Never Knows Best | Mamimi | FLCL

FLCL is a hotly contested anime, an all time great for some, and downright trash for others. But, whether it's looked at as pointless and pretentiousness or classic greatness, I think the anime has a lot to say. Most of that is coming of age, or growing up, and I think Mamimi is an important character for that aspect of the anime. The ex-girlfriend of Naoto's brother Tasuku, Mamimi clings onto Naoto as a reminder of the past. But, in that way, she also rejects the idea of growing up as a whole, believing things like Canti, the god from her Firestarter video game is real. As we watch her hold Naoto back, we see how much damage it does to both him, and herself. With that, I think we can learn a lot about growing up, or coming of age, from Mamimi and FLCL as a whole...
#anime #animeanalysis #flcl #professorviral

[@ProfessorViral]

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[@Jutondooder]

Yytfv

[@ArmoredCorpse]

First time I saw FLCL as a kid, toonami had run a marathon of all the episodes one night. I woke up in the middle of the night and ended up watching because I couldn't fall asleep. The next morning, I tried to check the TV guide but it couldn't go back far enough. Just figured it was a weird dream. Years later in high school, a friend was talking about the show. I quickly jumped in and started asking questions to the if it matched up with this weird dream show I was years earlier. Turns out it was. To this day, I still watch it annually. Truly a one of a kind show, with different meanings for different views.

[@ProfessorViral]

I can imagine after how downright odd the series is you must have thought "it couldn't have been real." Only FLCL could be the perfect "dream" of anime lol

[@redstarninja5215]

That's similar to my experience. I still remember being a kid in school and having trouble sleeping, partially due to depression and other issues i was going through. I remember turning on the TV flipping it to cartoon network and it just bringing on toonami where they showed this marathon of FLCL. Never before had media actually made me laugh so hard, cry so much, or so confused. It felt like a fever dream, but shortly after i started watching more and more anime often finding trash, but also often finding things that made me feel. Every now and then when i end up in a rut an anime comes along and ends up inspiring me to take the next step, or helps me figure out something about myself. But the first one will always be FLCL.

[@pyromaniacforhire]

Similar story for us, except it was earlier in time: mid-2000s Adult Swim Marathon. Got into several anime like that: FLCL, Bleach, Inuyasha, Cowboy Bebop, and Blood+ (we as teens were OBSESSED with that last one).

[@johncoppinger2241]

I'm pretty sure one of my firstish watches of FLCL was on one of the times Midnight Run was doing a full-set of it, too.

[@ryanmoore5237]

Same here, I literally watched the entire 6 episodes and they started it over again and I sat there and started it from the beginning just like that

[@sleepingbee8997]

I love this interpretation of Mamimi. I think I usually thought of her as another immature interpretation of adulthood, contrasting all the other characters' equally off base assertions about maturity. But the idea that she's outright rejecting growing up is a really compelling argument. I might have to give it a rewatch with this interpretation in mind.

[@gigachad3925]

It's the camera that really sells it for me. It perfectly represents the idea of being able to capture a single moment in time in an attempt to relive that one moment forever, content with being static.

[@yaguking]

Flcl is a part of my childhood. I still listen to The Pillows even now when I'm in my 30's

[@ProfessorViral]

I sadly never saw it until a few months ago, but I'm glad I was able to first watch it as an adult I think

[@yaguking]

@@ProfessorViral I watched it on adult swim. Idk if adult swim is still a thing nowadays.

[@SaiScribbles]

Same! I have quite a few songs from the soundtrack in my regular playlists.

[@amemiya8]

Same. I also give it a re-watch about every 4 or 5 years. Each time I do, I see it all in a different light and find new meanings that I wasn't old enough to understand before.

[@Marzellus1991]

Same

[@nathanchildress5596]

This series is so rad. How often does a director get to do whatever he wants? A 6 part anime about growing up with barely a plot, with guitars, random giant robots, sexual innuendo and the best original soundtrack ever? There’s nothing else like it

[@ProfessorViral]

Honestly, getting that kind of freedom to make something that's funded is the pinnacle

[@iameternalsunshine]

I watched FLCL when I was 19 after I decided to stay off the internet and spend my time watching media on a CRT and VCR TV. I found FLCL on VHS. What a wonderful time.

