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You Are Someone Who Ought to Survive

EpisodeEp. 21

A missing year of Yoko's life comes into focus: a seaside classroom, a borrowed name, and a rifle never far from reach. When raiders threaten her students, the teacher called Yomako drops the disguise, then breaks Simon out of prison. With the Core Drill returned and Viral in Gurren's seat, Team Dai-Gurren roars back to life.

Original Air Date: 2007-08-19
English Air Date: 2008-10-27
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Summary

After a warning shot drives the Nia projection away from Simon, the story rewinds through Yoko's year away. Under the name Yomako she has been teaching at a small school, adored by her class. When a boy named Nakim is shoved down by other kids, she tells him to stand up on his own, and he does. Nakim later remarks how much his teacher resembles the famous Yoko, which she deflects with a reminder that class is no place for chatter, and when his father's old backpack ends up high in a tree, she climbs up herself to talk him back down.

Evacuation orders eventually reach the village, and everyone gathers except one girl still at the lighthouse. A human and a beastman roll up in Gunmen, take the girl Maosha hostage, and demand the settlement's food. Yoko sheds her teacher's clothes to reveal gear much like her old outfit, drops both raiders with her rifle in front of the stunned villagers, and heads for Kamina City.

Back in the present, she springs Simon from his cell, and Simon frees Viral in turn. Outside, Kittan returns the Core Drill, and Simon offers Viral the Gurren's controls, which the beastman accepts. The reassembled Gurren Brigade blasts into space to reinforce Rossiu, with Simon and Viral shouting Kamina's signature catchphrase together as the episode ends.

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Key Events

Yoko's life after Teppelin's fall is revealed: she has spent the year teaching schoolchildren under the alias Yomako.

Simon escapes prison and regains the Core Drill from Kittan, while Viral accepts the role of Gurren's pilot and joins Team Dai-Gurren, turning two old enemies into a combining pair.

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Notes

The Japanese title, Anata wa Ikinokorubeki Hito da, carries the English broadcast title You Are Someone Who Ought to Survive. It first aired in Japan on August 19, 2007, with the English airing on October 27, 2008, between Episode 20 and Episode 22.

The Yomako identity returns in the series epilogue, where Yoko resumes the name and eventually runs the school as principal.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What has Yoko been doing during her year away in Gurren Lagann?

In You Are Someone Who Ought to Survive, Yoko has spent the year teaching schoolchildren at a small seaside school under the alias Yomako. Her students adore her, and she keeps her rifle close throughout.

How does Simon escape prison in episode 21?

Yoko breaks Simon out of his cell after revealing her identity to raiders threatening her village. Simon then frees Viral in turn from the neighboring cell.

Who returns the Core Drill to Simon in this episode?

Kittan returns the Core Drill to Simon outside Lincarne Prison in episode 21, once Yoko and Simon have broken free.

Does Viral join Team Dai-Gurren in episode 21?

Yes. Simon offers Viral the Gurren's controls, and the beastman accepts, turning two old enemies into a combining pair as the Gurren Brigade reforms.

How does episode 21 of Gurren Lagann end?

The reassembled Gurren Brigade blasts into space to reinforce Rossiu, with Simon and Viral shouting Kamina's signature catchphrase together as the episode closes.

Sources & Information

Looking for more on You Are Someone Who Ought to Survive? The Gurren Lagann Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.

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This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Anime based on the Gurren Lagann anime series, manga, and official materials. Gurren Lagann was created by Gainax, published by Kadokawa, and animated by Gainax and Trigger. All rights to Gurren Lagann and its characters belong to their respective owners. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.

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  • Created byGainax
  • Published byKadokawa
  • Animated byGainax
  • Animated byTrigger

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