Here is what happened to FLCL…they kept making new additions to a finished story. Nobody truly wanted more and we just keep getting more anyways. When a project is finished and the team has moved on, the series should be left alone. Nothing ruins a good thing like too much similar to it without the spark that made it once great.
Yeah it was just this, not really hard to figure out. The magic wasn't there with anymore additions. With that said they aren't actually that bad for a "finished" mini series compared to some many other anime, I wouldn't say they are great but they are not bad either. Nothing compared to the OG of course.
Everyone did. The appeal wasn't Haruko playing Mary Poppins. The appeal was seeing someone who feels lost in life try to find meaning in it. If they wanted to continue with wacky hijinx they could have just introduced a new character to bounce off of Naota in his late teens, or mid 20s, etc. *He* was the main character - not Haruko. She had the loudest presence on screen, but he was by far the more interesting character to follow.
I feel like they could make a sequel out of Naota with Haruko popping in, like how he coped with his loneliness as an adult since that would reverberate with a lot of people. and then maybe show off that he retained some of Atomsk's power and save the day in a casual way on the final episode.
I didn't even know there were FLCL sequels after Alternative and Progressive until today. Now I'm sad knowing they kept going. AS let it die. Please. Damn...
I'm not the biggest fan of FLCL but even I can tell that the sequels have severely lost the original identity of the show. With that being said, I didn't mind Shoegaze as much as the others- found that one to be relatively okay. But I'm interested in hearing your opinion on it, assuming you've seen all 3 episodes by this point
Still got to wait on the last episode, but its probably the strongest of the FLCL sequels at the moment. Still pales in comparison to the original but its not bad (unlike grunge though...)
flcl should have followed naota as he grew through three stages of life (puberty-young adulthood-adulthood) instead of being tied to haruko the og series contained these stages of life as the characters naota representing puberty then haruko being the reckless young adult striking out in the world looking for atomosk the representation of true adulthood/maturity its would be a really strong emotional through line for the series to see him grow into and then past the role haruko played in his life in the second season. eventually becoming an adult raising his son who would then take on naotas original role in the third season as naota takes on the role of atomosk/his dad having achieved adulthood now trying to guide the next generation
Honestly doesn’t sound too bad of a sequel idea. Of course it still probably wouldn’t have been able to quite live up to the original show, but I do like the idea of seeing Naota growing up and having the focus of the sequels be on him rather than Haruko, although we didn’t even get to SEE Haruko at all in Shoegaze.
I just finished up watching the last episode of FLCL Shoegaze.... I hope I was correct in hearing they're not making any more sequels because damn man.... squandered any potential during that final episode.
I dunno, outside of the atomsk worm thing I think shoegaze was executed pretty decently. It at least has set itself apart from the original which I felt grunge and progressive just failed to do and suffered for it.
Honestly thought the first two episodes of Grunge were done decent, but the last episode fell completely flat for me. I'd say personally that Alternative is probably the most decent of the sequels, even willing to give that one a 7/10, but still pales in comparison to the original.
@@snailpirate Yeah, I more or less agree, I think if anything these sequels were a good way for young animators and writers to express any ideas they might've had. Maybe I'm just pleasantly optimistic but liking alternative and shoegaze, not completely hating grunge and at least enjoying the fight scenes of progressive. I feel like the direction isn't as awful as I assumed.
I watched the original back in Highscool and absolutely loved it. I still watch it again from time to time. Never saw the sequels, and maybe that's a good thing.
There was a rule i had when recommending anime to friends. Usually, the shorter the amount of episodes i recommend, the better it is. FLCL and Gunbuster were the groundwork for that statement. Then they kept doing sequals to FLCL, and I had to amend my statement.
Bro I remember watching this show on AS while my parents where telling me to do my HW as a kid…honestly as a 30 year old man this show still has a weird effect on me idk what it is but it has always followed me…idk how to explain it but I will never forget this show it really triggered some feelings in me as a young kid
The name thing is kinda a weak critique. Cause literally anyone that knows anything about music knows each FLCL series is named after a sub genre of rock music. Other than that solid video.
The original is a timeless and relatable story about a boy trying to figure out Life while everyone around him pressures him to grow up before he finally decides he's not ready and that's okay. It comes off as absurd but it's absolutely touching, to the extent that when I saw the Pillows live a few years back I openly cried in public during One Life and Thank You My Twilight (yes this song wasn't in s1 but it's powerful). I sleepwalked through the last decade and just want to do things over, so this show is like opening an old wound Every time. It never needed a spinoff.
