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FLCL
Episodes Reviewed: 1-6, Adult Swim Version
Overall Grade: B+
Unique, funny, fast (maybe too fast...), interesting characters, character design by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, and multiple references to previous Gainax projects. Also, psyche-trash plot line and some of the best music in the industry. So, why no A? The sheer fact that there's practically no plot, my logic can't understand the main character (remember, I understand Shinji Ikari more than anyone else I know), and the pace is so fast that I couldn't catch about two minutes of dialogue total. Not like it was that important. And while it's nice that the translaters were kind enough not to Americanize the series, I couldn't catch too many names. And for you newbies, it's helps to know about "-kun" and "-san."
Storyline: 4
Let's see... the main character is some kid named Naota, who for some reason or another has one hot older chick hanging over him like she was his girlfriend, only she's actually supposed to be Naota's older brother's girlfriend, and out of nowhere he gets run over by a scooter. When he gets home, the girl that ran her over is there, and she's a housemaid... or something... *ahem* ANYWAY, there's some kind of freakish horn-thing coming out of Naota's head where he got hit, and somewhere near the end of the first episode, a robot comes out of the thing. Over the course of the six episodes, a lot of character development and explaining happens, as well as a whole lot of meaningless fun. And a plot.
Type: Comedy
There's some action, but it's primarily comedy.
Ch. Development: 7
Look through it (or recall through your memory) and you realize that there's quite a bit of development. If you haven't seen it, hey, there' s quite a bit of development, so watch for it. Some of it doesn't make a cent's worth of sense, but it's there.
Sexuality: 6
Fanservice, sexual themes, and fanservice. The extent of the fanservice? Pantyshots and some leg. The extent of the sexual themes? I won't go into it.
Romance: 6
Personally, I prefer the girl with the purple hair, but the point is, there are three girls that like Naota, three guys that like Haruko, and the definite settling of things at the end.
Drama: 5
There's an occasional exciting battle, and tense moments that aren't that exciting when you think about it, but the awesome music makes you think it's exciting.
Action: 5
Like robots fighting monsters? Like using electric guitars as if they are baseball bats to hit comets? You're weird, and so was Gainax.
Comedy: 10
Everything I just said was building up to this, so don't act surprised.
Dub: A
Dub Voices: 8
The voices can get a little annoying, but they get the job done right.
Dub Music: N/A
Dub Lines: 10
I never thought I would live to see the day "-kun" was used in a dub. I am in awe.
Censorship: One censor
But it's nothing you would want to see... unless you like seeing a strange old man's member, in which case, feel free to buy the final DVD.
Honestly speaking, when I first saw FLCL on CN, I freaked. I was totally thinking that the next anime series these delightful little bastard would air would be somewhere along the lines of Fushigi Yugi, but I was wrong. FLCL is nothing like anything they've ever shown, and I've heard that it has gained popularity somewhere in Texas. Weird.
Now, can anything I say possibly prepare you for watching this series? The answer is either no, or I'm too lazy. Think Excel Saga, except it makes even less sense, it's shorter, has ten times more character development, is ever-so-slightly less funny, has character design by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (best in the biz, IMO), and has the most awesome songs in the biz (I'm talking right up there with Bubblegum Crisis and NGE).
Even with those warnings, be warned that watching the dub can force you to rewind several times, so I suggest putting it into Japanese audio with subtitles, and pause when a line of dialogue appears during those fast scenes. Also, be warned that the plot can change from interesting, to nonexistent, to slow, to climax. Finally, be warned that kids who stay up past their bedtime and talk about what they watch can and will be wrong, not know what they are talking about, and potentially ruin your already warped experience.
That's my Story and I'm Sticking to it!
