FireStarter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For other uses of "Firestarter", see Firestarter (disambiguation).
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 "I decided to stay by her side, forever." |
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Mamimi |
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Ta-kun (kitten) |
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Instant Music Sad Sad Kiddie Hybrid Rainbow Carnival Beautiful Morning With You Stalker Goes to Babylon Stalker Advice Little Buster |
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"FireStarter" (ファイスタ Fai Suta?) is the second episode of the anime FLCL.
[edit] Summary
Lately, Mamimi has been obsessively playing a handheld videogame, FireStarter, which entails carrying out a massive and endless pyromaniacal spree, in order to please the lord of Dark Flames, Cantide. She is incredibly engrossed with this game, which is probably related to her own fiery exploits on her former elementary school, which was also when she met Naota's brother, Tasuku, who saved her. Mamimi also rescues a small cat whom she names Ta-Kun (also her nickname for Naota).
In the meantime, the robot, now living with the Nandabas, is constantly used to run errands, do work, and other mundane tasks while Haruko, the maid, barely does any maid-like work. During the robot's free time, he wanders to the site of the burnt school yard, and is collecting fragments of the back of his head (damaged by Haruko in the first episode). Mamimi sees him, and mistakes him for the angel, Canti (because he is wearing a halo, and some small wings). Hence, she names him Canti.
Haruko uses Canti to take x-rays of Naota's head since his elementary programming is actually meant to be used for medical purposes. She reveals that his head is empty, and only a quasi-black hole remains, accompanied by a new external horn. Haruko also claims herself to be a part of some space organization. She continues to rev up her Vespa and drives straight towards the Medical Mechanica (MM) plant in town where she slams into it in an attempt to infiltrate the highly clandestine complex. While detained by two guards, she makes the comment that the MM plant is not likely a place where people work, as noted by the obvious lack of doors or windows. Naota comes to Haruko's aid, claiming to be her "guardian," gives her a spare part for her Vespa (a small Gundam), and they return home.
Meanwhile, fires have been popping up all over the city which officials suspect to be arson. Naota and some of his school friends go and visit the site of one of the fires, a boat house. One of the guys (Gaku) talks about how some people blame UFOs, and how some magazine nabbed a picture of a strange, flying object, a.k.a Canti; the other (Masashi) claims it was foreign agents. Upon hearing this, they decide that if that were the case, their target would have been more than just a boat house, but something bigger, such as a school. The kids then begin reminiscing a fire several years ago, when an elementary school burnt down, also claimed to have been caused by arson. Naota sees Mamimi in the river after she had been bullied by some other kids. He leaves his friends and goes to console Mamimi. While Naota is walking behind her, Mamimi mindlessly drops FireStarter, and lights a cigarette. It then clicks in Naota's head that Mamimi is causing the fires, as she wants to imitate the game's characters and achieve her (and the game's) ultimate goal, winning the affection and blessing of the lord of Dark Flames, by causing as many fires as necessary. When Naota emerges from his reverie, Mamimi is gone.
Naota goes to return the game and spies Mamimi, at the burnt wreckage of the elementary school, sitting in a circle of cigarettes with the Atomsk symbol drawn on the ground (which resembles a pentagram) in an attempt to "summon" Canti/Cantide. Canti, who is conveniently present, is exposed by Ta-Kun the cat. Mamimi approaches him and attempts to kiss him when Naota suddenly spasms, the horn grows, and out emerges the remainder of the robot from Episode 1. Now a full-bodied robot and much more than just a hand, it begins attacking Canti, causing Mamimi to realize that Canti is no god like Cantide, but feebly weak.
The robots clash, and Mamimi is thrust right into the heart of danger. Naota rushes to save her, and does, though with limited success. Canti is laying on top of him, and the other robot is moving in to crush and kill them all. Naota calls out for his brother, and something clicks in Canti. The sign of Atomsk appears on Canti's screen, and he counters the enemy robot's attack and proceeds to absorb Naota. He now has an advantage on the other robot, changing to the same red color he was in Episode 1, and, kindly pushing Mamimi aside for her safety, transforms into a large cannon. He then deals a massive blow to the Medical Mechanica robot, and Haruko comes in to make the finishing move, causing it to explode, at last blowing away the ashes of the charred elementary school.
Canti expels Naota unceremoniously by way of bowel movement, and Naota stares upon Mamimi and valiantly resolves to protect and "stay by her side, forever."
[edit] Trivia
- References to the Japanese swimsuit magazine Delabe are replaced with references to the American porno magazine Hustler. Also in the same scene reference to a Japanese swimsuit idol were replaced by a reference to Anna Nicole Smith. In the subtitled version the references are "Jugs" and "My favorite pop-idol", respectively.
- At the end of this episode, as with all of the episodes except the last, the next episode preview's narration has been altered. In the Japanese audio there is a musing on why owners should not name their cats because their relationship to them is more primitive, unlike the friendship man has with dogs. In the English version Haruko discusses anime directors' love of cats and refers to the anime director Oshii's preference for dogs.
- The viewer can clearly see Naota's blood type on his X-ray: A positive [+]. (2:37)
- When Haruko is electrocuted by the giant robot, it shows her human skeleton as well as a robotic skeleton; only viewable if freeze-framed. However, it has nothing to do with the plot and is just one of the many easter eggs hidden by GAINAX. (17:33)
- When aired on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, a comment made by Haruko was taken out due to use of profanity. After the robot is destroyed, sirens go off making Haruko look both ways while saying "shit".
- During the scene where Naota describes the game "Firestarter", various voices can be heard in the background. One of them sounds suspiciously like Naota's cat when it meows. This is supported by the scene directly afterwards when Haruko is seen talking to the cat, which proceeds to attack her by bouncing around and kicking her making a noise that sounds almost exactly like the voice heard earlier.
- Canti's wings and halo in this episode are similar to those worn by Rakka in the anime series Haibane Renmei, including the wire "headpiece" which holds both characters' respective halos in place.
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| Characters - Items and Concepts |
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| Addict - King of Pirates - FLCL No. 3 |
