GSRIDER

HOLY SHIT!!!!!

I have seen the anime light. The show, the story and the art that blows all other series out of the fuckin water.

I am a long time Anime fan. I enjoy it for it's superior art and oddball plots. But lately I've lost interest... EVERYBODY is ganking the style.

And then I saw it it. On adult Swim no less.. Fooly Coolly.. this show blows em all away. The art is superb, painted backgounds, great layer effects, attention to detail... all the stuff that originally brought me over to anime.

Here is an extensive review:




There is, I believe, a special spot in heaven for those who understand the plot of Furi Kuri. Like enlightenment, once one understands the convoluted plot of this show, they are immediately taken from this Earth and installed in this place where they talk about things such as Jungian archetypes and Japanese coming of age rituals. Do not believe anyone who says that they understand this show (unless, of course, they come to you while you're dreaming) because they're just dirty liars; kill them for their sins.


Meet Naota, an elementary school student with a small problem: after being hit in the head with a guitar by the pink-haired, Vespa-riding Haruko, reality flips and his standard angst (dealing with his feelings toward his brother's former girlfriend) pales in comparison with the perplexing, robot-involving insanity he is now a key member of. And that's all I can give away without spoiling everything, believe it or not. The show does make a valiant attempt to try and explain the plot, but Gainax has fallen to the same demons as *shudder* X: The Movie and Akira--it has far too many storylines and tries to explain them all in far too little time. The entire series is just 6 episodes, people. When I watch Furi Kuri with others I simply tell them to ask no questions, as I have no answers.

You might ask, "if it's so confusing, what's the point of watching it? Won't I just be left a blithering idiot?" I would then strike you down for daring to question the gods of Gainax, and in your dying moments as you choke on your own tongue I would explain that this show is not about plot. It's about damn good animation, kickass music, great voice acting, fantastic visual jokes, parodies, and simple insanity. If you want a plot that you can wrap your mind around, check out Escaflowne or Kenshin, but never, ever look to Gainax.



Gainax is not particularly known for their high-quality animation. This is, I believe, due to their inability to employ an accountant who would keep them from spending all their animation budget on catering and resin Rei dolls by the 10th episode. Luckily, Furi Kuri is a scant 6 episodes, so the animation staff finally gets to show their stuff. The fight scenes (remembers those robots mentioned? Well, they're not peaceniks if you catch my drift) are excellent. The effects are amazing, and the animation team certainly picked up a few hints from the battle scenes Gainax did earlier in Neon Genesis Evangelion. And the monsters share the same odd designs as the angels from Eva (oh dear God, a giant Octagon is destroying Tokyo! Where's Raymond Burr when you need him?). Two of the featured Furi Kuri robots are a giant hand wearing a poncho, and a small metal dog that grows quite large.
Don't touch me, you have leprosy. UNCLEAN! UNCLEAN!

The visual humor is the meat and potatoes of this show, and they are extremely well done. "Matrix Shots," where time slows down and the camera pans around the subject, are used twice. The Guy With The Eyebrows (more people should be given names relating only to their freakish appearance) suddenly turns into a "South Park" parody for a few seconds. And let's not forget the manga scenes ... ah, the manga scenes, when the action suddenly switches to a ridiculously fast, 2D comic visual for no apparent reason. The first such manga scene, which appears in the first episode, is basically an extended Japanese pun on the name of the show; somehow the words Furi Kuri are connected to bread, breasts, feeling of said breasts, and for some reason, Gundam. I cringe to imagine what the dub of that scene will be like. And, by the way, congratulations to the original fansubtitlers for dealing with those scenes--and this entire show--in the first place.


Vespas are fun, no?


