The Epic Return of Gurren Lagann Movies to Cinemas - Prepare to be Blown Away!

Trigger has acquired the rights to Gurren Lagann and Panty and Stocking, previously held by Studio GAINAX. This happens after Evangelion director Hideaki Anno lost the rights. The timing couldn't be better, as Trigger is celebrating the 15th anniversary of Gurren Lagann with the release of two compilation films in Japan this year. The show originally premiered in the Spring of 2007 and took viewers on a thrilling journey across 27 episodes, exploring both the depths of the Earth and the vastness of space. One year after the series concluded, GAINAX created two films that retold the entire story: Childhood's End and The Lights in the Sky Are Stars.

How Do The Movies Differ?

At first glance, the Gurren Lagann films may seem like your run-of-the-mill recap films cashing in on the popularity of the Super Robot genre. And it's hard to argue against that perception. However, these films go beyond a simple re-edit of the series; they are a genuine attempt to transform the story into a captivating cinematic experience.

Now, you might think that this is just a play on words, but the truth is that these films do include some new content, albeit in limited quantities. The major action sequences have been reanimated and directed with a heightened sense of style, finding clever ways to raise the stakes and intensify the already grandiose climactic moments.

The final battle in the second film is a clear example of how it differs from the original in significant ways. However, the aim to create a truly satisfying film version goes beyond just the grand animated battles. It also involves paying attention to smaller details and restructuring the plot to do justice to the story within a shorter runtime.

It is a challenging task to condense a lengthy two-cour TV series into two feature films while still effectively conveying the same details. There will always be parts that need to be cut, which is why some people still have issues with recap films. However, these issues only arise if one expects the film to serve as a supplement to the original show.

The 15th Anniversary Re-Release

Both films are set to hit Japanese theaters in August, not only in 2D but also in 4D. Childhood's End will be released on August 25, followed by The Lights in the Sky Are Stars on September 22. Both formats will be available when the films arrive in Taiwan this October. Lastly, a North American release date has been confirmed for the beginning of 2024.

The theatrical revival includes the release of a 4K Blu-ray of the films, but it is uncertain if this will be available for sale outside of Japan or include English subtitles. Currently, Aniplex offers a box set on Right Stuf Anime for $149.98, which includes all 27 episodes, the Parallel Works OVAs, and the two films. However, at the time of writing, it is sold out.

There is no mention of an English dub, which is not surprising considering that the films never received an English dub even with the 10th anniversary Blu-ray in 2017. Unless Aniplex of America plans to reunite the English cast, it is unlikely that a dub will be available in time for the theatrical revival. Nonetheless, the opportunity to see this epic saga on the big screen is worth the small sacrifice.

Studio Trigger has been experiencing a recent string of triumphs, with the accomplishments of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and the retrieval of past properties from GAINAX. If the revival of Panty and Stocking is indicative of Trigger's forward-thinking approach, then the commemoration of Gurren Lagann's anniversary is a deserving acknowledgment of their journey thus far.