Go beyond the impossible and kick reason to the curb!
Summary
The episode starts off with a glimpse of a battle out in space, which I think takes place in the future… I’ll explain why I think this later. After a bunch of dialog and a flashy title screen, we get introduced to Simon, a digger for an underground village. His job is apparently to dig tunnels to expand the village (kind of like ants). Anyways, while he’s digging he finds a small glowing drill-shaped object which turns out to be an important item later on in the episode.
After being insulted by a bunch of girls, he bumps into Kamina, the village “liar” who raves about there being a “surface world”. Kamina is your typical older-brother (“aniki”) type character who acts cool, talks big and generally isn’t afraid of much. Moving forward, Kamina drags Simon along to attempt an escape into the surface by causing a stampede of mole-pigs.
However, their attempts were thwarted by the village elder who throws Kamina into prison after mocking him and telling him there’s no such thing as a surface world. The village is cursed with having to live through dangerous earthquakes and during a short tremor we get to see a little quick flashback into Simon’s past where apparently he had his parents crushed in an earthquake.
Later on Simon finds a “face” while digging and decides to tell Kamina about it. They break out of jail to go see the “face” but, they’re stopped by the village chief. Right then, a giant “bull head” (Ganmen) creature falls through the ceiling and lands into the village. Kamina challenges Ganmen but they’re interrupted by a gun-wielding girl (Yoko) who came from the surface.
After a bunch of flirting by Kamina, who quickly stops after he finds out that Yoko wasn’t originally from the surface (I guess Kamina only has a thing for “surface” women), Simon, Kamina and Yoko escape from the giant creature and travel to where Simon found the “face”. This “face” turned out to be a small robot which was activated by the glowing drill-shaped object that Simon found earlier. Kamina names the robot “Lagann” and after a bunch of running around, they manage to get Ganmen to smash its own head.
However, Ganmen wasn’t quite finished and clamped Lagann in its teeth. Simon released more power into Lagann and unleashed a set of three drills which he used to finish off Ganmen and break into the surface world. The episode ends with the crew faced up against two more giant creatures that look similar to Ganmen. How will they manage to get out of this one? (I’m guessing they run…?)
Impression (a very short one)
I think the show so far is looking pretty good. Animation was nice (similar to FLCL), character designs may be a little plain but likable no less. VA’s are fitting (except for maybe Simon… he sounds a little older than he looks), action sequences were cool and the comedy was great.
I love Yoko’s character.
Not only because she’s smokin’ hot but maybe because she doesn’t freak out when Simon landed into her breasts @_@. This, of course, could just be because Simon is just a kid (she didn’t freak out either with the mole-pig/rat/thing?).
Theories
In the very beginning of the episode, we see a battle going on in space. I mentioned earlier that I think this event may occur in the future from when the main events of the series take place (possibly Simon grown up). This is because, the shrouded figure uses the name “Gurren-Lagann” which Kamina names the robot they find “Lagann” and uses the name “Gurren-dan” for his gang name.
Therefore, if Kamina named the robot that appears in the beginning, then that event takes place later on. Another explanation could be that since Kamina said that he saw the surface world as a child, he could have heard about Gurren-Lagann while he was up there and that he’s just using those names. I guess we won’t be able to tell until we get further into the series.
Closing Comments
One part that kind of irritated me was the part where the village girls were talking about Simon in a negative manner. It just pisses me off sometimes when I see that type of gossip going on, especially when it’s right in front of the person.
“Gross, it’s that hole-digger, Simon.”
“Getting smeared in dirt every day; what could be fun about that?”
“He stinks too.”
“Watch out, he might dig a hole in you!”
Wow, what a bunch of ungrateful punks. Simon works hard for the village and this is the thanks he gets.
I know I’m probably just taking it too seriously but, I just hate to see this type of stuff happening. Especially in my mandatory school days, I would see this type of thing happening sometimes and I lose a little faith in humanity.
12 Comments
I personally rather liked bit with the horrible young women and their prattling. Simon is hard-working and valuable but looked down upon. Why say it when you can show it?
Simon clearly grows up to become Garlock. Even the director has said this show is about Simon growing into a man, so there’s a pretty bit hint. I expect the show to be epic either way.
Honestly, I think that this show will essentially be a coming of age story for Simon: how becomes a badass.
hmm interesting theory about the beginning part of the episode, i WAS confused about that
this show wasn’t originally on my to-watch list, but now it is!
sorry yeah, i meant i watched it already
the one thing i’m not quite sold on is kamina; i like him, the shades make him look funny but in a cool way; however he seems a little too charismatic, and while this really isn’t a bad thing, Simon seems a little too sold on him right away
*shrug*
other than that, this series (in terms of the first epi) was gold
Thanks for the comments guys ^^;
@burrowowl: Yeah, I know what you mean. It’s just that even if you prove your worth through actions, some people just won’t acknowledge it no matter how hard you try. It’s a bit sad and you know those girls will grow up to be those old wives who do nothing but gossip about other people. ^^;
@Demian: Ah, I wasn’t aware of that. Thanks for pointing that out. Where did you get the name Garlock from though? And yes, this show WILL be epic! Bwuahaha. @_@
@TheBigN: Haha yes, I’ll be looking forward to see badass-ness from Simon and company.
@iwubanime: Well I think Simon is attached to Kamina because maybe Kamina is the only one that looks out for Simon. It wasn’t apparent that anyone else in the village talked/noticed Simon (other than the chief). So, naturally Simon would stick to Kamina. After all, both Kamina and Simon are orphans.
“Where did you get the name Garlock from though?”
Captain Harlock and GAR, since Harlock is pretty much that in spades.
Tengen Toppa is bloody awesome because of Kamina alone!
As Kamina says, Go beyond the impossible and kick reason to the curb!!
Wow… first time I’ve ever seen a guy land in a girl’s breasts and not recieve some form of divine punishment i.e Naru Punch.
While at first I wasn’t too sure about the mecha designs, I’d have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this. The style seems to be along the lines of FLCL and Gunbuster, and I like that the animation was still nice and fluid even though it’s not an OVA.
oh! hell yeah I’m watching this!
and I agree with “Wererat42″ about the “Divine Punishment Thing”
@TheBigN: Ah, sou ka… thanks for the explanation ^^;
@alkanphel: Yeah, Kamina is bloody awesome. I want to be just like him when I grow up… just kidding. But seriously, I do… >.>
@Wererat42: Lol on the “divine punishment”… maybe Yoko thinks Simon is on the same level as potat- er, wait…
@Tabi Karasu: Haha, hell yeah, we’re watching this!
Ya the theory about the first part being in future is supportet by many facts:
-the bad ass guy has looks of what could become of Simon in the future
-When u look at the symbol on that guys cloak in the start it has same kinda classes Kamina has.