At the end of the day fooly Cooley is saying relationships are complicated sometimes we want stuff that's bad for us and sometimes the people we love are in love with other people instead
What is crazy is how they say it. It's very ADHD. One moment its saying something brilliant, the next its ripping a guitar out of a kid's forehead to use as a weapon in an insane anime battle.
Another point that I think is worth noting is the fact that Mamimi was perfectly content with having a 𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘬𝘶𝘯 that was a cat, or a robot, or whatever sort of pet. She wasn't just using Naota for emotional labor, she was using him as her emotional 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭, and their difference in age does a lot to really extenuate this fact to viewers.
FLCL has to be a miracle. Every new viewing leads to new realizations in regards to past experiences. When going through the ringer relationship-wise, it's important to keep in mind the lessons that this show tries to teach. It's *really* easy to give in to the temptation like Naota, almost as if it's the only option. The pathetic image of the scornful ex, unwilling to let go. The insecure and misunderstood young adult, yet to discover their value. The facade of a hurting kid, pushing down the uncomfortable feelings. We can all relate to these archtypes, at different stages of our lives. We're all just doing our best, right? We're lucky to have FLCL.
Ninamori is the character who i knew if i had the chance i would want to be with. Mature but willing to take the piss, jaded but willing to look past it, and always in control on her own terms. Shes basically a younger Haruko though the more you parallel them. She doesnt really care about naota because she has other things going on. Because shes the main character in her own life and we only see glimpses of that story. She doesnt see naota as the main character because to her he is a bit character in her story.
i related to Ninamori really hard because my parents were also getting divorced when I was 11 and watched the show. I used to cry about a lot of things, but my parents divorce wasn’t one of them. After all, my parents didn’t seem to upset, they’d fallen out of love, that happens. Why should I act like it was the end of the world? Instead I threw myself into school, chess and maths especially. I wasn’t a genius, but I worked really hard so i seemed like one. The stuff at home? Didn’t matter. Ninamori was like looking in a mirror - so when she relaxed on trying to be so mature and controlling of her image, released her emotions, and she seemed happier for it, that meant more to me than anything else that happened in the show afterwards. Like, I honestly wasn’t that invested in the ending of FLCL my first time watching lol
@@t-mofisher8922 The same story, but with a sad ending. My parents broke up when I was about 16. At that time, I had problems with self-esteem due to acne, unrequited love and lack of real friends. My parents were too busy with themselves and to ease the pain, I decided to isolate myself from the world. I did it, even too well. When I woke up, I realized that I was broken. Now I always expect lies and betrayal from people. I'm already 28 and I doubt that anything will change. Therefore, looking at Ninamori, I envy her in a good way, because she succeeded and I am happy for everyone who succeeded too
The amount of bitter sweetness in these relationships is so painfully real. Just the fact of them being so surface level and hurtful to us, we cant help but know only that type of relationship. It's hard to grasp genuine expression. It's hard to be genuine as a result. It's such a horrible loop alot of us fall into bc of these connections we have with others that are very lackluster. Mamimi has to be the most tragic of anyone and truly has nowhere to go. And possibly the most relatable character in the sense of that cynical mentality.
It is funny how some years ago I related a lot with Naota, while now instead I do with Mamimi. I feel apathetic, tired, confused and I don't really know what my own desires are, and just like her I tried to trick myself into believing I loved a person, only because I didn't want to feel the emptiness that someone else left in me before. FLCL is so special to me on so many levels, whether because it is fun to watch, it is artistically a miracle and for the unexpected depth of the characters. And also I love your videos because it's like to hear my thoughts with the pillows in background, so just like in my head--
keep watching it until you realized that true happiness is firstly self autonomy by that i mean knowing you have flaws and that its okay because you will always have the chance to change them maybe not succeed but you can try. And secondly that no one else is your missing half, yes sometimes it can feel like an other person completes you but if you feel that you need them to function then you are in a codependent relationship. If you cannot be happy alone you will never be happy with someone else.
@@Man_of_Tears neat thing is ya likely would have figured it out eventually. an other small bit for ya, the meaning of life is what ya want it to be. many will tell ya what a good life is, but most are just repeating what someone else told em. A good life is one where you try to make yourself happy, and try is the key word. not how much you accomplish or how much cash ya make or how well you are liked. all those things can be taken from ya but not your willful constant despite the bs around you effort of trying to be happy. and i dont mean happy all the time either, just instances of it spread out. now go give life a punch in the face and tell it its your bitch now.
I had been struggling with a genuinely toxic and one sided relationship for about half a year before watching this show. I watched it, but admittedly did not internalize the lessons about relationships it taught. That is, until I watched your video. Hearing somebody else explain these themes and lessons at 4 in the morning was all it took. Immediately after seeing this I worked up the courage to tell her I was moving on and remove any avenue of communication between us. That was about a week ago, and I feel liberated. I seriously can’t thank you enough for what this video did for me.
I don't think Atomsk is a person Haruko loves. Remember when we get that description it's coming from Mr. Eyebrows. He's a very jealous insecure person that doesn't really know what's going on but is trying to figure out why Haruko would reject him, and ends up thinking Atomsk is some hot powerful alien dude. But what do we actually see? That big giant bird. And when Haruko talks about Atomsk, she talks about absorbing his power, not falling in love with him. So I think Atomsk is actually that big giant bird that comes out and Haruko wants to absorb it to become more powerful and that first description we got was just that guy's insecure imagination.
It is literally a known part of Haruko's backstory from the original creator that Atomsk was a prisoner of the space police who Haruko fell in love with and released from prison
babababa92 No, it literally isn't. Atomsk is a fucking energy bird who Haruko wants to eat and obtain his power. When Amarao tells Naota she's in love with him we visually see Amaraos interpretation of Atomsk as a humanoid figure, which we all know by now isn't true.
Carson Colorgrave Yep, Atomsk represents adulthood. That's what makes Naota giving up his power just to be honest with himself and admit he loves Haruko so genius to me.
Interesting perspectives on Naota's relationships with the four mentioned characters. Do want to chime in some additional insight beyond what you mention with the four: 1. Haruko: Saying she's in love with Atomsk is possibly false considering that assumption was coming from Amarao, who imagined the Pirate King's form as a muscular man and was clearly shocked to see his massive form as a giant bird. While I largely agree with your viewpoint that Haruko thought of Naota as a means to free Atomsk, it seemed she may have warmed up to the boy by the end of the series as she didn't reject Naota's kiss and offered him to come with her before rescinding the offer. 1.5. Amarao: Outside of the relationship dynamics between him and Haruko, he also represents what Naota could be as an adult if he doesn't get over the hump of mentally maturing. Like Naota does for most of the series, Amarao puts on a front of seeming more mature than he really is. 2. Mamimi: It's suggested that she and Naota are sort of kindred spirits in that both were devastated by Tasuku's departure from their lives, only Mamimi is much worst off mentally since it seemed Tasuku was a significant presence in her life giving her kindness that others never did. While Tasuku's largely the glue keeping them together, Naota does develop a crush on Mamimi that he does eventually try having her reciprocate as he becomes more proactive as a character. But as you mention, Mamimi eventually becomes more distant from Naota as he becomes less passive and causes their relationship to eventually deteriorate, since this was forcing her to recognize Naota as his own person and not a replacement for Tasuku. 3. Ninamori: The more grounded and healthy relationship for Naota in the series. While the two do verbally spar with one another in their interactions at points, Naota seems to be more respectful toward her than Mamimi and Haruko as he sympathizes with her family problems. It is also implied that Ninamori may have a crush on Naota as she showed signs of jealousy for Mamimi and Haruko's closeness to him, as well as her rigging of the school voting to place Naota in a leading role for their school play.
Those girls were robbing the cradle for sure! Although, being just teenagers, I'm sure they didn't have their heads on straight either, mitigating their culpability.
It's really interesting to me how depression ties into relationships in this series. Naota has many of the symptoms of juvenile onset depression, and it makes him less inclined to spot, care about or understand the severity of red flags in these relationships. Mental illness is a huge factor in how people end up in toxic relationships and toxic friend groups, but usually media doesn't address that, and when it does, it's usually not sympathetic to the person with the mental illness. FLCL is very kind to Naota as a protagonist, never framing him as awful or beyond hope of getting better, and I really like that. Thank you for this thoughtful video essay that made me realize yet another thing this series does well. Every time I watch this series or watch a video on it, I feel like I learn something new.