[@mookiestewart3776]

Man the first time seeing the “hybrid rainbow” Sven where kanti flies in ep 2 dropped my jaw when I first saw it back in the day

[@Zeeboklown]

I watched it when it first aired. I was about 14.. shit hit hard

[@mamashadew7404]

Seeing characters I strongly relate to become analyzed make me realize how closed minded I am. Its like seeing yourself in third person, not sure if I worded anything right but I really appreciate this video

[@ProfessorViral]

No problem, I make these videos for insight. So, that means a lot to me : )

[@karma4859]

Man I love your breakdown of Mamimi. A character I couldn’t quite understand properly. Shit hits hard, thanks for this.

[@ProfessorViral]

No problem, happy to do so : )

[@sangdrako]

This has got to be the best exploration of Mamimi; I really love her.

[@justinransburg5560]

You know what, this just helped me realize that Mamimi was a more interesting character than I first thought. When I watched this as a teen she just seemed like an air headed girl that skipped school and never wanted to go home. Watching this video and the series again as an adult, she was more lonely and now I understand why. It's also fitting that she loves photography since she can capture those fleeting moments in a healthy way.

[@mookiestewart3776]

Notice in the first scene of the show mamimi is giving him not just baseball advice but life advice as well “he who conquers the left side conquers the world chief” which is an old baseball saying but also a metaphor for mastering the left side of your brain , and then naota just looks at her and says “your hands are upside down” 🤣🤣🤣 basically just calling out her pseudo philosophical BS . Such a good opening exchange

[@nickelakon5369]

one of the theories I subscribe to about Mamimi is that she never actually dated Naoto's older brother. She was just an obsessed little girl who followed him around and the affection was always one-sided. there's hints of it throughout the series, like how Naoto's brother never actually kept in touch with her and just "moved on" to an American girl.

[@toomanyplants9417]

naotas brother had saved her from a fire once it says

[@treydonlashaun741]

​@@toomanyplants9417but that could've just been a reaction his brother had. What if he was just doing what he thought was right and she took it as something else.

[@allourvice]

Just wanted to say… thank you for doing Mamimi such justice. Really loved the deep dive into the character. She was really formative for me, growing up. I somehow found myself always wanting to save her, while watching FLCL. Now, after viewing this, I feel like I’m one step closer to understanding why.

[@ProfessorViral]

Thank you for such a kind comment. It's truly validating to know I could provide that : )

[@yaboistash166]

This video was insane, not only was your voice setting the serious tone with a look towards the future vibe, really made me feel like i was right there witnessing FLCL all over again for the first time. Well done man cant wait to see the next one.

[@ProfessorViral]

That's very kind, thank you : D

[@inthekfcmacncheese1333]

FLCL is definitely in the conversation of objectively best animes of all time

[@fulmetalotaku3091]

FLCL is a touchstone of my childhood. One of my friends from birth moved away when I was 9 or 10, and him coming back to visit as a teen, I shared FLCL with him, I had downloaded it after seeing it for the first time on adult swim a year or two previously. For me the show was life changing. For him, he was just confused, didn’t feel any connection to the narratives of the show, it was just chaos. I was Mamimi, clinging to the past as he was focused on school and a new life.

