Electronic Artist Excide Credits FLCL's 'Wild Energy' for Shaping His Frenetic Musical Style

Electronic producer Excide confirmed in a recent interview with Crunchyroll that the chaotic energy and aggressive soundtrack of the Gainax classic FLCL fundamentally shaped his sound. He stated that absorbing a show with that level of intensity made it nearly impossible for him not to produce his signature style of electronic music.

Speaking on January 26, Excide directly linked his production style to the vibrant, absurd nature of the series. His tracks, built on frenetic beats mixing heavy synths and distortion, echo the high-speed antics of Haruko and the constant struggles against Medical Mechanica. He noted that the blend of robot battles, surreal humor, and The Pillows' aggressive music hit him hard during his teenage years.

While FLCL was the primary spark, Excide also cited other influential anime. He mentioned Neon Genesis Evangelion for its deep emotional core and Cowboy Bebop for its signature cool jazz-funk fusion. He recalled binge-watching these series via fansubs as a kid, allowing the visuals to inform his earliest bedroom mixes. Excide, who now releases on respected labels like Ninja Tune, is translating that raw inspiration into current club anthems.

The producer views the recent conclusion of The Pillows’ 35-year run in February 2025 as an end of an era, but also a mandate to carry that musical torch forward. He hinted during the conversation that his next EP will feature more direct anime nods, though specific collaborations have not been announced at the time of reporting. He remains open to scoring original anime projects in the future.

Excide’s music, including the FLCL-inspired track 'Haruko Drift,' is available across all major streaming platforms.