When Legends Fall | Gurren Lagann Anime Discussion

[@ProfessorViral]

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[@masterzero8561]

I loved Kamina simply because he was fun. And even 15 years later I wonder how his character could have grown if he had lived cuz after all isn't that the point of Gurren Lagann to grow beyond what you were yesterday.

[@ProfessorViral]

That's one of the great things with Gurren Lagann; it's outrageous and fun, while still managing to have a deep meaning, like what Kamina brings

[@devon7585]

I love how they imply Kamina is still alive through the actions of Simon. Kaminas influence makes him immortal in the series. Just because he isn't "there" doesn't mean he isn't here.

[@BarioIDL]

there's a possible reality where simon and kamina gave up and live luxury life by stealing beast folk's stuff, as shown in the multiverse labyrinth

[@perrydunetz882]

One thing I think a lot of people miss is that nia and kamina fill the same role in the story but in opposite ways, they both come into simons life and guide him, kamina pulled Simon along from the front, forcing him in the right direction, and to grow up he was simons bro but also a parental figure , but Simon could never really become a man with his brother pulling him along the whole way, eventually he had to step aside to allow Simon to grow, but Simon still needed to be guided, instead of pulling him along from the front, nia serves to gently nudge Simon from behind, fulfilling the same task as kamina for him, but in a way that allows Simon to grow into his own man, after all at its core gurren lagann is a show about growing up

[@ProfessorViral]

Thinking about them more generally and less with respect to Simon I wasn't as focused on that, but it is very true they fill the same role for him in that way. What Kamina did was necessary to start Simon's growth, but did hold him back from seeing how much he'd grown, until Nia helps him to see that he really did

[@perrydunetz882]

@@ProfessorViral oh yeah it wasn’t the topic of this video obv I wasn’t saying it was something you should’ve included or anything just thought it interesting to note, I remember seeing a video where a guy talked about how their are two types of people in ttgl, people like kamina, kittan etc who are hot blooded and keep moving forward no matter what and pragmatic people who weigh the risks and make hard calls like rossiu and lord genome, and that in the end it was necessary for both to come together but while this is largely true I think it missed the point that Simon is neither, he’s a blend of both and that’s why he’s able to defeat the anti spiral and then move out of the way and let smarter people handle politics

[@aaronsmith7909]

Kamina had charisma, nothing more; however it is what the group needed at the time.

[@ProfessorViral]

He was a leader for their times, a man who finally found somewhere positive all his energy could be directed

[@aaronsmith7909]

@@ProfessorViral the right man for the moment. After he died me and my sister felt like we could still feel his impact during the rest of the show. Especially during the second arc where Simon was mirroring him.

[@OlugbemigaFalegan]

Kamina was the jumping of point for the group to form Simon and the other fighters were the jumping of point for the group to succeed They’re all amazing but what held the eras after them back from succeeding was there inability to step aside. Even in death Kamina had to be the center of it all and Simon couldn’t help but continue to fight in an era of peace Simon understands this which is why he steps down at the end

[@ProfessorViral]

I'll have to think about the idea of stepping aside when I write about the final section of the anime, I think it's a bit of a gray area in the final arc, but the former fighters now working government positions makes them feel out of place, and causes issues for sure

[@_Lukewarm]

TTGL means the world to me, I love your insight of the series and im glad 15 years later the series is still impactful and has a community willing to share their thoughts and analyses. Keep up the great work

[@ProfessorViral]

Thank for the kind words : )

[@tylerasuncion3208]

Great video, as always! Really liked your interpretation of how Nia’s outsider position allows her to criticize the idea of Kamina without consequence, really good stuff.

[@ProfessorViral]

Thank you very much! : D

[@Thiccerito]

Because of Kamina I always tell people to “believe in me who believes in you”

[@ProfessorViral]

I've definitely said that more than I'd like to admit

[@Cringe.-]

@@ProfessorViral that isn’t something to be ashamed of

[@unclebobboomergames]

Ive definately never said that. Ive very much used that idea with my son and my students when i used to teach. Show very much warped how i viewed the next generation and what it meant to lead.

[@sambrown7033]

I also use this all the time, if someone got faith in me of all people they should have faith in themselves

[@froilanserrano5148]

Literally the first anime that I watched that made me cry genuine tears.

[@ProfessorViral]

I'm usually pretty good at not crying so it didn't break me, but it was close

[@BlueboyRene]

I watched this series when I did mushrooms for the first time and I was peaking when kamina died and I was so fucked up for the night. This show was perfect

[@ProfessorViral]

Damn, the most I can relate to that was being drunk when my favorite Akame Ga Kill character died, but that's much less impactful than this lol

[@oztemplar1726]

@@ProfessorViral Bulat and Lubbock my personal favorites, I wasn’t drunk but I had the feels.

