Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann – some would consider this anime a masterpiece, or close to it.
The ratings speak for themselves across various platforms, and the quality is among the best for the time it was released in the 2000s, the last golden era of anime.
Let’s talk about:
- Art styles.
- Designs.
- Aesthetics.
And all the rest of it from anime that are similar to Gurren Lagann in this way.
Here’s a list.
1. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
The world swears by this anime in the quality department, but personally other than the visuals I wasn’t feeling it much.
This anime first came onto the scene with Netflix, and it quickly spread across social media going viral in its own right.
In this world, you have cyborg criminals as opposed to just criminals in general, with LUCY being the main female protagonist (and a cyborg) of the series who steals data for a living.
All in the name of money of course.
The visuals are stunning, and Gurren Lagann fans will see some resemblance in the way the art style is portrayed, especially when it comes to colours, the vibe, and lighting.
2. Kill La Kill
This anime series goes without saying. You could call it the female lead version of Gurren Lagann in a lot of ways.
The art style is strikingly similar to Gurren Lagann without being a direct comparison. It still stays true to its Studio Trigger designs and aesthetics.
Kill La Kill is led by Ryukjo Matoi, and similar to Edgerunners, it’s made by Studio Trigger who’s known for its specific art style, unlike any other studio in general.
Ryuko seeks out revenge for her father who was murdered, and uses a big fat pair of scissor blades to strike anyone down she deems an enemy or a potential suspect.
But of course, she learns the hard way that being hard-headed isn’t the best path to victory, but it does help in some ways.
3. FLCL (Fooly Cooly)
FLCL is an old school anime series from the 1990s. You could say it was the prequel to a Kill La Kill, Gurren Lagann, or anime shows with a similar but unique art style like this.
Gun blasting like Black Lagoon but with far less violence, camera angles that are different, and ultimately an unconventional series both in the visual department and the storytelling department as well.
GAINAX is the studio behind this classic anime.
4. Dead Leaves
This anime is completely different to the usual Production I.G anime series. The art style for one speaks volumes.
Released as far back as 2004, this action sci-fi comedy (like Gurren Lagann actually) can be considered an OG when it comes to this style of visual content in the anime industry.
Waking up with no clothes is the kind of thing that happens when you’re drunk, bladdered, off your face, and high as F. This is basically how the anime begins with its main characters waking up like this.
This leads them to prison (dead leaves) because of their foolish behaviour before the fact.
5. Gatchaman Crowds
This anime was produced by Tatsunoko Production, and licensed by Sentai Filmworks.
The main character essentially becomes a Gotchaman, a so called “protector” of the city after being handed not a death note, but a NOTE with special powers and properties.
Just like Gurren Lagann and its characters, you can expect some craziness with the visuals, action, sci-fi elements, guns, and overall details of this anime series.
6. STAR DRIVER: Shining Takuto
This Mecha anime series dates back as far as 2010, and was made by Studio Bones. The studio is known for shows like My Hero Academia, Scrapped Princess, Mob Psycho, and others.
In case it wasn’t already obvious from the anime’s main cover, it’s filled with good looking women and of course, one male mc who is surrounded by them, ultimately.
While the visuals of this anime aren’t as strikingly similar as others on this list, there is a comparison to be seen, and even more so with STAR DRIVER’s themes, elements, and art.
7. Little Witch Academia
Little Witch Academia might be one of the most underrated anime series there have ever been.
If we’re talking about an anime that has quality, unique art, good writing, a lack of nonsensical fanservice, and few overused and overdone cliches to speak of, then little witch academia is in a league of its own.
Made by Studio Trigger just like Kill La Kill, it’s a cartoonish but anime style art like Gurren Lagann, but with more toned down action (but great action where it counts), and a story that focuses on a girl with no talent committed to becoming a witch that makes people smile.
Just like her Idol.
8. Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt
This anime is hilarious if you can see the humour in its comedy, raunchy episodes and characters, and how nonchalant it is in general.
Both main female characters have been kicked out of heaven (they’re angels), and they’re basically living life trying to get by with their circumstances.
It combines a Gurren Lagann style of art (but very different) and then throws in some ecchi which makes the visuals a bit unique in a sexual context.
9. My Hero Academia
Boku No Hero Academia is an anime that feels like how an American would draw anime, but only 10X better. The style is very non anime meaning it’s not at all typical and cliche, and it has its own identity.
Made by Studio Bones, the anime does share some visual comparisons with Gurren Lagann, but it’s more on the slight side alongside the fact both are distinctive visually.
Deku wants to be the world’s number one hero and has dreamed of being a hero like All Might as a kid, and now with season 7 underway, things have heated up with the storyline becoming more intense than the first season could have predicted.
10. Kiznaiver
Kiznaiver’s art style fits the “cartoon” type of anime art that may not literally be cartoon style but has shades and elements of it.
The quotes in this series are deep and thought provoking, and they match the characters and the story it’s trying to tell.
By design (no pun intended), Kiznaiver is an animal you just can’t compare to any other, which might be why it never became mainstream or known on a major level.
11. BNA: Brand New Animal
Brand New Animal is another anime series by Studio Trigger that keeps the studio’s familiar art style but slightly switches it up with its theme and main characters.
Demi-human style characters who have wrongly been experimented on or discriminated against for who and what they are. This is the main running theme throughout this series, highlighting emotions like anger, loneliness, and feelings of exclusion.
BNA isn’t as flashy as Gurren Lagann or even Kill La Kill, but it is a meaningful series that stays true to its message.
