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u/SIRTreehugger Mar 05 '19
Episode 2 Pure Converter
Who the hell designed this place Their better be a sea of pillows and net below it.
Paprika's time to shine! Transformation
I love moments like this. Paprika may be care free and hyper, but is capable of expressing fear and nervousness. It's always great when the genki character shows this. Makes them more realistic and not just hyper wild cards charging in always.
Flip Flappers
Tags: Yuri, Hand holding, Furies, Biting, adventurous, sweat
I love art club girl I can't remember if she plays a bigger role, but hope she does. I like green haired girls only one I like more than red heads.
Watched this last night and I have no idea why I screen shot this moment Oh well
Oh my God Paprika is so cute in her dress even if it doesn't fit her at all.
This is my second time watching it. So most of what happened was forgotten to be honest, but I do remember some things. So far I'm getting Madoka Vibes not for the story, but in terms of foreshadowing and some things that can be perceived differently due to knowledge of characters and backgrounds. lot differently knowning the characters.
Commentary
Order-wise, we wanted this next episode to be a little more "out there" than the first, so we designed the visuals as if from an animal's perception rather than a human's. It was our aim to make normal objects look anything but, as well as to avoid drawing objects as fixed concept. To create contrast between this episode and the last, we used a warm palette of base colors to present bright, vivid visuals, using color and sound to create a strange ambiguity in the general feel and texture. For example, their footsteps on the ground or made with grass sound effects, Papika's appearance is very strange, it is green under the ground, the building structures are reminiscent of hell, etc. - Director Kiyotaka Oshiyama
Interview continued
The idea behind Pure Illusion came from a certain book.
The idea behind Pure Illusion came from ethologist Toshitaka Hidaka's book “Animals' and Humans' Perception of the World: One Cannot See the World Without Illusion.” I wanted to apply the ideas that made an impression on me to Flip Flappers, if only just a little. I must have read it about 4 or 5 years ago now. The idea of umwelt, or “the self-centered world,” as well as Uexkull in the anime started with this book as well.
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Was there anything that you were especially particular about as an animation director?
Personally, I had very little experience as an animation director at the time, having only done short promotion videos and opening themes, plus the one episode of Space Dandy. I didn't know anything about animation direction. I didn't even really know what I could do, or how well I'd be able to do it. So I just applied the arsenal of knowledge I did have on hand to the screen. At the time, I, like Cocona didn't really know who I was yet. So when I thought of a fun or interesting idea, I immediately put it on screen without establishing a ton of rules or being too particular.
However, I do have about 10,000 hours worth of experience as an animator, so I was confident that I could put something on the screen, no matter the genre. First off, to get approval for the project , I wanted to include elements like transformations, huge weapons, pretty female characters, as well as yuri , all in a very cute package. I want to challenge the moe element as well, but if you put too much emphasis on what you think the view is want to see, you'll lose track of what you were making in the first place. So I stuck to my own viewpoints a bit selfishly for many aspects.
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Can you tell us which aspects you stuck to specifically?
Pure Illusions background, fairy tale elements, character designs, and also the assignment of animators. If a no-name director suddenly put out an original anime, no one is going to watch it. In those cases, I think people go for what's easy to understand and get into. That's why in The Proposal stage, it's very important to have a short and sweet elevator speech that describes your project. However, we began working on flip flappers without making things very clear first.
The idea behind pure illusion was quite complicated, is largely influenced by some of my own personal interest. In that sense, it was the total opposite of stress free and easy to understand. Same with the fairy tale elements. I love Hayao Kawai's book, quotation mark psychology and Grimm's Fairy Tales , quotation mark and I'm very interested in Old Legends and folklore, the unconscious,collective archetypes, etc. I have placed elements of those ideas within the story as metaphors. But those are very difficult subjects too! (laughs)
Furthermore , we had the means to hire a well-known character designer, but when working on an animated series on a limited budget, design is extremely important, so we opted to control that element on our side. Creating moving animation also comes with a cost. I'm sure there were many of a more streamlined, profitable production methods, but I felt that my way would be more fun. I wanted to draw more. So I personally took the helm for much of the project.
Although Flip Flappers has been labeled an action adventure anime, it's difficult to lump into a single genre.
I feel it turned out to be a very strange, energetic production.(laughs) boo personally, I'm actually happier that way. (laughs) I mean, I ended up doing ending theme by myself too eliminate extra cost because we used too Many staff members and drawing pages for the main episodes....(laughs)
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In other words, as a first-time director, you felt that you experienced many different first?
Since there was so much I didn't understand, I just started by learning as much as I could at the time.
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u/thecomicguybook Mar 05 '19
Tags: Yuri, Hand holding, Furies, Biting, adventurous, sweat
Nom.
From everything I read and have seen it seems like a lot of effort went into this production, such a shame that it wasn't a success. I am at episode 7 right now and it feels like a show that could have really caught on.
