フリクリ (Furi Kuri)
Demographic	Seinen
Genre	Science Fiction, Comedy, Surrealist
OVA
Directed by	Kazuya Tsurumaki
Studio	Gainax, Production I.G.
Licensor	Synch-Point Madman Entertainment
No. of episodes	6
Released	April 26, 2000 (Episode 1) June 21, 2000 (Episode 2) August 23, 2000 (Episode 3) October 25, 2000 (Episode 4) December 21, 2000 (Episode 5) March 16, 2001 (Episode 6)
Manga
Authored by	Hajime Ueda
Publisher	Kodansha
Other publishers: Tokyopop Pika Édition Selecta Visión Carlsen Comics
Serialized in	Magazine Z
Original run	October 23, 2000 – August 23, 2001
No. of volumes	2

FLCL (フリクリ, Furi Kuri^?, also Fooly Cooly) is an anime OVA series co-produced by Gainax and Production I.G.. The series was created and directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki, and written by Yōji Enokido. Image File history File links FLCL.png‎ [edit] Summary English logo for the OAV FLCL [edit] Licensing This is a logo of an organization, item, or event, and is protected by copyright and/or trademark. ... Image File history File links FLCL_image. ... Seinen not to be confused with adult )) is a subset of manga that is generally targeted at an 18–30 year old male audience, but the audience can be much older with some comics aimed at businessmen well into their 40s. ... Science fiction is a form of speculative fiction principally dealing with the impact of imagined science and technology, or both, upon society and persons as individuals. ... The word comedy has a classical meaning (comical theatre) and a popular one (the use of humor with an intent to provoke laughter in general). ... Surrealism is an artistic movement and an aesthetic philosophy that aims for the liberation of the mind by emphasizing the critical and imaginative powers of the subconscious. ... Original Video Animation ), abbreviated OVA ), is a term used for anime titles that are released direct-to-video, without prior showings on TV or in theaters. ... Kazuya Tsurumaki (鶴巻 和哉 Tsurumaki Kazuya) is a Japanese anime director. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Production I.G, Inc. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Synch-Point is the anime production/localization arm of Broccoli International USA, Inc. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Madman Entertainment is an Australian company that specialises in the distribution of Japanese anime and manga to Australia and New Zealand. ... is the 116th day of the year (117th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 235th day of the year (236th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 298th day of the year (299th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 355th day of the year (356th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... March 16 is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... “Original manga” redirects here. ... A manga artist who created a two-volume addaptation of the television series FLCL. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... The head office of Kodansha Kodansha Limited ) is the largest Japanese publisher of literature and manga, headquartered in (Bunkyo), Tokyo. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... For the music movie, see Tokyo Pop. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Spain. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ... The Carlsen Verlag is a subsidiary of the homonymous Danish publishing house which in turn belongs to the Swedish media company Bonnier. ... Magazine Z is a Japanese seinen mixed-media magazine published by Kodansha, aimed at teenage males and above, but particularly at hardcore anime and manga fans, featuring articles as well as manga tied into popular franchises. ... is the 296th day of the year (297th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 235th day of the year (236th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... Tankōbon ) is the Japanese term for a compilation volume of a particular series (such as a manga or a novel series, magazine articles, essays, craft patterns, etc. ... “Animé” redirects here. ... A human ovum An ovum (loosely, egg or egg cell) is a female sex cell or gamete. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Production I.G, Inc. ... Kazuya Tsurumaki (鶴巻 和哉 Tsurumaki Kazuya) is a Japanese anime director. ... Yōji Enokido , born 27 September 1963) is a Japanese screenwriter. ...

Furi Kuri follows Naota Nandaba, a twelve-year-old boy living in the fictional Japanese suburb of Mabase. The industrial town houses the Medical Mechanica building, the reason for Haruhara Haruko's visit to the usually quiet suburb.

