Gurren Lagann

[Zabu_san]

Since this is an animu forum, we should probably discuss animu...
I'll start us off and I'll start with an incredibly popular show around these parts: "Gurren Lagann."

Yeah, I am probably going to be crucified for what I am aboot to say, but here goes, I HATED this series...I tried on two separate occasions to like it, and it didn't take...

I loved the art style and I figured I would enjoy it, but I didn't...Some of the characters were very cool (Viral & Kamina), but the rest were ho-hum for me...

Just please, tell me what everyone liked about the series...Maybe I'll give it another shot...Perhaprs, 3rd time is the charm...

**(Seriously, not trying to bash the series, just an opinion)**

[Zeouterlimits]

The last person who told me that they hated Gurren Lagann.... well I'm going to presume you're smarter than than they were.
How much of it did you watch? You didn't really mention what you didn't like? Is the shonen comedy genre something you generally enjoy?

[PBz0r]

You're not alone Zabu. I only watched it once, while it was airing, but I never really said "wow" until the last episode before the timeskip, which was pretty awesome. After the timeskip then... well I guess the idea behind it was all nice but it became ridiculously farfetched, and I'm not even talking about the moon actually being a giant robot yet, or everything after that. My interest in the show was fading for the entire second half, and even before that it never really got me.

Excellent animation, ridiculously overrated soundtrack, nice action, meh characters, lots of screaming, lots of penis, plot twists that make Code Geass seem like a well-written show. That's what Gurren Lagann is to me.

[Zabu_san]

Wow, you're absolutely right, I didn't list why I didn't like it...Derp!!

Well honestly, besides Kamina and Viral, I didn't care for any of the characters, I HATE Shounen "comedy" (same reason I hate Bleach/One Piece), and I'm not a huge fan of mecha series anyway...
I guess I just got caught up in the hype and was curious as to why everyone thought this series was the best thing since abortion...

The animation was indeed superb and the action was good, I just didn't care about anyone but 2 characters, and one of them died in episode 8 (IIRC)...

As for watching the series as a whole, I watched until the timeskip and refresher episode and pulled out, I didn't want to "force" myslef to watch something I didn't like...

[Zeouterlimits]

Wow, you're absolutely right, I didn't list why I didn't like it...Derp!!

Well honestly, besides Kamina and Viral, I didn't care for any of the characters, I HATE Shounen "comedy" (same reason I hate Bleach/One Piece), and I'm not a huge fan of mecha series anyway...
I guess I just got caught up in the hype and was curious as to why everyone thought this series was the best thing since abortion...

The animation was indeed superb and the action was good, I just didn't care about anyone but 2 characters, and one of them died in episode 8 (IIRC)...

As for watching the series as a whole, I watched until the timeskip and refresher episode and pulled out, I didn't want to "force" myslef to watch something I didn't like...

I'd consider it quite different to One Piece & Bleach, especially because it has a clear beginning and end.
Although if you're not a fan of Shonen or Mecha I can't see why you'd like it. As for not-caring about the characters, I think by Episode 12 they'd all shown their worth to me.
It's good that you watched 16 episodes of a show you didn't like, better man that I.

Basically I don't think one could reason with you and have your hate change to love.
I personally love Gurren Lagann, but you're all too entitled to your opinion.

One Question: ".. why everyone thought this series was the best thing since abortion..."
I don't want to start an argument about abortion, but wtf? That's a very atypical statement, found it quite jarring.

[Zabu_san]

I'd consider it quite different to One Piece & Bleach, especially because it has a clear beginning and end.
Although if you're not a fan of Shonen or Mecha I can't see why you'd like it.

One Question: ".. why everyone thought this series was the best thing since abortion..."
I don't want to start an argument about abortion, but wtf? That's a very atypical statement, found it quite jarring.

No I'm a fan of shonen, but the style of "comedy" in some Shonen shows are atrocious...The tear drops and what I call "dong" moments can ruin a series for me...I know they're prominent in every Shonen series, but sometimes it is more tolerable than others...

As for the abortion joke, I was just trying to get a laugh, not raise any moral jibber-jabber...Sorry for the impact!!

