FLCL
Odd coming-of-age story has lots of action, sexual content.
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FLCL
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that FLCL is an original comedy sci-fi anime series. The series centers around 12-year-old Naota's coming of age story after a very strange alien girl visits. Expect to see a lot of cartoon violence, which is mostly play for gags. Characters are frequently hit, beaten, thrown, slammed, and shot at. There are many suggestive scenes between Naota and two older female characters who use their sexuality to manipulate him. They rub themselves on Naota and make sexual jokes. One scene shows a woman straddle Naota on a bed -- she's naked, and her backside is visible. Language includes "idiot," "damn," "hell," and "s--t." Characters are shown drinking and smoking throughout; multiple depictions of minors smoking.
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What's the Story?
FLCL centers around the coming-of-age story of Naota Nandaba (voiced in English by Barbara Goodson) a 12-year-old boy who lives in the fictional Japanese town of Mabase. Naota struggles to find his own way in life, often dealing with the frustration of living in his older brother's shadow. Naota's life is dramatically changed when the alien girl Haruko Haruhara (Kari Wahlgren) arrives in search of the Pirate King Atomsk. Haruko uses Naota in her search for the Pirate King, which forces Naota into the position of becoming a reluctant hero.
Is It Any Good?
This surreal coming-of-age story features aliens, robots, and bizarre, off-the-wall action requires you to turn your brain off and go with the flow to enjoy it. FLCL is the story about a boy learning how to become mature in the most chaotic setting possible. The bizarre, abstract story jumps around between random events and features a lot of symbolism that refers to adolescence, puberty, sex, and relationships. The takeaway seems to be that Naota Nandaba is just trying to find his way in life without positive role models. All the adults in the series are incredibly immature and selfish, and 12-year-old Naota tries to act mature and emulate his older brother, who left him to go play baseball in America. Naota does discover how to overcome his frustrations by just being himself. The art and animation are very well produced and have a unique style. Overall FLCL is a strange but enjoyable show; the plot can feel confusing because it's buried in a random mess of events. It's a fun show to watch if you like the bizarre or abstract.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the impact that viewing sexual content can have. What kind of messages about sex is this anime trying to convey? Are these perspectives healthy?
Families can also talk about the importance of having positive role models. Who are the positive role models in your children's lives? Discuss with your children who they look up to and why.
TV Details
- Premiere date: August 4, 2003
- Cast: Kari Wahlgren, Stephanie Sheh, Barbara Goodson
- Networks: Funimation, YouTube, Crunchyroll
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Topics: Robots, Space and Aliens
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: January 23, 2023
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