I'm sure more parents remember this "anime" better than I do (or should. haha). After the new movie came out I was drawn to go see it only by the memories of watching the TV Series with my father when it would come on Nick at Night. After I saw it, I had the itching of an "obsession" starting but it didn't get anywhere, then by chance I got it for Christmas and REALLY wanted to watch the Anime.
For people wondering, stick to the original. I've only heard bad things about the "fake" Speed Racer redos. There are at least TWO "updated" verisons of Speed. Each one looks wrong and needs to be shot (sorry to any fans who like it). If you want to know more about them (I'm warning you to just stay away from them.) go to google and just search. You'll find them.
Sypnopsis
A race car driver by the name of Speed Racer races cars and fights evil. o_O; I'm serious that's all it is. It's from the 60s to which I suppose explains all of the gangster fights and random insanity. If you're to logical this anime will drive you bonkers. If you're one of those people who just take the episode as it comes and lets it work itself out then you'll love this anime.
Main Characters
Speed Racer - he's the kid who drives the car. xD he's really adorable and has a "gay" sounding voice but he'll grow on you VERY quickly. If he doesn't I'd stop watching it. xD. With his cute "elvis" hair cut he'll either have you swooning or standing there staring blankly going "Wtf is wrong with this kid..o.o..." Just watch out for Trixie, his apparent girl friend. I think she'd bite you given the chance O.O;
However, he doesn't just race cars. He can jump out of moving cars into another car, shoot guns, swing from ropes, and kick the butts of anyone who gets in his way. I know you're thinking "This tiny kid is going to beat up people?" DO NOT under estimate him. xD Just ask the dorks he beat up..lol.
Racer X - He's a mysterious race car driver who appears every once in awhile to try and "beat" Speed at a race (he seems to always let Speed win the race o_o;) or save Speed's butt when he gets caught (which happens VERY often). It's not exactly a spoiler since the blockheaded narrator feels it's necessary to tell you EVERY episode X is in but "Racer X is *fake shocked voice* Really Rex Racer! Speed's Older Brother! He ran away after having a fight with Pops!"
Racer X has a horrible HORRIBLE habit of beating up Speed whenever they meet. At least twice Racer X beats the crap outta Speed and just leaves him there. You can't help but to start screaming at the TV going "YOU JERK!!!"
Pops and Mom Racer - Speed and Rex's parents. Yes those are their names. Mom and Pops. xD I love it! Pops is the typical high blood pressure father who only wants the best for his kids. Mom Racer is the stereotypical house wife...she's always in her apron and ready to bake something! :D A speaker/advocate for Women's Rights - she's not.
Spriddle and Chim-Chim - I know they are annoying but give them a chance. By the end of the series they are actually funny and they save Speed more than once from being blown to kingdom come. Spriddle is Speed's younger brother and you better get use to him because he follows Speed EVERYWHERE. I mean literally E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E O_O; I feel sorry for Speed sometimes. These two will hide in the trunk of Speed's car the Mach 5, and pop out when ever they feel it's necassry for them to annoy Speed. Chim-chim is Spriddle's monkey (I know..o.o A monkey...) and save's Speed's life more than once. He's usually the comic relief and follows Spriddle everywhere. I don't know what's creepier, the fact that the monkey FOLLOWS Spriddle everywhere or the fact that Pops and Mom LET him get a monkey for a pet. o_O; Just be glad you're not the babysitter.
Trixie - Trixie is Speed's "girl friend." From most of the moments between them you get the feeling she's a fellow rabid fangirl who stalks Speed all the time. o_O; She somehow winds up riding in the race with Speed most of time and always seems to cause problems.
Of course Speed helps the situation by telling her "It's not time to act like a girl!" xD hahahaha!! Most of the series you get to see Trixie flipping out when ever Speed's eyes wander somewhere else (...not that most of us are even sure they are dating..Speed is always less than enthusastic it seems whenever she makes a move on him.) other than her or when a girl hits on Speed. She's definitely got the "rabid fangirl" look, which is why I said above - don't make her mad. o_o I seriously think she'd bite you given the chance.
(see what I mean?!?)
Personally, while she's ok to watch sometimes I'm also just at my wits end with her. I mean..it could just be because I'm a fangirl but I swear if I ever meet her... D: I'm going to have to do something physical...:P
However, I have discovered Trixie isn't as bad in the new movie, in fact she kind of pwns Speed more than once and it's obvious who runs the relationship :P It's quite cute. Using this fact my friend and I have renamed the 60s Trixie to Pixie. :P
Sparky - I feel so bad for forgetting him and it wasn't even on purpose! *dodges hits from her friend* SORRY SPARKY!! D: He's the adorable little mechanic who helps Pops fix cars. Trixie is very mean to Sparky alot of the time which only helps her fuel the hate for her around the world. In the movie verison, Sparky actually has a very ...o.O european accent? Where ever he is from he and Speed have a very awkward relationship. I tried SO hard not to slash this TV Series but in the first episode when I saw how close Speed and Sparky were it really made my slash fangirlness explode (it wasn't fair I tell you! D:< ). While their relationship is questionable, Sparky is still a true friend and he only wants the best for Speed.
Over All ReviewI love this series! :D I have it on DVD and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Speed's grown on me and my friend and I find it hilarious! :D
FAQ
1. Why do they talk so fast?
The TV series was "dubbed" into English way before Anime was popular. Back in the 60s the producers didn't realize that you could cut out frames of the animation to make the mouths move slower. So in order to compensate they just talkedreallyfastlikethis! You get used to it. If you don't just put Subtitles on.
2. Why do they always talk to themselves? It's kinda weird!
lol! :) Well after watching a lot of anime I figured out that in Japan they do something that I like to call 'Thinking out loud'. It's where the audience can hear what they are saying but the other characters can't. It's not meant to sound normal when they speak like this, in fact it usually has an echoing sound to it...so it's like they are thinking not speaking. In America we didn't figure out this technique until the 70s. So instead it just sounds like everyone speaking to themselves and has mental issues. haha.
3. Why is there a 'G' on Speed's shirt?
The original series of Speed Racer was called Mach Go Go Go! Go in Japanese means 5. The only thing I can come up with is that the G means GO ..so..o.O like...5? for Mach 5? I have no idea. haha.
4. What are their original names? Speed just sounds..so...trippy for a kids name?
*ROFL* this has been discussed MANY times before lol. :) Ok so I wiki-ed Speed and found the original names:
Speed - Mifune
Trixie - Michi
Sparky - Sabune
I think I prefer Speed. o.o lol *hugs onto Speed and sticks tongue out at Mifune*
However the M on Trixie's shirt is now explained, yes? ^_~
Funny Things to Look Out For -Speed's eye color changes from blue to brown to sometimes green a lot.
In the episode "The Mammoth Car" Part 1 listen for Speed's accidental (and failing attempt at) cussing. His homing pigeon is destroyed and a very VERY cute "damn!" comes out of him!!! Hahaha!
My friends and I are convinced the Speed could be either straight or gay. His voice isn't the only thing that drives us to this conclusion. At the end or near the end of the "Fastest Car on Earth" part 2 Speed's legs are crossed in a very unmanly fashion. Actually my friend comments that a man shouldn't even BE ABLE to sit that way because of his "thingie".
Watch out for Speed's costume changes. Throughout the second half of the season, Speed and Trixie travel around the world and he winds up wearing his burgundy suit (No, it's not a joke...it is almost purple. o_O;). The animators forget this and more than once he'll randomly change back into the blue shirt for a scene then change back.
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