Hey Hiding I just want to take a moment to say thank you so much. Your videos feel so professional yet so personal. I’ve been having extremely rough times as of recently with a huge loss in my life, and you remind me that there’s always good in the world and always someone there who can make me feel alright. Of course I have friends and family but there’s something about a well put together video that can really comfort you and tug at your heartstrings. Also I always welcome more FLCL videos as it and Welcome to the NHK are my favorite animes :). I hope you had fun making this video because I’m having fun watching it! ❤️❤️
Sorry for your lost. Remember no matter what that every person is strong, even when it doesn’t seem so. And I also agree his videos are honestly amazing.😎
Ash B. I am sorry for your lost, grieving is always one of those weird things because like anything in life there is no correct answer. The one thing that always tricks me is I feel guilty for wanting to be happy, even though that obviously does not seem like the optimal effect. Just remember to live on and never falter, people die. I’m not a philosopher or even a mildly intelligent person, but I can express my words and hopefully they can comfort you at all. I love you dude, I hope you have a good day smiling and pass it on.
I thought I had already replied, sorry for the delay. Thank you for all the kind words. I'm sorry for any of the rough stuff you've been going through and obviously I hope things start to head up. Life is always a scatterplot but I hope yours trends upward. The nice words make my rough days better too
Death Alchemist likewise. It’s easy to think we’re intelligent with taste in anime like this one and looking for philosophical break downs of it, just to find out we’re brain dead and missing the even surface level break down
Nicely done. You briefly touched upon it when you referred to how only Ninamori can match Naota, but I think there's still a lot to be said with regards to the parallelism between Mamimi and Haruko, and their usage of Naota as an means to some end, though perhaps that's best suited to a video on it's own ;)
Yes there are so many awesome comparisons and bits of parallelism I could still go further into. It's easily one of my favorite shows partially because of that.
i always knew i could relate to FLCL in the relationship way. When i had my first gf it was similar to Naota and Haruko’s. and when she left, I ended up turning into Amarao for a while. Eventually, I came back to the show for guidance and I realized I needed to be more like Naota and just kinda move on and go back to being myself, just utilizing the lessons I learned from the past relationships. I always felt this but I never really knew how to put it into words, so thanks for making this video
Flcl also references that it takes age and experience to understand or see these things. That said, people can be inherently deceitful/manipulative and only show a facade to the outside world, which is also what haruko expressed continually. And much like the real world, it takes time, even with experience, to recognise these things for what they are in someone. And that's assuming you can think/see that through the hormone induced infatuation which reinforces everything as amazing and deserving of your loyalty and devotion.
I relate to this so much. Even when we are in these same situations, we don’t take the time to analyze, and in the end we end up hurt. People can be evil in a way they only want to use you. You have to be strong enough to realize that the moment it happens and escape it. It’s hard to explain but I feel like people like us understand
The ending is something I think about a lot. When Haruko says should I take you along?, nah you're too young; drives off. And I realized that expecting closure from Haruko was just not something I was going to get. There is no such thing in abusive relationships. Because selfish people are thinking about themselves all of the time. She would never understand what he needed to hear. Because she would never be able care for someone else's feelings in an attuned enough way to know when he needed it. And that is the greatest tragedy. More on Naota's other relationships; Every relationship in Naota's life is shallow and held together by a thin string. And he puts up a wall so that when they leave he can maintain his ability to move on. That is why he keeps a distance from Mamimi because he knows that to her he is just basically a body pillow that resembles his older brother. An older brother that treated her the same way. Like a toy that he got tired with when he moved away and met someone new. In return Naota becomes basically Mamini's support animal. And the tragedy is that she didn't get jealous of his relationship with Haruko because she cared about him but because she didn't want to lose this need she had for him as an inanimate object. She wanted to dump her sexual frustration on him and didn't feel like she could if another girl was already with him; but she never wanted a relationship; she wanted to return to the status quo. To be comfortably numb under the bridge until a manageable stream of hope (most certainly delusional hope) that Naota's brother was going to come back, returns to her. This truth is silently reveled to Naota when he decides to "pull the trigger", "swing the bat" and tries to take their relationship to the next level, a real date. Hence the emotional and literal overflow that spawns the mecha. I don't think I even need to explain why Naota's dad and grandfather are hopelessly narcissistic. I think the sexual tension surrounding his relationship with them is a metaphor for the selfishness of their nature and primal addiction to their own pleasure and image. I think his father's talk with the class rep is the best example. He is changing the subject and talking about himself all the time until he eventually just says that Naota can take care of himself. Saying he can take care of himself is just an excuse for not caring about his son enough to raise him/ look for him when he runs away.
May I say that everytime you do an analysis of FLCL, my tiny heart grows 5x bigger? 💖 FLCL is my fave piece of media like, ever, and it means the world to me (since I was a kiddo around his age when it originally came out) and you just word things I too think about the show so well, then drop new shit I hadn't noticed or realized yet. Every vid is 👌👌👌
I agree, I could have added him as sort of a mini part like with amarao but I figured much of what I would say was already said more generally like how you tied it in. I'm glad you like the video
I've rewatched FLCL about more than 5 times now. I always get the same feeling I did the first time I've ever watched it. So unique, from the story, visuals, music, to the characters. Will always be top 5 favorite animes. I wish it was a bit longer to be honest.
One thing I really appreciate is how you take time to reply to most of the early comments in your videos, even if just a few words. It feels like you really care about your audience in an honest way
FLCL is the best anime ever. I have all 4 of the PoP figures, a hoodie, and a blue electric guitar, and a motorcycle helmet with hauko and naota on it.
Yeah, he will grow like hauko. Just your Imgae: he will not leave his blue bass where he carry it on his back. He wear a black jacket and hoodie is fitting like his personality. He doesn't need a glasses, never change his frowing face, but he will more mature as a real man. He have nice, fastest motorcycle when young naota loves to feel pleasure of wind wash his face with his rider. He loves music as a good help for forgetting the fking toxic relationship. Real naota is nothing like " glasses naota". I know REAL naota is carefully not trusting a headphone girl why he have an experience of toxic relationship. Yes, he will love to be friend with her. Haruko will come back but Naota will quickly grabbing her head and fking kisses with lip of surprisingly Haruko. He said quietly, deeply "You did leave me but I am gald of see you again, Haruko. Thank you for changing me." I wish I watch it 😢
I think seeing so many stories where the main character gets a significant other, when flcl presents so many contenders and not doing anything , it hurts my head which i find is brilliant (thx for reading the comment)
Thank you for putting into words why I absolutely despised Haruko when I first watched this as a kid. I felt so betrayed at the end of the series because I was just as naive as Naota, thinking she actually cared about him, but didn't at all. I still think Haruko is a huge bitch and wish she would get her comeuppance, but I appreciate her as a character a lot more. She's a very realistic kind of person.
As a character she is awesome, as all of the FLCL cast are, but yeah as a person she's incredible self centered and kind of cruel. I'm goad I could put that to words and happy you took the time to watch. Thank you!
she is constantly getting her due, her drive to posses is both her motivation and punishment that's why she had no issues leaving naota, he showed her she couldnt control him anymore. haruko craves, needs and is envious of power. if she isnt the strongest then she isnt safe.
I wish I can really think and realize the big picture of relationships in my own life like how this video does for fooly cooly. Instead I feel angry, awkward, or sad almost every time I have an interaction with somebody, and I don't know what to do or say, or what that person wants from me.
UA-cam has an auto caption that seems to work well here. Or at least I didn't notice many mistakes. Just click the cc icon in the video if you're watching on a computer. If you are watching in the youtube app, click the three dots icon and click captions in the menu that appears.
Wow another FLCL video, isn't December a great month for giving. Thank you for continuing giving both me and other people great content about both anime and video games, great video about my favourite tv show ever (not being biase) and continue making great content. See you soon space cowboy....
Thanks for this. I love FLCL and I have been dealing with some stuff with an ex-friend of mine. We weren't dating or anything it was all platonic but, I stayed friends with him way after the point I knew it was toxic. I did it because i didn't want him to "overflow". I literally put all my other friends and relationships on hold in Hope's of helping him. When things finally broke down enough between us that I felt I could leave I found out he has told all our mutual friends that I was a terrible person. He claims I constantly mocked him and all this. He says I was never there for him and all this. I will say that is complete bullshit. I stayed on the phone with him for over 5 hours one day trying to talk him down from suicide. He spent over a 100 hours over two weeks on the phone with me at one point because he was having girl problems.
