FLCL Progressive
Synopsis — from MyAnimeList
Hidomi Hibajiri is a disillusioned young girl who never takes off her headphones. Her whole life consists of going to school, helping out at her mother's cafe, and listening to music. And with nothing else to break the crippling monotony, she keeps her headphones on at all times. That is, until she is run over by a mysterious guitar-wielding woman. That same night, a robot barges into Hidomi’s room along with a boy from her class, Ko Ide, and the kids are chased around town together. They're saved by the guitar-wielding woman from before, but now Hidomi's got a horn growing from her forehead? Who knows where these robots are coming from, what kind of vespa woman this weird guitar woman is warning her about, or what this thing on her forehead is, but it doesn't look like Hidomi is going to be able to ignore all this with headphones!
Audience Consensus
Audience reception is heavily polarized, with many feeling the sequel fails to capture the magic and essence of the original FLCL. While some appreciate the continuation of the lore and certain creative animation choices, a significant portion views it as a creatively bankrupt imitation that sacrifices the original's unique spirit for fanservice and a hollow narrative.
Strengths
- The return of The Pillows for the soundtrack is consistently praised.
- Some viewers found the animation creative, particularly in dream sequences.
- The voice acting for the main protagonist, Hidomi, is noted as talented.
- Certain characters, like Fuyumi, are highlighted as interesting.
- The sequel attempts to build upon the established lore of the original FLCL.
Weaknesses
- The sequel is frequently criticized for lacking the charm, originality, and thematic depth of the original.
- The writing is described as nonsensical, with plot points feeling forced or amateurish.
- Character development is inconsistent, with main characters often perceived as flat, empty, or lacking agency.
- The animation quality is inconsistent, with some episodes or sequences being praised while others are deemed average or poor.
- The use of callbacks and music from the original is often seen as a crutch or a misused attempt at nostalgia.