Hige vs. Otaku

The other day I was air-drumming so vigorously that I punched myself in the face. In the moments of retrospect (as one does when one punches oneself in the face), I decided that the whole event was an analogy for Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann.

You have the extended moment of frenzy, when you’re so hyperactive that you forget about appendages and their proximity to your mouth and just go completely balls out rocking the fuck out. Then you have the moment of euphoria when you’re so lost in the moment that all you can attend to are the incoherent visions and emotions overwhelming your mind. And then your fist connects with your face and, in a similarly traumatic fashion, reality comes crashing back.

I’ll let you apply the specifics to Gurren Lagann’s break-neck, unpredictable pace and allow the concluding violence to be attributed to any one of the show’s abrupt stops (or simply that it’s now over).

Ultimately, however, Gurren Lagann has been some of the most fun, purely entertaining times I’ve had watching an anime. The occasionally smack in the chops is more than worth it when everything else has allowed us countless opportunities for rock-star wish fulfilment.

Bugger the ridiculous Faux-Science™ that sullied its conclusion. Bugger the endless transformations and gratuitous mecha porn pandering. Bugger its shallowness and preference of fun over depth. For every point of criticism there’s ten reasons why Gurren Lagann succeeded with honours.

With this show GAINAX have once again proved themselves to be the most capable, enthralling, stylish anime studio around. I disagree that they’ve recaptured something supposedly lost with Gurren Lagann. Rather, they’ve finally honed the technique of mass appeal while retaining everything that makes them credible and inspires endless amounts of affection.

And I feel no shame in being victim to their finely tuned manipulations. Like swinging too high in the playground, or rocking out just that little too far, or eating the whole tub of ice-cream in one go: Gurren Lagann is pure indulgence without any real guilt afterwards. And therein lies its mastery and reason for being completely fantastic. The sting of its absence will be felt all the more going into another lacklustre autumn season, but who knows: maybe we’ll get another surprise dark horse like this. Although somehow I doubt it if GAINAX aren’t behind the wheel.

Gurren Lagann Ep. 20

Okay, so my Yoko prediction wasn’t exactly on the money but it was as badass as I was expecting. As much as Nia has grown on me since her shoehorning into Kamina’s cast position, Yoko is still the First Lady of Gurren Lagann and I’m happy she’s back swinging her big phallus around causing suitable amounts of mayhem. The gunshot through Nia’s hair was a nice referential touch, too.

It seems now, with Rossiu taking the Arc Gurren into space and abandoning the planet, the status quo of the show is gradually being restored. Kittan and some of the old vets are getting their Gunmen back (as well as the Key Spiral for later use), which suggests we’re going to see some Dai Gurren Brigade excitement in its original form. Kamina City and its politics are no longer an issue (at least in a civilized sense), returning the setting back to its original ‘state of nature’ circumstances, which again harkens back to earlier times in the series. All in all Gurren Largann looks to be rediscovering its roots with the added benefit (for the audience) of having countless amounts of drama to face. Abandoned refugees; Viral (who will so obviously become a good guy with all the martyr-like trimmings); Evil Nia and her Anti-Spiral chums. And of course the small matter of the Moon colliding with the Earth. Even if things seem to be returning to earlier times, Gurren Lagann really can’t be criticised for simplifying things or resting on its laurels. 

Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei Ep. 5

Was anyone else reminded of the lyrics for ‘Fitter Happier’ by Radiohead when Itoshiki started ranting about modern Japanese society? Only with more . . . despair?

No? Yeah, me neither.

I’d also like to point out Mataro’s distinct Love Roma eyes when her flexibility is being measured. CLEARLY THEY ARE ONE IN THE SAME. Or some kind of evil-twin situation. Either way, SZS totally wrecks Love Roma’s shit.

And let it be known that SZS OP may, taking into account both music and animation, be the best witnessed in an anime. I find most anime OP complete poo (often to the point of offence), but the mix of decent music and inspired bondage manga visuals equates perfection. I put it on repeat just to rock out and occasionally be scandalised.

