FLCL's ending: Was Haruko the right choice?

[The Landstander]

Neither Haruko nor Amaro were exactly perfect people for Naota at the end of FLCL. Haruko was using Naota for his head, to transport Atomsk (probably the only person she geuninely cared about), while Amaro was a suit-wearin'-dude-bringin'-bigasseyebrow-having kid desperate to come off as a man. At the end, Amaro pleads for Naota to use his power to destroy Haruko, while Haruko wishes for Naota to finally give her what she wants. Obviously, Naota chose to follow Haruko's advice, and that was the end of that.

The question is: Did Naota make the right choice? Or would he have been smarter to listen to Amaro's pleas?

(I thought this deserved its own thread away from the C&C - Anything Else)

[Corrado]

"The question is: Did Naota make the right choice?"

Yes, he did.

[The Drizzle]

Yes, he did.

No need to overanalyze the situation.

[Corrado]

"No need to overanalyze the situation."

Sorry. I couldn't think of anything else to say.

[Botman]

No.

As many people have found out from my post on the Blue Gender finale thread, I hate "anti-human" anime.

So, when Haruko made that "primitive, unevolved, worthless apes" comment, I ended up hating her for the rest of the series, and became a full supporter of "Mr. Eyebrows".

[Roger Smith]

No he dident made the Right Choise
Amaro chose was Better
destroy Haruko and use his powers he had

[Tienshin]

Ok, some d00d with super organic massive eyebrows comes up to j00 on a scooter...and tells j00 that a piece of "Supa-Dupa Hottie Mega Babe Shizzle Cheesecake Chick (Haruko)" ain't right fo' j00 at all.

Do you:

A) Listen to some d00d with super organic massive eyebrows advice?

B) Let "Supa-Dupa Hottie Mega Babe Shizzle Cheesecake Chick" boss you around...secretly hoping you get some play, but at the same time take a risk that the "high school girl who is ALREADY all up in your shizzle" might bounce?

*Breathe, cuz that run on sentence was killer*

C) Say "FUC|< It" and eat "The Pirate King" but end up giving up said "Pirate King" powers only to tell "Supa-Dupa Hottie Mega Babe Shizzle Cheesecake Chick" you love her?

*Breathe again*

D) Realize you a complete moron, since you CAN diss "Supa-Dupa Hottie Mega Babe Shizzle Cheesecake Chick" once her job is done and she takes off and still be like: "Hey! High school girl who is ALREADY all up in my shizzle, lets play doctor! I bet you do it like a weasal! Or some kind of animal!"

And of course you could wait for:

E) Six years and see what Ninamori is thinking.

*Now I must go shower, for I am dirty*

[Roger Smith]

Ahh English Please?

[Sora Takenouchi]

*reads Tienshin's post*



*passes out*

X_X

[Karl Olson]

E) Six years and see what Ninamori is thinking.

*Now I must go shower, for I am dirty*

:o

Naota & Ninamori sitting in a tree...

</gainax makes you feel dirty>


btw tienshin, that whole post was funny. seriously.

[SwedeRacer]

If he had chosen Amaro then the situation wouldnt have been resolved. Medical Mechanica would just keep sending robots down through Naota's head, and Haruko wouldnt be there to stop them. So ultimately i think it was the correct decision.


Besides its not like they woulda had him choose Amaro instead...that would have been a really crappy ending ;)

[Eddie G.]

No...but hot alien chick or eyebrow dude, who would you pick?

[Tienshin]

:o

Naota & Ninamori sitting in a tree...

</gainax makes you feel dirty>


btw tienshin, that whole post was funny. seriously.
Gainax...I always smile when I see their work mentioned.

They are filthy....so subversive and dirty.

I love those guys.

[Karl Olson]

Gainax...I always smile when I see their work mentioned.

They are filthy....so subversive and dirty.

I love those guys.

Yes, and as such I think the guys of Gainax and the gals of CLAMP should get together sometime. It'd be the cutest, wrongest thing ever. As such, it'd be hugely popular.

