Talk:FLCL/Archive 2

Metaphors and Analysis

I would like to see quotes, like about the steam that covers the city as if nothing existed outside.

Maybe the Metaphorical possibillities of Cultural invasion of japan. I think it should be said that Fooly Cooly is anticonformity. I think you should make an issue of the fact that they are Fighting the Medical Mechanica because they are trying to smooth the wrinkles in our brains. I want to see some qhotes from Amarao about How they're conforming galaxies everywhere and I'd like to see the signifigance of the Radical Being Atomsk mentioned, who can capture entire star systems. I think these things should be an issue, what Fooly Cooly is really talking about as an artistic message both actively and subliminally. Talk about the Hand, The Iron, the smoke, atomsk and depending, maybe mention those eyebrows!

I hear sexual metaphors. What about American cultural invasion, Baseball, electric guitar, Medical Mechanica possibly as an American Plant, metaphorically a cultural giant, chaning how the world thinks by imposing pollicies and dominating the economy.

or maybe just mention that there are some tensions between certain objects and characters in these respects. Hand/Iron, Iron/Brain Atomsk/Haruko, Electric guitar/Naota/Haruko. Haruko the ALien, Haruko the American? Momimi/Naota's brother/Naota/Baseball/swinging the bat/ scoring the home run

These sort of questions if indefinate are still essential. Climax(Image)

like heres a quote,

"Naota: When you're in a town like this all covered with smoke, you forget that there's a world outside. Nothing amazing happens here. And you get used to that, used to a world where everything is ordinary. Every day we spend here is like a whole lifetime of dying slowly. But now Haruko is here. That's how I know there really is a world outside."

What is said about the directing is very vague. I think it should be mentioned that is known for it's needing to be watched more than once. Perhaps it should be said that though it's confusing, on examination it is actually exceptionally intentional in it's sequencing. The scenes are all over-the-top and seemingly non-contiguous but work on many levels in composition. Make a point of how the Main conflict is between Naota and Haruko and that everything else spirals around it impossibly. Maybe note that the viewer may not understand some things like why robots are coming out of Naota's head but that the exact details are not dealt with in a way to be simple, explanation is not a big deal but it's there.

Because a style and plot overlap, a synopsis doesn’t do much in an encyclopedia unless it has some Why’s in there. A character list, well that’s great, your getting on the fan-side there. Your right to make special mention of the Pillows. Without them FLCL couldn’t be what it was. I personally found FLCL inspiring, revolutionary even. I would like to see some of the artistic aspects adressed. Animation isn’t generally handled like this.

It's not that I wouldn't like to write parts myself, I just thought I'd approach the originators first. I want to know what you think. If this page is unoriginal material anyways I wouldn't mind overhauling it. I would like to see any response in the article or in the discussions page.

I wouldn't mind that. It would be an interesting read and analysis. I also wouldn't mind contributing my ideas. I never really thought of it as a cultural influence to the degree of Japan vs. the world or anything. However, I'm not sure if it would entirely accurate if we base our opinions and rather not facts? Thoughts? BeanSoldier 23:18, 13 August 2005 (UTC)

I agree. I don't think it would be right to just throw out a translation. I just think that FLCL is very symbolic and that it should be noted. It could be said that it has anti-conformity themes (Iron, Wrinkles in The Brain, The Hand, Atomsk). It could be said that there are alot of symbols with questionable relationships, especially at the climax.It seems metaphorical or like they are talking about more than they are talking about, there is some essential ambiguity in there. I think Fooly Cooly is most remembered for this depth, even moreso than for it's blatent over-the-top zaniness; Overall though, for it's individuality. but perhaps the subliminal aspects are only apreciated subliminally. {August 13, 2005 7:42} Blind Seer

Let's hold up a minute. We really shouldn't be doing this unless we can find someone to back us up who's already been published and who we can quote. Wikipedia rules are that we can't have original research, which is what this would be. -Litefantastic 00:24, 14 August 2005 (UTC)

Agreed. Let's leave interpretation up to the fan sites (including mine), and try to only present the objective facts of the series here. Garrett Albright 01:12, 14 August 2005 (UTC)

I feel this article, while being very objective in it's facts, lacks an overall objectivity. The unanswered question seems to be who cares and why does it matter. I don't think we should intrepret it. I think that we should mention the heavy element of symbolism and not limit the talk of metaphors to the sentence about guitars. I wish that you wouldn't ignore that entire aspect of the series. {11PM EST} Blind Shaper

