FLCL
Summary: Naota Nandaba is an ordinary sixth grader living in a city where nothing amazing ever seems to happen. After his brother Tasuku leaves town to play baseball in America, Naota takes it upon himself to look after everything Tasuku left behind—from his top bunk bed to his ex-girlfriend Mamimi Samejima, who hasn't stopped clinging to Naota since Tasuku left.
Little does Naota know, however, that his mundane existence is on the verge of being changed forever: enter Haruko Haruhara, a Vespa-riding, bass guitar-wielding, pink-haired psychopath whose first encounter with Naota leaves him with tire tracks on his back and a giant horn on his head. Though all he wants is some peace and quiet, when Haruko takes up residence at his parents' home, Naota finds himself dragged into the heart of the greatest battle for supremacy that Earth—and quite possibly the entire universe—has ever seen.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Description
Naota Nandaba is an ordinary sixth grader living in a city where nothing amazing ever seems to happen. After his brother Tasuku leaves town to play baseball in America, Naota takes it upon himself to look after everything Tasuku left behind—from his top bunk bed to his ex-girlfriend Mamimi Samejima, who hasn't stopped clinging to Naota since Tasuku left.
Little does Naota know, however, that his mundane existence is on the verge of being changed forever: enter Haruko Haruhara, a Vespa-riding, bass guitar-wielding, pink-haired psychopath whose first encounter with Naota leaves him with tire tracks on his back and a giant horn on his head. Though all he wants is some peace and quiet, when Haruko takes up residence at his parents' home, Naota finds himself dragged into the heart of the greatest battle for supremacy that Earth—and quite possibly the entire universe—has ever seen.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
FLCL Trailers
FLCL Pictures
FLCL Review
FLCL — Naota Nandaba is an ordinary sixth grader living in a city where nothing amazing ever seems to happen. This overview is intentionally spoiler-free and focuses on tone and intent rather than plot specifics.
Thematically, It sits firmly within Avant Garde, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Suspense conventions as a OVA work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 8.04). This work explores character dynamics, tonal shifts, and the interplay between narrative ambition and execution. The story's pacing and tonal choices are crafted to complement the central ideas, often emphasizing atmosphere and emotional truth over explicit exposition. The show's ability to evoke a consistent mood — whether melancholic, exuberant, or contemplative — is a recurring strength, and the scenes are constructed so viewers can infer stakes without needing explicit spoilers.
Characterization is a core pillar here. Protagonists and supporting figures are written with distinct motivations and narrative roles; even when archetypal, the series invests in small behavioral details that make choices feel earned. Character arcs are handled with an eye for gradualism: development often arrives through incremental beats rather than abrupt, expository shifts. The interactions between characters create texture, and relationships are used to illuminate both personal flaws and larger thematic concerns.
On the visual front, production values play a significant role. The animation quality varies by sequence but frequently showcases thoughtful direction and composition. Background art, framing, and color palettes are used deliberately to support tone — quieter scenes favor muted palettes while action or heightened emotional beats employ brighter, more kinetic visuals. Direction choices, such as camera movement and shot selection, often elevate scenes beyond their raw script, creating moments that linger in the viewer's mind.
The soundscape — score, incidental music, and sound design — complements the visual language. Music cues are placed to maximize emotional resonance without manipulating the audience with melodrama; this restraint often leads to more authentic emotional payoff. Sound design punctuates key moments, and when the series leans on silence, those quieter moments are given weight by measured audio choices.
Pacing and structure are handled with craft. Episodes are arranged to build tension and release methodically, and the narrative rarely rushes through important emotional beats. That said, the deliberate pacing may feel slow to viewers who prefer faster plot turnover; the reward is greater nuance and an accumulation of meaning across the series. Accessibility is generally good — one can appreciate surface-level pleasures, while repeat or attentive viewing reveals additional layers.
No title is without flaws. Occasional unevenness in subplots or variable animation across episodes can be distracting. Some tonal shifts might feel abrupt if you expect uniformity; others will argue that those shifts are purposeful. These are worth noting, but they seldom undercut the larger achievements of the work.
In sum, FLCL offers a rich experience for viewers who value character-driven storytelling, considered visual design, and a soundtrack that supports rather than overwhelms. For fans of Avant Garde, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Suspense, this is an especially rewarding watch. It's recommended for those who appreciate layered narratives and artistry in animation, and best approached with patience and attention to nuance.
Characters & Voice Actors
Haruhara, Haruko
Main
Wahlgren, Kari
English
Haruhara, Haruko
Main
Shintani, Mayumi
Japanese
Haruhara, Haruko
Main
Schadt, Shandra
German
Haruhara, Haruko
Main
Latini, Laura
Italian
Haruhara, Haruko
Main
Homs, Nathalie
French
Haruhara, Haruko
Main
Sota, Meritxell
Spanish
Nandaba, Naota
Main
Goodson, Barbara
English
Nandaba, Naota
Main
Perino, Davide
Italian
Nandaba, Naota
Main
Mizuki, Jun
Japanese
Nandaba, Naota
Main
Sindberg, Susan
French
Nandaba, Naota
Main
Casan, Xavier
Spanish
Samejima, Mamimi
Main
Sheh, Stephanie
English
Samejima, Mamimi
Main
Kasagi, Izumi
Japanese
Samejima, Mamimi
Main
Scifoni, Maria Letizia
Italian
Samejima, Mamimi
Main
Pfeiffer, Beate
German
Samejima, Mamimi
Main
Morales, Pilar
Spanish
Samejima, Mamimi
Main
Jean, Bérangère
French
Amarao
Supporting
De ambrosis, Massimo
Italian
Amarao
Supporting
Ohkura, Kouji
Japanese
Amarao
Supporting
Mallow, Dave
English
Staff
Cook, Justin
Producer
Nishizawa, Masatomo
Producer
Satou, Hiroki
Producer
Tsurumaki, Kazuya
Director, Storyboard, Creator, Key Animation, Planning
Andou, Ken
Episode Director, Director of Photography
Ootsuka, Masahiko
Episode Director
Saeki, Shouji
Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation, In-Between Animation
Enokido, Youji
Script
Hiramatsu, Tadashi
Storyboard, Animation Director
Imaishi, Hiroyuki
Storyboard, Assistant Animation Director, Layout, Animation Director, Setting, Key Animation
Masayuki
Storyboard, Key Animation, Screenplay
Ogura, Nobutoshi
Storyboard, Key Animation, Animation Director, Setting
Yoshinari, You
Storyboard, Key Animation, Setting
the pillows
Theme Song Performance, Music
Anno, Hideaki
Mechanical Design, Assistant Animation Director, Key Animation
Arai, Kouichi
Key Animation
Arakawa, Masatsugu
Key Animation
Enomoto, Hanako
In-Between Animation
Ezura, Hisashi
Key Animation
Fukuyo, Takaaki
Key Animation