Fooly Cooly: Progressive (FLCL 2)

[A random user]

As announced, 2000's cult classic, Fooly Cooly is back to life with two brand new seasons under the hands of Production I.G and Toonami with alternative rock-band The Pillows on the OST.

Title: Fooly Cooly: Progressive/ FLCL: Progressive/ FLCL 2
Episodes: 6

This seasons takes time many years after the incidents in which Naota and Haruko were involved, introducing a new line-up of leads

FLCL Progressive tells the story of 14-year-old Hidomi, her classmate Ide, and two otherworldly beings, "Jinyu" and "Haruha Raharu," who are determined to unlock their hidden potential. Mixed up in this is an all-powerful force known as "ATOMSK," a gorgeous vintage car… and a certain Vespa Scooter.

Fooly Cooly : Progressive premiered  on June 2nd at Adult Swim's anime's block Toonami with english dub and currently scheduled to air every saturday (cst).

On Japan will premier as compilation movie on September.

Source: Anime News Network

[A random user]

Episode 01 personal impressions: "Cool start, but a tamed one compared to the first season aiming to lackluster"

 

Is far, very far, from being bad on it's own league but it don't live up to the impact of the first episode of season one if we compare them. Being the biggest mistake to reduce not the animation quality but the variety of animation and art styles that *Fooly Cooly showed off compared to **RE:Start.

 

However, there are some interesting points plot-wise. Starting from Hidomi's mom, who straight up gave hints and references to season one to which Hidomi reacted in a very interesting way; Jinyu, who shows she has the same powers as Haruko but is yet to known if they are "in the same team" (probably not) and, lastly, Hidomi's classmate Ide, who already is shown to have the N.O powers.

 

Regarding if the show has WTF or mind-f^ck^ry moments, yes it has, but tamed ones (May satan bless that teacher who made her class to be about her students watching hardcore porn in front of her 😀😆😇) again, compared to the premiere of the first season, to which I blame the lack of diverse art and animation styles, something I ranted at the beginning.

 

Althought, on a very personal note, this episode felt more "deep" and less "messy" compared to the first one of the last season. Or at least that is how I felt comparing how the introduction of the main characters - Hidomi in one hand and Naota on the other hand - was handled.

However, Haruko finally appearing into the show's enviroment was everything.

 

Finally, sharing some plot points with first season's episode one (to the point of feeling like they did a copy-paste) , it can be said that FLCL : Progressive tries to aim on going with their own direction and keeping the original series scent at the same time but it will be able to pull it off?

 

Overall, I enjoyed this episode. 😊

 

* Season one first episode

**Season two first episode

[A random user]

I'm yet to watch episode 2 but since I'm here, the preview for next episode:

 

 

 

A beach one...didn't see that coming...

[A random user]

Episode 02 personal impressions: "Arigato world, a Fooly Cooly rated E for everyone"

 

 

On last episode, I got the feeling that this season aimed to go on it's own direction but carrying the original series spirit with them. And this episode just funded my point, a mix of the old oddness from season one and the brand new environment of this series, seasoned with a different approach of content and references to the old show, gave this episode as a result of that mix.

 

For instance, now there is a variety of art styles throughout the episode, still minimal, but there is. Moreover it got more wacky on the plot development but not overboard to give space to some arc development. But mostly, more, not necessarily character development but, showcase of Hidomi's inner world a.k.a personality.

 

 

However, the plot development was 50-50. Part of this episode's story was stuff I already suspected by the last episode but the other part was brand new stuff, for example, Hidomi's power showcase. Moreover, it seems the main canon ship sailed on this episode.

 

 

There is a lot more going on that secuence besides what you are looking

Now, it may be probably early but it seems sexuality will be a recurrent theme through the series? Not in a "fanservice" way (yet) but more as a tool of storytelling. Like this episode went rampant with sexual under tone themes but as a way to describe a part of Hidomi's character and not graphical fanservice (for now).

 

 

Althought there was some bizarre "hot moments" (?)

 

 

 

 

Yeah, old FLCL's spirit on work...but rated E for Everyone.

 

Overall I loved this episode 😀ðŸ˜ðŸ’“, it felt like an improvement from the premiere.

 

Still there some stuff that put this series below the original for now but, like I said, it seems this is aiming to go on it's own way without losing the original scent.

 

 

[A random user]

Welp, it seems Dailymotions links do not work like before...

 

So here one of the show ost:

 

 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=vVRmzWnekdw&feature=youtu.be

 

[A random user]

Episode 4 preview

 

 

 

[A random user]

Episode 3 personal impressions : "Tundra...Zundra...Thundere" stuff start to get fooly cooly"

 

 

The series is starting to shape the overall plot up, with new questions set on the table and probably new characters.

