This one’s for the anime fans. A new trailer for the next FLCL installment is finally out. Giant robots, whiny teenagers, and Haruko shenanigans abound.
Many a 90s kid will nostalgically light up with glee at the mention of “FLCL”. This anime merges a coming of age story with action-packed mecha anime stylings. The music from The Pillows doesn’t hurt at all either.
What’s next for Haruko Haruhara and her signature yellow Vespa?
No Sight of Takoun (Naota-kun); Way More Big Robots
This iconic intro song and animation was crucial in FLCL’s mass success. Originally a manga by Hajime Ueda, Gainax and Production I.G. developed the OVA anime series. While it launched in the U.S. in 2003, it originally appeared in Japan in April of 2000.
The main character of the original series was a kid named Naota Nandaba.
The kid hatches a robot out of his head, grows horns, and HATES sour stuff. But he couldn’t have done any of that without Haruko banging him on the head with a bass first.
With Naota having been the central character of the original story, it is weird not to see him at all in the trailer. While he could make a cameo in the new series, it wouldn’t be bad if he didn’t. His story ended, didn’t it?
Let’s take a look at the new trailer and see what’s coming our way.
FLCL Season 2: What We Know So Far
Haruko narrates a few shots of the town viewers might find familiar. It even has the giant “iron” thing that is difficult to forget from the first season.
Many of the characters shown are females who look to be teenage. Haruko says “I’m gonna show them how to unlock some doors….whether they like it or not.” That’s a little creepy. Haruko, but she always did come on a bit….strong. We’ll go with “strong”.
The irreverence and manic energy of the original series is most certainly there. The apprehension of the non-Haruko characters is there. The cynicism of adults, the giant robots, and weird monsters — present. And, of course, the Vespa.
The weird thing is that we see two versions of Haruko: one we remember and a more futuristic version. She has Cool Shades, a cropped moto jacket, and a super dope car. She is a Galactic Space Police Brotherhood investigator.
So maybe this form is her TRUE form, but is it her final form?
Forgive me, Frieza, I couldn’t resist.
The cool thing is that there are, in fact, two seasons: FLCL Progressive and FLCL Alternative. Production I.G. from Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex fame also returns, though Gainax seems to be sitting this one out.
So maybe we are getting an alternate reality Haruko Haruhara?
We will have to wait until June and September, respectively, to find out for sure. If you want more information than the teaser gives you, Anime News Network has concrete details.
Need a Mech Anime or Music Fix in the Meantime?
You could go outside (ew) and see Pacific Rim 2: Uprising, or you could spend a night with giant mechs at home. There are plenty of platforms on which to find animated robot media. An easy way to find one is to check out the mecha genre on Crunchyroll.
You can also find tons of options on Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or Netflix like:
- Many Gundam animes including Unicorn, Double-00, Seed, and Mobile Suit
- A cult favorite (also from Gainax) Gurren Lagann
- Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet or Aldnoah Zero on Netflix
- Robotech The Macross Saga on Amazon Prime Video
Of course, you don’t have to watch a mecha anime. One Punch Man is binge-worthy and entertaining with giant monsters and available on many platforms.
Cowboy Bebop and Trigun are also both available on Hulu to scratch that nostalgic itch. One of my personal new favorites, the Netflix Castlevania original, is a great choice. It only has four episodes and works for newbies and fans of the original franchise.
You could watch Sword Art Online or Code Geass, if you wanted also. But I would recommend literally anything else…like this playlist of The Pillows jams on YouTube. Or you could read about giant mechs in development in the real world.
But where’s the fun in that?
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