[@miwky406]

On some level, I sympathize. It's easy to say you can't let yourself be swallowed up in the stagnation of memories, and it's no excuse to drag others down with you into the way you wish life was, but likewise, the concept of adulthood itself is ironically just the opposite extreme of Mamimi's own fantasy; "growing-up" and "reality" as they are used to defined the way life "really" works, is just the unhappy opinions of the many that are dragged helplessly into it, but factually, there is nothing concrete in the universe that demands any human live their life identically to any other, and in that understanding, "growing-up" and "reality" are just unhappy delusions the many settle on, and then enforce as the "only" way so they aren't alone in their misery. When we're children, we listen to ourselves about what makes us happy, and when we've convinced ourselves that we are adults, we do everything we can to please and impress others around us, silencing our own voice in the process of chasing external meaning; an external god or divine rule-- a savior. It's no wonder then that so many don't want to grow up; we wanna go back to when we didn't have to lie to ourselves to feel loved or accepted. Ultimately, while the way Mamimi goes about pulling others into her delusions is selfish in the way it's depicted to only benefit her, likewise, the implied proper goal where everyone else should aim for an arbitrary definition of growing-up is equally delusional in it's own respective selfishness.

[@kingofthe_humanz8285]

Ive been waiting for someone to make in depth analysis’ of flcl and its characters because putting my love for this anime into words is very difficult. You should make one on atomsk and how he represents maturity, which is why haruko (an alien who physically cant grow and mature) isnt able to catch him

[@rubywhistler869]

i finished binging all of your videos (including the ones with 20 views) yesterday and it was very fun! your videos genuinely make me want to see more essays like that and your personality + editing are very unique. i’ve already put around 10 animes on my watch later just because i want to watch your videos about them. including fooly cooly, as of this video! thanks so much for making these prof

[@ProfessorViral]

That means so much to hear, thank you very much! I'll do my best to keep it up into the future : D

[@lacroixboix]

Best anime of all time hands down. Amazing story telling in a way that only anime can. Good vids too ;³

[@ProfessorViral]

It's one of the few downright insane anime that I enjoy, I'm usually put off by completely absurd elements. But when they're done for the right reasons, they work

[@lacroixboix]

@@ProfessorViral madoka magica, re:zero, and one punch would all be fun to see videos on. I'm gonna be searching your archive tonight tho! 👌🏽

[@malonee]

Flcl has been my favorite anime for a long time. I think it’s the most “anime” anime, if that makes sense.

[@lacroixboix]

@@malonee 100%, it condenses the feeling of going to your first girlfriends house to randomly have a long talk with her older brother about his huge manga collection after reading volumes briefly in bookstores while waiting on your mom to leave belk. Suddenly realizing people around you have all been down a path you thought was your own unique thing to see the trends. Feeling like a number, and feeling counted out all at once.

[@lacroixboix]

I do not miss that anxiety tho xD

[@sariminator]

Loved this! Dont see much buzz or interest for FLCL much these days so so happy to see this - especially abt mamimi defo the most underrated character on the show

[@jaywonderthefire]

i loved this. you're amazing. the faint guitar loop in the background really set the vibe. made me emo.

[@sav_2805]

What a coincidence, I was just listening to The Pillows on my drive back home from my 9 to 5 job lol

[@ProfessorViral]

I did a bit of the same myself today

[@chunkystains8950]

Was my favorite anime when I was 16. Still slaps a full 16 years later.

[@maliceChann]

Great breakdown. Honestly surprised how much there is to the series than meets the eye

[@ProfessorViral]

Especially in only 6 episodes!

[@tristonnetherton6244]

I actually have a tattoo that says never knows best, reminds me of one of my favorite shows that lead to a love of anime

[@Heymanwtf]

i relate to mamimi so much,and the way you broke her character down was perfect

[@NemuiNya]

I’ve been waiting for someone to make a video about flcl like this for ages

[@millennialthehippie2866]

I’m 29 and my only tattoo is of Canti with the angel wings. FLCL is a big part of my life.

[@cnlbenmc]

I accidentally stumbled across FLCL in Middle/High School on Adult Swim; I started midway through the series (baseball episode I think) then watched through to the finale and was entertained but highly confused. A couple of years later in Junior year I ran into a classmate that was wearing a shirt with Haruko eating Ramen on it; asked around with some of my friends and was finally able to see the Entire thing. We ALL loved the insanity of FLCL and it almost inspired me to try the electric guitar. I watched that series so much I had practically memorized all the major plot points and could time when things would happen. Only wish that FLCL progressive could have held a candle to this, at least Alternative was a love letter to the fans even if it still wasn't as good as the original.