That sucks horribly and i'm sorry to hear that. I had a girlfriend in highschool who did the same as well as blackmailed me to do what sge wanted for upwards of 9 months. I know how that sort of naota x mamimi type of toxic works. Sorry you had to deal with it, platonic or not those type of relationships can drain you
Great commentary as always. Your vids on FLCL and Mob Psycho have to be among my favourite video essays on anime, thank you and best of luck with the channel ^^
thank you so much for another great video! the book I'm working on right now actually takes a lot of inspiration from the bizarre relationship dynamics of FLCL, so this video will be a perfect point of reference! thank you so much again! :)
I like the video. You've got a great way of speaking about FLCL that describes it so well. It's a very complex show and often I can't quite find the words for the nuanced pieces, but you're great at untangling it and showing off all the dimensions. of the subjects you choose. I'm always happy to see these videos in my feed.
I'm glad you feel that way. Happy to make content you enjoy and happy to hear your nice words about them. I enjoy this sort of 'untangling' process which is admitedly more complext with FLCL, because you pull back one thing and realize another which can sort of keep me distracted from the initial search
I first watched this when I was 15 years old. I remember relating to each of the characters in a different way, while also understanding that parts of the show seemed to be out of reach for me to fully understand. As if I was always on the cusp of almost understanding but not quite getting it. I've watched this show several times since then. Now, I'm 29 and recently going through a sort of break up that has lead me to come to terms with the fact that I also seem to fall into other people's worlds, and allowed them to take from me because I craved what they gave me on the surface. And now I realize how similar I am to every one of these characters. Its funny how I had this need to rewatch this show at this point in my life, and how this explanation has hit me right in my eye. I appreciate the gentle wake up call Hiding.
I am so glad I watched this after watching FLCL for the first time because I was confused I had picked up that Naota was in a bunch of toxic relationships and they were experiencing mental growing pains but I was confused exactly how and what exactly the characters were going through and most of all I was confused of how and why things ended up the way they did in the end but this made it easy to understand and I now can really appreciate this show more then I did on the basic surface level ty
Glad you've made another FLCL video, man. I really enjoy your perspectives on this progra/story and I enjoy your videos overall. Cheers and keep up the great work, man! Be well!
I don't think haruka is actually in love with atomsk, eyebrows isnt a reliable source of info since hes a bitter ex and likely didnt know atomsk was a giant bird monster. She's just after power.
Yeah I think that's a fair point. It actually works better if she doesn't love atomsk because it reinforces her behavior of only seeking what she personally gains from and leaving
The best thing is, no matter how many i watch about FLCL and show relationships, growing up,representation of diffirent characters etc. I always see how many people find something unique for themselves. This is just awesome.
"A relationship where someone's insecurities is leveled as a threat against the other person into staying under their control and doing what they like." This has happened to me to a tee, not in a romantic relationship, but by a former friend who would use their mental illnesses as an excuse to keep me from doing the things that I wanted, and away from other people I cared about to the point that they were worried, including my own girlfriend.
After the fallout of my first breakup, I’d say FLCL is basically my favorite anime ever, for its messages alone that flew way over my head growing up, I was so blessed my library had the FLCL manga
Mamimi was a lost case! I realized that as I got older, her and Naota big brother had to have dated and shit in my opinion! When he left he didn’t even tell her which left her depressed. I’m pretty sure she didn’t have any friends her age either. She only be around Naota to avoid the pain of missing his big brother. Ditching school and spending all her time by the river and shit with a cat? Maaan, I wonder how long she been doing that shit? Hopefully for a minute cause if you been wearing the same uniform and decide to not go back to school for a year or two? Wandering off in the city? With no direction is fucked up 😞! Not us the audience even know where she lives. Who are her parents and were there close to Naota’s people? Tho we see the grandfather not liking Mamimi! But at the end of the season something hit her faster than anything when she took that picture of Naota with Haruko guitar! She decides to leave and probably go back to school and graduate. Probably off to doing something she loves which maybe photography! She probably understood that she couldn’t be in the same mind state anymore. She began living for herself. If Noata big brother did so can she 🤷🏾♂️! That’s my take on it!
They never dated. Tasuku saved her from a fire that she started, and she got infatuated with him. This dude didn't interact with her much at all.. And when he left for America for his career, she remained obsessed with him. to the point of dragging his own little brother into an inappropriate relationship.. Mamimi is 100% a lost cause, but she finally snaps out of it at the end of the series and realizes she's fucking up badly.. She's only 17 in the series sooo it makes sense to see that eventually she'll get it and move on. She's anti-social and a pyromaniac too btw... Sooo yeaaa... every man at point eventually ends up in a situation where they come across a woman that's obsessed with them at unhealthy levels. and vice versa, this happens to a lot of women too. either way the situation for Naota was entirely dangerous, and his dad and grandad were irresponsible as hell at not keeping Naota away from Mamimi.. IF that was my own son, and I found out about him being in this situation, I would end that shit fast, make sure he cuts all ties with this woman and then get a restraining order. Naota was only 12 yo.. The whole thing was completely fucked up. And the show really downplays the type of therapy Naota is going to have to go through. IE: it's an unresolved issue as that type of situation skews a developing child's perspective on what relationships are suppose to be like.
@@elle7153thank you! I loved this show since a child and as I get older it’s always something new to find out from the show 💯! But I felt the last episode was a bit sad cause Mamimi left and Haruko leaving Noata’ da life but now he has more space to focus on him and have a better view on life without nothing holding him back
@@lordblazerI hear you 🤨?! I mean you taking this shit personal are you? Yea it’s a anime about a coming of age 12 year old boy getting put in situations dealing with puberty and other wild shit. Noata’s people basically was selfish and careless I can say that. It makes you wonder wtf was the mother? Haruko remind him of his older brother in a way though she persuades him doing unnecessary things and missions for her own pleasure and self greed. Mamimi is just a lost cause like WE said! This shit does happen to some boys out here having a female older than them taking them in a world of adultery when themselves don’t know better. So yeaaa..
Amazing analysis dude loved the video. I remember first watching fooly cool when I was about 6 or 7 years old on toonami. I am now 22 and its crazy that I still remember this anime from my childhood. Amazing soundtrack this anime and I have a very close relationship.
Wow, not sure how intentional it was, but this could be called "FLCL when viewed through the lens of Narcissistic Personality Disorder." I'm only a year out on separation from a life partner with exploitation/abuse dynamics, and discovering my blindness to such was due to blindness to parental dynamics (think Haruko+Naota vs Haruko+Naota's father). My survey of narratives, from people who have grown beyond these family patterns, shows a general timeline of about three years from awareness through recovery to wholeness & a new network of healthy relationships. Congratulations Hiding, for being either (1) free from this carnival of damage, or (2) far enough in recovery to address these issue directly, or (3) having unusually high resilience/plasticity around these dynamics.
That observation makes a lot of sense and yeah some of these types of traits can happen from NPD. I'm glad you took interest to this portion of the video. As for the title I did choose...well... It was really hard to come up with a good one lol
@@HidinginPublic It could also be titled, When You Don't Know What A Healthy Relationship Actually Looks Like, Hide Your Bat, and Anything Else You Value. but that's a little long : )
I've loved FLCL since I was in 3rd grade and watched it for the first even tho I didn't exactly understand why I loved it. Thank you so much for your videos on this series, I've sincerely enjoyed them so much and they help me to understand parts of the series I knew I liked without understanding why.
I know I don't usually comment on things, but your videos are always wonderful! Keep up the good work, and I'm always happy to see your videos, cause they're a good mix of personal and have a sense of professional taste to them! Great work, and I hope you keep making great videos! I thank you for being a great commentator~
I hope to keep making them as long as I can, and hope eventually it will be a good way to live. Thanks for commenting even when it's out of your norm, i'm happy you enjoy my content and liked this video :)
I watched FLCL for the first time last week so i can finally see your videos on the topic. Not being interested in relationships myself, i missed most of these messages so I'm glad you pointed them out.
Great video dude, thank you for remembering me to rewatch fooly cooly as an adult, I think this is gonna be fun. Also, you should try the alternative and progressive, the new seasons of FLCL, don't know if their are good but I think you would be interested, until the next video, goodbye .
On top of the reality and lessons these relationships teach us it's also amazing how this series immerses us and makes us fall in love with the characters despite their obvious flaws. It seems to simulate how easy it is in real life to fall for someone that you know is using you.
@@deargatekeeper what I'm trying to say is that I love when hiding in public talks about FLCL. I understand how he sees it. I agree with him. I love the FLCL videos of his.
FLCL was such a bizarre fever dream of a show. What is crazy, the thing I remember the most other than the manga scenes is the end theme and credit scenes.