I just discovered FLCL and finished binging it an hour ago and got weirded out by the drastic change in artsyle with FLCL Progressive. Less than 10 minutes in, i opted out and searched up if these newer versions were good or worth it. I'm glad I saved myself the trouble.
i like the sequels i like progressive alternative well grunge was not that shoegaze is good to being a sequel to alternative and shoegaze sound like a cool title
As a new born/target audience anime watcher I remember seeing glimpses of Fooly cooly on my TV during those late Saturday nights on toonami when I should have been in bed getting ready for church tomorrow and school Monday. Even though I'm young Fooly cooly has that nostalgic star gazing feeling to me reminding me of a simpler time, I remember toonami would have nights where they'll re run season 1 all the way to the current new season which was the one with the girl with kitty headphones (so this was about 2018) and even though it wasn't like season 1 kid me still senses that unique life feel to FLCL which is why it'll always be a good classic of an anime and a milestone any anime fan must watch 🙏🏽 ... Thank you
I remember watching a scene from progressive on UA-cam back wen I was in highschool. I found the name of anime just last year and watched it. Wat a rush. Thank you
I remember watching this on AS when I was like 14 wondering wtf I was watching but loving every moment of it. Was one of the first true anime I watched besides dbz when I was young. Really turned me into a life long fan of the art
90s kid here. I’m glad the new generation appreciates the original for what it was and hates the spin offs. FLCL was the best story to watch as a kid going through puberty without any father figures to help. I could relate a lot to Naota on many things. Except, you know, the worm hole popping out his skull. Great video 🎸
This might be a hot take, but I actually enjoyed Progressive. Slightly more than the original, honestly. While the original FLCL was about what it meant to grow up and act mature, Progressive was about the opposite. What happens when you try to stay in the past to ignore the present. Trying to regress yourself to a time when things were simpler, you saw more aww and wonder in the little things and your mind wasn’t clouded with thoughts of sex and the latest trends. But no, we don’t want to discuss story and nuance. Let’s continue talking about how the animation isn’t as good as the original. Honestly, I’m glad the animation wasn’t as crazy as the original. That made it less distracting and gave the characters more breathing room.
I was so pumped to see sequels being made. I had no idea the behind the scenes lore. I watched like a clip and it was cgi cars racing? I resigned to it just being a great singular event. Sorta like a band with just one good album.
You should give the manga FLBL a read. It’s not a fan sequel or even based off FLCL. But the author is a massive fan of FLCL. It’s about adolescence too but written really subtlety. It’s never trying to be FLCL, and it’s aware of that. But the clear inspiration, somehow makes it a more close to home successor than the official ones.
I personally only like FLCL, Alternative, and Shoegaze. I think Alternative and Showcase are designed to be prequels to the original series (including Grunge). Alternative - Haruko doesn't mention Atomsk so perhaps she doesn't know who Atomsk is just yet and she gets her iconic yellow Vespa from stealing it from the soba shop owner. Shoegaze - Takes place 10 years after Alternative and reveals the origin of Atomsk (I think). That said in Alternative and Shoegaze (Progressive is 100% confirmed to be a sequel) there are smart phones, flat screen televisions, and other more modern concepts that didn't exist in the original FLCL plus footage of the original series is shown in both Alternative and Shoegaze so maybe Alternative is a sequel. Honestly you can interpret it both ways.
@@snailpirate the manga gives evidence to a theory that haruko is traveling to alt universes. it also answers the Rahara name drop from the og series. it's called the Rahara theory, it's an interesting little side aventure to spend an hour or 2 on
FLCL was 100% made to be a one-off show. They crammed so much detail in those 6 episodes that I'm still noticing new things every time I watch it, and I've probably seen it about 50 times. It's a show that gets BETTER with every rewatch and the sequels accomplish pretty much nothing except ruining that experience for people that are just now getting into FLCL. If I hadn't seen the original so many times, I would probably believe that Haruko is actually in love with Atomsk and wants to marry him, since that what Progressive says... although since I HAVE seen the original so many times, I know that they just straight up misinterpreted the entire plot and bastardized someone elses creation that they put so much passion and love in to. Even if one of these sequels eventually turns out to be "good", I won't be watching it or caring for it. FLCL is not FLCL without the minds that created it, and they said they accomplished everything they wanted to with the original. Sadly, brand recognition is all that matters, so instead of making art they'll keep shitting out these abominations instead of making something original that actually means something to them personally, like the original team did with FLCL.
For some reason, my hope is not lost yet. I think its due to the usage of wacky and metaphorical content still? Maybe after messing up so badly four times, they'll accidentally make a good one? Awesome video! :D I had no idea the names were based off of rock genres, but I found the chat GPT bit hilarious!
I guess time will tell, though apparently Toonami/Adult Swim said they don't have any plans to make anymore, and lol I'm glad someone's appreciative of the chat gpt bit
I think it was Anime Expo 2016 in LA where they were having the first panel talking about the upcoming sequel with the creators and some of the voice actors. FLCL fans lined up in DROVES to see that panel and waited HOURS to get into the event. Turns out the previous event in the same room as the panel was a NON-CLEARING event, meaning after the event was over, you did not have to leave. And nobody left, so no seats opened up. So effectively the entire FLCL fanbase that had been lined up to hear about this exciting new sequel were extremely angry and dissapointed. I think it pretty much set the tone of how the seasons actually turned out tbh.
I just got to flcl grunge now, I’ve only seen episode one but it seems okay. But also keep in account that this is only my opinion and I think shark boy and lava girl was an okay film
I don't understand why they even bothered with Grunge. Why not just give the budget over to Shoegaze and just have one new show with 6 episodes? Grunge was always doomed but Shoegaze had some potential and definitely could have benefited from having more time to tell its story. I say that, but I still thought the writing was pretty bad. Or maybe bland? It just didn't FEEL like FLCL to me, save for a couple of scenes.
