Gurren Lagann originated in Japan as an anime TV show which aired twenty- seven episodes. The event takes place in the future where humans are made to reside in isolation underground. The villagers have no connection with the outside world and due to recurring earthquakes are forced to dig deeper into the planet, those provided the task of digging are called "Diggers". This town is home to an orphaned little one named Simon, whose parents were massacred in an earthquake. Simon is known by the other residents as the best of the diggers, he is however unliked by his acquaintances. After talking to an orphan called Kamina, who thinks of going back the surface world, that he once visited as a kid, he is drawn into his group "Team Gurren". Kamina is soon jailed by a village elder after his failed try to make it to the surface. Simon will soon reveal the path to successfully smash through the surface.

As the lagann entourage crashes through to the surface they are faced by enemies and friends as they continue on their journey. For the duration of their mission, Kamina is wounded and soon dies, leaving Team Gurren to fight the encounter without him. A statue of Kamina lingers in the middle of a fresh town constructed among the ruins of the former capitol, efficiently regarded as Kamina City.

There is a video game available. Also a selection of novels based on the anime. The film, entitled Gurren Lagann: Childhood's End is now available on DVD.