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As stated previously, much of FLCL's symbolism is based on sexual innuendo. Most of this is due to the influence of screenplay writer Enomoto Yooji, who was also a screenwriter for the sexually charged anime series Revolutionary Girl Utena. As with that series, FLCL's sexuality is not there for mere titillation, every sexualized scene serves a key function in advancing the storyline.
Sexuality in FLCL
The crucial running sexual symbols of FLCL are Naota's ever-returning horns. These phallic protuberances are the cause of much anxiety for young Naota who knows that any difference from the norm will end in ridicule when he goes to school. Fortunately, the horns can be pushed back into his head and held there with a bandage or hat, but those resolutions are not permanent and require obvious changes in appearance. Naota's horns are also linked to sexuality through his emotions. Sexually charged situations cause the horns to grow in a way very relatable to an erection. During one dramatic example, a scantily clad Haruko straddles Naota, who currently has a small horn growing from the back of his head. As she speaks seductively to him, the horn grows forcing his face up into hers for their first kiss. Very highly charged sexual or emotional situations are also the cause of the horn growing too large to be contained and bursting from Naota's head to form more robots.
The female lap is used often to suggest sexuality. This is achieved both in the typical anime panty shot way as well as in a way much more unique to FLCL. In one scene, Naota is riding with Haruko on her Vespa and as they talk, she decides to attempt to scare him by driving crazily. He ends up face first in her lap for moments in a very sexual scene between the two who have by this point become friends. Naota appears flustered by this turn of events while Haruko does not seem to mind as much.
Similarly, when Ninamori sprouts her first robot after the transfer of Naota's ability to her, the still attached robot drags her around by her head. With her legs freed from the necessity of walking, she wraps her legs around Naotas head and carries him along as well, with his face firmly planted in her lap. The dire circumstances do not allow time for much concerned reaction to this situation, but it is highly sexual nonetheless.
The relationship of the Furi Kuri version of this animes title to the Japanese onomatopoeia kuri kuri which refers to the noise made when fondling breasts is used often in the series. Kamon is often shown asking Naota what Furi Kuri means, a question which Naota cannot answer. His grandfather assumes that it relates to the sexual actions of fondling and in typical anime fashion, plays the role of dirty old man in this regard. Therefore the title itself can be seen as a symbol to the sexual innuendo found throughout FLCL.
Naota at one crucial moment also becomes the sexual symbol which every man fears. He has learned that when Canti eats him, they join to activate the power of Atomsk. This knowledge leads to an overly ambitious sequence where, determined to prove to Mamimi that he is always the one to save her, not Tasuku, he jumps inside Canti, hurrying him to convert into his alternate form of a very phallic cannon and fire the Atomsk bullet which is made up of an energized Naota. Unfortunately for all concerned, Naota allowed his ego to take control and in his haste, he misses the targeted enemy robot and falls prematurely impotent to the city street below. Fortunately for Naota, he proves himself worthy in a situation where no one ever expected him to excel. Haruko had previously been teaching him how to bat in yet another sexually stimulating scene and now it was up to Naota to save Mabase from an incoming meteor.
His bat of Haruko's choice is a bass guitar which she pulled painfully from his head. Female agents watching on monitors have explosive nosebleeds due to the extremely erotic nature of this violently sexual act. Then Naotas powerful swing, aided by channeling Atomsk and assisted by a second swing from Haruko, sends the baseball back deep into space in an apocalyptically orgasmic vision of the beautiful destruction of much of Mabase. |
