Response to first paragraph: Except the writer have come out to say that the sequence in episode 26 was about possibilities. It's about how you can lose yourself through recognition. Simon took life by his own hands, he decided to be himself. That's why it was an alternative universe and not a simple dream sequence. Gurren-Lagann is a show about "act or not to act". Characters aren't given a choice, characters are given an opportunity. They are who they are, in their hands is only the decision to fight or to run away.
2nd paragraph: To validate her own existence. Nia was infatuated by the love he imprinted into the Kamina statues; she thought they were the definition of "human". Simon made Nia able to accept herself as herself. The show focused enough on her character, with expressions and body language that say plenty about her thought-processes and feelings.
3rd paragraph: And "visuals" include the expressions of the cast members. Nia's look of pain when confronting Genome in episode 15, her melancholic look in episode 17, the way in which she reacts to Lord Genome in episode 27... it's the animated equivalent of "acting". Cartoon characters talk too much, Gurren-Lagann tries to not fall prey of this mistake.
Re: The rage is strong with me today
2nd paragraph: To validate her own existence. Nia was infatuated by the love he imprinted into the Kamina statues; she thought they were the definition of "human". Simon made Nia able to accept herself as herself. The show focused enough on her character, with expressions and body language that say plenty about her thought-processes and feelings.
3rd paragraph: And "visuals" include the expressions of the cast members. Nia's look of pain when confronting Genome in episode 15, her melancholic look in episode 17, the way in which she reacts to Lord Genome in episode 27... it's the animated equivalent of "acting". Cartoon characters talk too much, Gurren-Lagann tries to not fall prey of this mistake.