Grunge was all in all a mess for me. Shoegaze had a sort of compelling first episode and I did like the main girl in that one, or not girl, I don't know that ending was really weird, that was what soiled the show for me the most. I do agree that if there had been more time for shoegaze with 6 episodes, it would've fared better, but it still didn't really feel like FLCL. Just one of those shows that can't really be recreated no matter how many times they try.
I actually kind of enjoyed Alternative from an production perspective, but overall these continuations are what happens when you lose the meaning and abandon the heart of why a show became a cult phenomenon to begin with. FLCL was such a lightning in a bottle show, and literally existed as a way for a large part of the Evangelion staff to make something just as meaningful without leaning 100% percent into the depression and nihilism Eva's story demanded. It was never about making waves in the industry, but the joy of exploring such deep material via the medium of animation. That's why 6 OVAs was more than enough for them to be satisfied, and they recklessly blew their budget into oblivion with just those episodes alone. There ends justified the means, and the end-goal was to reach people's hearts with fun, joy, random chaos, and surprisingly lonely and profound moments. And that's why it worked. It's insane how many kids in America shaped their personality around that show when it started airing here. So much so I remember at the time before Toonami's initial end it got stamped as one of the most rebroadcasted completed cartoon series on cable.
I actually loved FLCL Progressive. I thought it carried some of the wonder of the og series but from the perspective of a girl who didn't know how to move forward.
I literally didn't know that Grunge and Shoegaze exist. I saw Progressive, didn't like it, and never watched Alternative. Original FLCL is one of my favorite anime and it's perfect for what it is. It never needed a sequel (drives me mad when people cry out for sequels to things that don't need them just because they want more of the thing they got attached to) and Adult Swim needs to settle down and stop trying to think that they will somehow figure out how to re-bottle the lightning that was the original. Studio Trigger is now carrying the torch for weird, stylized, bombastic anime, and since many of their staff members used to work for Gainax...maybe we should just let the OG pros catch that lightning. Also, at least from what I heard in Progressive, The Pillows only created one new, original song for it. The rest of their included music were previously released songs, primarily off their Penalty Life album. I don't fault them, they're older now and I know they're not as active as they were in the days of the original, but I remember one of the big hype points used for Progressive and Alternative was "new music by The Pillows!" Which was technically true, but boy was I disappointed when I kept hearing songs I already knew quite well. I fell for the hook.
Yes! I did hear about the fact there was like only one new song and the rest was all stuff they released before, kind of disappointing but at least we did get like one new song lol
I really wish that Anno was able to get the rights for FLCL because while I don't think the sequels are completely terrible, they just do not match up to the OG. And it says a lot aboue the sequels reception when they announced that they won't be making any more.
Honestly it feels sad that we where this close to getting a good flcl sequal if you all didnt know flcl would have gone to the original creator if gainax never sold it hopetully they will be able to get it back but at this point i dont even think they would want to make a sequal after everything that has happened
If you truly understood FLCL, then you also understood why it didn't need a sequel. The plot lines that weren't ever wrapped up by the end, were not the ones you should've been focusing on in the first place.
here is a theory... what if we're too old to love the new flcl? if i loved OG flcl its because i was literally around the same age as naota dealing with the same complex emotions and being stuck within my own shell as he did. Haruko was my waifu for the loooongest amount of time, by the time alternative and progressive came out i moved passed my long time crush realizing how to toxic and manipulative she is. i already carved my out my own path in life farther past identifying with their struggles
what happened is it was an amazing 6 episode series, the Anime Holy Grail, and then when the studio was out of Idea's, they tried to "Membbbbbaaaa?" berry it and failed utterly. Some things are seen as great pieces of art because they are self contained and were perfect for the time. Not everything needs an effing remake or expansion just because "you guys liked this right? right?"
I agree almost with everything. The first one is unique and there shouldn't have been any sequel for sure. I agree that grunge visually speaking is shockingly bad at the beginning but... Honestly, I think it's the best of the sequels. It's 3 episodes where each of them centers on a different character and you see the same scenes but from another perspective and honestly it tried to bring something new to the table, I feel like all the rest simply tried to be FLCL and didn't manage to get even close. None of them have the amazing combats animation than the first one had. Grunge at least tells the struggle of different characters, there no peotagonist because each episode centers on a different one and I loved that aspect (even though I hate the graphics for sure). I don't understand the reviews honestly, for me the last one was really bad, the protagonist just falls in love with harumi suddenly at the end he teleports randomly to another universe using atomsk and harumi is a boy? FLCL was crazy but never stupid and it always felt like there was a meaning behind it all. The crazy situations made the characters grow and the new sequels force robots because the original had a robot every episode and they don't even know what to do with them. Grunge broguht at least decent story telling and the struggle of each character which is different for each of them but the visuals are so poor it's hard to watch at the beginning. The other sequels is all the way around, the drawings are good but the story telling is very poor. They tried the impossible, doing a sequel to FLCL, and failed.
I was born in 1994 so you got me by only 6 years in that department lol. Flcl Progressive in my opinion was the best one i loved it. The original is good too the nostalgia is real with the original one😊. If i had to put a percentage point of value to it i would say FLCL Progressive 41% Original 36% Alternative 15% Grunge 1% (YIKES) Shoegaze 6%. Good video bro lol😅.