[Komadoki]

This is what I'd do. I'd take my bass and whack the freaky eyebrow dudes head off. Then tell haruko that i've exploded in my pants for you. She'd be like your a kid thats natural. and I'd be like whats with you gettin up in my business. Then I'd find ninamori and go I want pie. she'd be like NO!!! So then i'd just find gramps and we'd look at "mags" for awhile.
Chicks suck

Thats all I have to say. WAIT NO!!!!


TUPAC LIVES!!!! SO EAT IT ALL YOU NONE BELIEVERS!!! FO SHIZZLE NIZZLE. D I DUBBYA DIZZLE. FIZZLE THE POWER PUFFIN GIZZLES. YO YO.. GO JELLY ...REALLY SMELLY... GO JELLY... I LIKE PINAPPLE PORKGRINDS WITH BEST FRIENDS NAMED FORELLI. ha HA!!!! YEAH!!!

ROCK ON HATERS!!!!

[WingZombie38]

Yes, and as such I think the guys of Gainax and the gals of CLAMP should get together sometime. It'd be the cutest, wrongest thing ever. As such, it'd be hugely popular.
Great idea! hmm, someone start a petition. :p I wonder what that merger on a project would produce. Oo Somone make this happen quick!

I never like Haruko myself. I would have listed to Mr.Eyebrows.

[Komadoki]

Yes He Made The Right Choice And I Wish The Super Computer Was A Chick And Not A Dog. Yeah!!!


Rock On!!!!

[TnAdct1]

Personally, I felt that Haruko made the right choice when it came to helping Haruko get the power of Atmosk instead of siding with Amaroa. This is in my opinion the first of three big choices that he makes in the final episode (with this one representing whether to wuss out a la Amaroa or be someone who actually has the guts to try things a la Haruko). The other two choices:

1. Responsibility. After finding out about the truth about the iron-shaped buildings via assimilating with the hand-like robot, Naota has to choose between continuing to follow Haruko's plan (which would lead to the town becoming mindless slaves) or change the plans and use Atmosk to save the town. Basically he decides that he needs to save his town.

2. Power/Maturity. After getting the power and realizing that Haruko is very mad at him for doing that. Naota has to make one final choice: continue to use the power of Atmosk (who represents an adult) to defeat Haruko or release the power for her and return to being a child. As seen in the events in the final episode, Naota finally does begin to care about Haruko. Thus, he is willing to give up Atmosk's power to make her happy.

[SSJPabs]

I have always hated what Haruko stands for.

If I were Naota, I would have chosen Ninamori. By the end of the series she's the most mature of the lot.

[Fata Morgana]

But did he really help Haruko in the end? What he did was free Atmosk, while Haruko wanted to capture Atmosk. Naota managed to thwart medical mechanica and Haruko at the same time. I'm not sure he made the right choice, but I don't know that he was capable of making any other. At least he didn't just totally bend to Haruko's will.

Fata Morgana

[SSJPabs]

But did he really help Haruko in the end? What he did was free Atmosk, while Haruko wanted to capture Atmosk. Naota managed to thwart medical mechanica and Haruko at the same time. I'm not sure he made the right choice, but I don't know that he was capable of making any other. At least he didn't just totally bend to Haruko's will.

Fata MorganaYeah, but now Haruko has that double necked guitar. Nothing's going to be able to stop her now. Ah well, I'm not sure he could have released Atmosk if he HAD killed Haruko.

[CaptainRed]

Tienshin — that was awesome. :¬D

Naota made the right choice, because he did what he wanted to do, that's why his heart/guitar merged with Atomsk's... or rather, why he was able to swing the bat at all. What is it again? "Feet planted, legs spread, and swing the bat like you're defeating the enemy." Had Naota not had his heart in what he was doing, Haruko would have beaten him — even with Atomsk manning the other guitar.

Atomsk had the power to unseat the iron — all Naota need do was unseat the hand. Haruko didn't need to be killed... and that's a good thing, because neither Atomsk nor Naota(especially, methinks, Naota) had the heart to kill her. So ultimately, he does the right thing(saves the planet) without forgetting who he is and what he wants(Haruko).

