Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann – Episode 19
7 August 2007
Another screenshot-less post of ramblings…Here goes.
Despair, despair is a good word, a very good word to describe everything in general. I don’t know anymore, I’m just sitting here, looking at it and it’s making me feel incredibly depressed. This entire episode felt so hopeless, so futile and in the end when Simon hands over the core drill, it was liking falling into a giant, bottomless pit of despair. It just felt so empty, such despair! Right about now I’m ready to whip out a rope, hop the suicide bandwagon with Itoshiki, and hang myself.
The biggest thing bothering me is Rossiu. I’m beginning to dislike him, greatly. His actions, no matter how logical and well planned, bother me. I’m harboring severe animosity towards his character and everything about him. His eyebrows, his hair, the way he looks at people. The jail cell scene with Simon and him got me thinking. Both of them are claiming that neither changed and neither understands where the other is coming from. The truth of the matter, from my point of view, is that neither of them changed, at all. Rossiu, as Simon pointed out, is starting to look like his old village leader and Simon is practically the embodiment of Kamina. So, what do we have here? A clash of ideals? Mentalities? Misunderstanding, possibly? The hopeless dreamer against the methodical planner?
What really, I guess, is the source of my frustration, is that up to this point, Gurren Lagann rode on pure hope. Every single episode, since the very first, it was all a matter of faith, of believing that it was possible. Believe in me, who believes in you. And I whole heartedly believed in Kamina, Simon, Nia, everyone in the Dai Gurren Brigade. What I’m having trouble with now is believing in Rossiu. Maybe it’s the way he does things, which is reminding me indecently of a government on the path to corruption. There’s just something very, very, very, very, very wrong with it all. The arrest, the execution, the broadcast, everything! This is not the way it’s supposed to be! Or am I just in denial? Am I purposefully being biased towards Simon? Commander Rossiu cannot be the center of humanity! It’s just not right! The bureaucratic jerk cannot be the center of humanity!!
Is this really the end of, almost, everything? Am I crazy? Because maybe the only reason I’m having a hard time accepting Rossiu is that I honestly believe that Simon will save the day. I don’t know how, I don’t know why, I don’t even really care, but I know that Simon, miracle or no miracle, will save stop the Anti-Spiral guys, save Nia and then finally, live happily ever after. Is that it? Do I dislike Rossiu because he fails to believe in Simon? Because he worries too much and that maybe sometimes all you need is just to have faith? Is having faith such a terrible thing? Is it that frightening to not be in control? If this show has taught me anything, it’s to believe. It sounds so damn cheesy and trite, but I feel like shaking someone by the collar and strangling them. Why the hell is all of this happening?!
There are just so many things going, especially with that Kinon-Rossiu-Kittan subplot at the very end. Looks like Kittan is going to get a bit of screen time next episode. I’m really glad there’s a character in the show who reflects, partially, my wishful thinking that someone will stand up to Rossiu, knock some sense into him and set him on the right path. I highly doubt Kittan will do any of that, but there’s something to Kittan’s character that makes him a perfect rebel. He’s loud mouthed, single minded and aggressive. I’m really hoping his desperation does something to the rest of the cast.
Also, I’m really looking forward to seeing Viral and Simon in jail. Putting the two of them together at this point is like a bad chemistry experiment gone wrong, but ridiculously the end result will brilliant. Perhaps they’ll become partners in crime and escape from jail, or maybe Simon will suffer an epiphany of sorts. Come what may, I’m looking forward to seeing the interaction between the two.
And, on a bittersweet note, Nia still has her ring! There’s hope for the future of humanity! That’s only one thing cheerful about the whole episode. I understand what the Laughing Fool meant in his comment, I need episode twenty. I have no idea what’s going to happen. One thing I will say, the last arc, no matter what, will be Simon’s. The first arc was Kamina’s, second was Nia’s, the current arc is Rossiu’s and without a doubt, that last arc is going to be Simon’s. With that said, I hope both Simon and Rossiu realize the error of their ways, insert some truth and reconciliation (ha, Halo level) and save the planet.
Simply put: I. need. episode. twenty.
