Lap 41 - Annihilate Black Shadow

Annihilate Black Shadow is the 41st episode of the F-Zero Farukon Densetsu anime.

## Overview

Miss Killer emerges from her pod and reports to Black Shadow’s throne room. She assures her master that she will defeat the Mobile Task Force, as Zoda scoffs at being suggested to help. Zoda then heads to his room, where the Reactor Might activates. He recalls powering up Ryu’s Reactor Might in order to escape from Dark Space in Lap 32, before a memory of Haruka pointing a gun at him emerges.

The Dragon Bird drives on the road, as the Hyper Death Anchor appears suddenly, baiting Ryu to follow it to the park by the Brooklyn Bridge. Ryu steps out of his machine and points his gun at the Hyper Death Anchor, but finds Zoda sitting on a bench nearby. Zoda explains that he didn’t come to fight, instead explaining that not everyone can utilize the power of a Reactor Might, and that it becomes powerful when it reacts to a similar energy. The Reactor Might begins to activate, weakening Ryu as Zoda slowly approaches him. Ryu ends up slumping into his machine before Zoda pulls him by the collar, bringing up Haruka and Miss Killer’s similar appearances. He then inflicts the memories of the East Bank incident onto Ryu before letting go. Jack intervenes, firing at Zoda, which prompts the latter to retreat.

Later, Ryu bursts into the Task Force meeting room, asking Jody if Haruka fought Zoda on the day of the East Bank incident. He then adds that due to the lack of information about Haruka after that day, and Miss Killer being the only woman in Dark Million, he can only assume that they are the same person. Jack tells Ryu not to believe Zoda, and reminds him that Miss Killer has made multiple attempts on Ryu’s life prior.

At the Falcon House, Ryu notes that Clank’s coffee is getting better, before asking about Bart’s vacation. Clank assumes Bart simply wanted a long vacation, before noting that Ryu usually seeks out Bart’s advice. Ryu nervously chuckles before he leaves. On Fire Field, the next F-Zero Grand Prix takes place. Mr. Zero notes the immense heat while fanning himself, and Jody advises her team of the magma traps ahead. Dr. Stewart asks why the Committee is having a race on such a dangerous venue, but the answer escapes Jody. Ryu turns to Miss Killer, who shoots him a look that reminds him of Haruka, but he tries to shake this off. Just as the race is about to begin, Black Shadow arrives, remarking that dangerous courses are exciting.

The Black Bull easily knocks several machines out of the way, as the Dragon Bird pursues. The Moon Shadow intervenes as Miss Killer tells Ryu that she won’t let him disturb her master. A memory of Haruka flickers in his mind as Miss Killer announces that she’ll kill Ryu, but the Astro Robin and White Cat arrive to handle the Moon Shadow. The Dragon Bird and Astro Robin head onwards as Jack reminds Ryu that Miss Killer isn’t his girlfriend. Meanwhile, the Black Bull traverses the mine field without a problem. The White Cat continues to clash with the Moon Shadow until the Hyper Death Anchor rams the White Cat to the side, allowing Miss Killer to catch up and knock Jack to the side. Zoda cuts in between Ryu and Miss Killer, telling her that Ryu is his opponent. Ryu attempts to stop her, but Zoda blocks his path and teases him about Miss Killer being Haruka. He then tells Ryu about the East Bank incident, with Haruka’s last words being “Zoda, I’m going to avenge Ryu!” The words resonate with Ryu, temporarily stunning him, but he hits his booster as Zoda laughs.

Black Shadow informs Miss Killer of his planned departure, but the Dragon Bird catches up, catching their attention. Ryu refuses to accept what Zoda told him, just as the latter’s Reactor Might activates. Zoda attempts to coax Ryu into attacking Black Shadow, by telling Ryu that he brainwashed Haruka into being Miss Killer. Ryu loses himself, giving into Zoda’s words as he uses Boost Fire to attack the Black Bull. Black Shadow tells Miss Killer to get back, as Zoda uses Death Fire. The use of Boost Fire and Death Fire release energy waves that cause Fire Field’s lava to spill onto the track, engulfing the Black Bull. Suddenly, Miss Killer has a memory of Ryu, referring to her as Haruka. Jody urges Jack to help Ryu after everything settles. Zoda watches in disbelief as the Black Bull emerges from the smoke and rams into the Hyper Death Anchor.

Zoda panics as the Hyper Death Anchor falls into the lava, but his Reactor Might activates. Miss Killer runs past Ryu to check on Black Shadow, as the Task Force checks on Ryu. As Miss Killer runs to Black Shadow, he tells her to stay back. Zoda’s Hyper Death Anchor has been infused with Fire Field’s lava, creating a lava monster that consumes the Black Bull. Miss Killer, horrified, screams for her master. Zoda returns to the track in his machine before thanking Ryu for his “help.” He then leaves as the lava settles. Miss Killer laments the loss of Black Shadow, as Ryu watches her.

As Zoda steps into Black Shadow’s throne room, he finds Miss Killer on the throne, who tells him that she won’t let him do what he wants. He leaves, but his Reactor Might activates again, and Miss Killer recalls the memory of Ryu again.

In the preview for the next episode, Ryu and Jack advertise F-Zero Shopping for the Don Genie Company. Ryu asks about what special goods are available for the day, and Jack notes that the main focus is a 5-piece Black Bull set, consisting of the Black Bull, Red Bull, Yellow Bull, Green Bull, and White Bull. Ryu exclaims “What a deal!” in response, and Jack adds that the pilot, Berserker, is included in the set for a limited time.

## Bart’s Classroom

Bart eagerly welcomes the viewers to the segment. Instead of usually asking if they found the episode to be interesting, he exclaims that it was amazing (due to Black Shadow’s demise.) He then answers some more questions from other viewers.

* In response to "Are Captain Falcon and Blood Falcon the same?" Bart replies that “Compared to Captain Falcon, Blood Falcon is as different as beauty to a rutabaga.”
* When Bart is asked if he has a girlfriend, he responds that his girlfriend is “the one who supports this program.” However, it is possible that this may have just been a joke.
* As for why Bart has a scar on his face, he responds that the answer is still a secret.”

He then concludes the segment, laughing in joy.