Still less toxic than my parents and my aunts and uncles marriages. These are important lessons. I wish we all could learn them without having to repeatedly experience power issues and get everybody hurt in the process. Know yourself, respect yourself, trust yourself, love yourself. And have empathy for others. We're all trying to navigate life. Thanks for the video.
YYou are a genius! This show is virtually impossible to decipher even if the peices were formulated even close to cohesid this sums it up very introspectively. So bravo. AND yes I love FLCL
Personally I found it pretty messed up she was seducing Naoto's father too. Do you know how f'ed up it is to fight with your father over a women? Especially if you're 12 and he's probably 40.
Growing up this was my fav, I could really relate to Naota, always falling for the wrong girl, being naive and always looking for escapism from daily routines. Haruko using him sucks, wish he realized sooner but he’s glad that she gives him want he wants, an alternative to his small town, adventure.
This video probably would have fallen deaf on my ears when I was a late teen but I find it very enlightening now. Good video I appreciate your perspective.
I really loved this the first time I watched this awhile back, but after going through some of the things shown in this show, this speaks to me on a whole new level, and I honestly have an even greater appreciation for the show, and especially this video, I love your content man, keep up the amazing work!
I never finished FLCL because it always made me sad again, Mamimi and her withdrawn attitude reminded me a lot of a friend I had and as much as I hate to admit it I constantly chased that feeling of being happy with that friend, I don't know where I'm going with this but thanks for helping me somewhat understand my feelings
I literally watched this 3 years ago while a dated a really hot girl who was literally my Haruko. I'm glad I can hear someone voice literally how I felt while I watched this show. It made me realize how fucked I was at the time loving this girl, knowing full and well she was a waste that I pursued so hard.
In one of your videos, you mentioned wanting people to watch your videos for you and not the subject matter (anime). I just wanted to say that I listen to your videos while I'm working at my office job and they put me at ease. Your tone and thoughts resonate with me. This particular video is my favorite.
Thanks for the video. Just watched FLCL and this helped me figure out what the show was trying to say. It's weird for a show with such absurd animation to have substantial messages.
To add some things: Naota wasn't just missing his brother; he doesn't have a mother either, another role Haruko fills. Naota's relationship with his father also seems worth exploring, as Naota became so jealous that he went so far as to "kill" his own father over Haruko- a start lesson to not let concern for women/relationships control your thoughts and emotions.
I always took it as she was in love for him because of his power. If you look at it that way, you could argue it both ways, but, in regards to this video, it does seem to be the foundation to a problematic relationship. Either way, awesome video as usual.
Really loved this take on FLCL, specifically the analysis of Mamimi's role in the story. I wonder how much Naota actually KNOWS about his brother? I find it interesting that Naota's brother is left relatively ambiguous throughout the series, which is part of what makes Naota such a great protagonist: there's enough ambiguity in his life for the audience to self-insert their own circumstance, but that never overpowers Naota as a compelling character with his own agenda. I also really enjoyed the bits about Amarao, and the warning signs of becoming, quite literally, a "stern-brow" adult. When Naota rejects these distractions from who he really is, is the moment he attains what is his own subjective adulthood. I also think the symbolism behind the bass guitars is worth noting, serving as a tangible symbol of the bass in a pubescent teen's voice, as well as a really cool over-the-top weapon. Regardless, really great video, I liked it a lot.
Hey, love your videos! Especially the Mamimi one. You mentioned Haruko loving Atomisk, but I interpreted the scene we learned that from eyebrows as him misunderstanding her. She is only after Atomisks power, just as she was just after him and Naota for their usefulness to her. What are your thoughts on that?
I think that sounds in character for Haruko. Whether her love is real or not, it mirrors her treatment toward naota and possibly everyone. It could be that the only way she interacts with others is in this power struggle never seeing them for the beings they are. Either interpretation works fine with my video I think, it makes sense if she didn't love him at all
Hold up. Wasn't the "Haruka is in love with Atomsk" thing explicitly confirmed by the creators as Amarao's mistaken assumption? She wanted to consume his power, not be with him. It's why Atomsk in Amarao's story looks totally different from the bird like creature when he's actually revealed; Amarao thinks he knows everything and is making bad assumptions.
At the end of the day fooly Cooley is saying relationships are complicated sometimes we want stuff that's bad for us and sometimes the people we love are in love with other people instead
It's a sad meme but I love it
WutTheFuk truly
Bravo Zulu for that profile pic. You're my hero.
Short, sweet, and to the point.... I like it.
What is crazy is how they say it. It's very ADHD. One moment its saying something brilliant, the next its ripping a guitar out of a kid's forehead to use as a weapon in an insane anime battle.
man any use of the pillows' music is so perfect
It's good stuff
It fucking godly
Beautiful Morning With You is my alarm sound on my phone in the morning.
@@HidinginPublic Wow such insight Super, sry HiP
@@HidinginPublic you really spoon fed us in this video good job
Another point that I think is worth noting is the fact that Mamimi was perfectly content with having a 𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘬𝘶𝘯 that was a cat, or a robot, or whatever sort of pet. She wasn't just using Naota for emotional labor, she was using him as her emotional 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭, and their difference in age does a lot to really extenuate this fact to viewers.
What ? Dude what do the blanks mean?
Woah. That's facts...
So in other words, Mamimi is a broken teenager.
@@sahilrahman5066Takkun, and Emotional Support Animal
FLCL has to be a miracle. Every new viewing leads to new realizations in regards to past experiences. When going through the ringer relationship-wise, it's important to keep in mind the lessons that this show tries to teach. It's *really* easy to give in to the temptation like Naota, almost as if it's the only option.
The pathetic image of the scornful ex, unwilling to let go. The insecure and misunderstood young adult, yet to discover their value. The facade of a hurting kid, pushing down the uncomfortable feelings.
We can all relate to these archtypes, at different stages of our lives.
We're all just doing our best, right?
We're lucky to have FLCL.
Agreed. I feel happy that FLCL and I existed at the same time
beautiful comment !!!
write a manifesto about it :> :P
@@panaxioius6791 bruh
@@Vizceral small world
So this is where my *Thing* for older girls comes from.
A new revelation every day
At least its not the other :) so good.
Is that what you call it?
SAME
Bruh, same
being a 12 year old boy I remember relating more to Ninamori and how she handled things rather than how Naota did
I still do to be honest
Ninamori is the character who i knew if i had the chance i would want to be with. Mature but willing to take the piss, jaded but willing to look past it, and always in control on her own terms. Shes basically a younger Haruko though the more you parallel them. She doesnt really care about naota because she has other things going on. Because shes the main character in her own life and we only see glimpses of that story. She doesnt see naota as the main character because to her he is a bit character in her story.
@@BOYVIRGO666 and the support that the animation style for that episode shows that if you compare how she looks in episode 1 and in 3
i related to Ninamori really hard because my parents were also getting divorced when I was 11 and watched the show.
I used to cry about a lot of things, but my parents divorce wasn’t one of them. After all, my parents didn’t seem to upset, they’d fallen out of love, that happens. Why should I act like it was the end of the world? Instead I threw myself into school, chess and maths especially. I wasn’t a genius, but I worked really hard so i seemed like one. The stuff at home? Didn’t matter.
Ninamori was like looking in a mirror - so when she relaxed on trying to be so mature and controlling of her image, released her emotions, and she seemed happier for it, that meant more to me than anything else that happened in the show afterwards. Like, I honestly wasn’t that invested in the ending of FLCL my first time watching lol
@@t-mofisher8922 The same story, but with a sad ending. My parents broke up when I was about 16. At that time, I had problems with self-esteem due to acne, unrequited love and lack of real friends. My parents were too busy with themselves and to ease the pain, I decided to isolate myself from the world. I did it, even too well. When I woke up, I realized that I was broken. Now I always expect lies and betrayal from people. I'm already 28 and I doubt that anything will change. Therefore, looking at Ninamori, I envy her in a good way, because she succeeded and I am happy for everyone who succeeded too
The amount of bitter sweetness in these relationships is so painfully real. Just the fact of them being so surface level and hurtful to us, we cant help but know only that type of relationship. It's hard to grasp genuine expression. It's hard to be genuine as a result. It's such a horrible loop alot of us fall into bc of these connections we have with others that are very lackluster. Mamimi has to be the most tragic of anyone and truly has nowhere to go. And possibly the most relatable character in the sense of that cynical mentality.
It's very easy to become mamimi, and very easy to find people like her. I love her, but it's tragic indeed
Damn.. Never Knows Best.
