- Last OnlineYesterday, 11:41 PM
- GenderMale
- BirthdaySep 2000
- JoinedJan 6, 2020
Fantasy Anime League Fantasy Anime League You Should Read This Manga Fantasy Anime League Ode to MALentine Fantasy Anime League A Summer Out of This World Fantasy Anime League Also Available at
RSS Feeds
|
![]()
Mar 16, 2021
“Living here is like a whole lifetime of dying slowly.”
Absolute insanity, that’s so creative and inventive you can’t help but feel captivated by its sheer artistry.
FLCL is super crazy, and the way it manages to blend surreal meta comedy with some truly frenetic action sequences is masterful. The editing is so fast and taut, every frame has something interesting in it. The action is so exciting and well choreographed, succeeding at being exceedingly cool and very funny. From hilarious background gags that breathe a sense of life into this world, to just full on meta commentary on its animation and influences. It blends this sense
...
of fantasy and reality together so well, with deranged conversations that make you question the nature of reality, to really human character moments that ground FLCL in a sense of emotional honesty.
The extremely expressive animation is so fluid and flows so well, never feeling confusing and lacking a sense of visual cohesion. You’d think with how nonsensical the story seems early on, the ability to create a solid flow and pace would be nigh impossible, but Kazuya Tsurumaki and Gainax make it really work. I didn’t always understand what has happening on screen, but I never felt like the story lost a sense of purpose or direction it set out to follow. FLCL has this earnesty and sincerity that makes its more ridiculous moments gain a unique sense of emotion and excitement.
The overall theme and message of this anime is hard to pin down, simultaneously being a strength and weakness of the series. FLCL’s multilayered storytelling makes it so everybody can have their individualistic interpretation of it, and take away from it what seems the most important to them. Everyone’s constant comparisons of Naota to his brother could lead you to take away themes of breaking off from what others expect of you. You could take away themes of how risk is a necessary aspect of a good life, as Naota’s life only gets more amazing once he starts putting himself in not only in physical danger, but like Ninamori, emotional as well. You could also view the overall plot as a metaphor for adolescence, a time where you gain much more responsibility, but are slowly gaining the freedom to make more of your own choices unhindered by the pressure others put on you. Or, you could view it a rediscovery of why makes life worth living, and how finding that one thing may spark something inside you never knew about.
The soundtrack by the pillows is phenomenal, perfectly matching each scene and giving them a sense of passion and energy great music brings to your life. The subtle guitar licks as scenes transition, or the slow drum kicks as the tension rises add so much depth and texture to each scene they are used in. The music itself is really good, with great melodies and chord progressions that amp up the raw and energetic tone of the show.
The show does maybe get a bit too quick witted and fast paced at points, which threw me off a bit. It’s a little hard to take in everything going on at times, and leads to potential sensory overload and slight confusion. Like the punk rock that inspired it, speed is paramount to FLCL, and that can lead to technical prowess being sped through in service of an quick and vigorously innovative experience.
Overall, a wildly experimental and insanely fun anime that succeeds at being both highly witty and challenging to the viewer’s sensibilities, though it’s attention on speed may hinder some it's technicality.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
What did you think of this review?
Nice
 0
Love it
 0
Funny
 0
Confusing
 0
Well-written
 0
Creative
 0Show all
![]()
Oct 18, 2020
{Contains Spoilers}
This movie is confusing. I get some of the overall messages, but they really get obscured by the needlessly oblique way Anno tells this story. I feel like this film could have been simplified so much, yet still maintained much of the artistry and layered messaging present throughout.
I have heard about this movie for years, and saw the series for the first time recently, enjoying all but the final episodes of it, which I also found unnecessarily dense and complicated. Though, I will say, I almost enjoyed the way the series ended better. Though it made even less sense than End of Eva ,
...
I found it to be somewhat more intricate and detailed, with exploring the reasons for Asuka, Rei, and Shinji's psychoses and why they were the person they are. I also enjoyed Shinji's character arc there as well, and felt like his growth there was more natural and realistic than his eventual conclusion in this film. I do like that the ending of End of Eva is much bleak and depressing than the series was, and that it has the guts to not reverse any of the death and destruction Shinji is somewhat responsible for.
Anyways, I should probably focus on this film. As with the series, the animation is absolutely phenomenal, and is so fluidly rendered. It is so detailed, and the craftsmanship put into every frame is extremely evident. I was aware of how depressed Anno was while making both the series and this movie, but it really shows in this movie. I have never seen a more bleak, hopeless, and utterly empty anime than this one. I can feel Anno's ennui through the screen, and honestly relate to much of his feelings and thoughts. Avoiding reality to escape pain and rejection is all too real for me, and is a good secondary message for the film, though how well it's executed is up for debate, since there is a valid argument for the events towards the end of the film counteracting the idea that facing reality necessarily leads to a better outcome.
