The anime of FLCL is pretty confusing at first and that's part of the fun, so i don't mind that aspect, but the scans i read were pretty fucking garbage so that didn't help at all. I definitely enjoyed a lot of metaphors but i kept feeling that the pacing was off the entire time, but I'm sure that reading a better translation some of the pacing issues are going to be fixed the way something like HxH improves when you read the official translation, so this score is a place holder while i buy the official release and re read it.

I first watched the anime like so many other people. It really brings back my childhood, of me sitting down at 12 years old, watching this weird ass anime XD Now, I'm gonna say flat out. The anime is confusing as fuck. I had to re-watch it around 6 times to understand it, and look up some hidden meanings behind it. And the reason why it has hidden meanings...and is confusing...is because its made by the one and only....GAINAX. Yus, the people who brought you Neon Genesis Evangelion. Anywho, I bought the manga because I loved the anime so much....and all I have to say is.....WOW. It's different then the anime in so many ways, and the ending is different D PLUS the art style completely fits it. Also, if you thought the anime was confusing...haha...The manga is more confusing. I had to re-read it alot. I reccomend this manga to anyone who is mentally mature to handle it XD

I watched the anime first, was confused by it. Watched it a few more times and understood it.
Then I picked up the manga, expecting it to simply be a re-hash of the same events with some different art. Well, not quite. Some things are similar and some are different.
Yet, here I was. after understanding everything about the anime, I was sitting here... reading the manga... and was kind of baffled and confused again. I think it's just something about the way it's presented in manga format makes it kind of difficult to follow.
I definitely like the anime better. However, I still think the manga has a few good moments... and while I prefer the art style of the anime, the manga has it's own unique charm to it's art as well.
It's an interesting adaptation that does just enough to be good, but not enough to be great.

.... but I wasn't bored with it. I was okay with reading back through it because it wasn't boring at all.
There's a lot going on, so you have to take a double-take on this one.

I (personally) like the art and it's unique style. It's kind of neat.

This series is surprisingly complex. There is certainly allot in only two volumes. I think that the length of this was perfect. You get just enough to understand, but not too much (and with this style, it would drag unbelievably if it were longer). Reading the Manga and watching the anime together help you understand everything (although they are slightly different stories, the similarities help you put it together)

Amazing storyline. This manga is one gigantic metaphor as it is with it's anime counterpart. No doubt that younger readers who will only look on the outside will struggle to understand it's complex story without looking in for a deeper meaning. Re-reading this will only uncover more...making this series (only two volumes) great due to the fact that you uncover as you read again. Like said, it's a giant metaphor so reading once will only give you puzzled looks. Great for those looking for something new and unique.
The art is simple yet detailed. Whacky yet tasteful, the art is the signature of Ueda. Simple as it is it looks as it is I find the art realistic yet not...somewhat like the story...(eerrr...xD)
Once again, a great read for the older, more mature manga readers or just ones who enjoy learning philosophy. It's a sugar coated sour tasting manga with a chocolatey core. (to put it in candy-like forms =O)

this manga is very hard to understand, you must read it 10 times to get it. It does have a interesting and intensive surreal plot. Everytime you read it, you can understand more a more the characters and discover many things.the trick is re-read, over and over.

... Last updated on December 10th, 2007, 11:01am

The art is interesting and unique in its own way, story is really confusing though, but its still entertaining for some reason.

I just... don't get it. I didn't understand the story, the art was a little too wild for my tastes... and I just simply Did Not Get It.

I also don't get why it's so popular, either...

Edit: As for the comments about younger readers not getting it - I'm 30 and I didn't get it. If something has to be re-read a dozen times to be understood, it's TOO convoluted. Regardless, I didn't enjoy reading it the first time... so I won't be reading it a second time and frankly, I could care less what it "means"

... Last updated on December 4th, 2008, 3:46am

Amazing storyline....not that i understood it.