Disclaimer: Do Not Walk On Bridges While Fighting Robots.
However, I cannot stress enough that you should not watch this show if you want any semblance of an understandable plot. Behind all the great jokes, great animation, and great scripting, there is the hubris of the director thinking that he could adequately explain all the multiple plot lines in 6 short episodes. It would take a good 2 seasons of episodes to even scratch the surface, but the show acts as if it plans to explain everything the next episode, so it's okay that it just introduced 2 new characters. And on a cultural level, this show will be very hard for American audiences to understand; Synch-Point is planning (if the rumors are correct) to bundle 20 pages of translators' notes with the first disk. That's all well and good, but the first disk covers only 2 episodes. Entire disks of other anime, containing almost triple the number of episodes, get maybe a page of notes if they're lucky. I can understand the importance of these notes, as the uncultured American audience might even miss the references to Gundam and Lupin if they blink for a second, and they have no chance, unless they are native Japanese speakers, of getting the bakery-related puns. While the story of this show doesn't demand thought, in fact it actively attempts to avoid it, the subtler points of the show (which are many) require a very good knowledge of the Japanese culture to get--which might detract from its widespread adoption.

<Update 10/3/02>

I just finished watching the first American DVD of Furi Kuri, and I take back every death threat and mail bomb that I sent to Synch-Point for their delay of the DVD. The dub is great, it makes the insane pun scenes actually make sense, and unlike the fan subs that I have, the subtitles are readable and aren't confusing. My hat is off to Synch-Point, and even though I am now a pennyless college student, I will be buying the rest of the series as it comes out.

Manga

Given the manga scenes in the show you would think Furi Kuri was based on a manga, but you'd be wrong (what's with you and being wrong, do you enjoy it?). There are 2 manga volumes that cover most of the series; they feature a unique drawing style, a sort of minimalism mixed with surrealism. I've read fan translations, and the manga differs greatly from the show, but it still doesn't explain anything. The best thing about the manga are the Play-Dough models of the characters on the inside jackets--they're pretty amusing. Unless you're a super-fan of the series like me, I couldn't recommend picking them up.

Music

If Furi Kuri didn't have the soundtrack that it has, it would still be a good show--we would all still laugh at the jokes, ooh and ahh all the fight scenes, and scratch our heads trying to figure out the plot. But Furi Kuri has quite possibly the best soundtrack in all of anime. The Pillows, the Japanese rock band that supplies most of the music, is superb. The ending theme song "Ride on Shooting Star" is one of the most addictive songs ever, and with its interspersed Japanese and Engrish accurately captures the insanity of the show. And let's not forget "Crazy Sunshine," which is simply the best song ever made, by anyone, at any time, anywhere. The soundtracks, which go by the name OST 1 and 2 respectively, are a definite must buy for any fan of the show (or any fan of music in general). Unfortunately, each CD has its share of useless songs, the ones on the first disk being songs made by other people (because, of course, The Pillows can do not wrong), and the ones on the second being the audio drama tracks. I'm sure I would enjoy those if I understood Japanese, but, you know.

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lafemmefatale

wow what a coincidence, i'm watching this just now too, currently on the 3rd episode.

The plot, like the reviews mentioned is hellishly confusing. Goodness. I hope to understand it by the end but so far...not much hope. Increidble animation, I like anime to a certain degree but really the only show that really pulled me in by it's plot and animation is CBBP. This certainly rivals CBBP's animation, though in a totally different style. Finally the music is magically delicious and almost distracting to the show because it's so much fun.

Yup. Pretty cool thus far but i have yet to have any graspon the plot.

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Ganguro

i saw this a few years ago.. it's a good series.. very well done, i have nothing but praise for FLCL..
before anyone asks. FLCL or Furi Kuri means....nothing
Seriously.. it's just a made up word. No literal translation, no cultural significance, hell it doenst even have any significance for the plot of the series. If you like FLCL try giving Excel Saga a try, or Puni Puni Poemi. Not as "revolutionary" animation, but it's in a similar vein as FLCL in terms of humor. Welcome to the brotherhood GStrider

GSRIDER

<b>lafemmefatale</b> What is CBBP's

<b>Ganguro</b> I'll definitly have to check out Excel Saga and Puni Puni Poemi

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Kadath

We tried to watch it around here, but mostly the show is met with blank confusion. I do applaud the show for being so willing to experiment, and I don't think it's bad or stupid or not worth watching...I'll watch it if it's on, but I'm not going to schedule it like I do with...um...some other shows...I watch TV, really....

