Fooly Cooly (FLCL) certainly seems like a pretentious piece of work. An astute viewer will certainly claim to know what messages the series is trying to convey via its surreal unorthodox direction. Maybe FLCL is trying to convey the confusing emotions of adolescence in the process of coming of age, maybe it is trying to convey the frustrations of a boy trying to cope with his boredom living in a quiet town. Whatever FLCL is trying to tell us it through its surreal story telling and absurdist humor ultimately depends on the individual viewer. Yea, this is one of those shows where it is really up for interpretation and that is why I immediately recognize its pretentious aspect that may put many people of.

With that said I don't even think FLCL is trying to be pretentious at all. More than anything I believe the direction of FLCL is to have fun. I can really tell that the writers and animators really does not care about making a cohesive plot but rather focus on conveying on screen whatever they think will seem impressive visually, emotionally and comically. I really find it hard to place this series in a specific genre because I really do not know what characteristics it fits; Is it a comedy? not really, there are maybe a few Tom and Jerry-esqe slap stick that certainly made me laugh. Is it romance? MAYBE...? ? ? The main male lead Naota in some ways explores his feelings for the main female lead Haruko. The reason why I am trying to fit this in a genre is because I want to understand why FLCL is so entertaining for me to the point most of the time watching this series I find myself smiling like an idiot. But ultimately the reason is just so simple. Watching FLCL is FUN. I can definitely see a coming of age drama direction throughout the series and honestly I do not really care much for any character in the series. In the end of the day watching these characters react bombastically and nonchalantly towards the comically surreal events that take place via technically impressive sakuga animation accompanied with a banger of a soundtrack is all I care about. The characters looked like they are having fun, I believe the creators certainly had fun making FLCL, and I also had fun watching FLCL.

What is actually is Fooly Cooly? there are certainly some reference in the show that indicates that it is something sexual but ultimately nothing concrete. Naota makes a meta-response towards it in the finale disregarding its meaning and adamantly states that it does not matter. There is a certain indirect animosity towards the casual viewer that will definitely criticize FLCL and related series that have a more abstract and unorthodox approach to story telling that is certainly prevalent throughout the show. Often there will be absurd and surreal moments where characters will just brush off as slightly weird occurrences but ultimately ignore them. There definitely seems to be an attitude of mockery towards a viewer that have a really closed minded approach to media where they heavily emphasize on the writing and plot via subtle to outright obvious fourth wall breaks. Which I find really amusing if that is truly intentional by the creators as I can imagine some triggered haters catching on to them just like how triggered Rick and Morty haters got when they believe they are being compared to Hitler in that Hitler Morty episode.

In conclusion, is Fooly Cooly it deep? Maybe. Is there a profound message underneath? Maybe. Are the characters well-developed? Kinda. Does the story make sense? NO. Is the plot interesting? What plot? At the end of the day I do not care about all those. FLCL ultimately is FUN.