Speed Racer
Should You Check It Out?
Speed Racer is an old anime series that started airing back in 1967. This anime is one of the first-ever Japanese animated series dubbed into English for American viewers and some other classic shows like Astro Boy. The Japanese name of Speed Racer is Mach Go Go Go, and it also has an equally popular manga series with the same name.
Today, I will tell you why Speed Racer is a classic anime you need to check out. Let’s take a closer look at Speed Racer’s different aspects, making it one of the best anime from the 1960s.
Plot and Story Progression
Speed Racer’s plot follows the story of a young boy named Speed, who loves racing on the track. This boy has his own car called the Mach 5, which his father developed. The Mach 5 is one of the fastest and most technologically advanced cars globally, and Speed uses it quite efficiently.
Speed’s ultimate dream is to become a professional racer; however, his father is totally against this idea. Speed still tries to become a professional racer and goes against the wishes of his father. His girlfriend, little brother, and his little brother’s monkey sidekick still support him and cheer him on as he embarks on his harrowing journey. Speed soon realizes that the journey ahead will not be easy, but this boy is still determined to achieve his ultimate dream.
Speed Racer’s story progresses quite brilliantly as the show keeps giving us something new in every episode. Throughout many episodes, Speed slowly becomes a more mature person and a better racer on the track. Speed Racer is not just an anime about racing, but it also focuses on some real-world problems and shows us the power of true friendship.
Yes, the plot of this anime does seem quite generic. However, it is pretty good for its time. Speed Racer is a faithful shounen anime at its core that is meant to be watched by young boys worldwide.
Animation and Art Style
Speed Racer has been animated by the brilliant Tatsunoko Productions anime studio, which is also responsible for some extremely popular anime like Neon Genesis Evangelion and Psycho-Pass 2. Yes, the animation and art style of Speed Racer looks pretty outdated and flawed. However, you still should not forget that this anime was released back in 1967. In my opinion, this classic shounen series’s animation is even better than the original Astro Boy.
The art style of Speed Racer is quite simplistic and somewhat realistic. The art style does not stand out either, so it is one of this show’s weak points.
Characters
The characters of Speed Racer are pretty generic. However, the personalities of these characters develop as the show progresses. One thing I love about the characters in this show is the fact that they are not just represented using a single trait. Let us take a closer look at some of the main characters in this series:
Speed
Speed is the main protagonist of this show. Speed is a fantastic person who always looks out for his friends, and he is ready to do anything to achieve his dreams. This boy has a courageous heart as he never gives up no matter what. Speed is a true shounen protagonist and a perfect example for young boys. The character design of Speed is quite simplistic, and it does not stand out in any way.
Trixie
Trixie is speed’s girlfriend, and she is one of the unique characters in the entire series. Trixie always looks out for Speed as she is always there to save the day. This girl has a fearless heart, just like Speed. Sadly, Trixie’s character design is also quite simplistic.
Racer X
Like the name itself suggests, Racer X is one of the most mysterious main characters in the entire series who is also a rival for our boy Speed. Racer X keeps his real identity hidden, and he has a pretty compassionate and heroic personality. The character design of Racer X is not generic, but it stands out. Racer X is the most compelling character in the entire series.
Voice Acting and Soundtracks
Voice acting for the English dub is one of the most significant weak points of Speed Racer. At that time, voice actors were not very proficient at dubbing content from other languages. The animation was kept the same for English and Japanese versions, so English voice actors had to talk very fast at some parts to speak in complete sync.
The soundtracks of Speed Racer are pretty impressive, and they fit the environment of the show. The opening theme has also been wholly recreated in English.
Speed Racer X and Mach Girl
If Speed Racer’s animation bothers you a little too much, you can watch the alternative version called Speed Racer X instead. Speed Racer X started airing in 1997, and it has highly appealing visuals compared to the original. This remake reimagines the entire story and gives us something marvelous.
A spin-off series called Mach Girl was also released in 2008. However, it did not receive as much attention as Speed Racer X.
Conclusion
Speed Racer is not the type of anime that everyone can enjoy. However, you should still give it a shot as the show keeps getting more and more exciting with every new episode. The show’s outdated animation can seem a bit annoying, but the show is still pretty enjoyable. This show is primarily a must-watch for young boys because it has tons of action, and it teaches us some fundamental lessons.
