Professional opinion

In fact, after stripping away Gurren Lagann's references and inspirations from earlier anime including Getter Robo, Captain Harlock, St Seiya, Otoko Juku, Gunbuster, and Evangelion, there's really not much left.

Perpetually bookmarked:
http://www.animenation.net/news/askjohn.php?id=1708
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ask_John#John_Oppliger

Oh well, I've never seen any of those other anime (except one episode of Evangelion), nor even heard of half of them.

you been tricked by Gainax again dumbass

>In fact, after stripping away modern anime's references and inspirations from earlier anime including Getter Robo, Captain Harlock, St Seiya, Otoko Juku, Gunbuster, and Evangelion, there's really not much left.

fixed that for you.  someone needs to save anime.  gainax anime is awesome and all, but anime needs to wake the fuck up from all the meta shit.