I loved the original, but the first one I watched was alternative which I felt was slept on. and grunge doesn't feel like flcl and I haven't watched the other new one
flcl has been my favorite anime for 2 decades now. and i feel the same way. i hope they don't make any more sequels the failed to recapture the magic 4 times now. but if they do i hope they at least ditch the first idea the come up with because i don't know how they did it twice but it always seems the first sequel is pretty bad or mid and the second one is at least decent. so hopefully they just do the second idea the came up with if they make more sequels. which they shouldn't lol. also i wouldn't say we're in a star wars situation just yet because they flcl sequels were lackluster but they didn't want to make me die like when i watch the 9th star wars movie. i haven't seen of the disney+ stuff but i've heard things are just getting worse over time.
season five was okay. an amzing start and it actuly intraduced me to flcl. i will say that the hole ghost thing was a little odd when watching it in order, but as i was fist interdued by season 5 it made me want to watch it all but unlike people who started on season 4 i can understand why they insult it. and if they do make another season (probley wont happen) i do hope they go on with the orgnal plot wile going with this new one if you understand what im trying to say i like what they where going it just doesnt feel like flcl, its good but aslo when wathing it from season 1 to 5 it felt off so if they do make a new one i pray they make the stroy more inline with the older ones wile also going on with this new one
I saw the original when it was first released, and loved it. These four contenders, lets say, fall a bit short of the mark. Just my $.02, but maybe they should have come up with original stories with the time they had.
I like Alternative a lot. Episode 5's ending is brutal and very in line with the emotional core of the original. I completely understand not liking the animation.
As an old weeb who watched FLCL during its original run on AS, Get off my lawn.
🏃♂🏃♂🏃♂🏡
Ahhh 2003 it feels like it was just yesterday… *holds my FLCL dvds and artbook tightly.*
@@fataleflare 20$ a pop for two episodes pre dvd, best ,60$ I spent at sam goodie
Not just old I watched the show around a year ago and I could not sit through the sequels they felt like the og but without the passion
@@snailpirate(cocks shotgun) What TallGarage said, you little so - and - so. Scram!!!
FLCL is legitimately the best thing ever made. The real sequel is just rewatching the original
well said!
Cant agree more. I probably watch it more than once a year, but never seen the sequels
It just feels like a brand new experience by even just rewatching it,literally can’t find that feeling anywhere else.
Not quite, ever read the manga?
Practically another story.
Definitely true. Every rewatch I feel like there's something new to find or learn in the show that was always there.
Here is what happened to FLCL…they kept making new additions to a finished story. Nobody truly wanted more and we just keep getting more anyways. When a project is finished and the team has moved on, the series should be left alone. Nothing ruins a good thing like too much similar to it without the spark that made it once great.
Seems like only DreamWorks can make a good sequel 😭
Worried about Panty & Stocking S2.
Yeah it was just this, not really hard to figure out. The magic wasn't there with anymore additions. With that said they aren't actually that bad for a "finished" mini series compared to some many other anime, I wouldn't say they are great but they are not bad either. Nothing compared to the OG of course.
shoegaze is a type of music, alt rock
Yeah I know, I just realllllllyyyyyy wanted to make that dumb chat gpt joke, otherwise I never would have gotten the opportunity!
I just wanted to see what became of Naota.
Yeah they probably would have screwed it up but I still wanted to see him return.
Everyone did. The appeal wasn't Haruko playing Mary Poppins. The appeal was seeing someone who feels lost in life try to find meaning in it. If they wanted to continue with wacky hijinx they could have just introduced a new character to bounce off of Naota in his late teens, or mid 20s, etc.
*He* was the main character - not Haruko. She had the loudest presence on screen, but he was by far the more interesting character to follow.
I feel like they could make a sequel out of Naota with Haruko popping in, like how he coped with his loneliness as an adult since that would reverberate with a lot of people.
and then maybe show off that he retained some of Atomsk's power and save the day in a casual way on the final episode.
Did they not at one point say he would be in it for a short time? Could swear Haruko's English VA said something about it in an interview
9:29 FLCL's sequel titles are all rock subgenres. Alt rock, prog rock, grunge, and shoegaze are all genres of music.
Loved FLCL back in the day, didn't know they made sequels. Will continue to not know.
Progressive was ok, alternative was kind of annoying and grunge is an insult to the original.
It's probably for the best you never see those.
I didn't even know there were FLCL sequels after Alternative and Progressive until today. Now I'm sad knowing they kept going. AS let it die. Please. Damn...
"Who's coming up wirh these names?"
They're music generes dude. It's actually a pretty neat naming convention.
If you guys want to watch an FLCL sequel. Just watch Space Dandy.
I'm not the biggest fan of FLCL but even I can tell that the sequels have severely lost the original identity of the show. With that being said, I didn't mind Shoegaze as much as the others- found that one to be relatively okay. But I'm interested in hearing your opinion on it, assuming you've seen all 3 episodes by this point
Still got to wait on the last episode, but its probably the strongest of the FLCL sequels at the moment. Still pales in comparison to the original but its not bad (unlike grunge though...)
