Gurren Lagann 01 Special Edition
by Hiroyuki Imaishi
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Katsuyuki Konishi, Marina Inoue, Tetsuya KakiharaDirector: Hiroyuki Imaishi
Brand: Infinity
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); Japanese (Original Language)
Format: Animated, Color, DVD, NTSC, Special Edition, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 225 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-07-08
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Bandai Entertainment
Movie Reviews of Gurren Lagann 01 Special Edition
Movie Review: Pierce the Heavens!
Summary: 5 Stars
Anime is something that has gotten a bad rap in my part of the country. If you bring up that you are an Anime fan (or Otaku), people tend to take a step back, expecting you to throw sushi at them or smell as though you have not bathed in weeks. I would guess this is the same reaction many got when they said they played Dungeons & Dragons back in the day.
Regardless of the strange looks I have received, I still pursue my love of this varied artform. While watching the previews on another DVD, Gurren Lagann was first brought to my consciousness. Watching the frenzied animation with a buxom, red-haired woman and gundams with large, predominant faces, I was enthralled. As the announcer described the series, I realized I had to watch this. Any commercial that has "Are you ready to chew off your own [butt] from frustration?" as part of its draw will undoubtedly garner attention. So on my next trip to FYE, I picked up this DVD.
All I can say is WOW! I have been borderline unimpressed with the lackluster Anime releases of late. Gurren Lagann delivers, in truckloads, with action, comedy, and a plot that takes a while to develop but is great nonetheless.
The Story
Gurren Lagann centers around the adventures of Kamina, his "bro" Simon, and a young woman from the next village over, Yoko. The story starts out showing that humans now live underground, in self-contained villages. Large metal covers block out the sky, in fact, attempting to escape to find the mythical "aboveground" is strictly prohibited. Consequently, men must dig further and further into the earth to expand their homes, while periodic, violent earthquakes threaten to destroy everything.
After establishing this plot, the story takes off. Kamina, a flamboyant, loudmouthed 20-something, convinces Simon, a teen "digger", to help him escape. Riding pigmoles (a cross between a pig... and a mole) they furiously create a tower of writhing creatures to reach the roof... and are promptly struck down by the village chieftain. Full of bravado, Kamina defies the chieftain, telling him the sky does exist, and is promptly thrown into prison. Simon, the best driller the village has, is released, Kamina even telling him to go on.
Shortly thereafter, the story barely stopping to catch its breath, Simon is digging underground and finds a large face. Around his neck is a small drillbit necklace; getting close to the face, the drillbit he has found begins to glow. Drilling onward, he eventually finds Kamina, rescuing him (a recurring theme in the series), then all hell breaks loose.
After Kamina breaks out and confronts the chieftain, he uses his weapon, what appears to be a rattan staff or sword, to smash the ground, creating such a massive aftershock the cover for the village cracks. Suddenly, a large monster falls through the roof, followed by a buxom, redheaded woman, firing a large gun.
Here, the story takes off. Mixing bravado, comedy (oftentimes a result of the bravado), over-the-top action, and storyline that does not take itself too seriously, Gurren Lagann launches into an epic story about Kamina, Simon, and Yoko traveling to defeat the source of the Gunmen (the large mechs, also the monster that fell into the village), piloted by Beastmen. This DVD has over 8 episodes, a definite increase in the usual number on an Anime DVD. And you will find yourself not wanting to stop watching each episode!
The Animation and Sound
Gurren Lagann is defined by a high-quality, vibrant animation style. The backgrounds are varied, the creatures unique (and oftentimes, silly), and the characters well drawn. Almost every character has a trait that makes them unique. Kamina, for instance, has a set of very pointy, triangulated sunglasses. Yoko wears minimal clothing and carries a very large gun. Combine this with the interaction of the characters and excellent fight sequences between the Gunmen (read, mechs), and you will be on the edge of your seat.
It should be noted that the 4th episode has a guest director, and the animation is slightly varied. I would imagine that only a diehard Anime fan would pick this up, however.
The sound is awesome. A mixture of hard rock and great sound effects, I found myself nearly headbanging at the intermissions for each episode. To that end, if you are vacillating between buying the standard DVD or spending the extra $10 for the deluxe, bonus edition with the soundtrack, I would spend the extra $10. I didn't, and I severely regret it now.
Voiceacting, as of right now, is hard to define. The dubbed version is not yet available stateside. The version I have is the subbed edition. While I do not understand Japanese, the voiceacting is solid and the inflections and tone suit the conversations.
The subtitles make sense and also have a no typographical errors, that I saw.
Overall
This is one of the best Anime series I have seen in a long, long time. If you want comedy, mech fighting, over-the-top acting, insane situations and an awesome soundtrack to tie it all together, this is the series for you. If this is your first consideration for an Anime series, I still recommend it. The series literally left me with tears streaming down my cheeks from laughter.
Summary of Gurren Lagann 01 Special Edition
Studio: Infinity Resources Inc Release Date: 07/08/2008The fantasy-adventure Gurren Lagann (2007) bursts onto the screen in an explosion of color, action, and energy. Quiet, resigned Simon works as a driller, expanding the claustrophibic cavern that houses his subterranean village. One day, he finds a glowing drill bit that serves as the ignition key for a large humanoid robot. At the urging of his best friend, hyperactive gang leader Kamina, Simon fires up the mecha and the two misfits head for the forgotten realm of the Earth's surface. Humanity retreated below ground centuries earlier, to escape the Beast Men who pilot mecha called "Gunmen." While Kamina yells about what a man's gotta do, he and Simon beat the enemy Gunmen into scrap metal. Travelling through an endless desert, they pick up various allies, including Yoko, a buxom red-head who's a crack shot, effete technical wizard Leeron, and the mismatched Black Siblings. The result is thenuttiest mecha action since Gekigangar III in Martian Successor Nadesico. Although Gurren Lagann has been dubbed into English twice, this release is only in Japanese with subtitles. A Gurren Lagann feature is slated to debut in Japan in fall, 2008.(Rated 13 and older: violence, nudity, risqué humor, alcohol use, stereotypes) --Charles Solomon
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