I still cant believe that I cant talk about FLCL without
specifying which season. I mean how did
we go from one incredibly unique and special OVA of 6 episodes to five with
four of those seasons showing immense diminishing returns? Ok so one theory behind that is this is the
same thing that happened with The Big O.
While FLCL was probably meant to be a stand alone series, it’s
popularity here in the States convinced Cartoon Network to commission and
cofinance more seasons from Gainax. And
like their continuation of The Big O with The Big O II, the results are…mixed
at best. Well since I’ve finished the
two more recent (and please God let them be the final) entries, it’s time to
rank these suckers from Worst to the obvious best. Cue up your Pillows Playlist and lets break
down the Top 5 FLCL Seasons.
Of all the things Shoekaze could have done: not including
Haruko, bringing back the worst protagonist of the season that was the low
point before this one, the worst thing it could have done was made FLCL
BORING!!! We spend three episodes
following two insufferable leads trying to get to the top of a tower while the
lead from Alternative continues to be stuck in her way and show she hasn’t grown
one iota as a character. There’s nothing
wacky, only annoying. There’s nothing
game changing, only standard fare.
Unlike Grunge, I’m glad this one was only three episodes long but damn did
it feel long and dull.
#4-FLCL Alternative
If there was ever proof that FLCL didn’t need a sequel,
Alternative would be that evidence.
Even
with Haruko back in action, this prequel doesn’t do anything as revolutionary
with the title as its first entry and there isnt much to get everyone
excited.
But what really brings it
down?
Kanna.
The main protagonist is such a selfish brat
and her wish to keep things the way they are only hurts her friends rather than
inspires.
She’s easily one the least
likeable characters in the entire franchise and I cant believe they brought her
back for another round in Shoekaze.
#3-FLCL Grunge
While I agree with everyone that the 3DCG artstyle is
kind of hard to look at, what makes Grunge stand out as one of the better FLCL
sequels (or prequels in this case) is its cast.
While Haruko admitedlly looks pretty nice, the trio of youth who each get
their own episode, with events eventually crossing over one another, are all
likeable in their own special ways and get a nice amount of depth and
exploration for such a short time.
I actually
wish this season was longer than three episodes, maybe a 4
th to tie
everything together a bit more naturally?
I went into Grunge expecting to be let down but instead feel like this
is the one that could have been truly great with an extra episode and better
animation.
#2-FLCL Progressive
Doing a sequel to FLCL is an unnecessary task.
But dammit if Progressive isnt trying to do
the original justice.
Hidomi and Ide are
very different characters from Naota, older and a lot more confused about where
they should be in their lives at this point.
Haruko is as wacky as ever and even gets her own rival this time
around.
The score by The Pillows is
easily the best part with some great new tracks, including the End Theme “Spikey
Seeds.”
But Progressive still sometimes
tries to hard to go bigger, bolder, darker and crazier and wants to be greater
than the sum of its parts.
It doesn’t even
come close to topping the original and really, nothing can.
As far as sequels go, it’s fine and FLCL
should be more than fine.
Speaking of
which.
#1-FLCL
Where do I even begin to gush about this one?
The music?
The constantly changing animation?
All the easter eggs and Anime references to every single genre?
The ever changing landscape of Naota’s life
from “uninteresting” to “the most fun you’ve ever had in your life?”
I still remember how blown away I was checking
this out on Adult Swim for the first time and no matter how hard AS tries, this
is one gem that remains flawless no matter how badly they try to dim it with
each new iteration.
FLCL is easily one
of the most perfect Anime out there for me and when people ask me which one I
think they should watch, the answer is simple: There is only one and it’s
called FOOLY COOLY!!!
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