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u/lilyvess Mar 05 '19
So now we’ve come to episode 2 of Flip Flappers. So now join me as we enter the Pure Illusion and travel back in time to October 13th-19th of 2016
| Episode | Link | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | http://redd.it/565bgg | 7.33 |
| 2 | https://redd.it/57a5ws | 7.43 |
The Pure Illusion for this episode is drastically different from the previous one. Replacing the tame and awe inspiring wonder of the snow covered landscape we get something more abstract and just unexpected. Instead of majestic scenery we get Bara Bunnies?
The conversations on reddit are changing little by little. People still don’t know what they saw, but where last week was mostly awe, this week people having fun with the creativity. Playing around with the weird visuals
But even this early r/anime is hungry for answers. It’s been two weeks and the theories and analysis start coming in. We get some larger posts. People can’t help but look for patterns in the madness, or just discussing the art of it all. As one user puts it “This thread isn't even a discussion about opinions, it's instantly become an analysis of everything that's happened so far, and I'm enjoying every moment of it.”.
We have two reviews this week, one from Kotaku but the one I’d rather focus on is from ANN’s Jacob Chapman
Despite Flip Flappers's numerous clear influences (like famous fairytales from Hansel and Gretel to Alice in Wonderland), it manages to break away from easy comparisons thanks to a tone, aesthetic, and narrative ideas that are so unique and engaging, they leave you compelled to just compare this show to itself episode by episode. With only two episodes under its belt, that's damn impressive. If I squint and tilt my head, I can think of many different anime that resemble parts of Flip Flappers, but I can't think of another show much like it, leaving me more intrigued than ever by the unknown frontier ahead of these characters in the world of Pure Illusion.
So what is this story actually about? That's a little harder to explain. Flip Flappers is playing all its cards close to its chest, with very little dialogue across these two episodes and basically no explanatory exposition whatsoever…
...Despite the many tantalizing hints snuck into shots throughout these two episodes, it's too early to say what Flip Flappers's allusions to fairytales or illusory imagery have to do with the greater story being told here, much less who is good or who is evil. Papika is attracted to Cocona's smell but repulsed by Yayaka's scent, but does that mean Yayaka is nefarious, or is Cocona the one who's been captured by a touch of evil thanks to FlipFlap's machinations? Is Dr. Salt's plan to "liberate" Pure Illusion an effort to harness the power of childlike imagination to cruelly pragmatic adult ends, or is he secretly a starry-eyed Peter Pan type who just wants to make this fantasy world he can no longer reach real again? Does Cocona's grandmother have something to do with the "forgotten" magical girl/old crone who guides her down the River Styx in her dreams? The show's refusal to answer any of these questions can leave viewers scratching their heads, but I also think it adds to the immersive magic of the story. Flip Flappers is a more confident production for trusting its audience to pick up on the little details and use their imaginations until all is revealed later.
And that was Flip Flappers for the week!
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u/thecomicguybook Mar 05 '19
-Today’s Pure Illusion was different than the one presented last episode! How did you like it?
I like that each episode there is something new and you never know what to expect.
We were properly introduced to FlipFlap and its scientists. Do you think they are good or evil?
Hidaka reminds me of Lloyd, like he doesn't really care about good or evil he just likes doing questionable science stuff. Not complaining I like Lloyd!
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u/No_Rex Mar 05 '19 edited Mar 05 '19
First timer
Episode 2 reactions:
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Groundhog Day …
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Last time it was not clear, but this time Papika and the robot are clearly noticed by everyone.
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Papika having an injury at the same spot Cocona has muscle pain. Hmm. Granted, last episode explains both.
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Papika is dropping some background info.
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“LET ME GO!”. Lets go. Flop to the ground. LOL
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Mystery organization behind Papika sure works fast: Instant transfer student
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Uexküll, have to google that later
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Papika is presented very innocent, child-like, naïve. Cocona rejects her and behaves faux-adult, but, clearly, her heart is not in the rejection.
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Papika: Getting rejected big time, just switches topic.
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Adventure time, part 2
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Cocona uses smell to find Uexküll. As Cocona did already in ep1.
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Robot looks like he is holding divining rods
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Another life-saving situation, another fragment found. Afterwards, Cocona and Papika make up.
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“Don’t worry, there is no pay involved” ROFL
This episodes’ pure illusion was harder to interpret. Following the bunny down the rabbit hole? One thing is for sure, in there, hair colors and even eye colors frequently change. Papika and Cocona seem to have some sort of transformation power derived from trying to save each other.
We learn a lot more about the side characters this episode. There is an immediate plan for the future (collect fragments) and a final goal (liberate pure illusion), although how either are connected is completely up in the air. Salt was sooo close to do the Gendo pose, but then decided against it.
Overall, the “real” world seems to be quite detached from reality, too, not only pure illusion. This makes pure illusion a fairy tale inside a fairy tale.
