FLCL-Comedy or not?

[Zorak Masaki]

Ok,,ive heard some people on this board say that FLCL is not really a comedy, but a drama with comedic moments. However, i'd have to say it IS a comedy,,its got goofy characters galore, plus several parodies/references of everything from south park to otaku no video. So where does this "its not a comedy" thing come from?

[Speedy Boris]

DVD Aficionado lists its genre as "Anime/Sci-Fi". Really, it's a catch-all.

[Aquadementia]

Okay, I guess FLCL needs some discussion.
I don't know if it's worth getting worked up if it's labeled a comedy or not.

It doesn't really follow the formula of setting up a premise then delivering a punch-line.

There are a few parts that get a laugh from me, but mostly I'd say I'm more surprised and delighted then giggling like a school girl.

[Swordfish_II]

So where does this "its not a comedy" thing come from?
There's definitely more "action" than funny.

[Artimus Gigan]

action/comedy

atleast it's not a dramedy

[Ferquin]

But it doesn't really focus on action either.

Personally, I would classify it under comedy, but if there was a "character study" category, that's were I'd put it.

Let's say that it's a very character-driven parody (which I suppose would fall under comedy) about growing up with elements of action and sci-fi themes.

[One Radical Dude]

I have to classify FLCL as one big "WTF??". I honestly don't get this series at all. It's...just...there.

[Daikun]

atleast it's not a dramedy
Actually, the series IS more like that, if anything.

ANN lists the series' genres as the following: "Comedy, Drama, Psychological, Science Fiction"

[SirLemming]

"Dramedy" really does seem like the best categorization, or possibly just "Drama". Remember, "drama" doesn't necessarily mean every single moment of the show is heart-wrenching and deep. And it seems to me like this show revolves around Naota's drama.

The show certainly makes me laugh very often, but there really aren't many gags. Even the parodies/homages aren't really gags, they're just thrown in to heighten the insanity. Like, with the South Park homage, there's no real punchline, no twist on it. And that sounds like a bad and lazy thing, but in context it just works for some reason.

[Railith]

FLCL isn't a comedy because there really aren't that many jokes in it. Everything that seems funny is an opeque freaky symbolic thingie that has a meaning that I will never understand and yet perceive it to be there.

I dunno maybe it's just because the show comes on late at night but I'm sure it isn't a comedy because Excel Saga is a comedy and FLCL isn't Excel Saga.

[jbanks97]

FLCL is succesful BECAUSE it can't be classified as an "action show" or a "comedy show". It blends both together with a dash of music video, satire, and complete and utter non-sensicality to make the brilliance that is FLCL.


(Poor Example)
It's like buffy the vampire slayer (the tv show). At it's best moments it was a perfect mix of humor, action, drama, horror.
(/Poor Example)

[Gruntling]

I would consider it an action-sci-fi-comedy hybrid, but most certainly not drama.

[ToliverChap]

sci-fi - yes
comedy -subjective but yes
drama - what isn't
action - stuff happens

sci-fidramedtion or something like that. The point is genre is not so important and that's what makes stuff cool. For example Film Noir is a style not a genre, as such it is used in many genres and combinations of genres, crime, horror, even comedy. It's a post-modern thing, basic genres don't even exist in crappy Hollywood fodder these days see romantic-comedy.

[Crimefighter]

Anime News Network says it is --

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Psychological, Science Fiction

That is the DEFINITIVE word on the OVA, period.

[Eddie G.]

Why must everything have a genre? Can't TV shows just exist without being grouped with other things.

[Artimus Gigan]

Why must everything have a genre? Can't TV shows just exist without being grouped with other things.No everything must be grouped and/or ranked or else the universe will implode

[Superperson]

I agree that 'Dramedy' is the best thing it could be called. Even though it's not exatly striving to make you laugh, I think it's more of comical stuff that the characters do then them telling a joke or something. It doesn't have any heartwrenching drama but it's there in a more 'this is my life' type sense.

[Youko Recca]

No everything must be grouped and/or ranked or else the universe will implode
You're getting warmer....

[Shnay]

I don't know that defining the show is really important or beneficial, as others have mentioned. That said, I will throw in that I didn't care for the comedy elements of the show, but found the "dramatic" (take that to mean whatever you like) moments to be excellent. So, yeah.

[killer2004]

I don't see anything dramatic in FLCL. It's mainly comedy and a very funny one. Although it's follow-up Abenobashi is funnier.

[SirLemming]

I don't see anything dramatic in FLCL. It's mainly comedy and a very funny one.I think a lot of Naota's scenes are dramatic, and also some of Mamimi's scenes. Episode 2 already had quite a few dramatic scenes involving them, toward the end. Remember, "dramatic" doesn't always mean plunging into the depths of emotional anguish. But there are quite a few scenes that are fairly serious in tone, developing the characters.