@@snailpirateapparently Alternative and Shoegaze are prequels that just make you think
FLCL was one of a kind, and it should've stayed that way
flcl should have followed naota as he grew through three stages of life (puberty-young adulthood-adulthood) instead of being tied to haruko
the og series contained these stages of life as the characters naota representing puberty then haruko being the reckless young adult striking out in the world looking for atomosk the representation of true adulthood/maturity
its would be a really strong emotional through line for the series to see him grow into and then past the role haruko played in his life in the second season. eventually becoming an adult raising his son who would then take on naotas original role in the third season as naota takes on the role of atomosk/his dad having achieved adulthood now trying to guide the next generation
Honestly doesn’t sound too bad of a sequel idea. Of course it still probably wouldn’t have been able to quite live up to the original show, but I do like the idea of seeing Naota growing up and having the focus of the sequels be on him rather than Haruko, although we didn’t even get to SEE Haruko at all in Shoegaze.
I just finished up watching the last episode of FLCL Shoegaze.... I hope I was correct in hearing they're not making any more sequels because damn man.... squandered any potential during that final episode.
I dunno, outside of the atomsk worm thing I think shoegaze was executed pretty decently. It at least has set itself apart from the original which I felt grunge and progressive just failed to do and suffered for it.
Honestly thought the first two episodes of Grunge were done decent, but the last episode fell completely flat for me. I'd say personally that Alternative is probably the most decent of the sequels, even willing to give that one a 7/10, but still pales in comparison to the original.
@@snailpirate Yeah, I more or less agree, I think if anything these sequels were a good way for young animators and writers to express any ideas they might've had. Maybe I'm just pleasantly optimistic but liking alternative and shoegaze, not completely hating grunge and at least enjoying the fight scenes of progressive. I feel like the direction isn't as awful as I assumed.
The music in shoegaze was so nice
Oh yeah, the music will always be great, absolutely love The Pillows
When I first watched FLCL it really hit my heart in a good way, seeing the sequels just makes me cringe.
Great video! subscribed.
win
sometimes 6 episodes is really all you need
I watched the original back in Highscool and absolutely loved it. I still watch it again from time to time. Never saw the sequels, and maybe that's a good thing.
There was a rule i had when recommending anime to friends. Usually, the shorter the amount of episodes i recommend, the better it is. FLCL and Gunbuster were the groundwork for that statement. Then they kept doing sequals to FLCL, and I had to amend my statement.
Bro I remember watching this show on AS while my parents where telling me to do my HW as a kid…honestly as a 30 year old man this show still has a weird effect on me idk what it is but it has always followed me…idk how to explain it but I will never forget this show it really triggered some feelings in me as a young kid
The name thing is kinda a weak critique. Cause literally anyone that knows anything about music knows each FLCL series is named after a sub genre of rock music. Other than that solid video.
True, a part of me just really wanted to make that chat gpt joke lol. Thanks for watching the video!!
Great editing! The video is paced very well.
The original is a timeless and relatable story about a boy trying to figure out Life while everyone around him pressures him to grow up before he finally decides he's not ready and that's okay. It comes off as absurd but it's absolutely touching, to the extent that when I saw the Pillows live a few years back I openly cried in public during One Life and Thank You My Twilight (yes this song wasn't in s1 but it's powerful). I sleepwalked through the last decade and just want to do things over, so this show is like opening an old wound Every time. It never needed a spinoff.
I just discovered FLCL and finished binging it an hour ago and got weirded out by the drastic change in artsyle with FLCL Progressive. Less than 10 minutes in, i opted out and searched up if these newer versions were good or worth it. I'm glad I saved myself the trouble.
Glad I could save you the trouble
i like the sequels i like progressive alternative well grunge was not that shoegaze is good to being a sequel to alternative and shoegaze sound like a cool title
As a new born/target audience anime watcher I remember seeing glimpses of Fooly cooly on my TV during those late Saturday nights on toonami when I should have been in bed getting ready for church tomorrow and school Monday. Even though I'm young Fooly cooly has that nostalgic star gazing feeling to me reminding me of a simpler time, I remember toonami would have nights where they'll re run season 1 all the way to the current new season which was the one with the girl with kitty headphones (so this was about 2018) and even though it wasn't like season 1 kid me still senses that unique life feel to FLCL which is why it'll always be a good classic of an anime and a milestone any anime fan must watch 🙏🏽 ... Thank you
I remember watching a scene from progressive on UA-cam back wen I was in highschool. I found the name of anime just last year and watched it. Wat a rush. Thank you
I share all the same laments regarding the sequels. One day my hope is for a true spiritual successor
I remember watching this on AS when I was like 14 wondering wtf I was watching but loving every moment of it. Was one of the first true anime I watched besides dbz when I was young. Really turned me into a life long fan of the art
I'm so happy the OG came into my life as a young teen. All the feels
90s kid here. I’m glad the new generation appreciates the original for what it was and hates the spin offs. FLCL was the best story to watch as a kid going through puberty without any father figures to help. I could relate a lot to Naota on many things. Except, you know, the worm hole popping out his skull. Great video 🎸
This might be a hot take, but I actually enjoyed Progressive. Slightly more than the original, honestly. While the original FLCL was about what it meant to grow up and act mature, Progressive was about the opposite. What happens when you try to stay in the past to ignore the present. Trying to regress yourself to a time when things were simpler, you saw more aww and wonder in the little things and your mind wasn’t clouded with thoughts of sex and the latest trends.