[@gregtitizian2760]

Nia is one of my favorite characters, great video and can’t wait until the next one is made.

[@iXSIKOBOIXi]

I would argue that the reason all the hope is flung only onto Kamina is becaue of Simon. Simon having no confidence in himself automatically projects all of the recognition that Kamina tried to give to Simon back onto him, because more than anyone Simon bought into Kamina's act. Though Simon knew the real Kamina, he placed all his hope and faith in the Kamina of myth. The Tenacious Demon Leader of Team Gurren. The back that Kamina worked so hard to make one that could carry their hopes just like the back he saw on Simon, was the back that Simon was always desperately clinging to not even for recognition, but for hope. Simon's lack of self confidence made it impossible for Kamina's grandstanding to big Simon up, because the people who saw Simon only saw him as the cowardly kid that followed Kamina around. We and Kamina know of Simon's greatness, just that it is hidden beneath layers of insecurity and doubt. Kamina never tried to take on the burden on his own, and always had Simon almost as his understudy for when the inevitable time when he was gone would come. It was just that he couldn't get Simon ready in time for his own untimely demise, however hard he tried in his final moments and all the times before.

[@raymontyoungblood4453]

We're all Kamina!? I love it

[@ItsShaz1]

Gurren Lagann is one of my favourite anime of all time! Kamina was charismatic and a great inspirational leader when he needed to be! Loved this video Viral!

[@ProfessorViral]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed! : D

[@ItsShaz1]

@@ProfessorViral :D

[@VADemon]

These videos are the best around on KZbin. Thank you for your great perspective and the calm, warm story telling.

[@shinkaiatsuya950]

His death and reunion scene had me tearing up.

[@ProfessorViral]

I like how simple his "reunion" with Simon is. They each already understand what needs to be said, and it makes them each feel very complete in their roles

[@gabeduran2871]

I super enjoyed your essays breakdown dude. It's one of those ones I loved putting my attention to then putting on to listen to in the background for future listens

[@ProfessorViral]

Thank you very much : D

[@rodolfoprochenzo9568]

I think this is a good take, to an extent, however the insinuation that his death was a fall or that a failure I think takes away from how grand he truly was. Look to Bonaparte, was what he did alone? No, he had many other brilliant officers and exceptionally drilled men to help when his battles, however none of what happened could have happened of not for Napoleon Bonaparte. It was Kamina who brought them together. Furthermore, as a true and strong leader, he died in order to give them their, then, greatest victory. He put himself on the line as their equal in a capacity that fulfilled the legend. The myth was the man.

[@alexanderthemagnifcent2573]

This show saved my life. It convinced me not to go through with a a plan to kill my self.

[@NoahC384]

Never watched Gurren Lagann but always like to listen to what you have to say, also nice choker :)

[@ProfessorViral]

Thank you! If you need something to watch sometime you should check it out, it's a rare anime that took aspects I'd normally hate and made me love them

[@NoahC384]

@@ProfessorViral Maybe I'll try it, your videos also have me considering trying to watch Madoka Magica.

[@kush2319]

Holy underrated channel

[@arroganceinvictus]

Weak? quite an overstatement. Maybe we watch too much anime and consume too much fiction in general, but in the real world, Kamina is the complete opposite of weak. He is the transgressor. The figurehead. The leader. The warrior. Boldly leading from the front and WILLING EVERYTHING into reality. Maybe in anime, where the good guy always wins, this can be looked over, but in reality, if a group like this didn't have a Kamina, they would have died. Quickly.

[@lawlznet]

I loved your analysis. :) IIRC, wasn't there a point in the anime even when Kamina admitted that he wasn't that special, it was Simon and the other members of Dai Gurren that were? Could be remembering wrong, but it seems on brand for him.

[@ProfessorViral]

He essentially does: he says to Yoko that his real strength is just an act and that it really comes from Simon, which we see in a flashback in episode 11. But he only ever has those kinds of moments with her and Simon

[@lawlznet]

@@ProfessorViral That makes sense, what with them being the closest to him and all. ^^

[@ashkun33]

believe in the me that believes in you kamina

[@acunit5627]

Legends never die ☝

[@chinnakonboonyai7530]

i see gurren lagaan i hit the like button simple

[@ProfessorViral]

Much appreciated 🤣

[@farzanahizzati]

Lesgoo my favourite anime!!!!

[@ProfessorViral]

Happy to provide just a bit more of it for you!

[@William-Sunderland]

Great analisys.

[@ProfessorViral]

Thanks!

