FLCL Alternative (2018)

[フリクリ オルタナ]

Director: Katsuyuki Motohiro, Yutaka Uemura
Studio: Production IG
Starring: Karen Miyama, Yuri Yoshida, Riho Iida
Episodes: 6

Synopsis:
A high school girl with no particular talents or future aspirations finds herself caught up in strange goings-on as the world teeters on the brink of destruction.

Impressions:
When I saw FLCL Progressive, I was rather disappointed, even though I didn't go in with very high expectations. Perhaps in part because my expectations were even lower, this series comes off better. I'd say there's more to it than that, though. I feel our protagonist Hana is better developed and the plot is structured better, using her friends as the jumping-off point for her facing the issues she's dealing with about growing up. There thematic parallel with the original works better here, too. Whereas Naota was on the cusp of adolescence, Kana is about to take the step into full adulthood. Both deal with the difficulty of growing up and all the complications that go with it. While it doesn't match up to its predecessor in the final tally, it nevertheless feels like a more natural extension of the original than Progressive and a worthier successor. While I've ultimately given both the same rating, my suggestion to give this one a watch comes with a much stronger endorsement, so go for it.

Rating:
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