She takes up photography tho at the end :D 📸
she is still a child molester
Just 6 episodes can contain so much, it’s why it’s my favorite show
It amazes me how much was crammed in
It is funny how some years ago I related a lot with Naota, while now instead I do with Mamimi. I feel apathetic, tired, confused and I don't really know what my own desires are, and just like her I tried to trick myself into believing I loved a person, only because I didn't want to feel the emptiness that someone else left in me before.
FLCL is so special to me on so many levels, whether because it is fun to watch, it is artistically a miracle and for the unexpected depth of the characters.
And also I love your videos because it's like to hear my thoughts with the pillows in background, so just like in my head--
keep watching it until you realized that true happiness is firstly self autonomy by that i mean knowing you have flaws and that its okay because you will always have the chance to change them maybe not succeed but you can try. And secondly that no one else is your missing half, yes sometimes it can feel like an other person completes you but if you feel that you need them to function then you are in a codependent relationship. If you cannot be happy alone you will never be happy with someone else.
Just wait. Pretty soon Lord Canti is going to make soooooo much sense.
@@erpherp4047 thank you for extending wisdom. You might just save my life
@@Man_of_Tears neat thing is ya likely would have figured it out eventually. an other small bit for ya, the meaning of life is what ya want it to be. many will tell ya what a good life is, but most are just repeating what someone else told em. A good life is one where you try to make yourself happy, and try is the key word. not how much you accomplish or how much cash ya make or how well you are liked. all those things can be taken from ya but not your willful constant despite the bs around you effort of trying to be happy. and i dont mean happy all the time either, just instances of it spread out. now go give life a punch in the face and tell it its your bitch now.
Recently I've been feeling more like Haruko. Set your heart on a goal and smash the shit out of anything that gets in your way.
I had been struggling with a genuinely toxic and one sided relationship for about half a year before watching this show. I watched it, but admittedly did not internalize the lessons about relationships it taught. That is, until I watched your video. Hearing somebody else explain these themes and lessons at 4 in the morning was all it took. Immediately after seeing this I worked up the courage to tell her I was moving on and remove any avenue of communication between us. That was about a week ago, and I feel liberated. I seriously can’t thank you enough for what this video did for me.
Good luck!
You are my hero, keep it up!
How are you doing bro?
How has it gone so far?
hope you're alright bro
I don't think Atomsk is a person Haruko loves. Remember when we get that description it's coming from Mr. Eyebrows. He's a very jealous insecure person that doesn't really know what's going on but is trying to figure out why Haruko would reject him, and ends up thinking Atomsk is some hot powerful alien dude. But what do we actually see? That big giant bird. And when Haruko talks about Atomsk, she talks about absorbing his power, not falling in love with him. So I think Atomsk is actually that big giant bird that comes out and Haruko wants to absorb it to become more powerful and that first description we got was just that guy's insecure imagination.
It is literally a known part of Haruko's backstory from the original creator that Atomsk was a prisoner of the space police who Haruko fell in love with and released from prison
babababa92 No, it literally isn't. Atomsk is a fucking energy bird who Haruko wants to eat and obtain his power. When Amarao tells Naota she's in love with him we visually see Amaraos interpretation of Atomsk as a humanoid figure, which we all know by now isn't true.
Carson Colorgrave Yep, Atomsk represents adulthood. That's what makes Naota giving up his power just to be honest with himself and admit he loves Haruko so genius to me.
@@nicke5801 it's weird because Progressive appears to confirm the love theory, but it's up to you if you consider Progressive important.
@@mandalorianhunter1 well nobody who made the original wanted a sequel or worked on progressive, it was made by people who had no knowledge of flcl.
And yet, in the end, Haruko represents what we all love. Endless adventure.
Haruko represents what we all love... replaying dark souls
@@HidinginPublic she likes to wander what she can’t have.
Interesting perspectives on Naota's relationships with the four mentioned characters. Do want to chime in some additional insight beyond what you mention with the four:
1. Haruko: Saying she's in love with Atomsk is possibly false considering that assumption was coming from Amarao, who imagined the Pirate King's form as a muscular man and was clearly shocked to see his massive form as a giant bird. While I largely agree with your viewpoint that Haruko thought of Naota as a means to free Atomsk, it seemed she may have warmed up to the boy by the end of the series as she didn't reject Naota's kiss and offered him to come with her before rescinding the offer.
1.5. Amarao: Outside of the relationship dynamics between him and Haruko, he also represents what Naota could be as an adult if he doesn't get over the hump of mentally maturing. Like Naota does for most of the series, Amarao puts on a front of seeming more mature than he really is.
2. Mamimi: It's suggested that she and Naota are sort of kindred spirits in that both were devastated by Tasuku's departure from their lives, only Mamimi is much worst off mentally since it seemed Tasuku was a significant presence in her life giving her kindness that others never did. While Tasuku's largely the glue keeping them together, Naota does develop a crush on Mamimi that he does eventually try having her reciprocate as he becomes more proactive as a character. But as you mention, Mamimi eventually becomes more distant from Naota as he becomes less passive and causes their relationship to eventually deteriorate, since this was forcing her to recognize Naota as his own person and not a replacement for Tasuku.
3. Ninamori: The more grounded and healthy relationship for Naota in the series. While the two do verbally spar with one another in their interactions at points, Naota seems to be more respectful toward her than Mamimi and Haruko as he sympathizes with her family problems. It is also implied that Ninamori may have a crush on Naota as she showed signs of jealousy for Mamimi and Haruko's closeness to him, as well as her rigging of the school voting to place Naota in a leading role for their school play.
Agreed
On point 💯
All these characters just straight up seem selfish. Taking advantage of a boy for being so naive. Smh 🙄
I feel like Mamimi in a way was grooming naota
@@sangojxser520 As if Haruko wasnt 🤣🤣🤣
i like this anime but the naota being groomed/preyed on makes me super uncomfortable
Those girls were robbing the cradle for sure! Although, being just teenagers, I'm sure they didn't have their heads on straight either, mitigating their culpability.
@@sangojxser520 Both of them were grooming hard. Not even "in a way" just like, straight grooming.
It's really interesting to me how depression ties into relationships in this series. Naota has many of the symptoms of juvenile onset depression, and it makes him less inclined to spot, care about or understand the severity of red flags in these relationships. Mental illness is a huge factor in how people end up in toxic relationships and toxic friend groups, but usually media doesn't address that, and when it does, it's usually not sympathetic to the person with the mental illness. FLCL is very kind to Naota as a protagonist, never framing him as awful or beyond hope of getting better, and I really like that. Thank you for this thoughtful video essay that made me realize yet another thing this series does well. Every time I watch this series or watch a video on it, I feel like I learn something new.
More FLCL analysis! Love it.
Yes! I hope this one was interesting
@@HidinginPublic Always.
Hey Hiding I just want to take a moment to say thank you so much. Your videos feel so professional yet so personal. I’ve been having extremely rough times as of recently with a huge loss in my life, and you remind me that there’s always good in the world and always someone there who can make me feel alright. Of course I have friends and family but there’s something about a well put together video that can really comfort you and tug at your heartstrings. Also I always welcome more FLCL videos as it and Welcome to the NHK are my favorite animes :). I hope you had fun making this video because I’m having fun watching it! ❤️❤️
Sorry for your lost. Remember no matter what that every person is strong, even when it doesn’t seem so. And I also agree his videos are honestly amazing.😎
PrimoZero :) ❤️
I just lost a close sibling. Hiding's videos always feel like they're speaking directly to me. They male me feel less alone.
Ash B. I am sorry for your lost, grieving is always one of those weird things because like anything in life there is no correct answer. The one thing that always tricks me is I feel guilty for wanting to be happy, even though that obviously does not seem like the optimal effect. Just remember to live on and never falter, people die. I’m not a philosopher or even a mildly intelligent person, but I can express my words and hopefully they can comfort you at all. I love you dude, I hope you have a good day smiling and pass it on.
I thought I had already replied, sorry for the delay. Thank you for all the kind words. I'm sorry for any of the rough stuff you've been going through and obviously I hope things start to head up. Life is always a scatterplot but I hope yours trends upward. The nice words make my rough days better too
I was pleasantly surprised that you used the house building analogy.
Happy to hear
This is an interesting angle I didn't think about the series from.