One of the worst things about Rossiu is that, while he is clearly being harsh, it’s hard to find fault with his actions. There is a logic to his actions, he isn’t just the bad guy to stand opposite to Simon.
Don’t get me wrong, I really want to see Simon kick his ass, but at the same time, Simon’s methods are not suited to a “modern” world, he is too trusting of people, too willing to let things slide. I guess I’m kind of conflicted; Simon removing Rossiu would be great, but what happens next?
Executing Simon is a terrible thing to decide too. I see it as a kind of critique of modern society, how we can spin our saviors into villains. People have short memories!
Wow, you’re really into this show! Don’t be so rough on Rossiu. With faceless enemies and no anti-spirals in sight, the show needs an antagonist. And never forget the first scene of the first episode. Rossiu will fall into submission again, under Simon. Rossiu has done some pretty ill things, but nothing unforgivable yet. He’s misguided by a lack of “it”. “It” referring to what Kamina had, and what Simon is slowly developing. Don’t worry, I think someone’s gonna knock some sense into him. It might be the death of Kinon. Just all the talk about what Kamina’s death was good for, just makes me think that. Oh and if Viral doesn’t have a hand to play in Simon’s redemption, then guess who will. I’ll give you a couple hints. Big tits and a big gun.
Anyone else notice Kamina is in the intro? He’s facing away and toward the heavens with that legendary glow, which might be an indication that he plays no more than just Simon and Yoko’s inspiration. but still, one can hope…
@Batesi – I know what you mean. There is, undeniably, more logic and tact to Rossiu’s approach, but his approach is to throw Simon in jail? I don’t want to dislike the guy, but it’s really hard not to.
The thing is, in my mind, these two are supposed to be working together, not against each other. They can’t see eye to eye, in fact, they can’t see anything. Both of them are missing what the other has and it’s imperative that within the next seven episodes, they find it.
I see it a kind of critique, too. The whole arc seemed like a critique on people and society in general. How quickly people turn on their saviors, how easily they forget, how fickle and selfish people are. Or, am I over thinking again?
@lagannfan – XD I must sound like a freak, going crazy over anime. lol Exactly! “It!” (You can find “It” on eBay, kidding) is exactly what he is missing! He’s missing the “it” that made everything possible. By the same token, Simon’s missing the “it” that Rossiu has, a different kind of “it”. But I don’t want anyone else too die! I can see the possibility of Kinon’s death, in fact, you have a very good point. As for Simon’s redemption, I’m hoping it’s both Viral and Yoko who eventually will come back and fix this mess.
I was wondering what he was doing there. Is it really just inspiration? Ah, as you’ve said, one can hope…
Somethings been bothering. Rossiu compares Simon to Lord Genome, but isn’t Rossiu now admitting that Lord Genome wasn’t really a bad guy.
If you think about it, Rossiu is actually behaving like the Anti-Spirals. The power of the Spiral is the power of evolution, the power to move forward in life. The anti-Spirals don’t want to chance that tommorow will be worse, so they want today to be like yesterday (am I making sense here). Rossiu is too concerned with preserving the status quo.
I get the feeling that when Rossiu tries to activate the ark, he will find that he lacks the Spiral power to run it.
@The Laughing Fool – The impression I’m getting from Rossiu is that he’s willing to move forward, at the expense of others, such as Kamina, his mother and now Simon. In a sense, he is trying to preserve the status quo, but at the same time he’s the one that’s instigating change. He’s all for the trial system and human technology. I can kinda see what you mean. Rossiu’s trying preserve his sense of things, like the anti-spirals, by getting rid of those in his way….? Or, did I miss the point?
And, I think you’re right about Rossiu not being able to activate the ark. That’ll be a good way for the two to start working together.
Hurry up with ep 20 ffs.
@Sikibrada – Just started torrenting, gotta leave for prep school, gonna be the first thing I do when I get home so don’t worry. =D! XD
Well, episode 20 is out… and it leaves on an even bigger cliffhanger than last time. But there is some good news. The Ganmen and Yoko are back. Rejoice.
Cheers m8es.