Actually...yeah. I've only read the first few dozen chapters of the manga and started watching the show on Toonami. I've had to figure out what happened beforehand mostly through context.
It sucks for everyone else who are caught up, though. Massive amounts of filler and flashbacks are among the greatest sins of long-running anime.
.....................What the hell is going on now?
This is the greatest thing ever. Thank you, gods, for this gift you have given us. I promise to never stray from the path of Toonami. Time for Gurren Lagann.