FLCL Grunge

After the previous two entries in the suddenly-series-that-is-FLCL, I set my expectations at a lesson-learned level of low, and was totally (gratefully) floored by this latest release. It nails the feeling of the original with a hefty assist from the original musicians (all praise The Pillows!), while also increasing the world and mythology with some truly three dimensional characters and arcs. Where the other two (2 & 3) felt rushed, Grunge feels well-planned and thoughtfully executed. Non-linear storylines, edge of your seat action, and just enough clues to elevate it from the bizarre into the heartfelt surreality in the true spirit of the original. This is the ride I've been waiting for since the first 6 culminated in a lingering riff that echoed in our collective souls. Yes, the new season/series leans heavily on nostalgia, but it is also building upon itself in a truthful and exciting way that feels organic and uniquely its own. For the first time since the end of the beginning, it is truly a joy to be back with Haruko in her fight against Medical Mechanica and all the bystanders she sweeps up into her selfish quest. I can't wait to peel back the layers at the heart of this latest leg of the journey - and boy is there a ton of heart here to explore. The animation style is... different, and I'm sure going to divide fans, but I am choosing to appreciate it for what it is, and it's been an easy choice so far. I'm cautiously optimistic where the series goes from here, but at this point it's theirs to fumble. The proof has already been delivered. FLCL is truly back. (cue "Little Busters")

I was in the minority of fans that actually enjoyed Progressive and Alternative. It was more of the same but that was fine. This is... odd. The animations is hideous. FLCL has always had some of the most creative and incredible looking 2-D animation, and this is a huge step down. 2.5D can be done well (Arcane, Trigun Stampede) but it really suffers here. Then you have a bizarre focus on the Yakuza, the introduction of a race of rock people, and the addition of a lot more death and gore, which while not bad on its own, really changes the vibe of the series. There's really much here connecting this series to the original or any of the sequel series. The vibes are nowhere to be found.

The animation is odd, or at least I didn't like it too much. I'd rather see a drawing style similar to the previous versions.

The story itself doesn't make too much sense... in a similar style to the OG series. Perhaps it could have a bit more nonsensical humor, but all in all, it has some of the original style. The music by the Pillows is good, although some songs are from the past series, and there isn't a memorable new song, as many of the first series were (or "Thank you, my Twilight" for the 2nd season). But at least is nice to hear some of the classic songs. I do have to say that they are mostly background and are not a priority though.

Some of the positives are the way the 3 chapters told the story for each character and their interconnections. Although you don't get enough time to feel sympathetic or root for a particular one, I think they did an interesting approach.

Besides some gore I don't think we've had till now. It's true to the original vibe. The CG animation was actually true to the original style of mixing animation methods within the story. Don't know why anyone would be surprised or dislike it. One of FLCL's best known traits is the illogical mixing of styles. This is merely the natural progression of that. Maybe one day an episode's action scene might break out into a mind melting 'claymation' fight scene, which wud be badass, it's FLCL expect it to be wild. We get to see Haruka up to no good, in a few different disguises along the way, lookin for Atomsk. Obviously with no regard for anyone else's safety. Up rooting the lives of others and civilian casualties with her antics is part of her M. O. But this time around, heads will roll for real. As she snakes her way into a leadership role of a yakuza style gang.

It's actually a good bit of story packed into 3 episodes, especially when considering they still managed to give some backstory to the motivations of the 3 new main characters. It fits well into franchise's long plot. Give it a watch along the way thru the series. It's short anyways, 3 enjoyable episodes. I personally recommend watching all of FLCL in chronological order instead of release order. It will make more sense that way. Especially with shoegaze coming next week. Not that FLCL should ever truly make sense, that's the point I guess.