Fooly Cooly (a.k.a. FLCL, Furi Kuri)

"Nothing amazing ever happens here, everything is ordinary," Naota Nandaba says about the town of Mabase where he lives in the early 21st century. As he describes it, his life is pretty basic: school, homework, hanging out with friends... but one afternoon a crazy woman runs him over with her Vespa, and his world gets turned inside-out. The woman, Haruko Haruhara, also runs his father over and comes to live with them as their housekeeper, and things quite literally start popping out of Naota's head.

A metaphor for adolescence, a commentary on maturity, or simply a nonsensical action anime, Fooly Cooly is a wild and crazy adventure telling the story of a few "ordinary" weeks in Naota's life. Above all, though, it is one of the most flat-out entertaining shows ever created.

With amazing multi-styled animation, great voice acting (in both dubs), excellent character development, humorous writing, and possibly the best sound track ever created, Fooly Cooly scared me, made me laugh, but mostly just caused me to stare slack-jawed at the screen in utter amazement. It makes use of absurdity and heavy doses of anime parody (Fool-y), pop-culture references and amazing action sequences (Cool-y) to solidify its unique "personality." Although it's probably not for a first time anime-viewer, Fooly Cooly is truly a masterpiece.

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Main Characters:
Naota Nandaba VAs: Jun Mizuki and Barbara Goodson.
At 12-years-old, Naota is a pretty normal kid. He tries to act mature, and wants other people around him to do so also. He misses his older brother, Tasuku, whom went to America to play baseball, and lives with his father and grandpa. Naota seems to want to grow up too fast, but it's obvious he's still just a kid.

Haruko Haruhara VAs: Mayumi Shintani and Kari Wahlgren

Haruko is a mysterious and very dangerous woman that appears in Mabase and triggers all sorts of insanity. Riding a Vespa and wielding a Rickenbacher bass guitar, she becomes the Nandaba family's housekeeper after running both Naota and Kamon over. Her motives are unclear, but she seems to be after something very precious.

Mamimi Samejima VAs: Izumi Kasagi and Jennifer Sekiguchi

Naota's older brother's ex-girlfriend, Mamimi is a delinquent 17-year-old high school student, and a habitual smoker. She has begun making advances on Naota following his brother's departure. She's a very cute and sexy girl, and her loneliness requires her to show her affection or else she will "overflow." Naota asks what would happen if she were to overflow, and she replies, "Probably... something amazing."

"Canti"

Cantide The Lord of Black Flames, or "Canti" is a robot that comes out of Naota's head in episode one and joins the family. Named by Mamimi, Canti was actually manufactured at the huge Medical Mechanica factory in Mabase, and displays human emotions. He can take X-rays, do housework, run errands (poorly), and on occasion, battle other huge robots.

Kamon Nandaba VAs: Suzuki Matsuo and Joe Martin.

Kamon is Naota's father and a freelance journalist. He's a bit of a lecher, and loves hearing his own voice. He invites Haruko to become their housekeeper after being run over by her, and is attracted to her.

Eri Ninamori VAs: Mika Itou and Heather Lee Joelson.

Eri Ninamori is the daughter of Mabase's Mayor, and Naota's class president. She's an intelligent and strong girl and tries to ignore her family's dysfunctionality. She's sassy, independent and devious.

Amarao VAs: Kouji Ohkura and Dave Mallow.

The Commander of some sort of Earth Immigration Department, Amarao has been keeping a close eye on Haruko's actions. He knows a lot about her and tries to act as a role model and convince Naota to keep his distance from her, but he also wears strange fake eyebrows that distract people from his wise words. He has some kind of inferiority complex.

Other Characters:
Kitsurubami VAs: Chiemi Chiba and L. Villa.

Amarao's assistant, Kitsurubami is hard working and loyal, but is freaked out by her boss' eyebrows and wishes he would stop hitting on her.

Shigekuni Nandaba VAs: Hiroshi Ito and Steve Kramer.

The eldest Nandaba, Shigekuni is a retired baker that lives with his son and grandson. He coaches a local baseball team and is otherwise a typical old man. He holds some kind of grudge against Mamimi.

Miyu Miyu VAs: Hideaki Anno (Director of Neon Genesis Evangelion) and David Lucas.

Naota's fat, elderly cat, Miyu Miyu is usually seen curled up in a chubby ball. Haruko makes fast friends with him, and talks to him about her "mission," but does he talk back?

Gaku VAs: Akira Miyajima and Bob Marx.

One of Naota's classmates, Gaku has a hyperactive imagination and tends to focus on dirty thoughts.

Masashi VAs: Kazuhito Suzuki and David Lucas.

Another classmate of Naota's, Masashi is calm and reasonable.

Junko Miyaji VAs: Yukari Fukui and Jessica Stenuis.

Naota's teacher, also known as Miyajun. She's young but prudish, and has a nasty string of bad luck.

"Ta-kun"

This tiny kitten was rescued and named by Mamimi.

"Ta-kun" (the terminal core)

Another creature rescued and named by Mamimi, this mechanical critter eats machines and grows up... in a hurry.

Atomsk

The legendary Pirate King, Atomsk is the mysterious ultra-powerful being that many people are out to capture, and the key to unravelling the plot.

The Secretary (Episode 3)

A minor character, this woman is having an affair with the Mayor of Mabase, Ninamori's father.