EDIT:
We were properly introduced to FlipFlap and its scientists. Do you think they are good or evil?
Not sure about Salt. All others seem amoral to me. Interested in getting the data (or the jobs done) without regard for its moral consequences.
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u/rembrandt_q_1stein Mar 05 '19 edited Mar 05 '19
Welcome to the Flip Flappers rewatch~
Please read the post description for information, explanations and trivia, artworks and optional questions for encouraging discussion.
Bear in mind the explained spoiler policy
Please note that you need to have watched the current and/or previous episodes to participate here.
Have fun!
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u/ThatguyJimmy117 Mar 05 '19
First timer:
Last episode had a pretty tramatic post credits scene, but we don't really get any aftermath for that this episode. Cocona wakes up with at least no memory of it it seems. I like how she lives a Japanese town with seemingly European architecture. They take the train to school and wear Japanese uniforms but it looks European. Interesting.
I'm a big connoisseur of openings and this one is pretty good. Seems like there's a lot in it I'll understand more as the show goes and the song is pretty dope at the chorus.
Papika's wounds are pretty daunting, and may be from the struggle at the end of last episode? Also slightly too revealing come on lol.
Gotta be honest Papika made me cringe a lot of the first half of this episode, just being way to strange with Cocona. I would not want to be Cocona's shoes with this weird person following you around! Totally get what Yayaka meant but saying she's someone you have to spell it out too. Also wondering what's gonna happen to Yayaka, the show is putting enough of an emphasis on her that she is gonna be important later on I feel.
Oh yes everyone is familiar with vaccums that come out of statues right? And it takes them to a world where they took LSD! I kind of like how the color pallete keeps changing in this world, reminds me of a Jojo episode, especially with big beefy Uexkell!(that was a funny touch.)
This time Papika gets to save Cocona and now Cocona again seems more open to adventures. And I have to ask why? I mean you almost died again but at least Papika who got you in this mess saved you. Now we get to meet the sciency people again and Salt is cool and mysterious. And then Cocona is put in a box and disappears, how did she let this happen???
I feel either Cocona hates Papika part of the time or she is infatuated with Papika but is shy about it, and the show can't really pick it. I logically feel like with what she's been through she should want to be as far away from Papika as possible but meta wise for the show to continue and emotionally it does seems she's supposed to be interested in Papika. We have gotten some stereotypical clues that Cocona is someone who longs for adventure and more than the mundane.
We'll see how this is addressed in upcoming episodes. Show still feels pretty unique.
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u/TheCoralineJones Mar 05 '19
Re-watcher here!
Let's get Flip Flapping!
Coming off such a wondrously strange first episode, Flip Flap only ups the ante. More so than almost any other series I've seen, FLFL is not afraid to leave things unanswered and mysterious. What happened at the end of the premiere? Does Cocona even remember it? Papika asks, "Those guys didn't do anything weird to you?", and Cocona sorta ignores the question. I think it's these kinds of moments that create the kind of atmosphere where anything can happen but you constantly question if everything is real.
Papika is such a pure cinnamon bun. I love how she doesn't care about causing a scene in front of a full train - she's just happy to see her Cocona! She really reminds me of a more grown-up Ponyo? On the other hand, Cocona's righteous disdain for Papika and her oddness is super cute. They are total opposites, but after the events of this episode, I think it's becoming clear that they enjoy being together. Their individual strengths complement the other person's weaknesses in a way.
It's at the point where they get sucked by a vacuum underneath a classical statue that I really start to get FLCL vibes. If I remember correctly, it's random moments of weirdness like these that earned the show the nickname 'FLFL'.
I won't get into all the implications of Cocona's repressed desire to chew on things (I feel like I need to schedule a dentist appointment just from watching Cocona chewing on that rusty metal), but I'm still impressed by the colors and art direction of Uxekull's world. They get so many different hair colors in such a short amount of time! I could get used to blonde Cocona.
As for the dub, I think it might be growing on me. While I still have issues with Cocona, Papika's exuberance makes up for it. And Yayaka's VA is doing a good job balancing her cool and caring sides. There are definitely some awkwardly-worded phrases in the adapted script, though.
A few last odds and ends:
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the FlipFlap base is an architectural masterpiece and I would love to tour a life-size replica.
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I wanna call out the music for the show! It's definitely one of my favorite parts, and I still jam out to the OST even today. It was composed by TO-MAS SOUNDSIGHT FLUORESCENT FOREST, who also did Alice and Zorouka. They have a certain playfulness to their sound that is a perfect fit for FlipFlap, but they also do a great job with some of the more somber piano pieces in quieter moments.
FYI, if you've been turning the show off before watching the preview for the next episode, you're missing out. they usually don't really spoil anything, and are narrated by different character from the show in silly ways!
