old-school GAINAX fandom that created "Gunbuster" and the DAICON opening videos. These people actually seem to be starting to enjoy anime again.

Finally, I saw this week's episode. People, it was OFF THE CHAIN. I repeat - OFF THE MUTHAF***IN' CHAIN!!! It was a return to DAICON IV. This show's pacing has turned into something from the good ol' days: fast, funny, heartwarming and gut-wrenching all at once. In this ep, I watched the Earth be saved from an inwardly-spiraling Moon, the best Macross homage/parody ever, and the Moon itself TRANSFORM into the best Arcadia homage/parody ever. I ooohed, aahhhed and laughed all at the same time.

I've adopted a new motto regarding GAINAX: Wait.

My patience has finally been rewarded. It may be time to reconsider my divorce.

[Tachyon]

Sounds like an interesting show. I'm glad to hear you're finding good stuff from GAINAX.

[Daishikaze]

I don't like the look of it or what I've read about So I'm gonna pass once again. I guess my hatred for all things GAINAX since They made EVA is more deeply rooted than yours was.