Movies like Gridman Universe are only possible when creators have so clearly planned out every installment of a series with care and attention down to the most minute of details (like Akira Amemiya and his team clearly did here.) The love and passion for these characters and the genre it's working within is honestly damn near unparalleled. This is no mere exercise in fanservice, though there is plenty of that for fans of both shows (which you simply MUST watch before this. maybe my one big complaint.) This truly feels like you have been on the most epic, emotionally cathartic journey with this cast of characters by the end, and you almost don't want to see them go for the last time.

In typical fashion for this series, they made a good choice to ground the interesting and high concept sci-fi and supernatural elements around simple human drama once again- this time with our good old boy Yuta trying to win over Rikka- and failing several times before he gets a clear shot. We've also, of course, got our Dynazenon crew trying to get back to their world- and Rex! Oh silly Gauma. I know that's you... no need to front. Clearly he knows he doesn't have to with Yomogi, eventually. I really want to shout out their scene quietly talking together in the early morning in Rikka's kitchen. It's so understated, but the emotions with it just really moved me. It makes so clear how much of an impact on Yomogi Gauma truly had, even moreso than the ending of that series displayed. I also want to shout out Rex's little subplot of acceptance and moving on, too. I love the idea that even after suffering through so much for the Princess, he could finally decide to live for himself, what he wants, and fighting for the people he cares about. Even Shinjo Akane, finally returning for one last time to save her creation from itself, just feels so incredibly beautiful in concept alone- it's so touching to see it unfold.

And these little things are what makes this movie special. it will sound clichéd, but while the action will undoubtedly make you pump your fist in the air, it's the human drama that really anchors the stakes and emotions int his grand climax. (and unlike the opinions of some, I maintain that such things are a staple of the best things in mecha.) It's conversations between characters you love, wanting desperately for them to bear the literal weight of the world on their shoulders somehow, and their personal struggles that have led them to where they stand now.

And it actually made SSSS Gridman in particular better in hindsight, solving some character decisions I found odd, in particular making Yuta into Gridman's shell. going back on that a bit and actually having Gridman regret the sacrifices Yuta had to make to help save the world was so touching, especially when Yuta chooses to risk that again to continue doing so.

the most impactful scene to me by far is Knight's reunion with Akane, it's the scene that makes the movie for me in so many ways and makes me cry every time. Knight refusing to see the bad in her, even after all of her mistakes, and thanking her for simply being given the chance to experience life.. it's just so wonderful and it fills me with hope. I don't know how else to say it and this is the best moment of fanservice by a country mile. I'm so glad this scene is here.

The way things end is somewhat open ended, but pretty definitive at the same time. I liked seeing everyone get their mostly happy ending, most of all our main man Yuuta. Given that in a way he fell in love with the real Akane and not the idealized presentation of her via her avatar int his world, it only makes sense that in the end, he'd finally obtain the woman of his dreams. their final shared moment is so intimate, and cute, and real, too. not a moment of schmaltz or melodrama- either of which i would've bene fine with, but doing it this way just makes it feel so tangible in a way no other approach could.