[u_nick]

They satired/spoofed the idea of the word 'epic' with emotion, and borderlined 'silly' territory but never crossed it, and somehow became it's own version of 'epic' in the process.

[Nintendoll]

I dunno, I'm not normally into mech anime but I really like Gurren Lagann. Maybe because I like series that actually end? Haha.

I do have to agree that the second half wasn't quite as good as the first half, but it was kind of neat to see something go from "and they all lived happily ever after" into a new chapter of human struggle.

[God Len]

this thread makes me cry

[Zabu_san]

Yes!! I made God...Len cry!!

Take THAT America...

Seriously though, not my intention, just airing an opinion...
Here's a tissue...And, blow...Good, good...

[Kurono K]

Yes!! I made God...Len cry!!

Take THAT America...

Seriously though, not my intention, just airing an opinion...
Here's a tissue...And, blow...Good, good...

It's pretty easy to make len cry. Also, I do not approve.

[Sigue]

I love Len :( He's like a big cuddly teddybear.

[PBz0r]

Oh, I just thought of another show I dislike: One Piece. P:

Fine, fine, I'll stop it already.

[ShinuZERO]

For me, GL was one of the greatest anime I'd ever seen.

I can understand why people don't like it, it is a little over the top and weird, but a few qualities really hit it for me.

The production values first of all(I'm a sucker for well animated shows), then there is the simple and straight forward story(I usually get into manga/anime with complex stories so this was great indulgence), and then there is the strong themes and characters(the manly vigor that is seen throughout and the overall attitude). All those things hit the right spots for me. The way I see it you either really love it or you really hate it.

[God Len]

You're breaking my heart Anakin!

[shinyjam]

...Can't think of anything to hurt Len's feeling now...so these will do.
http://www.japanator.com/forum/images/icons/icon13.gifhttp://www.japanator.com/forum/images/icons/icon13.gifhttp://www.japanator.com/forum/images/icons/icon13.gifhttp://www.japanator.com/forum/images/icons/icon13.gif

[Luffy]

You watch animu and yet dare mock Gurren Lagaan?ON JAPANATOR?! Blasphemy!

[Gasoares]

I agree Gurren Lagann was a Dammm gud serires!!!!

[DickMcVengeance]

I can understand not liking Gurren Lagann -- I have a friend who is the same way. He doesn't exactly articulate his reasons (not very good at that), but I surmise it's something along the lines of the series is so over the top that it's hard to attain that suspension of disbelief.

I got into it because, well, I knew it was going to be over-the-top, and so I was willing to accept whatever it threw at me. The reason that it works so well is because nearly every episode is vital to the story in some way, shape or form. Each episode has its own proper arc, where it builds up tension to a great release, only to have the stakes raised in the overarching story by the end of the episode.

Bit by bit, the challenges that everyone faces become larger, more drastic, and more personal, all the while we follow Simon as he goes through a classic Hero's Journey. Basically, this show has narrative structure down pat.

Animation and all are top notch, and it really emphasizes the testosterone nature of the show. It is about saving the world, so a bit of manly spirit is needed. I wouldn't say it's decidedly shonen in the vein that Naruto and Bleach are -- most of the elements are generic storytelling ones that, combined with an overload of fighting, create the shonen genre. There are more things that make a shonen show, but I'm a bit too addled at the moment to think about them.

If you can't take Gurren Lagann, don't sweat it. It's a great show, in my mind, because it executes story structure and action so well. But that's just me as a writer. Give the show another shot, I'd say.

[Zabu_san]

Thanks to errbody for your kind comments/reasons/etc!!

Sorry I don't like your show, but I'm glad you guys/gals were cool aboot it!!

[PBz0r]

Sorry I don't like your show, but I'm glad you guys/gals were cool aboot it!!

It may seem that way now, but just wait until they don't need us anymore. By the time the number of contributing members on the forums is over 50, all those that do not acknowledge Kamina as their saviour, god and king will be banned. Then again, as all the haters are gone there won't be any need to discuss things, causing the forums to die a slow death, so the Japanator team will be crying at our doorsteps in no time. And you know what that means...

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u125/PBz0r/making-of-license-to-kill-cover.jpg

These are the truths of the universe. Trust me. I've been there.