Plot

Naota's life is confined to going to school and living with his father and grandfather. The usually tranquil life in Mabase in interrupted with the arrival of Haruhara Haruko, who burst on the scene by running Naota over with her Vespa motor scooter and hitting him on the head with a Rickenbacker bass guitar. Later, Naota finds Haruko working in his house as a live-in maid. This article is about the Italian motor scooter. ... A typical mid 1980s twist and go scooter. ... Mod revivalist band The Jams Bruce Foxton (left) on a Rickenbacker bass and Paul Weller on a Rickenbacker guitar Rickenbacker International Corporation, also known as Rickenbacker (IPA pronunciation: ) [1]), is an electric guitar manufacturer, notable for having invented the first electric guitar during the 1930s. ... The electric bass guitar (or electric bass) is a bass string instrument played with the fingers by plucking, slapping,popping or using a pick. ... A maidservant or in current usage maid is a female employed in domestic service. ...

Haruko's search for Atomsk put her at odds with with Medical Mechanica. At the same time, Naota is being watched by Commander Amarao. The Commander believes Haruko is in love with Atomsk and Medical Mechanica is out to conquer the galaxy. The fortuitous circumstances get Naota involved in a three way battle between Haruko, Amarao and Medical Mechanica.

Characters

Main article: List of FLCL characters

Naota Nandaba is obsessed with appearing mature and attempts to act nonchalant. He idolizes his older brother Tasuku, who represents for Naota what it means to be an "adult", to the point he carries around his baseball bat and hangs out with Tasuku's former girlfriend. This is the list of characters for the anime and manga FLCL. The English edition of the anime preserves the Japanese naming order for characters. ...

Haruko Haruhara is Masabe's newest resident, an extraterrestial investigator for the Galactic Space Patrol Brotherhood. She becomes the Nandaba household maid while working to find Atomsk, the most powerful space pirate in the galaxy. Extraterrestrial life is life that may exist and originate outside our planet Earth. ...

Design

FLCL's odd style, hyperactive pace, convoluted, esoteric plot, and tendency to break the fourth wall set it apart from other contemporary anime. It can be categorized as a work of comedy, drama, science fiction, and a parody of contemporary culture in general. This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Style

Although most of the series is done in the standard "anime" style, the animation frequently veers off into other realms, including bullet time, black and white, stills, two elaborate sequences drawn as semi-animated manga and a couple of shots in episode five that recreate the look of South Park. Bullet-time is a concept introduced in recent films and computer games whereby the passage of time is slowed down so that an observer can see individual bullets flying throughout the scene at a conceivable rate, usually with their trails made visible. ... Black-and-white is a broad adjectival term used to describe a number of monochrome forms of visual arts. ... “Original manga” redirects here. ... Brittle Bullet ) is the fifth out of six episodes of the anime FLCL. Spoiler warning: Canti and Kamon the Nazi fight in a duel of honor for Haruko After Haruko rejects Kamons pervasive advances, she proceeds to strongly come onto Naota, much to his embarrassment as Kamon watches in... This article is about the TV series. ...

Cultural references

Haruko flying on her Bass Guitar in bunny outfit is a reference to the promotional video of Daicon IV (an anime convention that took place in Osaka in the 80's). Haruko announces, "Daicon five!" as she rides in, in a satirical reference to the show. This animation, along with the promo video for Daicon III, were some of Gainax's very first works. Daicon IV was a sci-fi convention held in 1983, in Osaka, Japan; the 22nd Nihon SF Taikai. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

