I think that it was impossible to recreate what the original had since the original was more about experimentation than about creating a coherent story. Watching the new series is like watching a mirror being held close to the original. It lacks character. The action is slower, the insanity is tamed and the focus seems to be more on answering the loose plot points than about doing something new.
It doesn't help that the animation is not on par with what the previous FLCL offered. All of this puts weight on the parts that didn't work on the original.
The characters feel a bit dull. I dislike the women with the glasses and I believe that Haruko has become more insane and less energetic at the same time. She notes that she became more like an adult and that is true. I will say that the kids are done the right way. They do have a chemistry and they do express more than any other character in the story.
Overall, I give this anime a 7. I should have given it less but it still reminds me of the original and I am biased.
