Anime Hajime Review: FLCL Alternative

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for FLCL Alternative. Reader discretion is advised. The following series was watched with the English dubbing.***

Series Synopsis

Kana Koumoto (voiced in Japanese by Karen Miyama and voiced in English by Megan Harvey) isn’t particularly extraordinary. She just lives her life one day at a time. While that could turn boring and lonesome, Kana knows she can always go to her friends if she needs to.

And Kana thinks the best way to return her gratitude is to always be there for her friends as well. Even if that means being a bit pushy.

Then one day, Kana crosses paths with Haruko Haruhara (voiced in Japanese by Mayumi Shintani and voiced in English by Kari Wahlgren), and her once peaceful, no-thrills existence ends.

All around Kana, the world appears to be crumbling. People are leaving in droves, and Kana believes her friends are maturing at a much faster rate than her. It’s almost as if everything is ending. And either not helping in the slightest or helping immensely – it’s hard to tell which – the spirited Haruko ensures that nothing will ever turn boring.

Anime Hajime Review: FLCL Progressive

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for FLCL Progressive. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Hidomi Hibajiri (voiced by Inori Minase) has chosen to close herself off from the world. However, in her dreams, Hidomi sees visions of horrific death and destruction. When she wakes, Hidomi thinks nothing of her restless nights. Still, a part of her mind tells her she can’t go anywhere without her beloved pair of headphones for protection.

What Hidomi doesn’t know is what her headphones are protecting her from. Mainly: Herself.

Should her thoughts turn drastic, Hidomi will fall into a state known as overflow; the properties of which are shrouded in mystery. One day, Hidomi discovers her classmate, Ko Ide (voiced by Jun Fukuyama), can also activate overflow. Therefore, how many more can do so as well?

Although hoping to block out the madness residing in her head, Hidomi has attracted the attention of many questionable people. Among the most unusual – and probably the most dangerous – is an energetic woman who rides a yellow vesper: Haruko Haruhara (voiced by Mayumi Shintani).

Anime Hajime Review: FLCL

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for FLCL. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Naota Nandaba (voiced Jun Mizuki) is quite cynical for someone as young as him. He lives in a mundane town in a mundane world where nothing special ever happens. He’s surrounded by immature adults, frustrating expectations, and general boredom. It would take one hell of a force to chance the monotony.

And wouldn’t you know it? Such a force comes riding in on a yellow Vespa scooter.

Haruko Haruhara (voiced by Mayumi Shintani) is everything Naota’s life is not. Loud, violent, and unpredictable. Her origins are mysterious, to say the least. Her goals even more so.

With Haruko’s arrival, normal becomes a thing of the past. On a good day, Naota must deal with intergalactic organizations, space pirates, and giant robots emerging from his head. Weather Haruko is a help, a hindrance, or the cause is anyone’s guess.

Yet amongst all the randomness, one thing remains constant. Haruko is unlike anyone, or possibly anything out there.