Anime review: FLCL

This was written for Maglomaniac on September 3, 2013

"Nothing interesting ever happens around here...."

"Does this stuff ever happen to you?"

I have seen many an anime on television, dvd, and on the computer.  The usual types I run into deal with adventure, action, the supernatural, martial arts, giant robots, samurai, suspense, and even the concept of cowboy life in the distant future.  It seems pretty par for the course.  Then, there was FLCL...

When I initially saw the commercial for this show, I was a bit confused.  I was trying to get a good idea as to what was going on.  It didn't help that there was no narration during the commercial.  Then it occurred to me: could it be that there are animes that are as random, adult, and as out there as regular cartoons on Adult Swim?  It didn't take long to find the answer to that question.  I saw this commercial on Adult Swim.  I was watching Adult Swim regularly.  I connected the dots pretty quick.  Now, the question was whether or not I dared to delve into the madness of that which was FLCL?

FLCL is a six episode miniseries from Gainax Animation, which has been known for its anime being very, well, out there.  The focus is on a young boy named Naota Kamon, who has a lot on his plate at his age.  He idolizes his older brother, Tasaku, who just moved away to America to play professional baseball.  That leaves Naota alone with little or no positive influences in his life.  Naota lives in a bakery with his stepfather, who is lecherous, immature, and foolish, and his grandfather, who is a bit of a curmudgeon who cares mostly about baseball...and how Naota isn't good at it.  Then, there's Mamimi, Tasaku's ex-girlfriend.  Tasaku left her behind when he moved to America and found a new girlfriend.  This did a number on Mamimi's mental state.  Not only does she still smoke, but she cuts school, she gets very intimate at times with Naota as a means of transference for Tasaku's departure, and she may or may not be guilty of criminal acts.  That's just part of the story, even.  Naota has to focus on adjusting and fitting in at school at his age, with friends that aren't the most ideal when it comes to telling them problems.  His male friends are more interested in spreading rumors than being supportive.  Meanwhile, Ninamori, his female friend and daughter of the mayor, has shown a very aloof attitude towards Naota...which changes a bit as the show goes on, for scandalous reasons.  That's a bit, right.  Well, we've only scratched the surface, as Naota's life changed dramatically one day, once he met a woman named Haruko. 

I can't quite give you all the details without spoiling the entire series, nor can I try to explain the series as fully as possible as it doesn’t make the most sense.  It does call for repeat viewings, but even then, it’s a bit confusing.  All that can be said is Haruko becomes Naota’s best friend…or worst nightmare, and it all starts with her taking a Gibson bass guitar and hitting him in the head with it.  It should have killed him, but instead, a robot comes out of his forehead.   I would suggest listening to the commentary if you have this on DVD.  So, what can be said about this series?

 

Well, there is a message behind it, but again, I can’t give you the full thing without spoiling it.  This show does convey one sentiment though: what would happen if a Japanese animation studio decided to give us an anime influenced by American animation.  You get a lot of 4^th-wall breaking jokes, references to other anime, and even some South Park style humor.  The humor is all over the place, as well as the plot.  I think the main selling point is that anything that could happen in a zany cartoon environment is happening here to some effect.  The only thing is that it is all happening in what is supposed to be a real environment.   The soundtrack is also ingrained with the work of the Japanese alternative group, The Pillows.  Practically every song in this series was from them.  It’s very catchy, as well as unique and is worth a listen.

If there is one thing I like about FLCL, it’s that it doesn’t follow the conventions of your common or more popular anime series.  It’s basically an anime of what an adult cartoon would be like in the hands of an anime studio.  And even though I said “basically”, it’s not even that basic on the surface.  The best bet is to take the show at face value and try not to let the confusing things get to you.  Just sit back and enjoy the wild, zany, 6-episode run for what it is.  But if you do so, make sure it’s not on a yellow Vespa with a wild, guitar-swinging woman.  Odds are, your head will never be the same.