This may seem far fetched and possibly wry, but Fooly Cooly is designed to address a child's transition into adulthood. That much is established. So, to the point. As I was watching Marquis de Carabas, I noticed that when Ninamori touched Naota's ears she got sick, and then proceeded to get sick off and on through the episode. Then once Medical Mechanica's steam bellowed out, it affected her and her N.O. ability was set off, allowing a portal to form, then plus the whole show people kept telling her how grown up she was. It occured to me that perhaps it catalized, and manifested, her menstral cycle. An odd observation, admittedly, but I thought, if true, it would contribute to the mature dynamics of the show. Eluchil 08:55, 17 January 2006 (UTC)

I think there is a reference to the western invasion on Japan in the plot. Naota has always lived in the town and feels like it's cut off from the rest of the world, just like Japan was before it was attacked by western steamboats. In FLCL, Medical Mechanica represents the western world, invading Mabase (Japan) with new steam-powered technology (The Iron-shaped building). 87th 18:45, 23 February 2006 (UTC)

What I think of FLCL

If you are currently on drugs, look no further for that ultimate high. Sit infront of the TV for a while watching this and all your woes will go away as you become psyched out to a new high with this visual media. It kinda seems what the American culture is turning into. --Cyberman 04:19, 2 October 2005 (UTC)

If you like this show, you should try Excel Saga. --malber 16:08, 6 October 2005 (UTC)

I would disagree with that. Excel Saga is pretty much pure goofy humor; it doesn't have a coherent yet puzzling plot as FLCL does. I think Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer and Mind Game are more parallel to the spirit of FLCL among anime productions. Garrett Albright 16:31, 7 October 2005 (UTC)

Maybe American humor is turning into this. It's international enough - The Vespa, the Elvis impersonation, plus the whole thing centers around a girl from space who's living in Japan - and yet I don't think American humor - or even Japanese humor - can ever turn into this on a total level. Famous foreign films like Amelie are such that their message is clear, and it's up to the viewer to decide on quality. But with FLCL, part of what makes the humor work is the high oddity - there has to be a majority group of people who say "we don't get this", so the rest of us, with one voice and in all the languages of the world, can say: don't even try. -Litefantastic 19:34, 19 October 2005 (UTC)

My two cents: when I categorize FLCL, I say it's "just plain weird." --Yar Kramer 19:39, 19 October 2005 (UTC)

On beverages

Naota and Ninamori do not drink Pocari Sweat in episode 3. The label of the drink clearly says "Vitamin In," and if I recall correctly from the commentary track of the DVD, that was the correct name. Pocari Sweat has a blue label and is not sold in a liquid pouch that I've seen.

Also, I don't know where this "Karashi" stuff is coming from. I don't have the booklets with me, but I know that has to be false. "Karashi" is not an adjective that means "spicy" in any dictionary I can find; it's a noun meaning "mustard." One dictionary does list "karai" as meaning spicy. But please note this quick-and-dirty cell phone pic of a can of Lemon Squash [1] and compare it with the can in Episode 1. If the DVD pamphlets say this is something else, then that would be an error on the DVD's part. I'd appreciate it if someone who has access to these pamphlets could double-check them and edit the article accordingly -- but again, that drink is not not Lemon Squash. Garrett Albright 23:58, 18 October 2005 (UTC)

I hope this clears up everything. I was only about 95% sure, because I had read the packet a while ago. Now I'm 100% sure. I just found the packet again, and I'll write here, as a block quote, verbatim, what is in the translation notes for episode 6, in the pamphlet for the third DVD.--Seth Goldin 18:17, 19 October 2005 (UTC)

14. KaraC - The made-up beverage Ninamori drinks at the end of the show. A play on drinks that end with "C" (like Hi-C). Karashi means "mustard" or something spicy.

Dude. Seriously. I took a picture of the can she drinks from. Play the scenes for yourself if you still don't believe me; in both scenes, she is clearly drinking Lemon Squash. Here's a screenshot: [2] I don't know what KaraC is in reference to, but clearly the drink that Ninamori drinks is Lemon Squash, and if the pamphlets say otherwise, they are mistaken. I don't know what more I have to do to convince you. Garrett Albright 18:28, 19 October 2005 (UTC)

Nevertheless, I believe that my edit reflects both of our sources. I agree with you that the can looks exactly like a can of Lemon Squash, but my information is straight from the pamphlet, information from Gainax, and for that, I think it deserves to be in there.

I think that the current revision reflects both the similarity to Lemon Squash, and the information from the pamphlet accurately.

Also, you're right about "Vitamin In." I went back and looked at that scene in the third episode.--Seth Goldin 23:49, 19 October 2005 (UTC)

Removing extraneous links

Should comedy, drama, soap opera, science fiction, and horror story be unlinked from the main page? Support if yes, Reject if no, and as always, state your reasons.

