Watch the current opening and then the "future" segment of episode 1 again. Gurren Lagann is going to get REALLY big. There are bigger and badder things that are going to be joined. Knowing how Gainax does things, I fully expect a full blown epic throw down at the end of this series.
You left out Simon aging another 10 years and the intergalactic war that breaks out. Oh, and that mecha the size of a small moon we see at the beginning of the first episode.
I think alot more people would crap their pants if he did follow the EU with 7-9. Alot of it is not good, and makes a mess out of the established filmverse.
Its on Amazon.com for 54 bucks. Retails for 74, I think. I think the case is silly and unnecessary, but I've been waiting for this for SO long, I don't care if it came in a sandwich bag.
Another "meh" episode. Gainax is still setting us up for the next big conflict. Setting up Simon for his next big hero moment. I am not expecting alot out of episode 19 either. Looks like 20 is where things are going to get interesting.