The series also references such pop culture icons as John Woo and South Park, not to mention Neon Genesis Evangelion (Gainax's most famous production), Lupin III, Gundam, Tank Girl and Hamtaro. As well as showing reference to popular Japanese anime shows, the English-dubbed FLCL also shows references to "The Red Hot Chili Peppers," "Rage Against the Machine," "Filter," "Slash," and Paul McCartney, Elvis Presley, Richard Cheese, and Jimi Hendrix. Popular culture, or pop culture, is the vernacular (peoples) culture that prevails in a modern society. ... For other uses, see John Woo (disambiguation). ... This article is about the TV series. ... Original run October 4, 1995 – March 27, 1996 No. ... Lupin the 3rd and Lupin the third redirect here. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... cover art to Tank Girl: The Odyssey Tank Girl is a British comic character written by Alan Martin and originally drawn by Jamie Hewlett; currently by Ashley Wood. ... Hamtaro , lit. ... Red Hot Chili Peppers (from left): Flea, Chad Smith, John Frusciante and Anthony Kiedis Red Hot Chili Peppers are a Californian rock band who have combined aspects of funk and hip-hop with rock and roll, pioneering funk metal. ... Rage Against the Machine (also Rage and RATM) is a Grammy Award-winning American rock band, noted for their blend of hip hop, heavy metal, punk and funk as well as their revolutionary politics and lyrics. ... Filter is a rock group formed in 1993 by Richard Patrick and guitarist/programmer Brian Liesegang. ... Saul Hudson (born July 23, 1965), more widely known as Slash, is an English/American guitarist best known as the former lead guitarist of Guns N Roses and as the current lead guitarist of Velvet Revolver. ... Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who first gained worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles. ... Elvis Aron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), often known simply as Elvis and also called The King of Rock n Roll or simply The King, was an American singer, musician and actor. ... Categories: Music stubs | American musical groups ... Jimi Hendrix (November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970) was an American guitar virtuoso, singer and songwriter. ...

Language

There are some places where dialogue is different from the Japanese version, an attempt to make the dialogue easier to understand in the English translation. (Example: Haruko uses the term "mouth to mouth" repeatedly throughout the series, though the "Th" sound does not exist in Japanese, making it sound like "mouse to mouse". This is used in a pun in "Full Swing," when she crawls out of the Kamon puppet's mouth wearing a mouse suit.) Th is a digraph in the Roman alphabet. ... Full Swing ) is the fourth episode of the anime FLCL. No one can believe their eyes as Haruko wields previously latent baseball skills in a heated performance of talent and wallops on the floundering squad, the Martians, coached by Naotas grandfather, Shigekuni. ...

A common mistake by English-speaking fans is to say that the meaning of "Furi Kuri" in Japanese is "Breast Fondling." This mistake arises from the fact that "kuri kuri" is occasionally used by manga artists as a sound effect for breast fondling. In the anime itself, they make references to "kuri kuri" during the first manga scene, when Shigekuni describes kneading bread by making hand gestures that unmistakably resemble groping motions. Due to incredibly fast pacing of the scene, many fans mistake his statement as referring to "furi kuri" instead of "kuri kuri." Much Japanese onomatopoeia follows a pattern of being four kana long and having a sound repeated twice. "Furi furi" is also used as a sound effect in a later episode when Haruko is petting Naota's cat ears. Look up onomatopoeia in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Japanese writing Kanji 漢字 Kana 仮名 Hiragana 平仮名 Katakana 片仮名 Manyogana 万葉仮名 Uses Furigana 振り仮名 Okurigana 送り仮名 Rōmaji ローマ字 For other meanings of Kana, see Kana (disambiguation). ...

Regarding the Japanese that is left in and often misunderstood, the above case is further clarified by referring to the translation notes for episode one from the 25 page book with DVD one released by Synch-Point: Synch-Point is the anime production/localization arm of Broccoli International USA, Inc. ...

9. Chi-chi o kuri-kuri - Chi-chi means "breasts" or "boobs" in Japanese. Kuri-kuri is a twisting noise. Chi-chi also means "father."

12. Kuri - A homonym for a twisting noise and "chestnut". Kamon says "Like twisting..." Haruko hears, "like chestnuts".

Actually, "Furi Kuri" doesn't really mean anything.

Further comments in the booklets discuss the severe loss in translation of the plays made in Japanese via homonyms, synonyms, and so on. One example of trying to preserve this in English is the "empty", "MTV" and various homonyms in English during the Kamon/Haruko manga sequence.

