FLCL Project 2
“Never Knows Best: A Character Analysis of Samejima Mamimi”

When I first watched FLCL so long ago, I was captivated by the characters above all. But if I am being totally honest, there was one character that I absolutely hated, and that was Samejima Mamimi.

I hated Sameji…Like a lot. I couldn’t stand her being so childish, I thought her voice in both the English and Japanese dub was annoying, and I particularly didn’t care for the obsession that she had for Naota, Canti, and Tasuku. At first I easily dismissed it, but as I watched it over and over and over again, my disdain for Sameji only grew.

However, I have changed since being a 14-year-old freshman in high school, and after living a little bit of my life, I believe that as this show has matured in its effect on me, I have matured in mindset and even though the character can be controversial, I have a greater understanding of Sameji’s character and how she was written.
P.S: THIS WILL HAVE SPOILERS OF SEASON 1 IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN IT YET. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

Over time I came to understand Sameji’s features showing that she is really just a traumatized girl, and that she is holding on to a past that she can’t seem to let go of. I personally believe that this is a very relatable thing and maybe by accident, brilliant writing and a firm comprehension of the complexity of human behavior.

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