FLCL's Official Art Book Is Set to Return After 25 Years Out of Print

A long-out-of-print FLCL official art book is set for a new production run, giving fans another chance to own one of the most important pieces of merchandise tied to the cult anime classic.

The reprint will reproduce the original 2001 art book as it was first published by Gainax, preserving a rare collection of material from the anime’s early release era.

FLCL is a six-episode sci-fi anime originally co-produced by Gainax and Production I.G in 2000, with Kazuya Tsurumaki directing a project that became widely celebrated in Japan and overseas for its chaotic energy, experimental visuals, and influence on later animation.

The story follows elementary school student Naota, whose ordinary life is thrown completely off balance after the mysterious alien Haruko Haruhara arrives and drags him into a series of wild, surreal events.

Across its short run, the series blends coming-of-age drama, absurd comedy, science fiction and explosive action to show Naota’s everyday world changing as he begins to grow beyond the idea that nothing special ever happens.

The original anime’s reputation continued to grow long after its initial release, and the franchise later returned in 2018 with FLCL Alternative and FLCL Progressive.

The revived FLCL Original Drawing Collection will include a wide range of illustrations and production materials connected to the original series.

Its opening color section spans 24 pages and features numerous illustrations, including DVD bonus poster artwork by major creators such as Yoshiyuki Sadamoto and Tadashi Hiramatsu.

The main body of the book includes 198 monochrome pages packed with original artwork, offering an in-depth look at the animation process behind the series.

The book also includes original artwork for DVD jacket illustrations and cover art from the novel version in its closing pages.

Much of the collection focuses on original drawings and time sheets from memorable scenes throughout the anime, highlighting the work of the many highly skilled animators who contributed to the series.

The release also preserves original drawings from the manga-style panel sequences that appeared inside the anime itself, reflecting the show’s willingness to experiment with format, pacing and visual language.

For longtime fans, the reprint offers a chance to revisit the production process behind one of anime’s most visually distinctive early-2000s titles, while newer viewers will be able to explore the craft behind the series in a physical format that had become almost impossible to find.

The restored FLCL Original Drawing Collection will be released on August 26, 2026, priced at ¥3,850 (approx. $26 USD / £20 GBP).