[@b33lze6u6]

in this house we stan Mamimi

[@iceeartworkx3663]

I didn't realize I knew this anime but I recognize the voices and lines for a song that I loved in middle school "about last night"

[@pokvirus5705]

This guys really go against algorithms, I wish this one blows up.

[@ProfessorViral]

We don't need no stinking algorithm (as I type this I'm terrified of the algorithm, but I just do me over statistics, mostly)

[@Apoc_Bone_Daddy]

She was also hilariously one of my first anime crushes

[@AnarchoJosh]

I wish I could have watched these videos after I first saw flcl. Great vid bud ❤️

[@ProfessorViral]

Thank you! : D

[@AutismGaming489]

I moved up to another state a year or so ago. I felt like I had nothing as my friends still lived in my old state. I feel that I am pressured to grow up and become an adult. She is literally me!

[@NateGs1]

Great video man! You’ve really given me a newfound appreciation for her character. I’ve watched a few FLCL commentary videos and this is one of my favorites, I actually ended up watching it twice. Will be subscribing

[@treydonlashaun741]

I can watch this show over and over again and still find new things.

[@ProfessorViral]

I never would have expected FLCL to become one of my favorites, but over time it keeps climbing the list

[@a.n.8844]

YESSSS !!! I would love more flcl content ~ •☆ Your analyses are quickly becoming some of my favorite vids

[@YungDeth5969]

i love that i still see videos of this gem every now and then

[@johncoppinger2241]

Incredibly well thought out view on one of my favorite anime. Thank you for sharing it.

[@ProfessorViral]

No problem, thanks for checking it out : D

[@stevenvasquez9869]

Haven't seen the second season.... But the first is LITERAL GOLD. EMOTIONAL GOLD

[@Mikirono23]

I always tell people FLCL is alot deep than it seems

[@pm6828]

After all these years FLCL is still my favorite

[@markop.1994]

Flcl is so good youtubers are still talking about its genius all these years later

[@ProfessorViral]

If nothing else, it's odd enough to be relevant anywhere and anytime. I do think it's more than that though, and is quite good

[@pewternatural]

Seeing this video helps me realize why the sequels didn't have the same impact. Both tried to tell the same story of leaving your childhood behind, but I think both got bogged down in trying to create a FLCL style and having the same amount of substance to go with that style.

[@Duartevj]

Wonderful interpretation! Commenting to support. Hope to see more videos like these!

[@ProfessorViral]

Thank you for the support! I'll try my best to keep it up!

[@hyperboreanpunk]

FLCL,pope of post vaporwave colliding to the stars..forever...

[@tametalks6102]

this vid hit like an emotional truck

[@ProfessorViral]

Hopefully it won't last too long, but I hope some good thought comes from it : )

[@ibi.mp4]

Beautifully worded. Thank you for this

[@shaynemaskall6984]

A school burning down amongst other things; other animated adult shows have made light of this, but only anime can cover these mature and emotional topics in a mature matter. I never did understand why American adult animation could make fun of death, murder, and suicide. I like how anime approaches these topics with heart.

[@kazamaskeyblade7311]

You've had my attention for a while now, but as of this vid you have beckoned me to comment since you speak of my favorite anime of all time. I'll get back to this later, especially since I also did a Sameji breakdown years ago, but I already know that this is going to be enjoyable.

[@aify5371]

Mamimi really teach and help me understand myself better

[@clapr5976]

I just recently watched Fooly cooly an amazing anime. And I'm really happy to see a video this detailed in my recommendation I would love to see more

[@JamesParker21]

Yes more people be aware of the awesome weirdness that is FLCL!!!

[@TheToxic35]

I'm so glad I found your channel! This video was fantastic.

[@UncleOji]

Great analysis. Looking forward to the haruko video!

[@uniinvolved]

Fantastic analysis

[@ProfessorViral]

Thanks!

