i first watched SSSS Gridman purely bc it was Studio Trigger and Rikka had taken ahold of the internet as the Thigh Queen but now after rewatching both SSSS. Gridman and SSSS. Dynazenon on top of the original 1993 tokusatsu Gridman: The Hyper Agent this franchise has become something so goddamn special to me. Gridman Universe is a movie that revels in whattheSSSS anime accomplished stylistically and narratively. it indulges in the formula that makes these shows so good: slice of life portions to flesh out the characters with a realistic approach to dialogue/voice acting and juxtaposing it with ridiculous and bombastic tokusatsu action that is brimming with earnest joy not a single tongue in cheek. it is a victory lap tying what few loose ends remained from these airtight 12 episode character studies. its insane to me that with two ensemble casts interacting there really isnt much the movie can do to give most of the main cast a happy ending. except of course for Yuuta. Yuutas character has always been fascinating to me because due to SPOILERS we never truly get to know who he is in SSSS Gridman. how did he take the news that he was basically possessed by an interdimensional space cop? what was he like in terms of his character that compelled Gridman to possess him? how did this experience or lack of change him? i loved loved loved how the movie tackles these things showing us a boy who like Gridman is much too weak alone and needs the power of his friendships to ever win. its one of the most cliche tropes but this franchise has a way of balancing extremely nuanced character developments purely through visuals with dialogue during climactic moments that come straight out of any given Showaera toku. but more than anything this movie is a love letter. this thing is just bursting to the seams with so much love man. love for tokusatsu love for the medium of anime love for Gridman love for these characters love for the process of creating love for fandom love for art love for humanity. it gives a middle finger to subtlety and just screams into your face that love and art are all worth fighting for because our lives are going to end and goddamit it works my blood is pumping just thinking about it. Studio Trigger has made some bangers but i honestly cant think of anything theyve made or will ever make to top this. seeing an early NA screening at Anime Expo 2023 was worth the full price of admission fr man i just cant get enough of Gridman and im crying i love these characters so much and how theyve encouraged me to keep living and to keep creating. mortality is what makes life so precious. mind your bestby dates and keep fucking fighting.