Ep 11. Simon, Hands Off

As the eleventh episode of Gurren Lagann's first season, "Simon, Hands Off" is a crucial point in the series where a lot of character development takes place. The episode begins with the return of Simon, who has been feeling down and out of sorts since Kamina's death. His inability to come to terms with their fearless leader's absence has been affecting the entire team, particularly Yoko and Rossiu, who worry about his ability to step up and fill Kamina's shoes.

The episode opens on a scene of Simon alone, standing outside the hastily-created grave they've dug for Kamina. He remembers his fallen friend and mentor, and it's clear that he's not coping well with the loss. Despite the fact that he's been training and honing his skills in the time since Kamina's death, he seems unable to shake the feeling that he's not good enough. This theme is emphasized repeatedly throughout the episode, with many of the characters reminding Simon (and the audience) that he is, in fact, capable of great things.

The main plot of "Simon, Hands Off" revolves around a plan to infiltrate the Beastmen fortress of Dai-Gunzan. The fortress is an imposing structure that is nearly impregnable, but the team has a secret weapon: the newly-upgraded Lagann, which Simon has been working tirelessly to improve. Their goal is to take out the Dai-Gunzan's control tower, thus rendering the entire fortress defenseless and allowing them to take it over.

As they prepare for their mission, Simon begins to experience strange visions. He sees Kamina, who encourages him to be strong and trust in his own abilities. Additionally, Simon sees a flash of the Anti-Spiral, an unknown enemy that will eventually emerge as the main antagonist of the series. These visions are important because they hint at the larger, overarching plot of Gurren Lagann, which will involve the team fighting against the Anti-Spiral and their attempts to snuff out the human race.

As they approach the fortress, the team encounters a group of Beastmen piloting "Gunmen" mechs. Simon is hesitant to fight, but is eventually forced to take action when his friends are put in danger. Despite his misgivings, he proves to be a capable fighter and manages to take out the enemy mechs. This is a turning point for Simon, who begins to realize that he is just as capable of being a leader as Kamina was.

Once inside the fortress, the team splits up, with Simon and Yoko taking on the task of destroying the control tower. They encounter an armored Beastman named Thymilph, who proves to be a formidable opponent. Simon once again has doubts about his abilities, but Yoko tells him to believe in himself and gives him the confidence he needs to succeed. They are ultimately successful in their mission, and the fortress falls into their hands.

The episode ends on a high note, with the team celebrating their success and acknowledging Simon's bravery and leadership. It's clear that he's come a long way since Kamina's death, and that he's finally starting to believe in himself and his own abilities. This is an important development for his character, as it sets the stage for the remainder of the series and the challenges he will face in the episodes to come.

Overall, "Simon, Hands Off" is a pivotal episode in the first season of Gurren Lagann. It provides important character development for Simon, as well as setting the stage for the larger plot of the series. With fantastic action scenes, exciting mech battles, and heartwarming moments of camaraderie between the characters, this episode is a must-watch for fans of the series.