[@LuciferArc1]

Yo. I saw this as a kid but forgot the anime name. Now I see this video and can go watch it all. Thanks for this

[@ProfessorViral]

Hey, no problem! Happy to help however it does

[@intelligenceparadigm4931]

This is a good breakdown and essay but it's honestly bizarre that you never figured out that the main character's name is Naota.

[@NoFutureZine]

This was amazing

[@ProfessorViral]

Thanks!

[@angelrangel2029]

Great dissection. Loved the video

[@cerberouse1]

Flcl is a seminal work in media in general

[@te0nani]

FLCL is a mood. And a part of me.

[@letmechangemyyoutubename1554]

lmao this analysis serves as yet another validation that all those salty mal reviews saying FLCL has no story are crap... This has been my favorite anime for 13 years and ive probably watched it at least 100 times in those years. everything you said was spot on - except for a minor nitpick, but I could be wrong, but wasnt it true that Naota was not actually piloting canti, but it was in fact atomsk using naota and his N.O portal in his head as a catalyst to do so himself? either way, great video man

[@javiergomez9464]

Great video man, just subscribed! Can't wait for the next one!

[@breakfastburglar9364]

god how do you not have a million subs

[@mgmtw1688]

i relate to her a little bit to much i fear, thank you

[@Apoc_Bone_Daddy]

One of the best anime too tbh Definitely within my top 5

[@benturtl9076]

Great video. Just found you channel and skimmed through ypur videos. I wanna watch A TON of them and will do soon when I have time. You cover so many Animes I love.

[@ProfessorViral]

Thank you very much! : D

[@ImmaLittlePip]

Honestly the original flcl was such a master piece that it's sequels kinda miss the point of what made it great in the first place. Just another cash grab at nostalgia without understanding it's source material

[@EarthOneSpidey]

I see FLCL. I click.

[@sboinkthelegday3892]

Mamimi is very much the PROBABLE arsonist, since the confined world of a fiction has to roll into itself in adherence to Chekov's Gun. The important thing to take away here, is that there WOULD BE another kid like Mamimi, a whole lot of them, and one them is the arsonist. Ore none of them. Or all of them. Mamiji represent all the aspects of what this person IS in society, sometimes falsely accused and sometimes rightly accused, and sometimes, slips through the cracks unnoticed. That's where the most important idea is, Mamimi is the personification of NOT being seen, because reality is not a cartoon that catalogues all its characters. That's why she's not visible in her own circles. These particular things that FLCL has to teach, I think a lot of them are handled more in depth in Abenobashi Magical Shopping Arcade. FLCL is so dense it has plenty of other topics as well, but on these ideas I would name Abenobashi. And somewhat its spiritual successor in my mind is Kyousougiga, not by Gainax. Neither is very acceptable at the moment in the western sphere though, because of the limited ways western cultures have taken to these lessons this far. We revel in taboosand pretending what isn't seen doesn't exist.

[@Hawntbawt]

The very first time I watched FLCL I thought mamimi was the weirdest and one of my least liked characters. The second time I watched it she struck me as perhaps the saddest character, I think her issues with accepting reality especially when it’s hurtful even though she’s obviously really hurting underneath it all is a large part of why.

[@Hawntbawt]

Her fascination with taking pictures also feels almost like a commentary on social media even though it predates social media. We live in an age full of Mamimi’s.

[@dude-a-buck672]

Hey man. I just binged your three videos about FLCL and I wanted to say thanks for covering the first season. I remember watching it on Adult Swim and it hit me hard. Also wanted to ask, have you seen the following seasons and if so, can we expect a video(s) about them? I honestly think FLCL is a series that deserves more people talking about it.

[@Maj_Kasul]

Humans can be varied. Yet I question the humanity of anyone who doesn’t like flcl.