But no, we don’t want to discuss story and nuance. Let’s continue talking about how the animation isn’t as good as the original.
Honestly, I’m glad the animation wasn’t as crazy as the original. That made it less distracting and gave the characters more breathing room.
i've watched FLCL quite late but it was pleasant to see, even if i've never understoof all of it's meanings
But hey at least Trigger got the rights for Panty and Stocking.
I was so pumped to see sequels being made. I had no idea the behind the scenes lore. I watched like a clip and it was cgi cars racing? I resigned to it just being a great singular event. Sorta like a band with just one good album.
Thanks for the shoutout to us Star Wars sufferers, we feel your pain lol
You should give the manga FLBL a read. It’s not a fan sequel or even based off FLCL. But the author is a massive fan of FLCL. It’s about adolescence too but written really subtlety. It’s never trying to be FLCL, and it’s aware of that. But the clear inspiration, somehow makes it a more close to home successor than the official ones.
I’ll check it out!
Wow i didnt even know about the other three sequels lol glad i never saw them
I personally only like FLCL, Alternative, and Shoegaze. I think Alternative and Showcase are designed to be prequels to the original series (including Grunge).
Alternative - Haruko doesn't mention Atomsk so perhaps she doesn't know who Atomsk is just yet and she gets her iconic yellow Vespa from stealing it from the soba shop owner.
Shoegaze - Takes place 10 years after Alternative and reveals the origin of Atomsk (I think).
That said in Alternative and Shoegaze (Progressive is 100% confirmed to be a sequel) there are smart phones, flat screen televisions, and other more modern concepts that didn't exist in the original FLCL plus footage of the original series is shown in both Alternative and Shoegaze so maybe Alternative is a sequel. Honestly you can interpret it both ways.
I never really thought of the these new entries being in different parts of the timeline before, interesting.
@@snailpirate the manga gives evidence to a theory that haruko is traveling to alt universes. it also answers the Rahara name drop from the og series. it's called the Rahara theory, it's an interesting little side aventure to spend an hour or 2 on
So, I missed the first comma of your opening statement and was flabbergasted for a few moments.
Just wacthed the show, not making THE mistake.
Can't wait for FLCL: Dark NeoFolk
Wait I thought it ended on shoegaze
FLCL Harsh Noise
FLCL was 100% made to be a one-off show. They crammed so much detail in those 6 episodes that I'm still noticing new things every time I watch it, and I've probably seen it about 50 times. It's a show that gets BETTER with every rewatch and the sequels accomplish pretty much nothing except ruining that experience for people that are just now getting into FLCL. If I hadn't seen the original so many times, I would probably believe that Haruko is actually in love with Atomsk and wants to marry him, since that what Progressive says... although since I HAVE seen the original so many times, I know that they just straight up misinterpreted the entire plot and bastardized someone elses creation that they put so much passion and love in to. Even if one of these sequels eventually turns out to be "good", I won't be watching it or caring for it. FLCL is not FLCL without the minds that created it, and they said they accomplished everything they wanted to with the original. Sadly, brand recognition is all that matters, so instead of making art they'll keep shitting out these abominations instead of making something original that actually means something to them personally, like the original team did with FLCL.
Literally couldn’t agree more with everything you said.
I am proud to say that i did read allat
a couple of hundred views every day, looking like the road to possibly blowing up?
Yea, around 200ish views per day, video ain’t dead yet babyyyyy
6:14 poor snailpirate, killer queen has already left its mark on that anime
Can't catch lightning in a bottle twice.
Had no idea they made sequels, plan to keep it that way.
As a person who quite literally have had both Star Wars and FLCL in my life since toddler-ages, yes. This is what it feels like.
good video, you sir just earned a subscribe
Thanks for the reddit gold kind sir o7, you just won the internet for the day
the most i've seen about prgressive is the one guy on the flcl subreddit who really likes haruko's tracher disguise
Can't blame him.
Only good thing the 2018 sequels did was let me see The Pillows live.
Shit was amazing.
Insanely jealous of you lol, I hope they do another concert or tour in the future but I’m not holding my breath
Man childhood memories really hits hard
For some reason, my hope is not lost yet. I think its due to the usage of wacky and metaphorical content still? Maybe after messing up so badly four times, they'll accidentally make a good one? Awesome video! :D I had no idea the names were based off of rock genres, but I found the chat GPT bit hilarious!
I guess time will tell, though apparently Toonami/Adult Swim said they don't have any plans to make anymore, and lol I'm glad someone's appreciative of the chat gpt bit
@@snailpirate It feels like both a bad and good thing, I'm still mixed on the situation lol. Of course! :D
I just pretend flcl never got more than 6 episodes. I gave Grunge a try and it just made me mad.