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Halx

i've been hooked on FLCL since they started it on adult swim. It's quite awesome visually, has just enough fan service, and is really interesting! Anime is hardly ever easy to understand nowadays, but each episode explains a little more. That's why it's a mini series and not a full blown series. Yes, the music is strangely listenable for j-rock.

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CyCo PL

I like the soundtrack a lot, and I usually like the anime if the soundtrack's good... I like Cowboy Bebop a lot too.

Golden Boy's probably my favorite anime ever at the moment though.

Ganguro

That's because golden boy is a pervy anime from the 80's
that is the one about the guy who is a delivery boy and he stumbles into an office that is kind of like "playboy HQ" right? Then he hits on a secretary who is really the owner, they test new models to see if they are hot by how hard the guy gets..am i thinking of the same thing?

Halx: lots of Jrock is pretty good.. if you like The pillows go down to Sawtelle and ask people at the GR store and they can help you out..

CyCo PL

Golden Boy is about a guy who just goes from place to place in order to study life, and then stuff happens to him and it always turns out okay in the end... And it always involves attractive females that become scantily clad (or not clad at all) at some times...

There were only 6 episodes, but I don't recall what you talked about being in any of them... maybe you got it confused with another pervy 80's anime?

Phaenx

This is one of the few anime shows I really enjoyed. Having seen the last episode on teusday I think, there's no joke the plot is near impossible to get.

I'd have to watch it about 30 more times and break everything down to figure anything out.

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Ganguro

CyCo Pl.. it was Junk Boy.. not golden boy.. i was confused.
I have heard good things about goldenboy though.. i'll have to check it out. Gomen

Junk boy is really ecchi

AntHackerX

Yeah, FLCL is great. Watched it about a year ago and suggested it to anyone who asked about a good anime series...

The soundtrack is awesome. I love the Pillows...

Episodes 5 and 6 are my favs...and the ending part is just great, IMO. I've watched that part many, many times for some reason...I just love it.

Jesus Pimp

I've been a fan for 2 years, downloaded the fansub, own all three dvds with the box. FLCL fucking rules. Since I don't have Cartoon Network, I'm curious, how much did they edit for the Cartoon Network?

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Halx

CN claims the only edit in the entire series was done in episode 6. I watched it and noticed that the dad's private parts were covered by a mosaic in the manga scene.

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AntHackerX

They were on the original, I believe...Just prolly a bigger mosiac, as you could still definately make out what was there on the original. I didn't catch it on CN, but I'm sure thats the only part that would be edited...

Oh, and I just found out that TokyoPop is going to be releasing the FLCL Manga here in the states(Vol 1 in Sept and Vol 2 in Nov). I'm definately going to be picking that up...

I still have to pick up Vol 7 of Chobits... *runs off*

aeturnum

FLCL is great, it's nice that Ganex is going after more origional projects like Evangelion and FLCL.

lafemmefatale

CBBP = cowboy bebop sorry

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holtmate

I just saw the first ep of FLCL last night, myself. I was quite entertained. I gave up on the plot almost right away, and just enjoyed the style, and bad puns. Plus the whole manga sequence was hilarious. I will probably be spending my hard-earned cash on this DVD...It's just too strange/excellent to pass up.

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GSRIDER

i should of guessed that.

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AntHackerX

There are 3 DVDs. Two episodes each.

Each one costs around $30.

Unless you go for the bootlegged version...all 6 on one dvd.

But, that's prolly not approved around here... heh

Kadath

Should you have? I don't think the abbreviation is all that intuitive myself. CB would make more sense.

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agentsmith

I'll admit that I didnt' understand FLCL at all, but it was still fun to watch. Although, I would not consider it a masterpiece by any stretch.

Sledge

SO. COOL. I hate anime. It's pretty, but compared to other media and other genres the standard of storytelling is so damn low. FLCL is the only exception I've seen.

bondagegirl

Woo Hoo I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one in love with this anime! But the only thing is, is why does cartoon network start a series that is only 6 episodes long. I was really bummed to know that that was the last episode on tuesday. But at least this way I'll be able to see it more than twice! Which with FLCL you kind of have to.
One of the coolest parts though in the first episode, that no one has mentioned yet, is after they do the "matrix" type scene, they show a room that all the characters are in and they are talking about that scene, watching themselves on screen. Saying that the slow motion scenes are the hardest to shoot because they really have to do the slow motion! It was hilarious!

