 FLCL 's localization director and script writer Marc Handler stated that localization of the script was the hardest part of the show . The in @-@ jokes in the show included obscure pop culture references that had to be decoded and transferred to English audiences . One example was a reference to Cheerio , a discontinued soft drink in Japan , for the English release the choice was made to use a discontinued American soft drink , Crystal Pepsi . Director Kazuya <unk> responded to criticism of FLCL , stating " comprehension should not be an important factor in FLCL . " 
