FLCL: Progressive and FLCL: Alternative, arrived last week for the first time as a Blu-ray combo pack, collecting the sequels to the beloved surrealist comedy sci-fi series FLCL. And to promote its release, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment sent along a Funko Pop! figure of everyone's favorite pink-haired alien, Haruko.
Created by Gainax, written by Yōji Enokido and directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki, FLCL can be a little difficult to describe. Originally airing from 2000 to 2001 in Japan, the series is a coming-of-age story that follows Naota Nandaba, a 12-year-old boy from the city of Mabase whose life is turned upside down when he's run over by a Vespa-driving Haruko, who claims to be an alien investigator from the Galactic Space Police Brotherhood. From there it just gets weird, with Naota's head becoming a portal through which he can bring giant robots produced by Medical Mechanica to Mabase. Oh, and Haruko uses Naota's cat to communicate with her superiors in the mysterious Fraternity. That's only for starters.
The second season, FLCL: Progressive, brings Haruko back to the the city of Mabase, this time in the form of a teacher, and introduces 14-year-old Hidomi and her classmate Ide amid the continuing war between Medical Mechanica and the Fraternity. In the final season, FLCL: Alternative, Haruko inserts herself into the life of 17-year-old Kana Koumoto and her friends as Medical Mechanica launches its attack on the planet.
Priced at $44.98, the combo pack from Production I.G and Adult Swim includes all 12 episodes of Progressive and Alternative, plus a 15-minute, never-before-seen documentary about the making of both seasons, with interviews with voice talent and crew. Other features include a “Meet the Creators” piece focused on the new era of show creators, and a segment about the relationship the Japanese alternative-rock band The Pillows has with the series.