Episodes

1.Fooly Cooly2.FireStarter3.Marquis de Carabas4.Full Swing5.Brittle Bullet6.FLCLimax This article or section contains a plot summary that is overly long or excessively detailed compared to the rest of the article. ... FireStarter (Japanese ファイスタ Fai Suta) is the second episode of the anime FLCL. Spoiler warning: Summary The Episode starts out with Mamimi playing some handheld videogame about burning stuff to please a dark god Cantide. ... The Marquis de Carabas is a fictional nobleman in the fairy tale Puss in Boots. In the story, a young mans cat arranges to make its master the Marquis de Carabas by convincing the King that he already is. ... Full Swing ) is the fourth episode of the anime FLCL. No one can believe their eyes as Haruko wields previously latent baseball skills in a heated performance of talent and wallops on the floundering squad, the Martians, coached by Naotas grandfather, Shigekuni. ... Brittle Bullet ) is the fifth out of six episodes of the anime FLCL. Spoiler warning: Canti and Kamon the Nazi fight in a duel of honor for Haruko After Haruko rejects Kamons pervasive advances, she proceeds to strongly come onto Naota, much to his embarrassment as Kamon watches in... FLCLimax is the sixth and final episode of the TV anime FLCL. It sums up the events of the preceding five episodes, as Haruko returns to Mabase and Naota attempts to come to grips with a world he perceives as boring. ...

Media

FLCL was originally released in Japan as an OVA anime on six DVDs. The story was also released as a two-volume manga by artist Hajime Ueda, and a three-volume novel serialization by Yoji Enokido, who also wrote the script for the show. The first of the three novels will be released in America on March 11, 2008. All were released in Japan starting in 2000, and in 2003 in the United States. The series is sporadically run on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. A human ovum An ovum (loosely, egg or egg cell) is a female sex cell or gamete. ... “Animé” redirects here. ... Size comparison: A 12 cm Sony DVD+RW and a 19 cm Dixon Ticonderoga pencil. ... The volume of a solid object is the three-dimensional concept of how much space it occupies, often quantified numerically. ... “Original manga” redirects here. ... A manga artist who created a two-volume addaptation of the television series FLCL. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles accessible from a disambiguation page. ... Yoji Enokido (榎戸 洋司, Enokido Yoji, born 27 September 1963) is a Japanese screenwriter. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For Cartoon Network outside of the United States, see Cartoon Network around the world. ... Adult Swim, sometimes rendered [adult swim] based on its logo, is the name for an adult-oriented television programming network. ...

The manga is a much darker and more violent take on the story (Naota purposely kills his actual father with the baseball bat in a rather grisly scene because he thought Haruko and his father were sleeping together; Shinguki and an unnamed war buddy later suicide-bombed the Medical Mechanica building).^[1] “Original manga” redirects here. ... A suicide bombing is an attack using a bomb in which the individual(s) carrying the explosive materials composing the bomb intend(s) and expect(s) to die upon detonation (see suicide). ...

The anime has subsequently been released on DVD in North America in three volumes by Synch-Point which feature exclusive extras not on the original Japanese DVDs, of which were six volumes containing one episode each. The manga was released by TOKYOPOP in two volumes (ISBN 1-59182-396-X and ISBN 1-59182-397-8). All soundtrack discs - Addict, King of Pirates and FLCL No. 3 - were released by Geneon. The CD for King of Pirates also contains 'drama tracks', which continue the story in the usual joking manner, such as one segment that has Naota meeting girls with similar names to Haruko and Mamimi. Synch-Point is the anime production/localization arm of Broccoli International USA, Inc. ... For the music movie, see Tokyo Pop. ... Addict is the first soundtrack from the anime series FLCL. Most of the music is by Japanese lo-fi rock group the pillows. ... King of Pirates is the second soundtrack from the anime series FLCL. Most of the music is by Japanese lo-fi rock group the pillows, the rest by Shinkichi Mitsumune. ... FLCL No. ... Geneon, formerly known as Pioneer Entertainment (or Pioneer LDC) and also a former subsidiary of Pioneer Corporation, is a home entertainment production and distribution company. ...

FLCL has also been seen on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block in North America, starting in August 2003. Starting on August 5 (as part of the late night line-up for the 4th) and continuing on four days a week for three weeks, the entire series aired twice. For Cartoon Network outside of the United States, see Cartoon Network around the world. ... Adult Swim, sometimes rendered [adult swim] based on its logo, is the name for an adult-oriented television programming network. ...

The original releases of the Region 1 FLCL DVDs contained booklets with interviews and insight into the series. Later releases of these DVDs did not include the booklets. On January 24, 2007, Synch-Point re-released the series in an Ultimate Edition DVD box set. The box includes all 6 episodes on 3 discs, a bonus disc containing music and extras, sticker sheet, 6 postcards, and an Ultimate Edition Collector's booklet. Region 1, Region 2 and Region 3 redirect here. ... A booklet is a small book. ...

