FLCL and Evangelion are anime cult classics that viewers love to talk about even to this day. Both anime are avant-garde and deal with the same mix of genres like mecha, action, and sci-fi. These two anime have the same production studio, but how else are FLCL and Evangelion connected?
Neon Genesis Evangelion debuted in 1995, whereas FLCL premiered in 2000. So, is FLCL a sequel to Neon Genesis Evangelion, or are they set in the same universe?
In this article, we’ve tackled the connection between these two anime gems as well as their similarities.
Is FLCL a Sequel to Evangelion?
No, FLCL is not a sequel to Evangelion. This means that FLCL and Evangelion have no direct narrative connection that fans should know about.
They are unique, separate, and independent works with their own characters, thematic elements, and storylines.
But why do fans love to discuss FLCL and Evangelion together?
While FLCL and Evangelion have no direct connection, these two shows share the same creative talent and production studio, and they both explore the same themes but with different approaches.
How Are FLCL and Evangelion Connected?
As stated above, FLCL and Evangelion have no direct narrative connection, but they share significant indirect connections, which are as follows:
FLCL and Evangelion Have the Same Production Studio
Studio Gainax produced both FLCL and Evangelion. It is a studio known for its avant-garde, unconventional, and innovative animation techniques that hugely influenced both FLCL and Evangelion.
Unlike other anime studios, Gainax pushes animation to its boundaries, often challenging the norms with its amusing and thought-provoking projects that eventually shape the anime industry.
In case you didn’t know, Gainax was established in 1984 by a group of creative and brilliant anime enthusiasts, including Hideaki Anno, Hiroyuki Amaga, and Takami Akai.
Gainax prides itself on being a quality anime studio, having worked on groundbreaking anime shows such as Neon Genesis Evangelion, FLCL, and even Gurren Lagann.
FLCL and Evangelion: Same Key Staff
Since FLCL and Evangelion have the same production studio, they also share the same key individuals who worked on the series' animation and visuals.
Here are some key individuals who worked on both FLCL and Evangelion:
- Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (The Girl Who Leapt Through Time) was the character designer for both Evangelion and FLCL. His work is iconic, and his ability to create emotionally resonant characters is still celebrated by fans around the world to this day.
- Kazuya Tsurumaki (Diebuster) was an animator for Evangelion and, at the same time, the director of FLCL. His work is characterized by his creative and unconventional visual storytelling, which earned him a place not only in the hearts of viewers but also in the industry.
- Hiroyuki Imaishi (Promare) and Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (Great Pretender) also contributed to the creative direction of both Evangelion and FLCL.
FLCL and Evangelion Fall Under the Same Genres
FLCL and Evangelion are both sci-fi anime featuring mechanical robots. They are also multi-genre, as both of these series are a blend of action, drama, psychology, and mecha that packs a punch and leaves a lasting impression on the viewers.
On the contrary, FLCL and Evangelion have different plot elements.
FLCL doesn’t take itself seriously due to its comedic side brought upon by its humorous and quirky characters, whereas Evangelion takes a more serious approach as it incorporates philosophical and apocalyptic elements.
FLCL and Evangelion Have the Same Animation Style
While FLCL’s animation style is chaotic and energetic, that doesn’t mean that it is very different from Evangelion.
Instead, both shows are visually striking, and they share the same thematic and stylistic DNA as shown through their episodes.
Both shows also incorporate a number of symbolic, abstract, and surreal images, which can mean a lot of things to the viewers.
Their visuals tickle the brains of the viewers, and they mess up how everyone sees the entire picture of the show.
Despite their similarities, FLCL and Evangelion have different color and animation palettes. FLCL is more fun and energetic, while Evangelion is darker and more toned down.
FLCL and Evangelion: Same Impact
Obviously, FLCL and Evangelion have the same cultural impact, as both shows took the anime community by storm. They are both ground-breaking, as they have been used to reference a lot of new, up-and-coming shows.
Their contributions to the anime industry are impeccable, and it show through anime with character-driven narratives. They also redefined their genres and the anime industry as a whole.
Both FLCL and Evangelion have massive fan bases ready to discuss their interpretations and analyses whenever possible.
FLCL and Evangelion: Similar Themes
FLCL and Evangelion delve into the same themes of puberty, adolescence, self-discovery, psychological complexity, maturity, and self-identity.
But the main difference is that FLCL explores these themes in a comical and dreamlike way, while Evangelion has an introspective, realistic, and disturbing approach.
Have you seen FLCL’s episode where the animation switches to South Park’s cartoon style? What about the first episode when it switched to manga style?
Imagine having that in Evangelion, and you’ll never view the show the same way again.
Overall, FLCL and Evangelion are both anime masterpieces. They share a lot of similarities and have the same impact, but these shows are still unique and distinct from each other.
They have different approaches, and it is up to the viewers to pick their poison by the end of the day.
Personally, you have to watch FLCL and Evangelion to further understand why the majority of the anime community loves to relate to and discuss these two shows throughout the years!
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