[@renegonzalez6058]

this was such a great analysis! not enough good commentary about filch in my opinion

[@ProfessorViral]

Thank you! I'm always happy to provide a bit more discussion where needed

[@hasn0life420]

I think you misinterpreted Noata in episode 5. The point of that episode is that he thought he was the man and being cocky (literally depicted by the visual metaphor of a gun being cocked). So while you're correct that Mamimi was threatened by him growing up, she was also correct to question his newfound "maturity". It was because she challenged him on this that he wanted to prove himself to her by taking her on a date. After he saved the town and swung the bat, he thought himself a hero who deserves the girl, first competing with his dad for Haruko, then when that fails trying to advance on Mamimi instead. But him getting overly cocky and "triggered" (again visual metaphor) is what leads to him releasing the monster in the first place. Then when Mamimi calls for Noata's brother to save her, he is outraged because she doesn't wanna see him as the hero he thinks he is, so he claims he'll save her and goes to pilot Canti. But the joke is that he's not the pilot, he's the bullet. Canti/atomsk and Haruko actually save Mamimi and the the town, and the episode ends with Haruko stepping on a disfigured Naota in her high heels, admiring the real hero (more amazing visual metaphors), revealing to everyone that his heroism is a farce.

[@Bluestar-nn2uh]

I absolutely love this video👍👍👍

[@christophercooper3708]

Psycho-pass is baccccccccck

[@2k4l_]

FLCL is one of my favorite animes

[@ayanxz]

I absolutely love your videos please keep doing this amazing work :3 Btw did you hear about the new Psycho-Pass Movie : Providence? What do you think about? I personally can’t waiiiittt

[@ProfessorViral]

Thank you! I'm mixed on new Psycho-Pass reveals. I love the series, but I think the stories of the original cast were better left without more past season one. I'll still watch it, and hopefully they'll prove me wrong, but so far I wish season 3 and onward would have gone without the original cast

[@pie854]

Also someone on KZbin got send the camera mamimi used in the last scene

[@Fibless]

your brain is so much bigger than mine

[@ProfessorViral]

Nah, I just fixate on stories is all haha

[@Fibless]

@@ProfessorViral either way the video was great, I very much enjoyed

[@OldChannelRezto]

If Mamimi didn’t want Naota to swing the bat, why did she tell him that he should play baseball at the beginning of episode 1?

[@lunebadru5997]

To mimic his brother more.

[@NitroVortex]

Man I love this show its just as crazy and weird as me

[@JasonBeam7]

Long live at0smkthepirateking

[@nicp2344]

What's the music in the background?

[@Codezer0xshinzu]

I love FlCl so much the original that is Fun fact my pfp as of now is based off naota I may change it later

[@susiebaka3388]

these 6 eps made me

[@ProfessorViral]

The fact that it's so good in only 6 episodes is amazing. Some 12 episode series have less development

[@xxkankala1671]

@@ProfessorViralI mean, it does try to tell a full story in the 6 episodes

[@joyfulstarr]

I relate to mamimi alot

[@mookiestewart3776]

We actually know mamimi is not alone , naotas dad asks if her “family is poor” meaning he knows she has a family but not their economic status. That would actually make sense too since it’s heavily implied she has a bad home life and is also bullied at school constantly which is why she misses her savior in tasuku and decides to use his brother as a replacement so she can feel better

[@mookiestewart3776]

Also fun fact: in the end credits of one of the newer seasons there is an Easter egg of mamimi and naota together as adults so they actually did end up together , he never actually left her

[@laradavenport903]

@@mookiestewart3776 That is cute!😍 But really, where??👀

[@lazertazer1251]

Uff bruh I have to watch this anime your video got me.

[@ProfessorViral]

Hey, only 6 episodes, it's an easy one!

[@kingmurder8245]

nice essay!!!

[@synschoolinyounoobsakathemaske]

I still need to watch this fully cause I was too small to understand it,

[@H3ahhhp]

📸

[@MotoEvyn93]

Fire channel

[@rx_josh]

Nailed it

[@trongtin7754]

Never knows best

[@ProfessorViral]

Never knows best

[@gumbo2165]

She jus like me fr