Death Alchemist likewise. It’s easy to think we’re intelligent with taste in anime like this one and looking for philosophical break downs of it, just to find out we’re brain dead and missing the even surface level break down
Glad I could offer a new angle
Nicely done. You briefly touched upon it when you referred to how only Ninamori can match Naota, but I think there's still a lot to be said with regards to the parallelism between Mamimi and Haruko, and their usage of Naota as an means to some end, though perhaps that's best suited to a video on it's own ;)
Yes there are so many awesome comparisons and bits of parallelism I could still go further into. It's easily one of my favorite shows partially because of that.
i always knew i could relate to FLCL in the relationship way. When i had my first gf it was similar to Naota and Haruko’s. and when she left, I ended up turning into Amarao for a while. Eventually, I came back to the show for guidance and I realized I needed to be more like Naota and just kinda move on and go back to being myself, just utilizing the lessons I learned from the past relationships. I always felt this but I never really knew how to put it into words, so thanks for making this video
Thanks for sharing your story and i'm glad this could put some things into words. FLCL has so much to reflect on and continually amazes me
Love it how I can watch these videos n understand the characters better but can't find red flags in my own life or figure out wats wrong with myself.
yeah honestly big rip there. I can relate
Flcl also references that it takes age and experience to understand or see these things. That said, people can be inherently deceitful/manipulative and only show a facade to the outside world, which is also what haruko expressed continually. And much like the real world, it takes time, even with experience, to recognise these things for what they are in someone. And that's assuming you can think/see that through the hormone induced infatuation which reinforces everything as amazing and deserving of your loyalty and devotion.
I relate to this so much. Even when we are in these same situations, we don’t take the time to analyze, and in the end we end up hurt. People can be evil in a way they only want to use you. You have to be strong enough to realize that the moment it happens and escape it. It’s hard to explain but I feel like people like us understand
The ending is something I think about a lot. When Haruko says should I take you along?, nah you're too young; drives off. And I realized that expecting closure from Haruko was just not something I was going to get. There is no such thing in abusive relationships. Because selfish people are thinking about themselves all of the time. She would never understand what he needed to hear. Because she would never be able care for someone else's feelings in an attuned enough way to know when he needed it. And that is the greatest tragedy.
More on Naota's other relationships;
Every relationship in Naota's life is shallow and held together by a thin string. And he puts up a wall so that when they leave he can maintain his ability to move on. That is why he keeps a distance from Mamimi because he knows that to her he is just basically a body pillow that resembles his older brother. An older brother that treated her the same way. Like a toy that he got tired with when he moved away and met someone new. In return Naota becomes basically Mamini's support animal. And the tragedy is that she didn't get jealous of his relationship with Haruko because she cared about him but because she didn't want to lose this need she had for him as an inanimate object. She wanted to dump her sexual frustration on him and didn't feel like she could if another girl was already with him; but she never wanted a relationship; she wanted to return to the status quo. To be comfortably numb under the bridge until a manageable stream of hope (most certainly delusional hope) that Naota's brother was going to come back, returns to her. This truth is silently reveled to Naota when he decides to "pull the trigger", "swing the bat" and tries to take their relationship to the next level, a real date. Hence the emotional and literal overflow that spawns the mecha.
I don't think I even need to explain why Naota's dad and grandfather are hopelessly narcissistic. I think the sexual tension surrounding his relationship with them is a metaphor for the selfishness of their nature and primal addiction to their own pleasure and image. I think his father's talk with the class rep is the best example. He is changing the subject and talking about himself all the time until he eventually just says that Naota can take care of himself. Saying he can take care of himself is just an excuse for not caring about his son enough to raise him/ look for him when he runs away.
May I say that everytime you do an analysis of FLCL, my tiny heart grows 5x bigger? 💖 FLCL is my fave piece of media like, ever, and it means the world to me (since I was a kiddo around his age when it originally came out) and you just word things I too think about the show so well, then drop new shit I hadn't noticed or realized yet. Every vid is 👌👌👌
I love this video. I think another relationship to explore would be Naoto and his father, although that could be tied into Haruko using him as well.
I agree, I could have added him as sort of a mini part like with amarao but I figured much of what I would say was already said more generally like how you tied it in. I'm glad you like the video
Glad you're back and I hope you're feeling better dude. Can't wait for more new content
Thanks for the kind message. Hope to be back in full swing!
Hello Punpun
I've rewatched FLCL about more than 5 times now. I always get the same feeling I did the first time I've ever watched it. So unique, from the story, visuals, music, to the characters. Will always be top 5 favorite animes. I wish it was a bit longer to be honest.
Thanks for making content Hiding. Its always a pleasure.
Thanks for watching it. Your support and engagement is appreciated
That damn soundtrack and vibe this series had... It just feels like adolescence.
One thing I really appreciate is how you take time to reply to most of the early comments in your videos, even if just a few words. It feels like you really care about your audience in an honest way
Thank you, I like to think I do care and try to keep up as well as I can. Happy you appreciate the extra effort
Wonderfully insightful! your education, perception, diligence, and effort show.
Thank you, i'm glad
FLCL is the best anime ever. I have all 4 of the PoP figures, a hoodie, and a blue electric guitar, and a motorcycle helmet with hauko and naota on it.
literal peak fiction
REEE ITS A BASS NOT A GUITAR REEEEEE
Yeah, he will grow like hauko. Just your Imgae: he will not leave his blue bass where he carry it on his back. He wear a black jacket and hoodie is fitting like his personality. He doesn't need a glasses, never change his frowing face, but he will more mature as a real man. He have nice, fastest motorcycle when young naota loves to feel pleasure of wind wash his face with his rider. He loves music as a good help for forgetting the fking toxic relationship. Real naota is nothing like " glasses naota". I know REAL naota is carefully not trusting a headphone girl why he have an experience of toxic relationship. Yes, he will love to be friend with her. Haruko will come back but Naota will quickly grabbing her head and fking kisses with lip of surprisingly Haruko. He said quietly, deeply "You did leave me but I am gald of see you again, Haruko. Thank you for changing me." I wish I watch it 😢
Hey Hiding, I just wanted to say your videos have meant a lot to me in hard times, including now. So, thanks.
Really appreciate it, hope things get better for you
@@HidinginPublic Thanks
Watching this the summer before 5th grade was a truly amazing experience and a favorite memory
I think we all appreciate the time you take to reply to our comments. :)
I'm glad you do. I'll try to keep it up
I feel so bad for mamimi because of all she has gone through
these flcl videos both keep me sane and remind me I need to rewatch this for the 10th time
thank you so much sir
yes, and by the time I release the next FLCL video it will time for rewatch 20
I think seeing so many stories where the main character gets a significant other, when flcl presents so many contenders and not doing anything , it hurts my head which i find is brilliant (thx for reading the comment)
Thank you for putting into words why I absolutely despised Haruko when I first watched this as a kid. I felt so betrayed at the end of the series because I was just as naive as Naota, thinking she actually cared about him, but didn't at all.
I still think Haruko is a huge bitch and wish she would get her comeuppance, but I appreciate her as a character a lot more. She's a very realistic kind of person.
As a character she is awesome, as all of the FLCL cast are, but yeah as a person she's incredible self centered and kind of cruel. I'm goad I could put that to words and happy you took the time to watch. Thank you!
she is constantly getting her due, her drive to posses is both her motivation and punishment that's why she had no issues leaving naota, he showed her she couldnt control him anymore. haruko craves, needs and is envious of power. if she isnt the strongest then she isnt safe.
I wish I can really think and realize the big picture of relationships in my own life like how this video does for fooly cooly. Instead I feel angry, awkward, or sad almost every time I have an interaction with somebody, and I don't know what to do or say, or what that person wants from me.
Hi, I am deaf/hard hearing; can you please put CC on for me? So I can read and understand of this video. Thank you!
Lara Lizardbreath I hope you’re having a good year so far
Lara Lizardbreath I hope you’re having a good year so far
UA-cam has an auto caption that seems to work well here. Or at least I didn't notice many mistakes. Just click the cc icon in the video if you're watching on a computer. If you are watching in the youtube app, click the three dots icon and click captions in the menu that appears.
@@TomwithOnions or press C
Can we get him to find this?
Wow another FLCL video, isn't December a great month for giving. Thank you for continuing giving both me and other people great content about both anime and video games, great video about my favourite tv show ever (not being biase) and continue making great content.
See you soon space cowboy....
Thanks for continuing to come by and show support. Happy you think highly of FLCL like I do and could enjoy this
Thanks for this. I love FLCL and I have been dealing with some stuff with an ex-friend of mine. We weren't dating or anything it was all platonic but, I stayed friends with him way after the point I knew it was toxic. I did it because i didn't want him to "overflow". I literally put all my other friends and relationships on hold in Hope's of helping him. When things finally broke down enough between us that I felt I could leave I found out he has told all our mutual friends that I was a terrible person. He claims I constantly mocked him and all this. He says I was never there for him and all this. I will say that is complete bullshit. I stayed on the phone with him for over 5 hours one day trying to talk him down from suicide. He spent over a 100 hours over two weeks on the phone with me at one point because he was having girl problems.
