Speed Racer: TNG S1 E1

## Plot

First of all, the animation isn't as good as a lot of other TV shows, but you get used to it. I love the theme song! It's a remixed rock version of the 1960's theme song. Say what you will about the original show, but considering the circumstances, Peter Fernandez did a great job. I was upset when I heard about his death. He only had two days to work on each episode. One to write the episode and the other to record everything. He also provided his own voice for free since DiC would only pay for a certain number of voice actors. He voiced Speed and Racer X in the original anime. He voiced Headmaster Spritle here for the first season, and Speed Racer Sr. in two cameos. He also wrote the lyrics to the 1960's theme song. So I guess I have him to thank for the catchy song! In a desert in what I presume is either Nevada or Arizona (because you can see an armadillo, which lives in places like Nevada), a bus arrives at the elite Racing Academy. A new student, Speed, steps out. Some older students offer him a lift. However, the driver, Annalise, and the twins Jesse and Jared are just messing with him and have no intention of giving him a ride. Annalise's boyfriend X Racer is sincere though. He has a black X tattoo on his arm. He's the son of legendary racer, well, Speed Racer. Anyways, a girl named Lucy gives Speed directions to Headmaster Spritle's office. Lucy is incredibly smart and dresses in what I presume is a mechanic's uniform. Don't let the clothes fool you, she can race cars just as well as she can fix them. After his meeting with Spritle, Speed heads to his dorm. He meets his new roommate Conor. Conor is a huge fan of Speed Racer. He's also a mechanic, but I like to think of him as a scientist or engineer because he keeps inventing new stuff for Speed's car to make it better. Conor isn't a very good racer. Speed needs to participate in a qualifying race to stay at the academy. The problem? He doesn't have a car. Lucy comes in. She's a bit of a neat freak. Conor's robot monkey companion Chim-Chim stole her book bag. All three head outside to see a statue of Speed Racer. He's Headmaster Spritle's older brother. He also disappeared years ago. Then who took care of X? Maybe Spritle, I guess. In Conor's garage, there's an old, beaten and ugly car there for Speed to drive. It's called Lost Hero. Lost hero is right. Chim-Chim was hiding in the trunk. Speed is just psyched to race. Lucy asks him if his parents were into racing. He doesn't know. He never knew his parents. He's an orphan. All he knows is that his father left him a key and a red bandana. Professor Aniskov, a teacher at the academy, interrupts them, saying that it's time for the race. Aniskov is the school's offensive driving instructor. Zile Zazic, Annalise's father, doesn't like X's relationship with his daughter, but he hides it. He's a rich oil tycoon who pretty much built the whole school. The race is about to start. 3, 2, 1, GO! Speed uses his driving ability to pull off a 180 Reverse Thrust, a move of Speed Racer's. He's now driving in reverse down the track. Speed catches up to X and passes him. Unfortunately, the car starts to fall apart. The car loses its wheels before it crosses the finish line and X wins the race. The car is done for, but Speed is alright. Professor Winn is the defensive driving instructor. A bad accident left her in a wheelchair. After class, Spritle goes to see Speed in his dorm room. He lets Speed, Conor, and Lucy look around the salvage yard for a new car to use. As they look, Speed's key starts glowing and humming. It creates a grid that leads them to different car parts. They find the hood of a familiar car. It's part of the iconic Mach 5! It's Speed Racer's car!

## Review

I love this show! Peter Fernandez did an amazing job as Spritle. Lucy gives advice to Speed in the middle of the races, like Trixie did in the original. This was a great start to the show. Although there are A LOT of 3 parters, even more so in season 2. There's still some filler though.