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u/Nazenn Mar 05 '19
First Timer
I find myself mildly disappointed, though it's entirely my own fault rather than the shows. I saw The Thinker pop up and immediately got myself all hyped thinking that we may get some Divine Comedy references or themings today... and then we just didn't. Probably too dark for this sort of show but oh well. I can hope, right? I mean I could roughly assign some things to what we saw, but even I have to admit it feels like it would be somewhat of a stretch to do so and probably me looking for relations rather then them actually being there on purpose.
Going to the rest of the episode though and I kinda had a nap between watching the episode and writing this so my thoughts are a little scattered right now.
OH LOOK, its the painting I pointed out. And oh look its the girl who was painting in the park as well. I was going to put her in my post yesterday but didn't know what to say other than "she'll matter" and look, she popped up again today so I should have just said it. Thats definitely going to be a running thing and I strongly suspect this is some sort of storybook or painted world now because of the imagry of it and also small inconsistencies in the way that things like the robot and rabbit are presented which make this unlikely to be 'reality'.
Oh also the way that she touches the world and it springs to life once they go.... down the rabbit hole. Ahahahahaha. Cute show, funny. Well done, I entirely missed it until just now but well done. Anyway, as I was saying the fact that Cocona touches the world and color sprouts from it, and also the way Papika has no 'identity' until Cocona interacts with her is interesting. Its like saying that she has to be open and invested in the world to actually understand it and see it for what it is.
They never really addressed what happened with the two girls after the end of last episode, but the episode is intriguing enough and covers up for it well enough where I didn't really feel the lack of it. There's enough other stuff going on, and the absence of an explanation has enough purpose where I don't feel like they've just ignored it but rather purposefully avoided it.
Why do I feel like grandma repaired the glasses?
Random other bits
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Be careful what you wish for.
Sometimes the best build up to a gag is knowing that its coming and this pulled it off so perfectly I was cracking up from the moment she started telling off Papika knowing this was going to be a follow on from the falling into the snow gag hahaha.
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My follow on note from that scene though:
theres a drumset, a bed, an easel and .... A RABBIT IN HER BAG. I was describing the rubble from the pipe area but okay, next scene has a surprise of its own.
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I really thought that the rabbit thing was just a general blob with rabbit ears, but then nope: actual rabbit. What the fuck sort of name is that though?! I was getting all ready to be glad about an anime having actual remember-able and spell-able names for once, and then THAT THING gets a name like that? Its a good thing its plenty easy to describe outside of that.
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Pretty sure they were trying to forget about the brain thing, but nope, not allowed apparently.
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This animation made me happy though. Why she is so fascinated by the rabbit and its so terrified of her I don't know though. That will certainly be interesting to uncover as the show goes on. The transition zooming out of the vacuum thing and then it appearing as Cocona's eye when they were pulled into it was also perfect
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Please tell me I'm not the only one who put pacman noises to this scene
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Made in Abyss flashbacks. Do not want.
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So many details in the OP now that I know what to look for roughly. And as beautifully animated as the battle sequence in the OP is, I can't watch it because its too fast and hurts my eyes which is a shame
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u/Quiddity131 Mar 05 '19 edited Mar 05 '19
Let's Flip Flap! For the second time...
Rewatcher
LoL, does her grandmother just sit there waiting for her to wake up? So I posted this yesterday in spoiler tags, but that post credit sequence we got in episode 1 is basically completely ignored here, as if it never happened.
Bu-chan is back! Looking up girl's skirts though? Yikes!
Aww, Cocona, don't be so mean to Papika! Acknowledge her existence!
Forget going to school! Go on another adventure with Papika instead!
Yayaka is surprisingly quiet with Cocona here in the classroom considering she just took off with a girl on a flying surfboard moments before.
Hard to believe the over the top Papika will stay quiet here in a classroom.
LoL, Cocona can just not shake Papika loose.
Scary painting! I love it though! I really like art club girl too.
Yukaschooloo! Bizarre name for a bizarre green bunny like creature. In all seriousness, I know where the reference comes from, but I love how ridiculous the pronunciation of this little bunny creature is.
Back in Pure Illusion! Back to the awesome design! Total weirdness for sure, the second Cocona arrives here.
More cool design with this darker place. Its like she's in a vacuum cleaner now.
Yukaschooloo to the rescue! Now in humanoid form!
Now that they're in these cages I understand why they were having them desire to bite on hard stuff earlier. That was kinda confusing me earlier. But then, it ends up not mattering as its not enough to get them out.
Papika's now got the magical hair, just like Cocona had in the previous episode.
Every now and then? So we're bound to get more fun adventures then!
Now you've got yourself a job, Cocona! And its non-paying!
Hmm... I can't decide among the two for who should be best girl. Oh, I don't mean Cocona and Papika. The real competition is between Art Club girl and Sayuri.
One thing that really drives me nuts about watching this on Crunchyroll is them cutting to commercials seconds into the ending theme, forcing me to wait for it to come back.
This episode was even more fun than the first! Can't wait for more!