Sorry for blowing here. I know it random video just made me super emotional.
That sucks horribly and i'm sorry to hear that. I had a girlfriend in highschool who did the same as well as blackmailed me to do what sge wanted for upwards of 9 months. I know how that sort of naota x mamimi type of toxic works. Sorry you had to deal with it, platonic or not those type of relationships can drain you
Great commentary as always. Your vids on FLCL and Mob Psycho have to be among my favourite video essays on anime, thank you and best of luck with the channel ^^
Thank you, hopefully only up from here! Glad you like them and I would like to do more
I really like your FLCL videos this one in particular hits home with.
I'm glad to hear that. Thanks for stopping by
I can’t express how much I love this video analysis of FC it’s so good I find myself coming back to this more than the actual show
Deep down FLCL was about broken people trying to use and abuse each other. Also robots and aliens, but mostly the first thing.
thank you so much for another great video! the book I'm working on right now actually takes a lot of inspiration from the bizarre relationship dynamics of FLCL, so this video will be a perfect point of reference! thank you so much again! :)
Thank you! I'm happy you liked it
I like the video. You've got a great way of speaking about FLCL that describes it so well. It's a very complex show and often I can't quite find the words for the nuanced pieces, but you're great at untangling it and showing off all the dimensions. of the subjects you choose. I'm always happy to see these videos in my feed.
I'm glad you feel that way. Happy to make content you enjoy and happy to hear your nice words about them. I enjoy this sort of 'untangling' process which is admitedly more complext with FLCL, because you pull back one thing and realize another which can sort of keep me distracted from the initial search
@@HidinginPublic Agreed. It's what makes rewatching and/or reading things like this fun for me
I first watched this when I was 15 years old. I remember relating to each of the characters in a different way, while also understanding that parts of the show seemed to be out of reach for me to fully understand. As if I was always on the cusp of almost understanding but not quite getting it. I've watched this show several times since then. Now, I'm 29 and recently going through a sort of break up that has lead me to come to terms with the fact that I also seem to fall into other people's worlds, and allowed them to take from me because I craved what they gave me on the surface. And now I realize how similar I am to every one of these characters. Its funny how I had this need to rewatch this show at this point in my life, and how this explanation has hit me right in my eye. I appreciate the gentle wake up call Hiding.
Love seeing a new hiding in public video when I wake up
Happy the timing worked out for you
I am so glad I watched this after watching FLCL for the first time because I was confused I had picked up that Naota was in a bunch of toxic relationships and they were experiencing mental growing pains but I was confused exactly how and what exactly the characters were going through and most of all I was confused of how and why things ended up the way they did in the end but this made it easy to understand and I now can really appreciate this show more then I did on the basic surface level ty
Thank you, your videos always make my day a little bit better.
I'm glad. I'll do what I can to keep putting them out
Glad you've made another FLCL video, man. I really enjoy your perspectives on this progra/story and I enjoy your videos overall. Cheers and keep up the great work, man! Be well!
Thanks man I love making FLCL videos and happy you enjoy. I'll try to keep it up all I can! Thanks again for the kind words
I don't think haruka is actually in love with atomsk, eyebrows isnt a reliable source of info since hes a bitter ex and likely didnt know atomsk was a giant bird monster. She's just after power.
Yeah I think that's a fair point. It actually works better if she doesn't love atomsk because it reinforces her behavior of only seeking what she personally gains from and leaving
@@HidinginPublic honestly I think it goes both ways, at least symbolically. Atomsk could mean both an ex she still wants and the power that she craves
The best thing is, no matter how many i watch about FLCL and show relationships, growing up,representation of diffirent characters etc. I always see how many people find something unique for themselves. This is just awesome.
"A relationship where someone's insecurities is leveled as a threat against the other person into staying under their control and doing what they like." This has happened to me to a tee, not in a romantic relationship, but by a former friend who would use their mental illnesses as an excuse to keep me from doing the things that I wanted, and away from other people I cared about to the point that they were worried, including my own girlfriend.
After the fallout of my first breakup, I’d say FLCL is basically my favorite anime ever, for its messages alone that flew way over my head growing up, I was so blessed my library had the FLCL manga
Cause my ex is straight up Haruko 😂
Mamimi was a lost case! I realized that as I got older, her and Naota big brother had to have dated and shit in my opinion! When he left he didn’t even tell her which left her depressed. I’m pretty sure she didn’t have any friends her age either. She only be around Naota to avoid the pain of missing his big brother. Ditching school and spending all her time by the river and shit with a cat? Maaan, I wonder how long she been doing that shit? Hopefully for a minute cause if you been wearing the same uniform and decide to not go back to school for a year or two? Wandering off in the city? With no direction is fucked up 😞! Not us the audience even know where she lives. Who are her parents and were there close to Naota’s people? Tho we see the grandfather not liking Mamimi!
But at the end of the season something hit her faster than anything when she took that picture of Naota with Haruko guitar! She decides to leave and probably go back to school and graduate. Probably off to doing something she loves which maybe photography! She probably understood that she couldn’t be in the same mind state anymore. She began living for herself. If Noata big brother did so can she 🤷🏾♂️! That’s my take on it!
this is such a great and sympathetic view.
They never dated. Tasuku saved her from a fire that she started, and she got infatuated with him. This dude didn't interact with her much at all.. And when he left for America for his career, she remained obsessed with him. to the point of dragging his own little brother into an inappropriate relationship.. Mamimi is 100% a lost cause, but she finally snaps out of it at the end of the series and realizes she's fucking up badly.. She's only 17 in the series sooo it makes sense to see that eventually she'll get it and move on. She's anti-social and a pyromaniac too btw... Sooo yeaaa... every man at point eventually ends up in a situation where they come across a woman that's obsessed with them at unhealthy levels. and vice versa, this happens to a lot of women too. either way the situation for Naota was entirely dangerous, and his dad and grandad were irresponsible as hell at not keeping Naota away from Mamimi.. IF that was my own son, and I found out about him being in this situation, I would end that shit fast, make sure he cuts all ties with this woman and then get a restraining order. Naota was only 12 yo.. The whole thing was completely fucked up. And the show really downplays the type of therapy Naota is going to have to go through. IE: it's an unresolved issue as that type of situation skews a developing child's perspective on what relationships are suppose to be like.
@@elle7153thank you! I loved this show since a child and as I get older it’s always something new to find out from the show 💯! But I felt the last episode was a bit sad cause Mamimi left and Haruko leaving Noata’ da life but now he has more space to focus on him and have a better view on life without nothing holding him back
@@lordblazerI hear you 🤨?! I mean you taking this shit personal are you? Yea it’s a anime about a coming of age 12 year old boy getting put in situations dealing with puberty and other wild shit. Noata’s people basically was selfish and careless I can say that. It makes you wonder wtf was the mother? Haruko remind him of his older brother in a way though she persuades him doing unnecessary things and missions for her own pleasure and self greed. Mamimi is just a lost cause like WE said! This shit does happen to some boys out here having a female older than them taking them in a world of adultery when themselves don’t know better.
So yeaaa..
Amazing analysis dude loved the video. I remember first watching fooly cool when I was about 6 or 7 years old on toonami. I am now 22 and its crazy that I still remember this anime from my childhood. Amazing soundtrack this anime and I have a very close relationship.
Wow, not sure how intentional it was, but this could be called "FLCL when viewed through the lens of Narcissistic Personality Disorder." I'm only a year out on separation from a life partner with exploitation/abuse dynamics, and discovering my blindness to such was due to blindness to parental dynamics (think Haruko+Naota vs Haruko+Naota's father).
My survey of narratives, from people who have grown beyond these family patterns, shows a general timeline of about three years from awareness through recovery to wholeness & a new network of healthy relationships.
Congratulations Hiding, for being either (1) free from this carnival of damage, or (2) far enough in recovery to address these issue directly, or (3) having unusually high resilience/plasticity around these dynamics.
That observation makes a lot of sense and yeah some of these types of traits can happen from NPD. I'm glad you took interest to this portion of the video. As for the title I did choose...well... It was really hard to come up with a good one lol
As for which I am. It's definitely number 2. There was a really bad relationship I was in much like Mamimi and Naota but it was more than 3 years ago
@@HidinginPublic It could also be titled, When You Don't Know What A Healthy Relationship Actually Looks Like, Hide Your Bat, and Anything Else You Value. but that's a little long : )
I've loved FLCL since I was in 3rd grade and watched it for the first even tho I didn't exactly understand why I loved it. Thank you so much for your videos on this series, I've sincerely enjoyed them so much and they help me to understand parts of the series I knew I liked without understanding why.