*honks hugs and whatever else*
Cappy "My head was in better order three months ago" Red

[SSJPabs]

Haruko didn't need to be killed... I'm sorry. She's going around potentially KILLING PLANETS in her pusuit of Atomsk and you think she doesn't need killing?

[Youko Recca]

I'm sorry. She's going around potentially KILLING PLANETS in her pusuit of Atomsk and you think she doesn't need killing?

I guess not cause when your found attractive you can get away with the future destruction of the universe. :rolleyes:

[Fata Morgana]

I'm sorry. She's going around potentially KILLING PLANETS in her pusuit of Atomsk and you think she doesn't need killing?

Whoa, whoa, whoa - Haruko is not, herself, medical mechanica. She may end up allowing MM to destroy planets in order to fullfill her goal, but that's not the same thing as being the destroyer herself. She's still evil, but she's not *that* evil.

Fata Morgana

[ClockStomper]

Jeez you guys, what's next? Are you going to analyze wheter Stewie is evil or not? I mean, I can understand show like Big O are in need of analyzation, but FLCL? It's as logical as what you see in a kelidioscope while on LSD!

Although that probably wouldn't stop people from saying "Yeah, I think this red reflection over here symbolizes unresolved issues with the mother."

[Youko Recca]

Whoa, whoa, whoa - Haruko is not, herself, medical mechanica. She may end up allowing MM to destroy planets in order to fullfill her goal, but that's not the same thing as being the destroyer herself. She's still evil, but she's not *that* evil.

Fata Morgana

I'm pretty sure if the chance came up she'd herself blow up a planet just to reach her goal.

[True Noir]

NO way! He should have been Mamimi.

[Artimus Gigan]

So they freed the pirate king. basicly that primitive monkey comment was directed toward Mr.Eyebrows and not earth in general. Also the pirate king did decide to spare earth. So there was a connection.

[Fata Morgana]

I mean, I can understand show like Big O are in need of analyzation, but FLCL? It's as logical as what you see in a kelidioscope while on LSD!

You're kidding, right? FLCL is rife for analysis. Nothing is explained, yet there are some pretty obvious things you can figure out right off by simple analysis, and some things that when you think of them they make sense. Like, no one ever *says* "the women are turned on by the fact that Naota can 'whip out' a flying V", instead they just show women with nosebleeds saying "impressive" - that's an obvious one. Another thing that someone on a different board suggested was that Amaro's eyebrows block the NO channel, which is why he wanted Naota to wear them. I don't know for a fact that that's true, but it seems really likely once you think about it.

Besides, it's a really fun show to analyze. :p

Fata Morgana

[Nimbleness]

Jeez you guys, what's next? Are you going to analyze wheter Stewie is evil or not? I mean, I can understand show like Big O are in need of analyzation, but FLCL? It's as logical as what you see in a kelidioscope while on LSD!

Although that probably wouldn't stop people from saying "Yeah, I think this red reflection over here symbolizes unresolved issues with the mother."

Amen.
Bless your soul.

[SwedeRacer]

So has anyone else noticed the huge phalic symbol from last nights episode(Firestarter)? I have watched the episode atleast 5-6 times, and just picked up on it, which is odd because its so incredibly blatant. Its in the Hybrid Rainbow's scene, which is the one where Canti flys off the burnt school house. Anyway as Mamimi is watching him fly they cut too a from between her legs, where you can see the giant pointy school house. Way too blatant to not be a phalic symbol, though im not perfectly sure what Gainax meant by it.

[livingfruitvirus]

Jeez you guys, what's next? Are you going to analyze wheter Stewie is evil or not? I mean, I can understand show like Big O are in need of analyzation, but FLCL? It's as logical as what you see in a kelidioscope while on LSD!