I think it was Anime Expo 2016 in LA where they were having the first panel talking about the upcoming sequel with the creators and some of the voice actors. FLCL fans lined up in DROVES to see that panel and waited HOURS to get into the event. Turns out the previous event in the same room as the panel was a NON-CLEARING event, meaning after the event was over, you did not have to leave. And nobody left, so no seats opened up. So effectively the entire FLCL fanbase that had been lined up to hear about this exciting new sequel were extremely angry and dissapointed. I think it pretty much set the tone of how the seasons actually turned out tbh.
Shoegaze was cool, i loved it. :))
Snailpirate ENJOYER arc!
It's been missed hard 4 times. When your hoping for that good storm and its barely a mist
2:37 the song is sleepyhead I think (I've listened to too much the pillows)
You really didn't have to diss star wars like that
THE FOUNTAIN PEN IS UPSIDE DOWN IN THE PNG
As a person who hasn't watched the original flcl yet you had me at popcorn but lost me at crystal Pepsi
This has to be one of the best thumbnails I've ever seen.
I just got to flcl grunge now, I’ve only seen episode one but it seems okay. But also keep in account that this is only my opinion and I think shark boy and lava girl was an okay film
I don't understand why they even bothered with Grunge. Why not just give the budget over to Shoegaze and just have one new show with 6 episodes? Grunge was always doomed but Shoegaze had some potential and definitely could have benefited from having more time to tell its story. I say that, but I still thought the writing was pretty bad. Or maybe bland? It just didn't FEEL like FLCL to me, save for a couple of scenes.
Grunge was all in all a mess for me. Shoegaze had a sort of compelling first episode and I did like the main girl in that one, or not girl, I don't know that ending was really weird, that was what soiled the show for me the most. I do agree that if there had been more time for shoegaze with 6 episodes, it would've fared better, but it still didn't really feel like FLCL. Just one of those shows that can't really be recreated no matter how many times they try.
I did enjoy FLCL prog but that was whe I was like... 13. Looking back on it, it had massive issues
I actually kind of enjoyed Alternative from an production perspective, but overall these continuations are what happens when you lose the meaning and abandon the heart of why a show became a cult phenomenon to begin with. FLCL was such a lightning in a bottle show, and literally existed as a way for a large part of the Evangelion staff to make something just as meaningful without leaning 100% percent into the depression and nihilism Eva's story demanded. It was never about making waves in the industry, but the joy of exploring such deep material via the medium of animation.
That's why 6 OVAs was more than enough for them to be satisfied, and they recklessly blew their budget into oblivion with just those episodes alone. There ends justified the means, and the end-goal was to reach people's hearts with fun, joy, random chaos, and surprisingly lonely and profound moments.
And that's why it worked. It's insane how many kids in America shaped their personality around that show when it started airing here. So much so I remember at the time before Toonami's initial end it got stamped as one of the most rebroadcasted completed cartoon series on cable.
I actually loved FLCL Progressive. I thought it carried some of the wonder of the og series but from the perspective of a girl who didn't know how to move forward.
What is Fooly Cooly?
I literally didn't know that Grunge and Shoegaze exist. I saw Progressive, didn't like it, and never watched Alternative. Original FLCL is one of my favorite anime and it's perfect for what it is. It never needed a sequel (drives me mad when people cry out for sequels to things that don't need them just because they want more of the thing they got attached to) and Adult Swim needs to settle down and stop trying to think that they will somehow figure out how to re-bottle the lightning that was the original. Studio Trigger is now carrying the torch for weird, stylized, bombastic anime, and since many of their staff members used to work for Gainax...maybe we should just let the OG pros catch that lightning.
Also, at least from what I heard in Progressive, The Pillows only created one new, original song for it. The rest of their included music were previously released songs, primarily off their Penalty Life album. I don't fault them, they're older now and I know they're not as active as they were in the days of the original, but I remember one of the big hype points used for Progressive and Alternative was "new music by The Pillows!" Which was technically true, but boy was I disappointed when I kept hearing songs I already knew quite well. I fell for the hook.
Yes! I did hear about the fact there was like only one new song and the rest was all stuff they released before, kind of disappointing but at least we did get like one new song lol
A Perfect example of a show that never needed a sequel.
Pretty much
I really wish that Anno was able to get the rights for FLCL because while I don't think the sequels are completely terrible, they just do not match up to the OG. And it says a lot aboue the sequels reception when they announced that they won't be making any more.
Honestly it feels sad that we where this close to getting a good flcl sequal if you all didnt know flcl would have gone to the original creator if gainax never sold it hopetully they will be able to get it back but at this point i dont even think they would want to make a sequal after everything that has happened
FLCL from a beloved anime to a dead mule.
The only thing I am missing is what happened to Mamimi.
If you truly understood FLCL, then you also understood why it didn't need a sequel. The plot lines that weren't ever wrapped up by the end, were not the ones you should've been focusing on in the first place.
11:40 This caught me offguard lol
I didn't even know there was a sequel.