Episode Guide (spoilers excluded):

1: Fooly Cooly (Furi Kuri)

Naota's ordinary world gets turned upside-down when Haruko, a crazy woman riding a Vespa and swinging a Rickenbacher Bass, runs him down. A strange unnaturally shaped bump sprouts from his head wound, and while we're introduced to characters, the town of Mabase and the Medical Mechanica factory, Haruko comes to live with Naota's family as a housekeeper. She's very interested in Naota for some reason, but her true identity is a mystery.

2: Fire Starter (FiSta)

A Medical Mechanica robot has joined the Nandaba family and a rash of fires has broken out in the city. Mamimi rescued a tiny kitten and has also become engrossed with a video game called "Fire Starter" and is obsessed with Cantide, the Lord of Black Flames, whom the character in the game serves. She sees the robot (who happens to be wearing a halo and wings) by the river and believes it to be Cantide. Naota has sprouted horns again, and X-rays reveal his head is empty. Fire and gods are the themes for this episode.

3: Marquis de Carabas (Maru-Raba)

Naota has sprouted cat ears, perfect to play the part of the cat in his school's performance of Puss'n'Boots. Ninamori, his devious class president is going through tough times with her dysfunctional family, and Kamon is finally selling some of his tabloids. Cats and spicy curry are the themes this time.

4: Full Swing (Furi Kiri)

Baseball! Haruko is working part time as a ringer for another town's team, and Naota is trying to fill in for his brother on Mabase's team, but just won't swing the bat. Amarao makes his appearance, enlightening us about some of the more insane things that've been going on, while Kamon and Haruko seem to have taken their relationship to the next level. When a military satellite falls out of orbit headed for Mabase, it's up to Haruko and Naota to save the city.

5: Brittle Bullet (Bura Bure)

Lupin, monkeys and guns, guns, guns, Naota and his father decide to duel each other for Haruko's love... with air guns. Outside of the "family turmoil", rumors of Naota's heroics are spreading, his friends think he's cool, but Mamimi doesn't seem to like the new Naota. Amarao and Kitsurubami are out to capture Haruko, and this strange and powerful being called "Atomsk."

6: FLCLimax (Furi Kura)

Following the last battle, Canti and Haruko have disappeared, and the Medical Mechanica factory has been spewing out a cloud of smoke, covering the city and obscuring the existence of the outside world. Haruko returns though, saying she needs Naota's help, while Mamimi has rescued another strange creature, a machine that eats other machines. She uses it to take revenge on a biker who splashed her in the rain, but the creature grows out of her control, leading up to the blatantly "foreshadowed" climax.

Favorite images:

~ Ratphlegm

Fanfiction:

FLCL: Only You Ta- by Sir-Spike

This page created by Ratphlegm

	1: Fooly Cooly (Furi Kuri) Naota's ordinary world gets turned upside-down when Haruko, a crazy woman riding a Vespa and swinging a Rickenbacher Bass, runs him down. A strange unnaturally shaped bump sprouts from his head wound, and while we're introduced to characters, the town of Mabase and the Medical Mechanica factory, Haruko comes to live with Naota's family as a housekeeper. She's very interested in Naota for some reason, but her true identity is a mystery.

	2: Fire Starter (FiSta) A Medical Mechanica robot has joined the Nandaba family and a rash of fires has broken out in the city. Mamimi rescued a tiny kitten and has also become engrossed with a video game called "Fire Starter" and is obsessed with Cantide, the Lord of Black Flames, whom the character in the game serves. She sees the robot (who happens to be wearing a halo and wings) by the river and believes it to be Cantide. Naota has sprouted horns again, and X-rays reveal his head is empty. Fire and gods are the themes for this episode.

	3: Marquis de Carabas (Maru-Raba) Naota has sprouted cat ears, perfect to play the part of the cat in his school's performance of Puss'n'Boots. Ninamori, his devious class president is going through tough times with her dysfunctional family, and Kamon is finally selling some of his tabloids. Cats and spicy curry are the themes this time.

	4: Full Swing (Furi Kiri) Baseball! Haruko is working part time as a ringer for another town's team, and Naota is trying to fill in for his brother on Mabase's team, but just won't swing the bat. Amarao makes his appearance, enlightening us about some of the more insane things that've been going on, while Kamon and Haruko seem to have taken their relationship to the next level. When a military satellite falls out of orbit headed for Mabase, it's up to Haruko and Naota to save the city.

	5: Brittle Bullet (Bura Bure) Lupin, monkeys and guns, guns, guns, Naota and his father decide to duel each other for Haruko's love... with air guns. Outside of the "family turmoil", rumors of Naota's heroics are spreading, his friends think he's cool, but Mamimi doesn't seem to like the new Naota. Amarao and Kitsurubami are out to capture Haruko, and this strange and powerful being called "Atomsk."

	6: FLCLimax (Furi Kura) Following the last battle, Canti and Haruko have disappeared, and the Medical Mechanica factory has been spewing out a cloud of smoke, covering the city and obscuring the existence of the outside world. Haruko returns though, saying she needs Naota's help, while Mamimi has rescued another strange creature, a machine that eats other machines. She uses it to take revenge on a biker who splashed her in the rain, but the creature grows out of her control, leading up to the blatantly "foreshadowed" climax.