Toonami’s programming block revealed the release date for FLCL: Shoegaze. The anime will debut on September 30 at midnight, technically rolling into October 1. Maki Terashima-Furuta of Production I.G. USA confirmed the broadcast of the third and concluding episode of FLCL: Grunge on Twitter.
To increase excitement, Toonami shared a promotional commercial for FLCL: Shoegaze on Facebook. These two new seasons, FLCL: Grunge and FLCL: Shoegaze, are the latest additions to the iconic FLCL anime series.
The series, also known as “Fooly Cooly,” is a critically acclaimed anime series that has left a lasting mark on the world of anime. Bursting onto the scene with its unseen blend of surreal storytelling, frenetic action, and a rocking soundtrack, FLCL is a mind-bending journey through the life of Naota Nandaba, a young boy living in the seemingly ordinary town of Mabase.
FLCL is a six-episode OVA (Original Video Animation) series that cannot be easily categorized. It’s a coming-of-age story, a wild adventure, and a metaphorical rollercoaster all rolled into one. It’s truly a must-watch for everyone, no matter which genre you like the most.
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Everything You Need to Know About FLCL
Fooly Cooly, an original video animation (OVA) anime series, is the brainchild of director Kazuya Tsurumaki and writer Yōji Enokido. Originally released in Japan between April 2000 and March 2001, the series also birthed manga and novel adaptations.
Produced by the FLCL Production Committee, comprising Gainax, Production I.G, and King Records, this six-episode series introduces viewers to Naota Nandaba, a twelve-year-old boy whose mundane life takes a bizarre twist with the arrival of the enigmatic Haruko Haruhara.
In 2016, the series made a triumphant return with two new seasons totaling 12 episodes, co-produced by Production I.G, Toho, and Adult Swim. FLCL Progressive, the second season, debuted on June 3, 2018, on Adult Swim’s Toonami block, followed by FLCL Alternative on September 8, 2018.
The first episode of Alternative surprised fans when it unannouncedly aired on April Fools’ Day 2018 at midnight on Toonami, presented in Japanese with English subtitles as part of Adult Swim’s annual stunt.
Fooly Cooly Doesn’t Have a Plot
Yes, the series follows a child and a bizarre woman but the series doesn’t have a definite plotline. Set in the seemingly ordinary town of Mabase, Fooly Cooly follows the life of Naota Nandaba, a twelve-year-old boy tasked with navigating the remains of his older brother Tasuku’s life, including his ex-girlfriend Mamimi Samejima.
The status quo is shattered with the arrival of the eccentric Haruko Haruhara, whose Vespa and bass guitar antics leave Naota with a bizarre horn on his head, unleashing a robot named Canti. The story unfolds at a dizzying pace, often leaving viewers bewildered. It’s impossible to understand the story on the first watch.
Fooly Cooly’s experimental and surreal style rejects traditional coming-of-age story tropes. It swims in chaos, questioning everything about growing up, and mocks familiar coming-of-age themes. Body horror plays an important role, symbolizing the tumultuous journey into adulthood.
Haruko represents unpredictability in Naota’s life, blurring the lines between reality and metaphor. The series constantly shifts genres, from action to comedy, and refuses to be easily categorized. It’s a rebellion against authority, much like adolescence itself, a journey into independence.
In the end, the series is less about understanding its intricacies and more about embracing its chaotic, rebellious spirit. As said earlier, you cannot understand a thing on the first watch. The Formula 1 pacing of each episode, coupled with its multiple elements, from robots to time travel to trucks; Fooly Cooly often goes unappreciated mainly due to no one understanding the point of the show.
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