What is FLCL?
FLCL (Fooly Cooly) is a Japanese anime that focuses on 14-year-old anime fan and rocker, Naota “Fooly” Cooly. Fooly is not very good at doing anything in particular, but he is really into anime and music. As the show progresses, we learn that the entire world is a giant computer simulation and that we are all really really really old. The best part is that this is all revealed through the wacky antics of Naota and his friends.
The series itself is a wild ride through the world of anime fandom. Naota is introduced to many classic anime in the series, including Dragon Ball Z, Macross, Mobile Suit Gundam, and more. This series does a great job of merging a young person’s perspective with a look at the many different aspects of the anime fandom. We learn about the various sub-fandom communities in the series, from the cosplayers at the convention to the musicians at the music festival. The series even explores the idea of what it means to be “anime-ed” as the characters frequently use anime references that don’t make sense. For example, at one point the lead character complains about being “anime” because he is playing video games.
The Series Itself
The series itself is a wild ride through the world of anime fandom. Naota is introduced to many classic anime in the series, including Dragon Ball Z, Macross, Mobile Suit Gundam, and more. This series does a great job of merging a young person’s perspective with a look at the many different aspects of the anime fandom. We learn about the various sub-fandom communities in the series, from the cosplayers at the convention to the musicians at the music festival. The series even explores the idea of what it means to be “anime-ed” as the characters frequently use anime references that don’t make sense. For example, at one point the lead character complains about being “anime” because he is playing video games. As the series progresses, we are introduced to other characters like Hanyuu, a woman who can see “memories” that other characters have; and Dr. Franxx, a doctor who is trying to find a cure for aging.
Why Is FLCL So Important?
FLCL was an important series for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, it helped introduce many Americans to the idea of anime as a genre. While plenty of fans have been into anime for a long time, this series helped introduce people to the idea that there are also plenty of folks like them who are new to the genre as well. This series also helps bring to light the difficulties that creators of anime face when making an American adaptation. While plenty of shows make the jump from Japan to American televisions, it is often difficult for them to find an audience. With so many shows receiving negative reviews and being cancelled, it can be hard for fans to find something worth checking out.
One of the most important things to remember about FLCL, though, is that it doesn’t really exist in a vacuum. There have been plenty of other anime shows that have debuted around the same time as FLCL, including One-Punch Man, Go Go Nagai’s Devilman, The Rising of the Shield Hero, and DRAMAtical Murder. All of these shows wanted to introduce American audiences to anime, but it is hard to know what exactly made FLCL so successful.
What’s in the FLCL Anime Series?
FLCL is a 13-episode series that was released in Japan in 2004. While the series was a hit when it aired in Japan, there were some issues getting it released in the US. This is because the show is about teens and their problems, and the US is not a place where this type of show is typically released.
The series follows 14-year-old Naota as he grapples with his lack of identity as well as his lack of responsibility. Most of the series is focused on two other characters, Mamimi and Haruhara, as well as both of their struggles as well.
Why Is it So Hard to Adapt Anime to TV?
During the time that the show was being made, the biggest influence on the show was Cowboy Bebop. The creators of this series wanted to make a show that would inspire fans of the genre, much like Cowboy Bebop had inspired them. Sadly, they didn’t have a huge audience to draw from at the time, preventing them from reaching the same level of success as Cowboy Bebop.
Now, while this show is based on a Japanese series, there are plenty of shows that have been adapted into American television that are based on Japanese properties. Many of these shows face a similar challenge of trying to find an audience in America. They may have the same issues that FLCL did when it was released.
Final Thoughts: Is FLCL Worth Existing?
FLCL is a wild ride through the world of anime fandom. The series doesn’t shy away from the difficulties that anime creators face when making an American adaptation, and it also tackles the idea of what it means to be “anime-ed” in the modern day. The series is worth checking out for fans of anime, rock ‘n roll, or just for something that is a wild ride from beginning to end.
While the show has received mixed reviews and a small fanbase, it is worth checking out if you’ve never seen it. Thanks to modern streaming services, there is a chance that you have already seen this series without realizing it. You can also check out the series again on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video, if you have the opportunity.