Support - The Wikipedia Manual of Style says to avoid unnecessary links, including words that are just plain English. While it may be a good idea to link the one genre in general if it can be easily pigeon-holed, this list of five rapid-fire links to a variety of genres doesn't seem like it's doing the reader any good. --Cyde 16:23, 11 November 2005 (UTC)

Support - Though highly experimental, FLCL is still clearly anime, which is a genre which encompases all of those other genre in its own unique way. This is discussed in depth in the Anime article. The article doesn't necessarily violate the maunal of style; the article isn't more than 50% links. However, my feeling on links is that they should link to subjects that will give your average reader a broader understanding of the article's subject. For example, you don't have to link to cigarettes to gain a greater understanding of FLCL. I also find it inconceivable that someone interested in FLCL would be ignorant of the concepts of comedy, drama, soap opera, and science fiction. --malber 17:28, 11 November 2005 (UTC)

Support - More wikisyndrome. Oh, and malber, I think you give your run-of-the-mill animu nerd a bit too much credit :) -- uberpenguin 18:04, 11 November 2005 (UTC)

Agreed. If one doesn't know what cigarettes or baseball bats are, then that's their problem. Ereinion 21:21, 11 November 2005 (UTC)

Support - everyone else has pretty much already said what I think, except possibly Uberpenguin about giving nerds too much credit. ;) --Yar Kramer 22:37, 11 November 2005 (UTC)

What is N.O.?

Nevermind, this was already discussed on this page. Anyway, I think something in the article should be added that explains that N.O. has no meaning (much like the title). --Cyde 00:04, 12 November 2005 (UTC)

All I know is that N.O. refers to a "hyperspace channel" through the brain, so maybe N.O. is a japanese acronym of this, or something to do with the brain, specifically right vs. left. Speculation, maybe someone who knows japanese can find out. -Dunce(2005)

I have a feeling that the answer to that is spelled N.O. --Yar Kramer 07:53, 13 December 2005 (UTC)

Canti or Kanti?

What is the official romanization of the name of the robot? I know it was Canti in the fansub I saw, but that's far from official. --Cyde 08:04, 20 November 2005 (UTC)

Canti is official, though Kanchi would be "correct." Garrett Albright 10:02, 20 November 2005 (UTC)

I think it's better to say "literal" than "correct", but yeah. --Yar Kramer 18:40, 20 November 2005 (UTC)

Asimov, Smith and Atomsk

No, not a law firm. According to this trivia page at the IMDb, Atomsk is a name from an old Isaac Asimov story. According to the trivia here, the name is from a novel by Carmichael Smith. Now, I've looked up the book - it's real. So I think the IMDb is wrong. Now what? -69.67.227.192 00:40, 15 February 2006 (UTC)

Sorry, I wasn't logged in there. -Litefantastic 00:41, 15 February 2006 (UTC)

Since IMDB gets its information primarily from its users (much like Wikipedia, except you can't edit on-the-fly), it can be wrong, and it takes longer to correct it. --Yar Kramer 02:34, 15 February 2006 (UTC)

Title section, for FLCL/FuriKuri/FoolyCooly

A bunch of information about the title was dumped into the character section. I moved it into it's own section right ahead of it. I haven't sourced any of the information, I'd request someone more well-versed take a look and see if it's true. I just shortened any excess baggage it had, but did not actually author the original statements. Tyciol 16:07, 16 February 2006 (UTC)

Bill Plympton influence

I was rather apalled to see no mention of Bill Plympton in this article. His style is a very obvious major influence in the execution of the cartoon and is one of the greatest separations between the cartoon and the comic book. Most noticibly are the extreme camera angles, methods of illustrating movement, and the extreme facial expressions. Many aspects were lifted directly from Plympton. These include the vegas-style scene in Bulabure, which draws from Hair High and others, and the growth in Naota's head in Furikuri. The illustration of guitars and robots, particularly in response to movement is very characteristic of Plympton.

I suggest an addition be made to the article to give credit to this, as well as a Plymptoon's link. -Yakksoho 09:30, 21 February 2006 (UTC)Rain

It's all you, buddy. Don't forget to cite your sources, though. Eluchil 10:49, 21 February 2006 (UTC)

I'm pretty sure most of these are commonplace in Anime. He may have influenced a previous anime which went on to influence FLCL. -Unknown

FLCL on Vinyl

Does anyone here know about someone(?) called "Arqer and Reeltime"? He/she/they is/are a band, and I bring the matter up because of a single he/she/they released. One of the tracks is called "Flcl". Anybody know anything about this? -Litefantastic 00:38, 22 February 2006 (UTC)