Thank you, i'm glad you feel that way about them, I hope that I'll continue to make things you enjoy!
I know I don't usually comment on things, but your videos are always wonderful! Keep up the good work, and I'm always happy to see your videos, cause they're a good mix of personal and have a sense of professional taste to them!
Great work, and I hope you keep making great videos! I thank you for being a great commentator~
I hope to keep making them as long as I can, and hope eventually it will be a good way to live. Thanks for commenting even when it's out of your norm, i'm happy you enjoy my content and liked this video :)
I watched FLCL for the first time last week so i can finally see your videos on the topic. Not being interested in relationships myself, i missed most of these messages so I'm glad you pointed them out.
Just saying to his now:
_Eri is Best Girl_
Wow has a man ever been so right. Ninamori gang
I see your a man of culture as well
@@HidinginPublic Drop the Kitsurubami Anaylsis video. _This post was brought to you by Kitsurubami Gang._
Fuck Mamimi and haruko fans, all my homies support Eri gang
I always have a melancholy feeling every time I watch this.
Great video dude, thank you for remembering me to rewatch fooly cooly as an adult, I think this is gonna be fun.
Also, you should try the alternative and progressive, the new seasons of FLCL, don't know if their are good but I think you would be interested, until the next video, goodbye .
Thanks for dropping by
On top of the reality and lessons these relationships teach us it's also amazing how this series immerses us and makes us fall in love with the characters despite their obvious flaws. It seems to simulate how easy it is in real life to fall for someone that you know is using you.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS I LOVE THIS VIDEOS OF YOURS
you haven't even finished it
@@deargatekeeper what I'm trying to say is that I love when hiding in public talks about FLCL. I understand how he sees it. I agree with him. I love the FLCL videos of his.
I'm glad
One of the perks of having watched FLCL is being able to watch these amazing vids and discovering this channel.
I'm happy you feel that way about my videos
ENGAGEMENT IS AWESOME!!!!
YES IT IS
FLCL was such a bizarre fever dream of a show. What is crazy, the thing I remember the most other than the manga scenes is the end theme and credit scenes.
Still less toxic than my parents and my aunts and uncles marriages. These are important lessons. I wish we all could learn them without having to repeatedly experience power issues and get everybody hurt in the process. Know yourself, respect yourself, trust yourself, love yourself. And have empathy for others. We're all trying to navigate life. Thanks for the video.
Great comment, it is unfortunate that the most common way we learn these lessons is first hand. Happy you enjoyed
Huge emphasis on "Trust yourself" people are a lot stronger than they think, resolve and confidence are powerful things.
I cannot put into words my joy and appreciation for your videos. Thank you.
Thank you for the words you did choose :)
Oh my god every relationship I've been in I had a Mamimi by my side oh dear lord.
YYou are a genius! This show is virtually impossible to decipher even if the peices were formulated even close to cohesid this sums it up very introspectively. So bravo. AND yes I love FLCL
I don't think haruko wanted to marry atomisk, I think she just wanted the power of the pirate king
Eloquently put. This right here illustrated to me one of the main reasons I fell in love with the show as a young boy. Thank you for this video.
this is amazing!! im waiting on that lain video
ahhh well hopefully it will come some day
OMG I loved that way of seeing it, I think the same and I think it is one of the only videos talking about that aspect of FLCL
Personally I found it pretty messed up she was seducing Naoto's father too. Do you know how f'ed up it is to fight with your father over a women? Especially if you're 12 and he's probably 40.
Growing up this was my fav, I could really relate to Naota, always falling for the wrong girl, being naive and always looking for escapism from daily routines. Haruko using him sucks, wish he realized sooner but he’s glad that she gives him want he wants, an alternative to his small town, adventure.
Oh how I've missed you
How I've missed UA-cam
This video probably would have fallen deaf on my ears when I was a late teen but I find it very enlightening now. Good video I appreciate your perspective.
You're vids are awesome keep it up
I'll do what I can! Thanks for the kind words
I really loved this the first time I watched this awhile back, but after going through some of the things shown in this show, this speaks to me on a whole new level, and I honestly have an even greater appreciation for the show, and especially this video, I love your content man, keep up the amazing work!
I never finished FLCL because it always made me sad again, Mamimi and her withdrawn attitude reminded me a lot of a friend I had and as much as I hate to admit it I constantly chased that feeling of being happy with that friend, I don't know where I'm going with this but thanks for helping me somewhat understand my feelings
I would watch this on many lonely nights during my middle school days. There has never been another anime that has had quite the same impact on me.
I literally watched this 3 years ago while a dated a really hot girl who was literally my Haruko. I'm glad I can hear someone voice literally how I felt while I watched this show. It made me realize how fucked I was at the time loving this girl, knowing full and well she was a waste that I pursued so hard.
In one of your videos, you mentioned wanting people to watch your videos for you and not the subject matter (anime). I just wanted to say that I listen to your videos while I'm working at my office job and they put me at ease. Your tone and thoughts resonate with me. This particular video is my favorite.
HELL YEAH FOOLY COOLY VID FROM MY FAVE TWITTER SAD BOI~♡♡♡♡
HECC YEA
Twitter sad boi? I'm so glad I never got into Twitter ._.
Don't get a twitter...but if you do don't follow me...haha... unle-
naw i'm pretty wholesome
Thanks for the video. Just watched FLCL and this helped me figure out what the show was trying to say. It's weird for a show with such absurd animation to have substantial messages.
To add some things: Naota wasn't just missing his brother; he doesn't have a mother either, another role Haruko fills. Naota's relationship with his father also seems worth exploring, as Naota became so jealous that he went so far as to "kill" his own father over Haruko- a start lesson to not let concern for women/relationships control your thoughts and emotions.
Does Haruko really loves Adamisk? That agent said that. She didn't say that.
She is willing to sacrifice and kill entire worlds to be with him so I think it's reasonable to think
@@HidinginPublic well she also wanted to get all of his power for herself.
@@principleshipcoleoid8095 That is also true
She wants to eat him. hes a big ball of power that she wants to claim.
I always took it as she was in love for him because of his power. If you look at it that way, you could argue it both ways, but, in regards to this video, it does seem to be the foundation to a problematic relationship. Either way, awesome video as usual.
Really loved this take on FLCL, specifically the analysis of Mamimi's role in the story. I wonder how much Naota actually KNOWS about his brother? I find it interesting that Naota's brother is left relatively ambiguous throughout the series, which is part of what makes Naota such a great protagonist: there's enough ambiguity in his life for the audience to self-insert their own circumstance, but that never overpowers Naota as a compelling character with his own agenda. I also really enjoyed the bits about Amarao, and the warning signs of becoming, quite literally, a "stern-brow" adult. When Naota rejects these distractions from who he really is, is the moment he attains what is his own subjective adulthood. I also think the symbolism behind the bass guitars is worth noting, serving as a tangible symbol of the bass in a pubescent teen's voice, as well as a really cool over-the-top weapon. Regardless, really great video, I liked it a lot.
Hey, love your videos! Especially the Mamimi one. You mentioned Haruko loving Atomisk, but I interpreted the scene we learned that from eyebrows as him misunderstanding her. She is only after Atomisks power, just as she was just after him and Naota for their usefulness to her. What are your thoughts on that?
I think that sounds in character for Haruko. Whether her love is real or not, it mirrors her treatment toward naota and possibly everyone. It could be that the only way she interacts with others is in this power struggle never seeing them for the beings they are. Either interpretation works fine with my video I think, it makes sense if she didn't love him at all
The best FLCL analysis I've ever seen, I love this show so much
Hold up. Wasn't the "Haruka is in love with Atomsk" thing explicitly confirmed by the creators as Amarao's mistaken assumption? She wanted to consume his power, not be with him. It's why Atomsk in Amarao's story looks totally different from the bird like creature when he's actually revealed; Amarao thinks he knows everything and is making bad assumptions.
Big love for FLCL!! Great vid!! It’s a special thing that stays with you!
Agreed
Another great one, love your videos man, for real
Also I ship Naota and Ninamori hardcore, so you don't have to worry about it ( U w U)
Okay nice good to have someone stan them in my stead
@@HidinginPublic Yes
Don't ever worry, I'm here for you
I glad that there are analysis videos on FLCL cuz when I watched the show
I didn’t know WTF was going on