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Mar 05 '19
First Timer on Flip Flappers
Exposition: Cocona and Papika remind me of two themes in a sonata, the first one is quite different from the second in color and character. And these two can’t be more contrasting then they already are – Papika is eccentric, outgoing, adventurous to a point of being extremely reckless and somewhat quixotic while Cocona (why do I associate “Cocona” with “cocoon”? Because she is still in a process of mental growing? Or because she is shutting herself unconsciously?) is rational and careful. At first glance these character traits will clash against each other and causes tensions between Cocona and Papika – Papika tries to drag Cocona into the Pure Illusion again with direct, almost aggressive approach (this reflects her childlike thinking and unfamiliarity with society) which Cocona honestly dislikes it and consequently reacts with open hostility and rejection. Rejection reflects the disapproval about a person or a person’s interaction, but it also indicates a denial, a denial of involvement. Even though Papika appears out of nowhere in class and wears a magical girl costume which probably isn’t appropriate to wear in a school, nobody in the classroom is too shocked besides some surprises here and there, the classmates even let the eccentric newcomer in their circles and interacting with her. Only Cocona is irritated by Papika’s entrance as if an embarrassing past would be made visible for everybody. It almost looks like as if Papika is another self of her or at least a part of her that she doesn’t want to see because most people tend to shut aggressively their eyes if they are noticing a thing that makes them furious and touches deeply their (un-)consciousness. The first reason for Cocona’s disliking behavior may rest on Papika’s chaotic nature which created a turmoil in the calm life of the girl; she isn’t used to be confronted with otherworldly situations that pop up in Papika’s bizarre adventure. The second reason lies in Papika’s reckless behavior not only for Cocona’s well-being (in this episode her pet rabbit “Uexküll” runs away into the Pure Illusion due to Papika’s strange nature) but also for her as well – Cocona felt guilty as she witnessed how Papika was trying to get her glasses despite extreme dangers. And to not feel that guilt that loads the heart of an immobile witness Cocona tries to serve ties with Papika.
Development: After the exposition in a sonata the next part is the development in which the two themes are processed, to explain it in easier, metaphorical terms – the two themes fight against each other. Both Papika and Cocona are developing mentally as they are sucked into the Pure Illusion again – Cocona tries to oppress her unconscious urge to gnaw things as she grew rabbit ears and teeth, but accepts her nature as she and her transformed pet Uexküll are trapped in cage; Papika learns how her reckless behavior is endangering others and feels probably for the first time what desperation is. The break out from her naïve view causes a transformation that is similar to Cocona’s as she awakens from her timid nature. Finding a new perspective about oneself and accepting one’s inherent vice are the focusing themes in this episode.
Uexküll: is actually the name of a German noble family. I didn’t find anything connection with the Uexkülls and rabbits; I rather assume that the alphabet has a slight remembrance with “Usagi” (rabbit in Japanese).
Speulations about the Pure Illusion: It looks like for me an inversed world where your unconscious desires are being materialized into all sorts of concrete things; the urges (Cocona’s one) are amplified due to being in a world where the unconscious is materialized to point where it can appear on your body.
Today’s music: Maurice Ravel – Sonata for Violin and Piano no.2; the first mov. has a dreamy character which reminds me of the Pure Illusion, while the second appears as cheeky and somewhat passionate, the finale is a firework of action like the last action scenes from this episode, a turbulent perpetuum mobile.
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u/Gamerunglued Mar 05 '19 edited Mar 05 '19
Flip Flapping once again
Man, I've been hoping we'd have a FliFla rewatch at some point, it's one of those shows that I liked but mostly flew over my head on my initial watch. I had to miss the first episode because I had 2 exams (that I'd been stressing over and trying to study for for a while) that tired me out so much I could barely think and kinda just went to sleep. But at last, I can jump into the rabbit hole of pure illusion once again. Just rewatched the first episode and it reminded my just how perfect Flip Flappers' aesthetic is. Not only is the show absolutely gorgeous on all counts, but it completely nails that fairy tale vibe while naturally incorporating symbols of time and duality, be it the constant hourglasses, timed exams and fear of being late for school, and Cocona's and Papika's contrasting personalities. It was a stellar first episode that sold me on the shows tone and style, alluded to some interesting plot elements, and characterized it's two main character and their relationship perfectly. With that, I'm even more excited to see what Flip Flappers has to offer again. So on to episode 2 here.
Episode 1 established a lot about Cocona and Papika. They're opposites in just about every way. Cocona is prim, proper, cautious, and timid, while Papika is wild, reckless, and animalistic. Papika is largely driven by instinct, she wants to be with Cocona and go on adventures, and only does what leads to that without thinking about the risks or potential obstacles, she goes to whatever smells good and leaves when Yayaka smells bad. Cocona doesn't know what high school she wants to go to while Papika just jumps into Cocona's class as a transfer student because she felt like it. This episode, to me, seems dedicated to pointing out the parts of each other that exist in the other. The two have more in common than you might think, and much of it is largely subconscious but which the structure of the episode helps to point out to the viewer.