I can't believe I was fooled into watching 12 minutes of silence. But hey, at least there are no FLCL sequels, right?
woah hey wait, why did I just upload 12 minutes of a black screen? Well whatever, I'll just go watch the only 6 episodes of FLCL ever released.
here is a theory... what if we're too old to love the new flcl? if i loved OG flcl its because i was literally around the same age as naota dealing with the same complex emotions and being stuck within my own shell as he did. Haruko was my waifu for the loooongest amount of time, by the time alternative and progressive came out i moved passed my long time crush realizing how to toxic and manipulative she is. i already carved my out my own path in life farther past identifying with their struggles
Shoegaze was actually really really good imo. I think the only way to make a sequel to FLCL is if it doesn't really have a lot to do with FLCL
what happened is it was an amazing 6 episode series, the Anime Holy Grail, and then when the studio was out of Idea's, they tried to "Membbbbbaaaa?" berry it and failed utterly. Some things are seen as great pieces of art because they are self contained and were perfect for the time. Not everything needs an effing remake or expansion just because "you guys liked this right? right?"
The goodnews about endless sequels, if Gundam is any indication, is that eventually some of them will be good.
I didn't think the squeals were that bad, it's like the Star Wars prequal trilogy, they weren't very good, but it isn't really worth sweating them.
You're an animator snailpirate? I'm an animator!
I agree almost with everything. The first one is unique and there shouldn't have been any sequel for sure.
I agree that grunge visually speaking is shockingly bad at the beginning but... Honestly, I think it's the best of the sequels. It's 3 episodes where each of them centers on a different character and you see the same scenes but from another perspective and honestly it tried to bring something new to the table, I feel like all the rest simply tried to be FLCL and didn't manage to get even close. None of them have the amazing combats animation than the first one had. Grunge at least tells the struggle of different characters, there no peotagonist because each episode centers on a different one and I loved that aspect (even though I hate the graphics for sure).
I don't understand the reviews honestly, for me the last one was really bad, the protagonist just falls in love with harumi suddenly at the end he teleports randomly to another universe using atomsk and harumi is a boy? FLCL was crazy but never stupid and it always felt like there was a meaning behind it all. The crazy situations made the characters grow and the new sequels force robots because the original had a robot every episode and they don't even know what to do with them.
Grunge broguht at least decent story telling and the struggle of each character which is different for each of them but the visuals are so poor it's hard to watch at the beginning. The other sequels is all the way around, the drawings are good but the story telling is very poor.
They tried the impossible, doing a sequel to FLCL, and failed.
Dan Da Dan is the new FLCL. It feels like the real successor.
At least you can ignore the sequels pretty easily. I don't feel like I need to see any more of FLCL, even tho the show was an amzing watch.
"Hey you! Can you come over today and watch some fooly cooly with me!?" "Yeah, I think, I can................."
I was born in 1994 so you got me by only 6 years in that department lol. Flcl Progressive in my opinion was the best one i loved it. The original is good too the nostalgia is real with the original one😊. If i had to put a percentage point of value to it i would say
FLCL
Progressive 41%
Original 36%
Alternative 15%
Grunge 1% (YIKES)
Shoegaze 6%. Good video bro lol😅.
FLCL Its one of the best things I ever wacht
Is there another seasons of flcl?! It's like make a new season of cowboy bebop, there is no need of it.
4 new seasons in fact lol
Shoegaze doesnt feel like a sequel to FLCL if it was its own thing Im pretty sure I would love it more
I loved the original, but the first one I watched was alternative which I felt was slept on. and grunge doesn't feel like flcl and I haven't watched the other new one
flcl has been my favorite anime for 2 decades now. and i feel the same way. i hope they don't make any more sequels the failed to recapture the magic 4 times now. but if they do i hope they at least ditch the first idea the come up with because i don't know how they did it twice but it always seems the first sequel is pretty bad or mid and the second one is at least decent. so hopefully they just do the second idea the came up with if they make more sequels. which they shouldn't lol. also i wouldn't say we're in a star wars situation just yet because they flcl sequels were lackluster but they didn't want to make me die like when i watch the 9th star wars movie. i haven't seen of the disney+ stuff but i've heard things are just getting worse over time.
season five was okay.
an amzing start and it actuly intraduced me to flcl. i will say that the hole ghost thing was a little odd when watching it in order, but as i was fist interdued by season 5 it made me want to watch it all but unlike people who started on season 4 i can understand why they insult it.
and if they do make another season (probley wont happen) i do hope they go on with the orgnal plot wile going with this new one if you understand what im trying to say
i like what they where going it just doesnt feel like flcl, its good but aslo when wathing it from season 1 to 5 it felt off so if they do make a new one i pray they make the stroy more inline with the older ones wile also going on with this new one
you can say im whats known as a professional yapper
I saw the original when it was first released, and loved it. These four contenders, lets say, fall a bit short of the mark. Just my $.02, but maybe they should have come up with original stories with the time they had.
Got the Eureka Seven treatment
What is that show by Hideaki Anno that he keeps referencing at the beginning? I kinda wanna watch it lol.
That’s the “End of Evangelion” movie. You need to watch Neon Genesis Evangelion first though before you watch that movie.
i would beg for a FLCL sequel through out the mid 2000s and now were getting way too many and NONE are even close to the original
Snailpirate HATER arc!
This is my HenryEyes Hater arc
I like Alternative a lot. Episode 5's ending is brutal and very in line with the emotional core of the original. I completely understand not liking the animation.
My first anime, and definitely my 2nd favorite. ❤❤
Good job.👍