Nevertheless, I get (mostly) what Anno was trying to say with this film, and his direction is excellent, but I honestly think some of it was executed poorly. Let me explain. So much of Shinji's self doubt and hatred of himself stems from his parents either dying or abandoning him, and this leads him eventual murder of dream Asuka, after she says he never loved anyone. I guess it could be argued that this is meant to be taken as an overly harsh inner criticism Shinji has of himself, it's presented as if it has merit and hits Shinji deep because he knows its true. If it's the former, it is masterfully done, and really drives the point home. If it's the latter, I think it's very much unfounded and unfair. Shinji lost his mother as a small child, and his father abandoned him, how the fuck could he have loved anyone after that? Is he supposed to love his abusive father that left him because he was too scared of pain? How could he have loved his mother when he barely knew her? I know this may seem nit-picky, but I view it as endemic of this film's larger problem of mixed messaging, not only in terms of the merit of abandoning escapism, but also in terms of whether or not Shinji's self-hatred is justified. Even though it seems pretty clearly justified, as he murders Asuka twice and ends all life on earth, it does almost seem like the film is making excuses for him, and letting his level of guilt be far too ambiguous.
This film also fails to provide a compelling argument as to why humanity should continue to exist, or why Shinji made his decision only to murder Asuka again as soon as he did it. It is not enough to say that without other people, life has no purpose or meaning, when if there were no people no meaning would be required. Why is humanity such a great and amazing species that we deserve to continue existing? There are compelling arguments as to why humanity is worthy of further existence, but this film does not succeed in providing them. And to say more on unsatisfactory conclusions, Why does Shinji go from suicidal and self loathing, to suddenly desiring of social interaction and love from others? His shift is built up, by not well enough. Again, Anno's unnecessary obliqueness rears its ugly head. When Shinji professed his desire to kill himself and everyone else, "Rei" says "Why do you have hands?" What is that supposed to mean? Is that enough for Shinji to start viewing life from a different perspective? If I was Shinji, nothing he saw would be enough to convince me of the wonders of life, having already experienced its horrors firsthand.
And to end my criticisms, I find fault in the concluding message/moral of the film, "You can make any place a paradise." Besides the obvious vagueness the film continues to employ, I find this to be an hopelessly naive and privileged notion. Tell this to Libyan slaves, victims of child trafficking, women held as sex slaves, people with degenerative skin diseases or other horrific chronic pain, people with severe PTSD, or just people not living in developed countries that are forced to sustain our excessive lifestyles. Not only can you not make any place a paradise, the exact opposite can also be true. Any place can become hell, and not through much effort at all. Deconstruction is far easier than construction, and every paradise can be demolished faster than it can be rebuilt.
Overall, I am conflicted about this film. The direction and animation is flawless, and it does have some good messages about facing your problems and dealing with pain and sadness head on. However, it does have many issues with themes and messaging, not only contradicting itself, but also failing to provide a sufficient justification for the lessons Shinji and the audience are supposed to learn, and ultimately relying on a overly simplistic hopeful message that surprisingly shirks complexity, considering the film is far too nebulous and confusing up until that point.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all
![]()
Aug 27, 2020
I loved this movie. I’m somewhat lukewarm on Mari Okada usually, but her and Tatsuyuki Nagai really work together beautifully here, showcasing all her positive aspects really well. As with Anohana, Okada excels at crafting beautifully written characters with authentic and genuine emotional insecurities. Her dialogue is excellent, being both naturalistic and hilarious. She has such a knack for writing teenagers who actually talk and think like a human being. So much of Aoi’s internal monologue resonates so much me personally, especially her penchant for knowing that she shouldn’t say what she’s thinking, but overcomes with enough teenage anguish to power through that reasonable voice
...
in the back of her brain. Her rage at herself for seemingly dragging her sister down is eerily similar to one of many insecurities I had as a teenager, and is written so well. The themes of regret and failure are done so well also, really creating this nostalgic atmosphere filled with longing and mistakes.
The music is great, as it should be for a movie ostensibly built around it. The score is atmospheric and soothing, pulling you into the melancholy world the anime creates, yet is also soaring and grand, placed well enough to possibly warm even the most blackened of hearts. The songs that Aoi and Shinnosuke perform are good as well, and I can definitely buy that Shinno was talented and passionate enough to reasonably pursue great success.
The animation is unbelievably gorgeous, and almost on par with Kyoto animation for some of the best animation in the industry. Beside some CGI cars, every frame is beautiful and lushly detailed, with some of the most lifelike and fluid character movements I’ve ever seen in anime. The emotiveness is jaw dropping, never once feeling janky or stuttery. Every character moves in their own unique and deeply human way. The colors are so bright and striking, lending each scene such amazing vibrancy.
