FLCL

At first glance, FLCL seems like a foolish attempt at putting too much randomness into an anime. Indeed, it's impossible to summarize the show without making it sound completely stupid: "It's about an alien woman who hits a boy with a guitar, and robots start popping out of his head." Yeah, that's gonna make people want to see it (not). But then again, it's also one of the most artistically perfect pieces of work ever.

The best short summary I can come up with it is that it's a coming-of-age story about a wacky woman who takes advantage of a 12 year old boy. But that doesn't explain half of it. It perfectly molds hidden themes into a beautiful story. The style of this anime is incredibly unique. It completely departs from the classic realistic anime style, and seems to emulate more American cartoons by not letting the characters show very exaggerated characteristics at times.

While it indeed is filled with craziness, there is an obvious and very strong structure to the plot. Every scene is intimately connected to every other scene, and it works perfectly. There are inherent themes about love, friendship, jealousy, and the discovery of all those as one grows up. I've read someone write that watching FLCL is like falling in love for the first time again, and it's a great description. After all, as a coming-of-age story, those are the feelings that the main character Naota is going through himself.

The music is simply the best in anime, period. Every major sequence has rock music by The Pillows in the background, and every time, it seems to fit perfectly with the scene. While the music is excellent by itself, it strengthens the emotions that FLCL is trying to deliver in those scenes.

At just 6 episodes, it's short. But because of its shortness, the plot structure is incredibly tight, allowing it to have such great connections within. FLCL is simply an excellent work of art. Don't look at it as the best anime ever created. Look at it as a beautiful piece of art that chose anime as the medium to deliver itself in.

When I first saw FLCL (Furi Kuri, Fooly Kooly) I didn't like it. But it grows on you. I check out a couple of epis at A-Kon, and thought, what is this? Robots coming out of people's heads? A girl on Vespa running a kid down, and clubbing him with a lefty Rickenbacker bass? WTF? I thought . .. Uh...Okay. Next! But after seeing it a few times, its really great! Plus, thanks to The Pillows, it has one of the best soundtracks in all of anime! Don't try and figure it out. Maybe you'll get it someday, but for now, just sit back and enjoy the weirdness!

this is what dreams are made of.

FLCL is a 6-episode japanese anime production that impresses and entertains beyond explanation. those who find their way through it's layering of bizarre beauty will realize what it truly is: the greatest thing ever.

FLCL, also known as Fooly Cooly or Furi-Kuri in Japan, centers around Naota, a Japanese kid whose beloved older brother has recently moved to America to play baseball. As if that wasn't hard enough for him, he now finds his brother's shattered (and much older) girlfriend Mamimi latching onto him for support. In the midst of it all, Naota (or as Mamimi calls him, ta-kun) finds his already troubled life turned on its side as a strange girl named Haruko rides into town on a Vespa scooter and smacks him on the head with her trusty, electric-blue, motorized Rickenbacker bass guitar. From here, things spiral into a wonderful insanity.

If the plot seems odd so far, you will probably find yourself in a few seizures by the end. In the first episode, a TV-headed robot sprouts out of an anxiety-fueled horn that grown on Naota's head. After an amazing battle, this robot comes to live with Naota and does his laundry. Things like this happen every day in the world of FLCL.

Unfortunately, this may be a bit too much for some. But those who enjoy it will be thoroughly rewarded by the cleverly weird plot advancements and hilarious visual gags. And if you sift through it all, you'll find something even more amazing: a wonderful story of growing up that, despite it's giant robots, is moving and easy to relate to. Kids who want to be adults, adults who can't grow up. These heavy topics line this gorgeous show and add a stirring quality to it.

Besides the content of the show itself, the production of FLCL is absolutely mindblowing. Sickly slick animation coupled with an amazing musical backdrop provided by Japanese punk-rockers The Pillows proves to be a winning combination. The English dub is very impressive as well, especially for Haruko.

It is unfortunate that FLCL's 6 episodes are spread out onto three expensive DVDs, because it limits people's access to it. Thank god for Cartoon Network, which periodically plays FLCL on it's adult swim block. And while i'm not exactly advocating piracy, i would suggest going to whatever lengths you need to see FLCL.

FLCL has affected me more than any other movie or show i've ever seen, animated or otherwise. Those who lack the open mind to filter through the madness will find the show to be quirky if nothing else. But on every level, FLCL is a truly mind-blowing achievement.

Oh, and you may be wondering about the title. Fooly-Cooly? Yeah. No one else knows either.

FLCL

10/10

when you start to watch this anime, it won't be long before you go... "what the heck!?". of course, this is exactly what it wants you to do. there is no use trying to understand it, and there is no point you getting upset about it. if you don't like it, don't watch it. this is an anime which stretches your imagination, as well as the boundaries of animation. this is one of the most beautifully animated shows i have seen and without a doubt the most charming. the wonderful mix of characters and weird story, along with a cruel and wicked sense of humour and craziness makes for one outrageous anime which will not disappoint. a must view, just make sure to not give up on it, after a few viewings, you'll start to notice new things and realise what a true masterpiece this really is. you want something really different? fed up with all the usual rubbish? you can't get further from reality than FLCL.

Fooly Cooly really hasn't aged in the last 20 or so years.

Its still just as surreal as the last time I saw it. On a recent watch, I was even able to see how it affected much of the anime to come in later years.

If you like existential series, you'll enjoy this as well.