Aniplex has brought the Gurren Lagann complete series box set stateside, and by complete series they actually mean it. Including the entire 27 episode series as well as the two films, this hefty set includes over 15 hours of content for any fan of the celebrated Gainax produced series should own.

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is a 2007 shounen anime series, it is co-produced by Gainax & Aniplex, it is licensed by Aniplex of America and is currently available on DVD and Blu-Ray in English.

Editor’s Note: A review copy of Gurren Lagann The Complete Series Box Set Blu-Ray was sent by Aniplex of America for review. Review is written from the perspective of a first time viewing (it is one).

I’m sure I’ve mentioned more than once on this site that I’m not particularly the biggest mecha anime fan, in fact in order for me to even show even a small bit of interest it has to have either an interesting story or mechs are a sub genre to a genre I’m far more interested in (see Code Geass for the latter). However, I’ve heard friends and anime fans in general sing the praises of Gurren Lagann, most of whom tell me that it’s really not about the mechs at it’s core, and after my very first viewing of the complete series, I had to agree with everything said thus far. Rather you’re a fan of mechas or not, Gurren Lagann will find a way to grasp at your heart come the end of it’s run whether that end comes with the anime or the films.

The main characters of Gurren Lagann in order: Kamina, Yoko, Simon, and Boota.

THE GOOD: Gurren Lagann, while heavy on mecha focus, is also focused on other elements including: comedy, action (both in and out of giant robot), drama, and heart. As a first time viewer I noticed it does a good job of avoiding the usual shounen tropes, and it’s one of the many reasons why it’s been held in such high regards, holding up it’s quality even a decade after it’s initial release. Just when you think it’s about to go in one direction and you’re ready to roll your eyes at the familiarity of it all, it does a complete 180 on what you’d think would have next. With a character like Yoko present there’s bound to be some ecchi nods, but it never feels overbearing and she’s fairly protected as a character given her attire.

Team Dai-Gurren’s humble beginnings.

The series is spread throughout two parts, one based on main character Simon’s teen years, and the other based on Simon’s young adult years. As the story progresses you see him grow from the nervous coward we’re introduced to, into a true man of action similarly to Kamina. And in typical Gainax fashion, Gurren Lagann features an ending that’s a bit of a troll job.

Simon as an adult in part two.

THE BAD: Absolutely nothing.

A grand coming of age adventure.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Gurren Lagann’s is a mecha anime series that’s more so about it’s individual characters and their personal conflicts than the giant robots. Though fun, a lot of the action actually takes place outside of the mechs, and the story will warm your hearts upon it’s close as you see main character Simon grow before your very eyes. Otaku Dome gives Gurren Lagann The Complete Series Box Set a 100 out of 100.