The direction is unbelievable, with so much emotion packed into every gorgeously placed frame. So much character depth comes purely from Nagai’s stunning direction, with hilarious or tension filled cuts focusing on the dynamic movement of the characters. You get so much just by perfectly framed close ups on small facial expressions, or wide shots establishing the characters’s environment.
Overall, A preposterously well animated film that is packed with magnificent dialogue, great character work, and a resonant treatise on the destructive nature of idle regret coupled with an inability to rectify past mistakes.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all
![]()
Jun 16, 2020
“Maybe I’m just tired of my little black cloud.”
Wonderful anime with some amazing characters, phenomenal soundtrack, and extremely engaging story.
Hotaro is such a likable protagonist. He’s oblivious, but in such a disarming way that you can’t help but enjoy his aloofness. His deductive skills could make him come across as obnoxious or unrealistic, but his total lack of self awareness and confidence counterbalances it to make him so much more human and relatable. He is so well fleshed out, and develops organically over the course of the series. At first he almost feels a blank slate or self insert character for the audience, but becomes
...
much more through his increasing care of not only Chitonda, but the mystery process itself. I can truly relate to his energy conservation philosophy, and pretty much followed it all the way through high school. And, like Hotaro, I learned that’s probably not the best way to live a fulfilling and good life.
I loved the character interactions, with the entire cast being great in their own very human way. Chitanda’s curiosity is infectious, and her passionate energy endears her to you almost immediately. Her interactions with Oreki are so pure and fun, and she acts as a perfect foil to Oreki’s apathetic nature. She adds such spirit and life to the show, and my cold black heart enjoyed her enthusiasm immensely.
Mayaka is also great, bring a red hot passion and anger to the show that also offsets Hotaro’s apathy. Her interactions with Satoshi are really sweet, or can be really hilarious. You can tell she cares, and that may be her biggest problem. Her fiery personality makes her stand out, but leads others to view her as off putting and draining. I’m not as brazen as she is, but I can relate to sometimes being over zealous and pushing away others due to that attitude.
Satoshi is also extremely likable, and his sunny personality is really the sharpest contrast to Hotaro's dark disposition. He is just such a enjoyable character to spend time with, being optimistic and positive without coming across as preachy or annoying. He’s not spouting cliches or guilting Hotaro into action, but you can tell his presence makes Hotaro try harder and be more adventurous. His development throughout the series is handled perfectly, with the show really adding depth and character to what initially seemed like a class clown. He’s also genuinely hilarious, and his interactions with the rest of the cast are done so well. His carefree and hopeful attitude brings happiness to all around him, and will brighten your day as well.
The music is incredible, perfectly accentuating each scene it’s in. The more dramatic and serious music heightens the intensity of the mysteries, and makes what could like mundane moments come to life. It’s also extremely well done just during everyday interaction between the cast, adding this whimsical sense of fun, but also occasionally grandiose beauty, to an already enjoyable series.
Every mystery is exceptionally crafted, and captivating to watch. Each inductive step makes perfect sense, and they flow along beautifully. Hotaro’s reasoning never feels forced or contrived, creating a captivating trail of clues and intrigue. I love how each mystery plays out, and, even though I was wrong a lot of the time, enjoyed trying to solve them myself.
I absolutely adore the unbelievably gorgeous animation by KyoAni. It’s so good, with every scene looking phenomenal and immaculately done. The backgrounds are beautiful, the colors are so bright and vibrant, and each characters design is so perfect for what they’re trying to achieve. The ways the characters move and talk are so unique and personalized, with each character individualistic feelings seeping through into the animation. I worship at the feet of Kyoto animation, and this is just another great example why they’re most likely my favorite anime studio.
The directing is fantastic, with great camera angles that frame the characters and setting perfectly. Hyouka’s directing really elevates it above a typical slice of life high school anime, delivering some truly magnificent shots packed with texture and life that help tell the story in an interesting and dynamic way. Naoko Yamada’s episode was particularly great, managing to make a cooking completion intense and engaging, but also filling the entire episode with meaningful insights about the characters in the process.
Hyouka simply has a good message of empathy, and how much caring and effort can lead to light breaking through the darkness. Having struggled with a desire to retreat into myself and ignore everyone and everything, Hyouka’s thesis of hope and putting yourself out there really resonated with me on a more personal level. Interacting with others is hard, but living this purposeless nothingness is harder.
Hyouka just feels good to watch. I felt comfortable watching this show, and didn’t want this experience to end. This is extremely rare for me, and not a feeling I have experienced in quite a while. The characters everyday lives were captivating to watch, and my attachment for each character only grew over time. I felt like I was transported to another world while watching this series, and these characters were my friends in it.
Overall, a fantastic slice of life anime that is so engaging to watch due to its brilliant characters with true depth and detail, wonderful mysteries, gorgeous animation, and great message about how much life improves when you build your life on deeply vulnerable and energy draining emotions like empathy, compassion, and enthusiasm.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all
|
