'Scarred Souls Shine Like Stars'. It's the thesis statement of this series, summed up in one line, and it's brilliant- just like the meaning of SSSS for Gridman!

The character cast is really what makes Dynazenon so strong, and every single one has something emotional and impactful going on. Yume wants process, understand, and recover from the death of her sister. Koyomi lacks any motivation to move forward with his life, but he wants to understand why he let go of the one thing that he might've regretted not holding on to. Chise wants to belong, and to be important to someone.Gauma wants to reuinite with his loved one in another life, but to defeat the Kaiju Eugenecists in this life, while he has the opportunity to protect others from them. And Yomogi wants to be loved, and to protect others with his burning selflessness. Even the Kaiju Eugenecists have desires, most of all Mujina and Sizumu- the former wanting to have something she was made to do well- and Sizumu to understand the emotions of humankind to harness for his own strength.

The animation is beautiful, and the transformations, fights and battle themes are so epic that it makes you want to cheer- and yet, the most intruging moments of this series to me,a re just showing how these people choose to live their lives. Yomogi and Yume growing closer as they unravel a mystery from her past is every bit as enthralling as watching Dynazenon crush a kaiju, and save the city for another day. Even the fascinating dichotomy of the Kaiju Eugenecists's morals makes me want to ponder on this show more and more. The way they seem ok with embracing some adjacency to human nature, accepting its darkest parts, without ever wanting the responsibility that comes with it. Gauma had their lack of care, once- but he gave this up, for love, and because of the.. well, humanity that he has that the others lack.

The way that Dynazenon and Guama coming into the lives of all these mostly unconnected people has changed it for the better is what really emphasizes how beautiful the show is. The way that Koyomi, Yomogi, Yume and Chise eventually all develop the same scar. The way their bond, and shared struggle against evil not only brings them together, but changes them all for the better as people, is inspiring as hell.

I still cry at the death of Gauma, but the way that the journey you go on with these people makes the unspoken impact he's had on them all so apparent says it all. They'll all move on, and live maybe even more normal lives than before- but Dynazenon will always be a part of them- as will Gauma and the things he taught them by fighting alongside them.

And Gauma isn't immune from learning a thing or two, either. At the start, his vengeance and need for battle seems to be his main drive- but over time he begins to care for humans more and more. Episode 1 Gauma wouldn't have demanded that Yomogi go check on and perhaps save Yume from any trouble, as later on. That's all I'm saying.

Siszumu is perhaps the character I gave the least credit on my initial watch- he had always seemed like an ever present but rarely important piece of the puzzle- but upon reflection, he's one of the most important of all. Taking advantage of the growing love of Yume and Yomogi for each other, as well as their struggles to belong and find triuth, he represents human emotion at its most destructive- but lvoe quite literally conquers all as Gauma sacrifices his life to protect Yomogi from his assualt, and the city by extension.

And what greater love exists than to die for someone you hold close to your heart?

Sizumu's perversion of emotion and Gauma's ultimate expression of love scar them all, but they're all ultimately better people for it- and while it might be cliche to have my main takeaway be "love conquers all", this show certainly believes that love help you go far.

In the end, Gauma's souls hiend brightest to guide them all to where they needed to go- amongst the stars.