Although that probably wouldn't stop people from saying "Yeah, I think this red reflection over here symbolizes unresolved issues with the mother."

http://www.itty-bitties.com/flcl-macro.jpg

[Artimus Gigan]

http://www.itty-bitties.com/flcl-macro.jpg
Your glorious image has been asimilated into my hard drive.

[HumanoidTyphoon]

Jeez you guys, what's next? Are you going to analyze wheter Stewie is evil or not? I mean, I can understand show like Big O are in need of analyzation, but FLCL? It's as logical as what you see in a kelidioscope while on LSD!

Although that probably wouldn't stop people from saying "Yeah, I think this red reflection over here symbolizes unresolved issues with the mother."Can you prove it doesn't? <.<

I find Haruko to be really annoying so I would side with the guy with weirdass eyebrows if I were Naota. Though everything pretty much worked out so I would say he made the right choice.

[SSJPabs]

Can you prove it doesn't? <.<

I find Haruko to be really annoying so I would side with the guy with weirdass eyebrows if I were Naota. Though everything pretty much worked out so I would say he made the right choice.
Worked out? Again let me point out that with Haruko having that MASSIVE upgrade in guitars means that the damage she can do on any future planets has increased exponentially!

That madwoman has to be stopped. http://forums.toonzone.net/images/smilies/err.gif

[Perfect Cell]

Does he choose Haruko? i mean he fights her at the end. He does the right thing. FLCL is great. Few times has an anime been pretty much perfect from begining to end. I originally wanted more episodes, but after seign it again i said its perfect as it is. Naota does the right thing at the end plain and simple.

[Bogey B]

he made the right chice, why you ask well do realize what haruko would have done to mabatsu to get naota to do the ehad thing seriously think about it(plz dont)


BTW landstander wacky deli, classic man keep that chease and if u get rid of it mail it to me k?

[ClockStomper]

You're kidding, right?

Of course. There's about 10 new things I notice on each run. But I do think FLCL isn't on that level where it's about "major ethical issues" like Vash's "to kill or not to kill" conundrum.

[Anime Guy]

Of course. There's about 10 new things I notice on each run. But I do think FLCL isn't on that level where it's about "major ethical issues" like Vash's "to kill or not to kill" conundrum.

Agreed. FLCL is like Bebop, you need to stare into the screen without blinking to notice everything.

Trigun is a decisions anime.

[CaptainRed]

I'm sorry. She's going around potentially KILLING PLANETS in her pusuit of Atomsk and you think she doesn't need killing?

Actually, she was trying to bait out Atomsk by furthering Medical Mechanica's progress. What she would do after siezing Atomsk is up for debate.

I'm pretty sure if the chance came up she'd herself blow up a planet just to reach her goal.

I think not. Medical Mechanica puts their irons on planets for a good reason. There are no people in space. Besides, where would you put a giant iron like that in a space station?

Atomsk is out to fight Medical Mechanica. It's what he does. But Medical Mechanica is too large to fight in person anywhere in particular at once, so he uses NO to fight them where their efforts make intervention urgent. If Haruko blows up a planet, there will be no people there for Medical Mechanica to go after. No people to go after, no Medical Mechanica. No Medical Mechanica, no Atomsk. If there is possibility of Atomsk making an appearance, Haruko isn't going to show up either.

If it would help her reach her goal? Perhaps... but such action is a long way away from aiding her efforts.

Your glorious image has been asimilated into my hard drive.

Ditto :anime:

Worked out? Again let me point out that with Haruko having that MASSIVE upgrade in guitars means that the damage she can do on any future planets has increased exponentially!

That madwoman has to be stopped. http://forums.toonzone.net/images/smilies/err.gif

At what point did Haruko ever use her guitar to destroy something that wasn't a Medical Mechanica robot?(apart from the "guitar fight" in FLCLimax) She whacked a few people with her bass to draw stuff out of their heads, but not once did she go on a mad guitar ramage through Mabase city.

he made the right chice, why you ask well do realize what haruko would have done to mabatsu to get naota to do the ehad thing seriously think about it(plz dont)

I don't really have a response... I just have to say I love your avatar... and that "Iiiiiii'm open for interpretation"

Of course. There's about 10 new things I notice on each run. But I do think FLCL isn't on that level where it's about "major ethical issues" like Vash's "to kill or not to kill" conundrum.

