An acclaimed masterpiece that, even close to two decades after its debut, still captivates fans and inspires them on a path of self-betterment, Gurren Lagann is, undeniably, one of mecha anime’s most incredible stories. The encouraging tale of Simon the Digger is one that, at the surface, might come off as absurd and overblown. Yet, many heartfelt, thought-provoking, and even tragic elements hide within Gurren Lagann’s over-the-top nature.
The ending of Gurren Lagann also defies expectations. At the end of their universe-shaking battle, what awaits the characters and viewers is not a predictable happily-ever-after, but a much more grounded, melancholic finale. Nonetheless, the conclusion Gurren Lagann comes to might be the series’ most impactful and masterful aspect.
Gurren Lagann Is a Powerful Story of Challenging Impossible Odds
Hiroyuki Imaishi’s Gurren Lagann debuted in 2007, and immediately stood apart from the then-accepted mecha anime conventions. Instead of following in the footsteps of “real robot” anime, which favored dark military settings and space opera plots, Gurren Lagann took inspiration from the vibrant and extravagant “super robot” mecha of the past, presenting viewers with an epic, eccentric story that seldom bothered about preserving the audience’s suspension of disbelief.
Initially, Gurren Lagann focuses on the adventures of Simon and Kamina, best friends who managed to break away from their gloomy underground village with the help of a hidden Gunmen, as they liberate the surface from Beastmen’s oppression and gradually grow the ranks of their allies. However, Gurren Lagann was never afraid of radically expanding its scope, and by the end, Team Dai-Gurren’s battle stretches far into the cosmos, its goal being the liberation of the entire universe from Anti-Spirals’ regressive superintendence.
Nonetheless, the larger-than-life sensibilities of Gurren Lagann hardly make it a simplistic, childish show. Gurren Lagann’s greatest strength has always been the series’ sincerity, which allows absurdist ideas to coexist with heart-wrenching depth seamlessly within the narrative. The core themes of Gurren Lagann have always been the celebration of the indomitable human spirit, the tenacity of people’s will, and the rejection of stagnant, restrictive ideologies in favor of freedom and evolution.
However, the optimistic ideas Gurren Lagann embraces do not mean that the series turns away from tragedy and despair. Dealing with grief, confronting one’s fears and regrets, as well as finding purpose in overcoming them, are all incredibly important themes Gurren Lagann explores thoroughly. Despite being a series about “doing the impossible,” Gurren Lagann puts a lot of emphasis on the inevitability of struggle and sacrifice, yet refuses to label it meaningless. And the series’ ending, in that way, encapsulates Gurren Lagann’s overarching motifs best.
Gurren Lagann’s Ending Is a Bittersweet, Perfect Conclusion
The final stretch of Gurren Lagann is just as kinetic and over-the-top as fans have come to expect from the series, treating audiences to one of the most emotional, severe, and uplifting battles in anime history. At the end of this majestic showdown, all seems to be well – while not without losses, humanity managed to defeat Anti-Spirals, and Nia was rescued.
Afterwards, it comes time for Simon and Nia’s wedding ceremony – a seemingly perfect, uplifting way to end the series. However, the joyous occasion turns out to be a precursor to Gurren Lagann’s final, most painful goodbye. As Nia’s existence is tied to the Anti-Spirals, she begins to fade away, Simon reassuring her that he will never forget her, even if the universe ends. In the midst of Team Dai-Gurren’s shock and sorrow, only Simon and Viral remain composed, having known of this tragic outcome.
Gimmy asks why Simon couldn’t use the spiral power to bring Nia, as well as their other comrades, back. To this, Yoko explains that Simon isn’t God, and Simon himself concludes that bringing the dead back to life would only get in the way of future generations. Leaving his Core Drill with Gimmy, Simon walks away from the ceremony, choosing to hold onto his identity as Simon the Digger and live as a vagabond.
In the epilogue, taking place 20 years into the future, the audience is shown that life in Kamina City has, indeed, moved forward, with every character choosing different paths in this peaceful world. And Simon himself, now a nameless wanderer, is shown alongside Boota, still uplifting the future generation despite having stepped away from the spotlight.
Some Fans Being Dissatisfied with Gurren Lagann’s Conclusion Doesn’t Make It Any Less Excellent
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Simon as an old manImange via Gainax
Gurren Lagann’s finale isn’t a kind of ending that can be called uplifting, which, predictably, led many fans to become dissatisfied with the series for robbing Simon of a happy future with Nia. Studio Gainax and its successor, Trigger, are also known for shocking, oftentimes frustrating finales. However, Gurren Lagann’s bittersweet conclusion doesn’t, in fact, fall in line with the average “Gainax ending.”
Maturity, self-improvement, and growth are central to the narrative of Gurren Lagann, and to Simon’s arc in particular. Over the course of his adventures, having lived through many losses along the way, Simon finds a middle ground between Kamina’s hot-headed recklessness and the pragmatically stagnant attitude of subterranean villagers. The worldview he comes to embrace is one where he can both responsibly resist the temptation of using the spiral power to revive Nia and accept stepping away from his role as the leader and hero, the regalia of which Simon never wished for.
The message Gurren Lagann leaves for the viewers is not just about unbending determination and overcoming hopelessness – it’s, first and foremost, about paving the way for a brighter future with one’s actions, all while never letting go of the memory and legacy of those who can’t see these glorious tomorrows firsthand. In that way, Gurren Lagann’s ending remains faithful to the story’s themes, as even though the conclusion of Simon’s story might seem downhearted, he stayed true to himself in his decision to leave the future in the hands of other people.
