1
Gurren Lagann
The complete story in 27 episodes, from Simon's first dig to the final battle. Everything below the line is optional.
4 titles
Updated Oct 1, 2026
Gurren Lagann Watch Order (2026 Guide)
For centuries, humanity has lived in underground villages plagued by earthquakes. In one, a young digger named Simon unearths a glowing drill that starts up a tiny mecha. When a giant Gunmen crashes through the ceiling, Simon and his reckless sworn brother Kamina break out to the surface with the rifle-toting Yoko and take on the Spiral King.
Recommended Order
Quick answer
- Gurren Lagann
Plus 3 optional extras.
1 title · 27 episodes · ~11 hours
Watch the 27-episode TV series first. It is the full story and the only part you need. Below the line are three extras: Episode 5.5, a short gag side story, and two compilation films that retell the first and second halves of the show with new animation. Save the films for after the series, since they cover the same events in far less time.
Optional Extras
2
Gurren Lagann: My Gurren is Shiny!!
A 12-minute comedy short in which Kamina hands his grimy Gurren over for a suspicious cleaning. Fun after Episode 5, but nothing in it carries into the main plot.
⚠ Not on streaming services. It was bundled with a Nintendo DS game in Japan and later included in the Japanese Blu-ray box set.
3
Gurren Lagann The Movie: Childhood’s End
The first half of the TV story condensed into a 112-minute film, with newly animated sequences toward the end. A compilation, not a continuation.
⚠ Compilation film. It covers the same events as the first half of the TV series.
4
Gurren Lagann The Movie: The Lights in the Sky Are Stars
The second half condensed into 126 minutes. Watch it straight after Childhood's End if you are doing the films.
⚠ Compilation film. It covers the same events as the second half of the TV series.
Why This Order
Gurren Lagann is an original anime with one continuous story, and the TV series tells all of it in 27 episodes. That makes the starting point simple: begin with Episode 1 and keep going to the finale.
Episode 5.5 is a 12-minute comedy short that was bundled with a Nintendo DS game in Japan. Nothing in it carries into the main plot, so it sits in the optional group. If you want it, watch it any time after Episode 5.
The two films, Childhood's End and The Lights in the Sky Are Stars, are compilations. Each condenses one half of the TV story into a single feature, mixing reused footage with newly animated sequences. They do not continue the story past the finale, and watching them first would give you the same plot in a compressed form. They are best treated as a second pass once the series is done, watched as a pair in that sequence.
How Many Episodes and Seasons Does Gurren Lagann Have?
Gurren Lagann has 1 season in the main run — 27 episodes altogether.
Main Run
| Title | Type | Episodes | Aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gurren Lagann | TV Series | 27 episodes | April 2007 |
Optional Extras
| Title | Type | Episodes | Aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gurren Lagann: My Gurren is Shiny!! | OVA | 1 episode | October 2007 |
| Gurren Lagann The Movie: Childhood’s End | Movie | September 2008 | |
| Gurren Lagann The Movie: The Lights in the Sky Are Stars | Movie | April 2009 |
1 title · 27 episodes · ~11 hours
Source Material
Gurren Lagann is an original anime by Gainax, so there is no source to continue from after the finale. A manga adaptation by Kotaro Mori ran from 2007 to 2013 and retells the anime's story; it was released in English by Bandai Entertainment.
Gurren Lagann Watch Order FAQ
Where should I start with Gurren Lagann?
Start with Episode 1 of the 2007 TV series. It is the original version of the story and runs 27 episodes to a complete ending. The two movies are compilations of the same story, so they are not a starting point.
What is the correct order to watch Gurren Lagann?
Watch the TV series (Episodes 1-27). Optionally add Episode 5.5 after Episode 5. If you want the movies, watch Gurren Lagann The Movie: Childhood's End and then Gurren Lagann The Movie: The Lights in the Sky Are Stars after finishing the series.
Do I need to watch the Gurren Lagann movies?
No. The TV series tells the whole story on its own. The movies retell it in about four hours with new animation and some changes, so they are for viewers who want to revisit the story after the show.
Are the Gurren Lagann movies a recap or a sequel?
They are compilation films, not sequels. Childhood's End (2008, 112 minutes) covers the first half of the TV series, and The Lights in the Sky Are Stars (2009, 126 minutes) covers the second half. Both reuse TV footage alongside newly animated sequences, and neither continues the story past the TV finale.
What is Gurren Lagann Episode 5.5?
Episode 5.5, officially titled My Gurren is Shiny!!, is a 12-minute comedy OVA that was bundled with the Nintendo DS game in Japan in 2007. It was made from a script that was not used for the TV series and is set between Episodes 5 and 6. It does not affect the main story and is not available on streaming services.
Why aren't Parallel Works and the other shorts in the watch order?
They are not story entries. Gurren Lagann Parallel Works (2008, 8 shorts) and Parallel Works 2 (2010, 7 shorts) are music video anthologies that place the characters in alternate worlds; part of the first set was reworked into the prologue of Childhood's End. Viral's Sweet Dream (2009) is a 5-minute comedy bonus, and Kirameki Yoko Box (2009) is a music video for Yoko's song S.t.a.r.S.
Is there an English dub?
Yes. The TV series has an English dub produced by Bang Zoom! Entertainment, which premiered on the Sci Fi Channel on July 28, 2008. The main cast includes Yuri Lowenthal (Simon), Kyle Hebert (Kamina), and Michelle Ruff (Yoko). Nia is the one main role that changes partway through: Hynden Walch voices her in Episodes 9-16 and Bridget Hoffman from Episode 17 onward. The two movies had no English dub until 2024, when the TV cast recorded one for their North American theatrical run and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray.
Are there any filler episodes?
No. Gurren Lagann is an original anime with no manga or novel behind it, so there is no source material for episodes to stray from. All 27 episodes are part of the main story.
Where can I watch Gurren Lagann?
In the US, the TV series streams on Crunchyroll and Netflix. Availability differs by region, so check the service in your country. The two movies are available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray from Aniplex of America.
Is Gurren Lagann finished, and will there be a Season 2?
Yes, it is finished. The TV series ended with Episode 27 on September 30, 2007, and tells a complete story. No second season or sequel has been announced. In July 2026, Studio Trigger announced a new project from director Hiroyuki Imaishi and writer Kazuki Nakashima, the pair behind Gurren Lagann, but its title and format have not been revealed and it has not been presented as a Gurren Lagann sequel.
How long does it take to watch Gurren Lagann?
The 27-episode TV series takes about 11 hours at roughly 24 minutes per episode. Adding Episode 5.5 and both movies brings the total to about 15 hours.
Is there a Gurren Lagann manga?
Yes, but it is an adaptation of the anime, not its source. The manga by Kotaro Mori ran from 2007 to 2013 and was released in English by Bandai Entertainment. Since the anime is the original, there is no point in the manga to pick up after the finale.