IGPX, Vol. 1
The Japanese-American co-productionIPGX: Immortal Grand Prixbegan as a series of five-minute interstitials and was later expanded to a half-hour program. In 2049, the world's most popular sport is IPGX, a mixture of Roller Derby andEvangelion: Three pilots inmechasuits race and fight on a special 60-mile track at speeds of up to 350 mph. Team Satomi has just graduated to the top-ranked IG-1 circuit, where they face more intense competition. Takeshi is a typically rebellious but determined lead pilot, backed by hot-tempered Liz and Amy, whose cat serves as her co-pilot. As they debut in the big leagues, the trio deals with interpersonal conflicts and pursues minimal training. The character andmechadesigns reflect the look of anime, but the personalities feel more American. Liz behaves more aggressively, not to say obnoxiously, than a female team member in a Japanese series would. If these episodes are any guide,IPGXis a tepid effort to fuse two very different schools of animated filmmaking.The uncut version includes the Japanese dialogue, the original theme songs, and three extras: an interview with Haley Joel Osment (the voice of Takeshi), an interview with two of the American producers, and a commentary on episode 3. (Rated 13 and older: violence, alcohol use, minor ethnic stereotyping)--Charles Solomon