Gurren Lagann is one of the most uplifting action anime you can watch. But what is the meaning of the Core Drill in Gurren Lagann? And what does it represent? Here's what we know about the key and its symbolism.
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First Things First: What Is Gurren Lagann's Core Drill?
In the Gurren Lagann anime, the Core Drill is essentially a key that can power the titular Lagann; Simon's personal Gunman, and one of the two main components of Gurren Lagann along with Kamina's Gurren.
Simon first encounters the Drill in Giha village. As the story goes on, Simon realizes Core Drill's potential to power Lagann, but this isn't its only use.
The Spiral Power contained in the Drill later allows Simon to stab an enemy with a big blast of power.
The Possible Meaning and Symbolism of the Core Drill in Gurren Lagann Explained
While the use of the Core Drill in the world of Gurren Lagann is quite straightforward, many fans recognize that there is a deeper symbolism behind the mysterious key.
At the time the show was created, in 2007, studio Gainax was quite infamous for its weird and wildly symbolic mecha anime.
One must thank the legacy of the earlier mecha anime Neon Genesis Evangelion for that.
Simon, one of the series' main characters, is a digger who creates tunnels. As such, a drill is an ideal weapon for him that is quite distinct compared to swords and other weapons we're used to seeing.
It has been theorized that the Core Drill helps him channel the Spiral Power he already has by concentrating all of it at its tip.
On a more symbolic level, the hint about the true meaning of Core Drill lies in Kamina's words to Simon: "... drills are your soul, Simon."
Overall, Gurren Lagann celebrates humanity's capacity to persevere with an indomitable spirit.
When digging tunnels he is not necessarily meant to explore, Simon changed the world, little by little.
By the end of the series, he realizes that the human soul itself is a little like a drill:
“We evolve beyond the person that we were a minute before. Little by little, we advance with each turn. That’s how a drill works!”
This quote beautifully demonstrates that perseverance and focus on a goal can change the world and oneself little by little.
In this context, the drill becomes a symbol of both perseverance and necessary change.
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