[@_izi_izi_]

This was great

[@ProfessorViral]

Thank you!

[@douglaschristensen3008]

hope you can make it to the movies on january 17th and 24th, im going to them myself!

[@ProfessorViral]

I'm bouncing the idea around at least!

[@douglaschristensen3008]

@@ProfessorViral dont bounce nerd, go do it and Grit. Your. Teeth!

[@antiheartless45]

I'm surprised you didn't talk about the tale of the two brothers the tale that both Kamina and Simon say but from their own perspective.

[@Porfonto]

i feel like i'm gonna be one of /those/ people but i'll start by saying that i'm glad to see people resonate with a character that is so well beloved but... man, i remember watching gurren laggan 10 years ago and NEVER resonating with kamina or characters like kamina (coughKAITOcough). and the same goes for this current period of time where i rewatched gurren laggan in its entirety in this unholy year bc i only managed to find the episodes after kamina's death when it was airing on tv back when i was younger and was wholly unimpressed when i saw who the "man behind the legend" was. even if i understood how big his effect was on characters like simon and yoko, i only started resonating with the anime itself after he died and nia showed up. perhaps in another timeline where i never went to a middle school and highschool so hellbent on "creating leaders" and had a leadership/organization focused curriculum i wouldnt have been burnt out by the idea characters like kamina represent. but as i am right now, i understood that irl there are more to than the ideal "kamina is a good leader bc he built a legend out of the small actions he did as well as what others can do even though he's weak himself" kind of leadership. even if kamina lived longer, there will be people who get burnt out by the shining image kamina tried to build for himself and i feel like kamina's recklessness/head strong stubborn attitude made it hard for him to truly understand people (like you said in your previous video, kamina spouts nonsense where other characters will either fill it with their own experience or resonate with one part of it). it's why i end up drifting towards characters who represent the opposite of that kind of ideology like nia and coughKOKICHIcough and i'm glad you cover what nia's character represents to the rest of the cast as well as the show. i understand that there are modern renditions that explore what kind of flaw character types like kamina can represent i.e. with the V3 version of kamina but i'd like to think that the og show itself already explored this concept pretty well. despite expanding my understanding of a character i majorly do not prefer with your videos, it'll take a lot of effort on my part to see kamina the way other people who watch the show do... still, i'm glad to see people discuss the show any way because of the significant part it played in my childhood

[@marocat4749]

Honestly yeah thats why simon is the main characte and not kamina. Any yeah if kamina lived thropugh the change of tone he wopuld have to change too and loose of his legendary status Thats actually why i love luffy from one piece as main character, he never makes about himself but others. Like he is silly opften and trusts blind in others but also he is extremely honest. An admit hi weaknesses too. An yeah they are different characters i guess. Even if he makes too miracles and is a legend.

[@ashkun33]

gureen lagann is my favourite anime

[@ungido30]

You’re underselling Kamina so much and his impact in humanity as well as in Simon and Yoko. Kamina was just a human and nothing else but his power was extraordinary in a way that he inspired the best in all of them, he was such a leader that when he was gone he left them prepare. He wasn’t a fraud, he wasn’t a hypocrite, he was real and he had the strongest power of them all, he had faith and believed in the potential of his peers, and wasn’t afraid of leading from the front risking it all in order to inspire those behind him because he knew they just needed a push. He believed in Simon and he never took credit, he always credited those whom deserved it, he knew and said that it was all possible because of Simon however Simon wasn’t ready because he lacked faith and confidence. You don’t understand the impact and true strength Kamina had without him humanity wouldn’t have been able to thrive, without his leadership qualities and his inspiration in others humanity would have still been in caves and never would taken a robot. Not because he was strong among the humans he was very strong but it wasn’t his physicality it was his unending desire for freedom that rubbed off on everybody else. Please don’t underestimate the true legend that Kamina was.

[@chubby-kv5ch]

Yes

[@issacthompson330]

FOR THE ALGORITHM!!!

[@ProfessorViral]

Thanks!

[@trfyhrghty4222]

😀👍

[@ProfessorViral]

😎👆

[@starrja]

row row fight da powa

[@ProfessorViral]

(In a slightly different cadence, and with a different sting) Row row fight the power

[@justblue974]

Word

[@nazaren45]

👍

[@averageearthsurrenderenthu2576]

row row

[@ProfessorViral]

fight the power

[@jjolarte98]

Actually stop watching after his death im now 24 still cant bare to watch it again 😂

[@ProfessorViral]

It got me pretty good the first time, and still does every time since

[@memeking6876]

I deadass dropped the entire anime because of Kamina’s death. Never went past episode 8. 🗿