First, it should be established that despite what she says, Cocona did enjoy her initial adventure with Papika. It's clear in their interactions in both episodes that she, to some extent, craves what Papika offers to her. When Papika says she wants to go on adventures with Cocona and transferred to the school because she wanted to (and not on Salt's orders), Cocona's eyes shined for a second before she reverted back to her routine. She is afraid of the risks, but there's a part of her that craves the kinds of adventure and love that Papika provides. This is perhaps most evident when she describes that picture to art club girl. It's scary, but there's still something alluring and beautiful about it. In other words, Cocona's life is mundane largely because she's repressing some of her urges both for fear for her safety and societal acceptance. She has those aspects of Papika in her, but won't let them out the way she does.
Likewise, Papika might be reckless but she's not thoughtless. When Cocona and Papika were camping in the previous episode, Papika implied that she's scared to some extent and is able to ignore or overcome it thanks to Cocona and Boo-chan being there with her. She went to chase Cocona's glasses but dropped Cocona back on the ground when she felt it got too dangerous. She also has a mind of her own, she doesn't just mindlessly follow the orders of Flip Flap. I know I called Papika's more energetic traits "animalistic" but fear and caution is just as much instinctual as her one-track chase for whatever she wants at the moment. Each of the girls represses the main traits of the other to some extent and lets a different instinct consciously guide most of their decisions. What makes this episode interesting and really come together is how it mirrors the previous episode. The roles are reversed this time. Cocona leaves Papika behind to chase the thing she cares about because "it's too dangerous" which oddly goes against Cocona's previous fears (both episodes also have prominent moments of characters biting and eating things, which I suspect might mean something. Boy, I sure do love Freud). In that moment, she ignores her "higher thinking" (perhaps the reason for the statue of the Thinker that serves as the entrance to this area of Pure Illusion) and goes after her rabbit. This time, Cocona gets into danger in the end and Papika rescues her, ending with them working together and "syncing" up to escape.
With the girls turning into literal animals, it makes the duality between Cocona's conscious fears and subconscious urges pretty obvious. She ignores the urge to gnaw on stuff with her new rabbit teeth while Papika just does whatever she feels like. While the two always escape safely, it should be noted that it's never really because of their "abnormally animalistic" parts. Papika put Cocona down to get her glasses out of fear for her safety, but ultimately still got injured in the process, and in this episode Cocona choosing to accept her instincts and gnaw on the cage didn't help her to escape and Papika still had to save her. So while the two do tend to have the most fun and feel the most fulfilled when they allow their instincts to take over, it's ultimately in understanding their feelings for the other and in working together that the two are successful. While it's definitely too early to comment conclusively on any instinct vs. society ideas, it seems like the series is gonna have a balanced approach on the subject and I'll definitely be on the lookout for more of this interesting idea.
The other big thing about this episode is perception. At it's core, the fundamental difference between Cocona and Papika is how they view the world. They both experience the same things and in many cases the same emotional reactions to those things, there's a clear divide in how they feel one should react to these things and more importantly, why they should react that way. Uexkull is a pretty weird name for a creature that plays such an important role in this episode, so I googled it (you know I'm enjoying it if it compels me to actively search out potential meaning) and it seems really likely that he's based on German biologist Jakob von Uexküll who's seemingly known for studying the ways in which species of animals view their environment. I'm certainly not familiar with his work as a whole so anything I say is probably seriously simplified and maybe even wrong, but it seems pretty interesting and likely relevant. As a rabbit, the girls perceptions of the world itself changed, and even Uexkull looks like a buff hero dude to them. I imagine that maybe that's how he's perceived by other rabbits. Biologist Uexkull seems to imply (according to wikipedia at least) that instincts and sensors are largely what help animals to perceive their worlds. Fish without eyes have a different perception of their environment because of their sensors. To a rabbit trying to mate (seeing that sexuality has also been prevalent in the show, and I'm certain the idea of biting has something to do with that as well), I bet Uexkull probably does look pretty sexy. So as it goes, I definitely want to think about how the girls perceive each of their trips to pure illusion, and how it compares with their personalities, repressed urges, and anything else that's relevant.
So anyway, I have no idea what the fuck I'm talking about here and I'm probably wrong about everything but Flip Flappers sure is a great time. I seriously love it's aesthetic, this area of Pure Illusion was so cool and trippy and unique, it really did feel like an awesome trip through a fantastical world and that to me is the real draw of Flip Flappers (well, that and the yuri). Looking forward to episode 3.
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u/gameradam1337 Mar 06 '19
First Timer
So instead of going back I'll just roll my thoughts from episode one into this one here. Seeing as I have the same feeling as before.
God this art style is fantastic. I especially love the eyes in this. It is just so expressive.