 

 

 

Ironically I consider this to be the most tamed episode so far (almost at the same level of episode one) but (unlike episode 1) I guess it was needed so the new enigmas can be introduced for the series plot without losing this season pasing.

 

However, at some points they tried too hard to be deep with their characters, even though when it was not needed, and some comedy gags did not work for me

 

 

Altought they were some brilliant moments on the episode, with an special mention of Aiko. Deam that gurl! Despite that her personality and the episode's story arc which she took part can be considered cliche (actually is cliche) they way it was played out was funny.

 

 

By the end of the episode is where the real deal occurs. Like I said before, setting new questions and potentials new characters for the rest of the season (And probably the return of an old one!?)

 

 

In the end I liked this episode, not at the same level of the second one but has it charms to keep me interested.

 

 

[A random user]

Episode 5 preview:

 

 

 

[A random user]

Quick strong impressions:

 

1._ Canti!!11!!1 😱😨

2._ Jinyu... 😨😕😱😩 I swear if that is the end of her story arc then she was truly a wasted character...but it was implied that sooner or later this outcome would come.

3._If that guy is not Amarao...ðŸ˜

4._The pink hair 1!!11!! 😄

[A random user]

Episode 04 personal impressions: "I'd a dream that I woke up from a dream, things got Fooly Cooly"

 

 

This episode was just a huge clustermess and I loved, involving an old character and the best fight of the season so far.

 

 

Just like I felt, episode 3 set the table for what is left of this season and this episode started to serve, what I would call, the main dishes of it.

 

The plot is started to take shape and many questions are being answered.

 

 

 

A special mention deserve the fight between Haruko and Jinyu wich showcased the total #mess and randomness in which FLCL can get.

 

 

 

 

Among the flaws, the mixing in this dub can be pretty much a turn off, wasting some potential.

 

 

 

And Ide's "Hibajiri!" can be pretty much irritating too this time, like they could had used other word on his lines you know.

 

Overall, the best episode so farðŸ‘💓💪ðŸ†, and with 2 episodes left is yet to see if it's able to keep the bar this high.

 

 

[A random user]

Final episode preview:

 

 

 

"TV-MA"?

 

...

 

The FLCLClimax is cumming!

[A random user]

Episode 5 personal impressions: "FOOOLYYY COOOOLYYYY!

 

 

Aesthetic as f*ck, this is the best way to summarize this episode which, by my surprise, it blended well with anime's overall theme and even boosted it at some moments.

 

I dare to say this is the most experimental episode from this season and last season of ten years ago.

 

 

 

It's gearing up for the finale, that's that major point they left clear but it left me wondering how are they going to wrap it up in just one episode, if they plan to wrap it up.

 

The animation style for this episode was wonderfull and, as expected, unexpected. Starting from the opening sequence till before the credits.

 

 

 

One thing I want to highlight is return of the "manga scenes" but intead of doing a carbon copy of the ones from the first season, is a bunch of scenes wjth it's own identity which suits the current season atmosphere and I love It.

 

 

 

However, one big turn off was the forcefull introduction of elements from the previous season which felt out of place in this season's setting.

 

Like, I felt they had forseen that people woukd ask "Where is Naota?" so they decided to thrown a random element from season one to satisfy those fans.

 

 

 

It was very interesting and good episode but it did not left me with the same impact of last episode but definetely a must watch for the ones who like experimental animation in the sense of breaking the ice.

 

 

 

[A random user]

Man, the waiting for the upload is killing me 😰

 

But base on the tweets, why I'm not surprised they decided to throw everythinh at the last espisode 😶

 

Hope is wrapped up well.

 

Just a few more minutes till is available on Adult Swim website...if it is not protected by password of course. 😶😞

[A random user]

Episode 6 (finale) personal impression: "Do whatever you want 'cause I'll be doing the same"...the FLCLimax

 

 

As expected they decided to throw everything on the finale 😶...well, not everything because, like it's predecessor, some stuff are open for interpretation or to re-watch again.

 

 

 

Yup, the major questions were answered and most of the resolutions were pretty much expected but how they were handled is where rely it's charm.

 

The animation and art style for this episode can come as a let down considering how it went all out on the previous 2 episodes - in special number 5 -.

 

 

 

Overall, despite being the finale and resolving main story arcs I did not feel it was that interesting despite some catchy stuff going on.

 

However among those stuff, things like Haruko facing a robot (mecha?) with her guitar and own bare hand, Aiko fulfilling her "true" purpose and even all Haruko's speechs in this episode made the episode entertaining.

 

 

 

A regular episode, is not at the same level as previous episodes but just 'cause is the finale and throw the major resolutions make it an important one.