FLCL (2000)
A surreal, genre-defying anime that crashes adolescence, alien chaos, and rock music into one unforgettable, wildly inventive ride.
FLCL - Series Information
- Original Title: フリクリ
- First Air Year: 2000
- Last Air Year: 2023
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Comedy, Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 25 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 5
- Number of Episodes: 24
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: April 26, 2000 (United States - TV-14), April 26, 2000 (Canada - 14+), April 26, 2000 (United Kingdom - 12), April 26, 2000 (Germany - 12), April 26, 2000 (France - 12), April 26, 2000 (Australia - PG), April 26, 2000 (Mexico - B), April 26, 2000 (Spain - 13)
- Networks: Adult Swim
- Alternative Titles: 프리크리 (KR), FLCL: Alternative (US), Фури-кури (RU), Furi Kuri (JP), Fuli Culi (FR)
- Production Companies: Production I.G, GAINAX, MontBlanc Pictures, NUT, Williams Street, Adult Swim
- Production Countries: Japan, United States of America
FLCL - Plot
Naota is a normal boy who kills some time with a normal girl by a stream that flows underneath a bridge. Nothing unusual happens in this town. The fact that Haruhara Haruko crashes into the main character with her Vespa a short while later and subsequently hits him over the head with her Rickenbacker 4003 bass guitar doesn't really make any difference to any other day here. The at first glance unconnected, bizarre events that don't seem to follow any pattern whatsoever don't change anything about Naota's boring life, either – because nothing incredible ever happens in this town.
FLCL - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the anarchic world of FLCL come to life:
Nothing can happen till you swing the bat.
Where to Watch FLCL
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FLCL - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Mayumi Shintani
- Jun Mizuki
- Izumi Kasagi
- Chiemi Chiba
- Hideaki Anno
- Hiroshi Ito
- Kenta Miyake
- Suzuki Matsuo
- Yukari Fukui
- Karen Miyama
Writers
- Yoji Enokido
- Kenta Ihara
- Tetsuhiro Ikeda
- Hideto Iwai
Executive Producers
- Mitsuhisa Ishikawa
- Jason DeMarco
- Keiji Ota
- Toshimichi Otsuki
- Hiroyuki Yamaga
FLCL - FAQs
What is FLCL actually about?
FLCL follows Naota, a bored 12-year-old in a sleepy Japanese town whose life is violently disrupted when the eccentric alien Haruko Haruhara runs him over with her Vespa and hits him with a bass guitar. Robots, psychic powers, and surreal chaos follow, all wrapped around a coming-of-age story about adolescence and identity.
Where can you stream FLCL online?
FLCL is available to stream on Crunchyroll and Max (formerly HBO Max) with a subscription. It can also be watched free on Adult Swim and Spectrum On Demand. For purchase or rental, it is available on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check JustWatch for current regional availability.
Is FLCL worth watching for new anime fans?
FLCL is widely regarded as a landmark anime, praised for its frenetic energy, inventive animation, and emotionally resonant storytelling packed into just six original episodes. Critics and fans consistently celebrate it as one of the most creative and rewatchable anime series ever made, though its dense symbolism may require multiple viewings to fully appreciate.
How many seasons and episodes does FLCL have?
FLCL has 5 seasons and 24 episodes in total. Season 1 (the original) has 6 episodes, followed by Progressive (6 episodes), Alternative (6 episodes), Grunge (3 episodes), and Shoegaze (3 episodes). The series ran from 2000 to 2023.
What does the title FLCL stand for?
FLCL stands for “Furi Kuri,” a Japanese slang term with layered, often suggestive connotations. Director Kazuya Tsurumaki and the creative team at Gainax intentionally left the meaning ambiguous, allowing it to function as a symbol of the series' themes around adolescence, desire, and the chaotic nature of growing up.
Who are the main voice actors in FLCL?
The principal voice cast includes Mayumi Shintani as the anarchic Haruko Haruhara, Jun Mizuki as protagonist Naota Nandaba, and Izumi Kasagi as Mamimi Samejima. Supporting roles are voiced by Chiemi Chiba, Hideaki Anno, Hiroshi Ito, Kenta Miyake, Suzuki Matsuo, Yukari Fukui, and Karen Miyama.
Who composed the music for FLCL?
The iconic soundtrack for FLCL was composed primarily by the pillows, a Japanese alternative rock band whose energetic, melodic style became inseparable from the series' identity. Shinkichi Mitsumune also contributed to the score. The pillows' music is widely credited as a defining element of FLCL's cult status.
What is the content rating for FLCL?
FLCL is rated TV-14 in the United States, indicating content that may be unsuitable for children under 14. The series contains suggestive humor, cartoon violence, and mature thematic content. International ratings vary: 12 in the UK, Germany, and France; 14+ in Canada; and PG in Australia.
More About FLCL
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