I... think I get what you mean there... that the question of this thread isn't really the most important one in the show. If that is what you mean, then I agree with you. :¬)

FLCL is more the meaning of the message, then the value of two options. Both forms are good... the presentation of FLCL just happens to kick more ass than Trigun.(though I like Trigun too :¬)

*honks hugs and whatever else*
Cappy Red

[Mibbitmaker]

So has anyone else noticed the huge phalic symbol from last nights episode(Firestarter)? I have watched the episode atleast 5-6 times, and just picked up on it, which is odd because its so incredibly blatant. Its in the Hybrid Rainbow's scene, which is the one where Canti flys off the burnt school house. Anyway as Mamimi is watching him fly they cut too a from between her legs, where you can see the giant pointy school house. Way too blatant to not be a phalic symbol, though im not perfectly sure what Gainax meant by it.

I noticed it the first time I saw that episode (last week).

Meaning? Maybe the school in that scene stands for Naota's brother, since that's where they met (burning schoolhouse, that is).

[Dana Carvey's Church Lady]Well, isn't that special?[/Church Lady] :D

[Killtacular]

Of course. There's about 10 new things I notice on each run. But I do think FLCL isn't on that level where it's about "major ethical issues" like Vash's "to kill or not to kill" conundrum.
FLCL can be way more analyzed than Trigun. Trigun tells a very literal story that isn't open to interpretation at all. It's like an opera where characters' emotions are always overexaggerated. The actions on-screen made very clear to the audience.

[Bogey B]

sry about that last post it was written rea late and was basicly used to test the new avatar

besides that, over all i belive he made the right choice because it resulted in the destruction of medical mechannica and stoped the hail of destruction the haruko would have brought, so yeah :sweat:

[Fata Morgana]

FLCL can be way more analyzed than Trigun. Trigun tells a very literal story that isn't open to interpretation at all. It's like an opera where characters' emotions are always overexaggerated. The actions on-screen made very clear to the audience.

Thank you. You said that in a much more concise and clear way than I could have.

Fata Morgana

[SSJPabs]

Thank you. You said that in a much more concise and clear way than I could have.

Fata Morgana
But there IS a limit to over-anaylsis, I mean on the FLCL monster thread I ended up just analysing to push the post count of the thread higher. Not that they weren't valid analysis mind you, I just had an alterior motive.

[Fata Morgana]

What I was agreeing with was Matt's assesment that Trigun is linear, while FLCL is more open ended.

Of course there's a limit to analysis. It's important to remember that the more nebulous the story is, the more likely it is that you're just coming up with interpretations based on your own experience and not intended by the creators - like a Roschach test. That's how I felt about Eva, frankly; one big Roschach test begging for you to put meanings to things that are essentially meaningless. FLCL is different in that (to me, at least) the story overall makes sense, despite the wierdness involved.

Fata Morgana

[Stripe]

Just a couple of hours ago I was at suncoast in the anime section and I picked up a flcl DVD, then this guy next to me said "Don't watch that, it doesn't make any sense" then I looked at him and said "It makes perfect sense!" :D

[Youko Recca]

Just a couple of hours ago I was at suncoast in the anime section and I picked up a flcl DVD, then this guy next to me said "Don't watch that, it doesn't make any sense" then I looked at him and said "It makes perfect sense!" :D

where do you live?

[Stripe]

Alabama..... land of freebird

[Anime Guy]

Just a couple of hours ago I was at suncoast in the anime section and I picked up a flcl DVD, then this guy next to me said "Don't watch that, it doesn't make any sense" then I looked at him and said "It makes perfect sense!" :D

It only makes sense if you watch it several times.

[Delthayre]

I've watched FLCL three times now and for whatever reason, none of those times have I been able to bring myself to try and understand this series in anything more than the broadest and most vague ways. Although some elements have come to strike me as intutive.