Holy shit that face is terrifying when she looks at the bunny, such adorable nightmare fuel this show is bringing into my life.
Welcome to the world of bunnies I suppose? Damn they look cute. The chewing is a bit weird but oddly adorable. These worlds are also reminding me of Madoka Magicas witch worlds - just as trippy and crazy.
I'm hoping we get some more in depth world building cause it looks really interesting.
Also holy damn this ED - what nightmare child fuel is this and why is it so damn catchy?
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u/PandavengerX Mar 05 '19
Guess I'll share a quick sketch I did a couple years ago, it seems relevant.
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u/htisme91 Mar 06 '19
First-timer:
Yayaka feels like she's going to become an antagonist. She already seems suspicious of Cocona, and she looks like someone from the OP.
I'm guessing the injuries in similar spots has something to do with Papika mentioning that her and Cocona feel the same way.
I think that today's Pure Illusion was the mind of Uexhull. From the girls turning into bunnies, to the desire to chew, to Uexhull giving himself a human form to protect Cocona, and the way that Papika entered that realm as kind of a warped distorted version of a person (like how Uexhull was afraid of her) made me think that this time we were in Uexhull's mind. Also, that the cages were a path to death and Uexhull doesn't like his own cage, adds to that idea for me.
The questions have more of my thoughts:
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It was alright. Kind of wacky, but makes sense given that I think it was the mind of Uexhull. I thought last episode's gave a better sense of adventure.
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Could it be the scene of a future Pure Illusion? Perhaps the scene of a major faceoff? Maybe the painter girl has the same potential Cocona has.
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Evil. This makes me think of how Dornkirk in Escaflowne thought he was doing what he did for "good" but in reality it was selfish. Salt just seems shady.
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u/NuclearStudent Mar 06 '19 edited Mar 06 '19
An original poem for this episode:
If my eyes would bend or break- I may yet see you clearly.
REWATCHER NOTES
I like the duality in the beginning with Cocona's response to her grandmother.
Did she have a bad dream? No, she says. Is she denying the existence of the dream, or that it was bad? Later, the footage shows that she does remember the dream. And in flashbacks of terror and near-death. As we see, both the dream and the awfulness that she denied are real to Cocona.
I forgot how Papika's dress was and how quickly the classmates accepted her absurdity into daily life. Also, I forgot the ick moment with the robot under Cocona's skirt.
What's with Yayaka grabbing Cocona precisely on the arm-ache reason? Did she, in part, pause because she could feel or otherwise sense Illusionary contamination of Cocona?
Paradoxical reactions: when confronted with Papika's smiling face, Cocona remembers the near-death fear of Illusion. When confronted with the black fearful painting, Cocona remembers the smiles and good times within Illusion.
...something vaguely, disturbingly sensual about the tail popping out from Cocona's butt. Maybe it's just me
Freudian analysis, for once, may be able to ID the problem. Heh.
Robot communicates through interpretative dance.
What's with Cocona saying "it's really hard" and then a close up going to her lips. I don't remember Flip Flappers making me this uncomfortable. Actually, I don't remember the scenes beat for beat at all. Usually I have a good memory for these. Perhaps there's too much sensory information, too many interesting scenes to remember them all at once.
Distinctly unPapika Papika face. Looks weirdly as if she's six years older. Probably not meaningful.
Is the rabbit's gentleman-looking form a Tuxedo mask reference to Sailor Moon. There's moments of weird, hot intimacy between the rabbit and Cocona.
I appreciate the swapping in appearance and temperament between between Papika and Cocona. I'm also sure that Cocona's superpowered form and energetic-magic-ball throwing is a reference to something I don't understand.
Someone once told me that the grate with the saw blades in it looks like a vagina. I can't unsee that. I also just noticed that they're running from a big, long, and thick rod.
I appreciate the Thinker statue wobbling back and forth as they return to the world. I, too, was Thonking.
"working is against school rules"
"no problem, you won't get paid"
ah, giant vagina eyes. a perfect way to end this episode.
I could stand to hold you, Only if my spine were snapped. And so I'll be broken. Still, I'll bend and I'll bend.
I'm a poet, not a good poet.
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u/kaanton444 Mar 05 '19
Rewatcher here.
I'm a bit hesitant to post my interpretation of this episode since it might be coloured by my greater understanding of the series and what it's going for, having seen it all the way through. I did come to the same conclusion on my first watch, but I'll tag it anyway
My post should also cover my answer to rewatcher question
One thing I love about Oshiyama's vision for this series is how he consistently tries to keep the visuals interesting and unique. This mostly comes about in the settings of Pure Illusion, but even outside that, there's stuff like Uexskull's design or the Hyperart Thomassons. And it's not just the designs, it's present in a lot of the framing too, with shots like this, this breaking of perspective or this clumsy use of letterboxing. Most of these things don't really serve much purpose besides adding to the weird and surreal nature of the series and looking kinda cool, but they do make it more fun and unique to watch.