Music

The cover for both King of Pirates and Addict

A significant element of FLCL's appeal is its music. Most of the background music was written and performed by the band The Pillows, which has generated mass success and appreciation since the anime's release abroad. In fact, each episode of the series ends with the song Ride on Shooting Star. Shinkichi Mitsumune wrote the rest of the music; one track was used for the dinner scene in Episode 3, and the others are on the soundtracks. Two soundtrack CDs — Addict and King of Pirates — and a one-CD "best-of" compilation (FLCL No. 3) were released in Japan and later in America. Image File history File links Front cover from the FLCL soundtracks Addict and King of Pirates. ... Image File history File links Front cover from the FLCL soundtracks Addict and King of Pirates. ... For other uses, see Music (disambiguation). ... The Pillows (or the pillows) are a Japanese rock band, best known internationally for the soundtrack of the anime series FLCL.[1] During its long-running career, the group has released more than a dozen original studio albums, along with several EPs, singles and compilations. ... Ride on Shooting Star is a song and single by Japanese rock group The Pillows. ... Shinkichi Mitsumune (光宗 信吉 Mitsumune Shinkichi) (born October 8, 1963) is a Japanese composer who writes music primarily for anime. ... Addict is the first soundtrack from the anime series FLCL. Most of the music is by Japanese lo-fi rock group the pillows. ... King of Pirates is the second soundtrack from the anime series FLCL. Most of the music is by Japanese lo-fi rock group the pillows, the rest by Shinkichi Mitsumune. ... FLCL No. ...

Another interesting note is that the action sequences were choreographed around the individual tracks used, and not the other way around. The song Little Busters plays when Canti taps into Atomsk's power. There are also many references to guitars, which are used symbolically and physically (though rarely musically) throughout the series. LITTLE BUSTERS was the pillows eighth overall album released on February 2 of 1998. ...

Reception

The American reception for the series, although not widespread, has been enthusiastic following its release on Adult Swim in the summer of 2003. Anime.com also gave the series an enthusiastic review in October of that year,^[2] although there was also a minor reference to it in the September "issue". In 2003, it also went on to win third place for Best Animation Film at the Fantasia Festival.^[3] Adult Swim, sometimes rendered [adult swim] based on its logo, is the name for an adult-oriented television programming network. ... Fantasia Festival (Fantasia-fest, FanTasia, Fant-Asia) is North Americas premiere (and largest) genre film festival. ...

FLCL has garnered both positive and negative reception among reviewers, sometimes diverging to extremes in both directions. Christopher McDonald of Anime News Network called it "downright hilarious" and "visually superb" with great music, citing the packaging of 2 episodes per DVD as the only weakness of Synch-Point's original release.^[4] Eric Gaede of T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews praised the animation, but described the characters as unsympathetic, the plot as incoherent, and the merger of Gainax's stylistic elements as incompatible.^[5] This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ...

It was also a success from a corporate standpoint. A Time Warner press release from August 12, 2003 lauds the success of Cartoon Network, and mentions FLCL: Time Warner Inc. ...

Animé series FLCL (Monday-Thursday, 12 a.m.) premiered with impressive numbers. [...] The Monday, Aug. 4 telecast of FLCL ranked #42 among all shows on ad-supported cable among adults 18-34.^[6]

On February 24, 2007, FLCL was nominated for "Best Cast", and won "Best Comedy Series" and "Best Short Series" at the first American Anime Awards show.^[7] The American Anime Awards are a series of awards designed to recognize excellence in the release of anime and manga in North America. ...

References

Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 337th day of the year (338th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 211th day of the year (212th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 220th day of the year (221st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 222nd day of the year (223rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 222nd day of the year (223rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 213th day of the year (214th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 222nd day of the year (223rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• FLCL Synch-Point's official site

• FLCL in the Anime News Network encyclopedia
• FLCL in the AnimeNfo.com encyclopedia
• FLCL in the Internet Movie Database
• FLCL in the TV.com database