I've so far got up to episode 11 (so please no spoilers) of Gurren Lagan and am immensely impressed.
I think one the reasons for this is the characters. To me what it seems they've done is taken certain stereotypical character models and made them more realistic and relatable. So for example with Yoko when you first see her you assume she's going to be a Faye Valentine type character who acts hard on the outside but is really very sensitive blah blah blah. They haven't made her that way though. Likewise with Kamina he's meant to be the cliche super enthusiatic character (who frankly I usually really hate in every other series) but we see that he does have weaknesses and moments of insecurity.
Even with Nia when I first saw her I thought she was either going to be the token "Rei" or possibly "Beldandy" but instead they have given her will and a personality.
I think one the reasons for this is the characters. To me what it seems they've done is taken certain stereotypical character models and made them more realistic and relatable. So for example with Yoko when you first see her you assume she's going to be a Faye Valentine type character who acts hard on the outside but is really very sensitive blah blah blah. They haven't made her that way though. Likewise with Kamina he's meant to be the cliche super enthusiatic character (who frankly I usually really hate in every other series) but we see that he does have weaknesses and moments of insecurity.
Even with Nia when I first saw her I thought she was either going to be the token "Rei" or possibly "Beldandy" but instead they have given her will and a personality.