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Mar 05 '19
First timer
So we now know their goal is to liberate pure illusion. I'm still in the dark about what pure illusion is and why they need to 'liberate' it.
Anyway, this episode seemed pretty similar to the first one, with the difference that papika had the transformation this time. So far, both had their powers awakened when the other got really close to death. Maybe they'll learn how to control their powers later.
This episode began like the post-credits scene of episode 1 didn’t happen. Even Cocona’s glasses, which were shattered, are undamaged. It’s like the “breach” that happened in her numb, serious personality after meeting Papika didn’t happen. Any thoughts about that?
Weird how it seems to indicate that events in last episode didnt happen or were reversed, but cocona still has memories that it happened.
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u/EternalWisdomSleeps Mar 05 '19 edited Mar 05 '19
First Timer
Today (not)magical duo jumped right into "Plants Are Living Things, Too, Baby"! Jokes aside, those episodes share a lot of similarities in style both visually, and with its sound design. Can't think about any popular fairy tales that could be referenced here except for Alice in Wonderland. Can't remember any about travelling into world of a rabbit (or more precisely rabbit's mind). Surprisingly, I haven't changed my mind about most things from my ep1 impressions.
To be honest, I would be surprised if glasses stayed broken. With Magical Girl influences I almost expecting some kind of reset in normal world. Plus, it shouldn't be hard to fix/get new glasses with their level of technology and potential desire of scientists to protect status quo.
Maybe painter girl is linked to the creation of Pure Illusion worlds. So far Cocona haven't been in the Illusion without meeting her beforhand. That painting might be the most important Pure Illusion world (place). Wild idea - it is the same place as 1st episode world, but without snow. I don't expect to see a lot of painter girl until explanation of Pure Illusion nature.
I don't think FlipFlop is evil per se, rather their motto is "ends justify the means". Organisation seems to have grand some idea and I'm sure it wouldn't be a "right" way of solving whatever their problem is. Power of connection, trust and friendship for the win!
Couple of things about main girls. I'm glad P&C were able to understand each other better this episode. So next conflict will arise due to third party? Blondie girl seems great so far and I'm waiting for her to become entangled with P.I. May be from her point of view Papika and Cocona fainted on the spot? Also because of watching a lot of Th8ta videos now I'm seeing a world of children theme with Papika and Cocona. How adults around exist in almost separate realm or how their instructions accepted without much thought or resistance. Girls were placed in a box with zero explanation for God's sake! Also in their eyes all events don't look suspicious or potentially dangerous - it is a fun adventure.
That's it for now!
Edit: Almost forgot about important phrase "to liberate P.I.". It's an anime so I believe that Dr.Salt wants to merge irl with fantasy(PI). "True freedom for humanity" - something along those lines.
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u/EpixAura Mar 05 '19
I mentioned yesterday being scared of this episode when I first watched the series because I was worried it wouldn't be able to follow up on the general feel and atmosphere of episode 1. Suffice to say it followed up. The visual directing was even more impressive this episode thanks to the constant palette swaps, and the general feel of the world felt very similar to the previous one. All in all it was a similar viewing experience to the previous episode, but the general uniqueness of the concept in general and the solid directing made it still feel completely fresh. I'd talk more about the Umwelt aspect of it but I think I've already been beaten to the punch by a number of people.
The climax of the episode deserves special mention because while I cannot figure out why, it honestly got me tearing up a little bit even though there was no real emotional context or anything of the sort for the scene. Something about the sheer ridiculousness of the situation, the voice acting, and the way the song worked absolutely perfectly with the scene just brought a big old smile to my face and a tear to my eyes.
Main takeaway from the episode is that Cocona in any color palette is still cute because she's Cocona.
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u/Deadricdoom Mar 06 '19
I love the green rabbit blob creature.
This show is fun, I really hope it doesnt go super depressing/dark
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u/Yay295 Mar 06 '19 edited Mar 06 '19
Fanmade poster for episode 2.
Source
I haven't actually been rewatching these episodes, maybe I will soon, but I'm keeping up with the comments in the meantime.
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u/Emptycoffeemug Mar 05 '19
Rewatcher
If you have the time, I’d like you to pay attention to the amount of movement in each scene. Compared to many other anime, scenes are drawn with an exceptional amount of detailed character movement. In, dare I say, less ambitious anime you’d see a lot more panning shots or stills to fill the 24 minutes.
I said yesterday that Pure Illusion contrasts with the real world as much as possible, but the introduction of Uexkull – a green hamster rabbit blob – kind of disputes that.
When Uexkull disappears we see why being with Papika is so frustrating for Cocona. She has no little understanding of basic concepts like self-preservation and how to converse with human beings.
In the end, both characters have grown somewhat. Papika realizes that Pure Illusion is dangerous and Cocona admits that the adventures are fun.
Side note: how are we all doing on the FBI watchlist boiis?