Mononoke Ep. 3

Something base and puerile found Yanagi’s manly voice (in contrast to his rather effeminate dress sense) absolutely hilarious. Part of me likes to think I’ve matured beyond childish sniggering at transvestites, but when done well they can call out deep-seated hilarity (he doesn’t have a top lip – blahaha). The overly effeminate monk with severe stubble-shadow was a bit of a push, however. Something tells me he’s probably more untoward than initially thought. Still, I’m happy we’re out of the claustrophobic cheese-dream of the inn and into the only-slightly-less claustrophobic cheese-dream of the ship. I’m disappointed by the lack of actual dynamic movement considering Mononoke is meant to be Mr. Flashy My Backgrounds Are All 3D Don’t-cha-know. All we seem to be getting is clunky back-and-forth movement through corridors, which makes it look like a very colourful Doom mod and not much else. Try harder plz.

Darker than Black Eps. 15 & 16

Proof again that DtB is at its best when it remains within the main continuity of its plot. Granted, even more new characters are introduced with Amber and her chums, but they’re interesting and relevant rather pointless, dull diversions. We spend more time with November, April and July, fleshing out them out, giving them more legitimacy as supporting cast. Everything flows beautifully, with the various plot threads weaving in and out of each other with obvious skill. These two episodes, much like the previous two, demonstrate how BONES should proceed with DtB‘s storytelling. This is when it is at its most enthralling, entertaining and meaningful.

The issues raised in this arc, specifically the dynamics between Dolls and Contractors, deal with the real curiosities of the show, too — the stuff that got me so enthusiastic to begin with. How emotionless are these two sets of people, really? We’re constantly given examples of characters that have supposedly lost their humanity behaving and emoting in distinctly human ways. The audience is gradually coming to understand that the supposed maxim of Contractors and Dolls Have No Emotion is obviously false; all we’re left to do now is work out why. And if the damn thing gave us a consistent opportunity to do so DtB could be a real classic.

Gurren Lagann Eps. 18 & 19

The time-skip completely annihilated my conceived notions of Gurren Lagann. Originally an energetic mecha show that relished its hyperactivity and demonstrated GAINAX’s mastery of the genre, it’s now morphed into something distinctly political. True, there’s still loads of mecha action, but the real drama comes from the differing ideologies of Rossiu and Simon and the aftermath of their various conflicts. The biggest surprise is that it really seems to be working. I won’t deny that considering Gurren Lagann in a more ‘sophisticated’ way feels awkward, especially in comparison to the breezy excitement of its previous approach, but this new sense of maturity simply works. I would’ve preferred more time to experience Kamina City and get a real feel for it (thus caring more about its fate), but we’re learning more as the show progresses.

Really, Yoko just needs to make a triumphant return – preferably to bust Simon out of jail just as his back is against the wall. Part of me will feel comforted by Gurren Lagann’s charming predictability if it actually happens that way. J’aime Yoko~

Mononoke Eps.1 & 2

This season has had a few contenders for Argh Biggest Headfuck and Mononoke just about wins it with the additional advantage of looking like an LSD-induced seizure. While I enjoyed the first episode in an artistic sense, the second really cemented its worth with some actual, tangible plot to hold on to. Some incredibly disturbing, creepy tangible plot, albeit, but incredibly enthralling and entertaining once you click to what’s going on. Specifically I loved the sinister histories of the innkeeper and her assistant; the character design of her younger self specifically was gorgeous in its wickedness. My main complaint with this arc is its lack of obvious resolution; or at least my lack of understanding it properly. Granted, Shino chooses to ‘give birth’ to all the spirits of the aborted children and in that act of kindness seems to placate the Mononoke, but what happened to the innkeeper and her assistant? Were they literally enveloped by the giant eye monster? I was expecting a more direct, brutal form of revenge for those two. Mononoke seems to command countless rewatchings to truly appreciate its meaning, and that suggests it will make a very entertaining show to marathon when it’s over. Beautiful, creative and sophisticated; Mononoke has graduated from a mild curiosity into something I really anticipate.

Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei Ep. 4

I think SZS‘s structure, if anyone would dare use such a word when talking about this psychotic mess of awesomeness, is basically a focus on two students per episode – one for each half. The main benefit we’re feeling by this fourth episode, however, is that the cast and their various quirks [personality disorders] are becoming more established. This means the self-referential humour is getting a major boost and we’re finally starting to get a feel for the show (rather than it just pounding on our brains until we submit into a quivering incoherent mess, par exemple). Still, even with obvious cues for laughter it’s the downplayed moments of bizarreness that get the biggest laughs out of me. Meru might possibly be my favourite student so far, more so than Fuura and her fucked up family history (and potential psychopathy). The OP is probably the best of the season, too. Better than either of DtB‘s attempts, at least. Bletch.