FLCL (or pronounced as Fooly Cooly) is a six-part OAV series created by Gainax, famous for hit titles such as Neon Genesis Evangelion, Kare Kano, and Gunbuster. Fans of anime will discover that FLCL's design and animation style is quite similar to Gainax's previous TV series, Kare Kano. From a first glance, FLCL character Mamimi Semijima looks quite similar to Yukino Miyazawa from Kare Kano. Also, the abrupt style changes to the animation design used in Kare Kano are also featured in FLCL as well. However, the storyline of FLCL is unique and maybe there is no other anime in the domestic market that can compare.
The beginning of the story seems simple and revolves around elementary student Naota Nandaba. Naota is 12 years old and must deal with the trials and tribulations of adolescence. Naota idolizes his older brother Tasuku, but is left behind when Tasuku moves to America to play baseball. But Naota isn't the only one who misses Tasuku. High school student Mamimi Semijima who was once dependent on Naota's older brother seems to use Naota as compensation for the absence of Tasuku. Despite their age differences, she constantly flirts with Naota because he reminds her of Tasaku.
However, the story takes a quick detour out of the ordinary with the arrival of a strange pink-haired woman carrying a guitar while speeding on a vespa. Out of nowhere she runs down Naota and strikes his forehead with her guitar expecting "something" to happen. Despite all the trouble she caused for Naota, the strange woman speeds away on her vespa as fast as she had arrived. Later, the strange woman reappears as a nurse in a hospital and again as Haruka Haruhara, the new housekeeper of Naota's family. The strike from Haruka seems to grow a horn on Naota's head, which leads to even more craziness in Naota's life. As if going through puberty wasn't enough, Naota's body goes through even stranger changes due to Haruka's strike.
Even though Naota repeats over and over again that nothing out of the ordinary ever happens, it's far from the truth. Falling in the same category as Kodocha and Excel Saga, the story is so bizarre it feels as if you just woke up from a dream. Whether it's a sweet dream or a nightmare depends on the viewer. The story and events of the anime are very abstract and unstructured. Hardcore anime fans may appreciate the unpredictable twists and turns as a relief from watching the same storylines recycled in some anime series. However, fans who are only accustomed to mainstream anime (such as Pokemon or Sailor Moon) may become confused and frustrated with the unexplainable storyline of FLCL.
But, one aspect that all fans can appreciate is the music of FLCL. A band called "The Pillows" performs the soundtrack and theme song of the series. The musical score can be categorized as J-rock with a heavy emphasis on the guitar. The musical score keeps the storyline moving and gives this series an edge above the rest. Most animation series feature a J-pop "genki" score, but since the storyline of FLCL is so different from mainstream anime, it's no surprise the music is different as well.
FLCL will be one of those series you either love or hate and is sure to be an ongoing topic on anime message boards. The vagueness of the storyline will lead fans to generate many different interpretations of what is really going on. Even though this OAV series is only six episodes long, each episode is packed leaving the viewer with the urge to watch it again. No matter how many times you watch this anime, you will discover something new every time. Whether you like the story of FLCL or not, the music and animation design is enough to be appreciated by any critic of anime.