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glytch

Like the rest of you, I'm loving FLCL, and I wish I started watching it earlier. The first episode I saw was last night's and I absolutely loved it. I think I'm starting to like anime. Before it was just Bebop, but I watched every adult swim toon last night and liked them all. Anyone have any more good recommendations for someone who is just starting to watch this stuff?

Oh, and does anyone know what the beginning theme song for FLCL is? I've looked at the soundtrack ($45 bucks - Yikes!) but am not sure which song it is, and I want to make sure it's on there before importing.

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AntHackerX

I wasn't aware that there was a real beginning to FLCL episodes...

Then again, I haven't watched it on CN...

Is it the same one as the credits? If so, then it's Ride On Shooting Star...

Ganguro

You are correct Anti...
I have a strong feeling that the sdtk will be released by pioneer or tokyopop soon in the states.. so just wait a few months and you'll be able to get it for 20 bucks versus 45. Seriously.. buy it, dont download it.. Downloading the mp3s and liscenced eps only hurts the genre as a whole. A thing that newcommers to anime dont know is.. the series dont generally go on forever. Sometimes companies run out of money, or the series just isn't that popular and they halt production. Your average cartoon episode is about 10K+ to produce, so if that remains true for the anime eps.. if you have a 12 or 27 episode series you're looking at 12k-almost 30k for a series. If it's not doing that well on television, why keep making more just to finish the story?

I would have looved FLCL to be a bit longer, just like i would have loved Read or Die to be longer, or Puni Puni Poemi, or Blue Sub Six... but they werent. Sometimes that's just the way it is..

glytch

I've listened to samples of Ride on Shooting Star and that's the song that's played at the ending credits alright (and a great song it is), but there's a different one CN plays at the beginning. This is driving me crazy.

I didn't plan on downloading the songs (don't usually do that), and that's a good point that it might be out in america soon, I didn't even think about that. Hopefully you're right.

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sadistikdreams

Is it just me, or does anyone else find Haruko(sp?) sexy?

or am i just a pervert?

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bondagegirl

Trust me you're not the only one, I love her and mamimi. They both are super sexy. My boyfriend agrees greatly also. The whole show has a very risque sexiness about it. Haruko is damn sexy with that pink hair and those yellow eyes!


Hey has anyone noticed that some of the drawings look a little like Johnny the homicidal maniac stuff? Or is it just me? Because I noticed it a couple times, with haruko up-close face shots.

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sadistikdreams

OH MY GOD!!! IM not the only one!!! YAAAAYYY! And I think Mamimi's cute too!!!

And I agree, FLCL does at times look like JtHM.

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CrazyIntent

Man, I wanted to get this anime, but it appears to be out of stock at all the usual places i shop.

a_divine_martyr

I love the animation in this. But the story I don't even know what the fuck is happening.

And I liked that one scene where the girl (the one on the bike) is straddlin' the boy (forget his name) and her ass is all hanging out.

Was pretty spiffy.

I think the boy in it is gay. He's alone with all these women who want his penis, and he's all, "NO GET AWAY FROM ME!"

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sadistikdreams

i dont think he's gay...

he's in grammar school.
dont you remember when you were in grammar school.
girls were gross.

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CrazyIntent

Yeah, the kid is pretty young, so he has an excuse. Tenchi on the other hand, has none.

a_divine_martyr

But isn't that girl in the blue his girly-friend?

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AntHackerX

Close friend...not sure exactly if they're 'going out'. But...she was his brother's girlfriend before he sent a letter to her in the first episode telling her that he found a nice blonde girl in America. heh

a_divine_martyr

pwnt!!!1!11

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Slims

Yeah, this really is a great series. I am watching it again now on cartoon network.

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lafemmefatale

mammimi's got incredibly pouty lips...mmmmmmmmmm...

ninamori's my favourite though. the intellectual types always get me.

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