Simon (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann)

Simon, also known as Simon the Digger, is the main protagonist from the Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann series.
== Charactah Account ==
Simon is a short and un-intimidating fourteen year old boy at the beginning of this tale. He was born in Jiiha Village and was raised by his parents until the age of seven, when his parents were killed in an underground avalanche caused by an earthquake. Their deaths traumatized Simon to the point of both hating and fearing life underground, and likely played a role in developing his relationship with Kamina. Ironically, Simon's role in his community was to dig more tunnels and caverns to expand Jiiha Village deeper underground.
Though valued as a skilled digger, Simon was ignored by the adults of his village and snubbed by the girls, who considered him disgusting. Along with his fear of earthquakes, Simon developed low self-esteem and had many cowardly tendencies. His only friend and role model growing up was Kamina, a brash and eccentric older boy who had an obsession with escaping the underground world for the surface, which he visited as a child with his father. Simon was slowly "recruited" into Team Gurren along with several other boys, and lead by Kamina made several attempts to reach the surface over several years. During one attempt, a sudden earthquake trapped Team Gurren within a chamber and cut off the supply of oxygen. Simon began to panic, but after inspiration from Kamina he managed to dig all of the Team Gurren members out of danger. Yoko would later recall that Kamina himself was terrified during this incident, but he hid his fear from Simon knowing Simon was the only one capable of rescuing his gang.
One day during the digging of a new tunnel, Simon discovers a small drill-shaped object that periodically glows. Later that day, he unearths a large "face" in the ground, which he shows to Yoko and Kamina after Jiiha Village is attacked by a large Gunmen. The face is revealed to be a miniature Gunmen, and the object Simon dug up the key to starting it up. With the aid of this mech, which Kamina names "Lagann", Simon destroys the large Gunmen attacking Jiiha and rises to the surface world.
== Appearance ==
=== Anime ===
* Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
* Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Movie 1: Childhood's End
* Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Movie 2: The Lights in the Sky are Stars
* Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Movie Special: Viral's Sweet Dream
* Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: Kirameki★Yoko Box - Pieces of Sweet Stars
* Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: My Gurren is Sparkling!
* Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: Parallel Works
* Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: Parallel Works 2
* Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: There are Some Things I Just Have to See!
=== Light Novels ===
* Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
=== Manga ===
* Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
* Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: Gurren School Edition
* Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: Spiral Boy
=== Video Games ===
* Dai-2-Ji Super Robot Taisen Z Hakai-hen
* Dai-2-Ji Super Robot Taisen Z Saisei-hen
* Dai-2-Ji Super Robot Taisen Z Jigoku-hen
* Dai-3-Ji Super Robot Taisen Z Tengoku-hen
* Super Robot Wars Operation Extend
* Super Robot Wars X
* Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
== Trivia ==
* Simon's name comes from the Japanese word "shimo" meaning "under". The pronunciation of the name in the Japanese version reflects this.
* Though the extent of his relationship with Nia is never fully explored, Gainax Studios has stated that "seven years is a long time" and that "During the seven year timeskip Simon and Nia did what had to be done."
* Simon is the space captain seen in the opening prologue of the series' first episode. Though he is never again shown in the anime, he became the antagonist in the drama CD Otoko no Jouken. In this, he goes by the name of Simon Avant.
* This Simon from the prologue was nicknamed "Garlock" by English speaking fans. "Gar" is a slang word that means "manly". The suffix " -lock" comes from a character named Captain Harlock and the main character of Space Pirate Captain Harlock. His outfit, along with the sound of clanking chains as he walked, was indeed a nod to this classic character. In Japan, this Simon is known as "Avant" by fans.
* Respectively, the Simon from the space arc is commonly known as "Starlock" to fans. Starlock refers to Simon's goggles transforming into star shaped sunglasses. In Japan, this Simon is known as "Cosmo" by fans.
* Simon narrates the episode previews from episodes 22 up till 26. A quote of his is used as the title for the episode he narrates, along with a paintbrush-type font.
* Simon and Boota (and Kamina, according to the Otoko series, as well as Gurren Gakuen Hen) are the only characters in Gurren Lagann who can handle and enjoy Nia's cooking.
* During his appearance in the epilogue, Simon's left eye was shown to have developed Spirals, similar to Lordgenome's. It may suggest that his dormant Spiral activity rate has slowly, but surely finally risen to uncontrollable levels as Lordgenome had early in his youth. As a result, Simon could be possessing extended longevity and as such he may or may not live forever, as Lordgenome was about 1000 years old before he was killed.
* According to the novel, Simon's father and mother were officially named 'Takshim' and 'Sheeta', respectively.
* Simon shares the same Japanese voice actor (Tetsuya Kakihara) with Natsu Dragneel from the anime Fairy Tail.
* Simon shares the same English voice actor (Yuri Lowenthal) with Ben Tennyson from the cartoon Ben 10: Alien Force.
== Gallery ==
File:Simon (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann) Render 01.png
File:Simon (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann) 01.png
File:Simon (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann) 02.png
File:Simon (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann) 03.png
File:Simon (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann) 04.png
File:Simon (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann) Fan Art 01.png
File:Simon (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann) Wallpaper 01.png
File:Simon (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann) Wallpaper 02.png
== External Links ==
* Simon at Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Wiki
Category:Characters
Category:Males
Category:Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann