“Fooly Cooly”, aka “FLCL”, is finally here with a second season after over a decade since it’s original airing in 2000! The spectacle from Gainax and Production I.G. aired in America in 2003 till 2011 on Adult Swim. For those of you who watched it since then. You will remember that it was a short wacky OVA (original video animation) that didn’t really have that deep of depth for a story and went over everyone’s heads when it came to stuff that weren’t familiar. We followed a coming-of-age story with 12-year-old Naota Nandaba in the ordinary city Manabe. Well, it was ordinary until Haruka Haruhara ran him over with her iconic yellow Vespa. Then we had the luxury of witnessingvery out there, as well as fun, adventures that went in hand for the story of Naota’s maturity throughout the six episode series.

Besides of the points of the coming-of-age story. FLCL had a lot to offer as anime from the year 2000. Two of the biggest points was it’s animation and the banging soundtrack. The animation was different, and varied between many techniques and styles. At times the animation would be experimental. The sequences was also frenetic and always kept pushing of what was possible for Japanese animation.

Then there was the mesmerizing soundtrack by The Pillows that would define a generation of anime watchers. The Director, Kazuya Tsurumaki, said in the past that he tried to “break the rules” of anime. Which lead to choosing the contemporary band, and patterning a style that was more in lines with a “Japanese TV commercial or promotional video”. Creating a work that was short and dense-packed. Another small note was the way the show included obscure pop culture references. Whether it was Japanese or English it did not matter.

In 2015, Anime News Network then sparked hope when they announced Production I.G. purchased the rights for “FLCL” from Gainax. By 2016, sparks did fly when it was announced that the show would get a sequel anime. What made it even better is that The Pillows was confirmed to come back for the soundtrack. It was in partnership with Toonami for broadcasting as well and that that two six episode seasons would be release by 2018.

Since then Production I.G. has been able get many recognizable names attached to these projects. Katsuyuki Motohiro is the chief director for both of the news seasons. His past work is mainly notable for “Psycho-Pass”. Then we have actor Hideto Iwai who is the writer for both seasons. The character designer, Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, of “Neon Genesis Evangelion” and the original “FLCL” series is back at the helm of the position. Of course, as previously stated, The Pillows are back for the series’ music.

Before I get into the review. I do want to add that there are MILD SPOILERS.

For a quick first note, yes: obviously The Pillows tunes are on point and I can’t wait to hear more. From the trailer for “FLCL Progressive”, it is filled with footage mainly from the first episode. This premiere is similar to the original series’ first episode with the fact that it is tame. If anyone remembers the first episode of the original series. It is the most tame episode out of the six, and I’m going to say that hopefully this is going to be the same case with “FLCL Progressive”. Also, the Vespa, Rickenbacker guitars, and robots are around.

The thing that is different compared between the two is the fact of this premiere focusing on dual protagonists, Hidomi and Ide, as opposed to focusing on one. There is nothing wrong with this premiere having the skin of the original series because I personally felt it could possibly be a good transition from the then to the now. Only thing to focus on for the cons section is that it does have a tropiness to it that you would see in modern anime. Which goes against of what FLCL is, but we will have to wait and see how the rest of the series plays out. This first episode is very good for 2018 anime standards, and it has the opportunity to develop an amazing story and be the somewhat same “FLCL” magic we’ve come to love.