Lap 17 - Ryu's Magnificent Day Off

Ryu's Magnificent Day Off is the 17th episode of the F-Zero Farukon Densetsu anime.

## Overview

An F-Zero race is held, with the Dragon Bird in the lead. With a boost, Ryu manages to win first place, marking three consecutive victories. Miss Killer, noting Ryu’s victory, ponders what makes him “so strong.”

At the Galaxy Police headquarters, Lucy congratulates Ryu, but Jack notes that the Dragon Bird must get “pretty banged up” as a result of its pilot’s handling. Ryu initially dismisses this, but Dr. Clash notes that it won’t be able to tolerate much more without repairs. Jody then recommends Ryu to take a day off while the repairs are being done. After he leaves, she briefs her team on an incident involving stolen classic cars in the city.

Ryu is seen working on a classic car that he and Clank had salvaged from a junkyard, noting it has been a while since he’s worked on something like it. Clank arrives at the garage, noting Ryu’s free time. Ryu asks him for some assistance with the required parts for the car, and Clank obliges. Clank then takes pictures of Ryu for his F-Zero homepage, which he then presents to the latter. Ryu is surprised to learn that he’s “the main attraction” of the website.

Elsewhere, Octoman steals a classic car, unaware of Miss Killer watching him. Meanwhile, Ryu and Clank head to the only classic car supply store in Mute City. The shopkeeper mentions a supply of spiked tires, but Clank dismisses this and instead gives him the list of needed parts. After acquiring the parts, Ryu and Clank finish the car at last, and celebrate with drinks. Clank suggests naming the car “Dragon Egg” at first, but after Ryu brings up that the car is much older than the Dragon Bird, Clank suggests “Dragon Ghost,” which Ryu agrees with. They drive off in the Dragon Ghost to a fast food establishment.

There, Miss Killer comes across Octoman, noting that instead of winning races, Octoman has been stealing cars. Upon suggesting that Zoda should be involved, Octoman retorts that Zoda would take his earnings. Miss Killer then asks Octoman to help her, telling him to do what she says. Ryu pulls up to the drive thru, which alarms Octoman, but Miss Killer calms him down.

Later, at a park, Ryu and Clank enjoy their meal. Clank then shows Ryu an article about the latter’s accident from 2051, finding it remarkable that cold sleep is the reason they are even able to communicate in the present. Ryu then asks Clank to look up details pertaining to Misaki Haruka, Ryu’s girlfriend. Clank has difficulty finding information, only that she quit being a race queen after Ryu’s accident. Reaching a dead end, Clank assumes that she lived the rest of her life elsewhere. Ryu chooses to move on from the subject, approaching the Dragon Ghost, only to find that its tires have been slashed. Octoman appears from the bushes, being the one responsible.

Ryu and Clank return to the shop from before, looking for replacement tires. A female clerk greets them, stating that her boss temporarily stepped out. After Ryu specifies that he just needs normal tires, she then warns them of a car thief in the area. Clank assures the clerk that their car won’t be stolen. The clerk mentions the Dragon Ghost’s flat tires, which puzzles Ryu. As he fixes up the tires outside, she offers an “anti-theft camera,” a figure that bears resemblance to a likeness of Miss Killer. Clank and Ryu carry on with their drive, with the “camera“ on the dashboard of the car. Miss Killer is revealed to have disguised herself as the clerk, with the actual shopkeeper being tied up and gagged. While driving, Ryu starts questioning the woman’s awareness of the slashed tires in such a short time, since he hadn’t mentioned them to her. Clank also assumes her to be the culprit, before being dropped off by Ryu.

Octoman waits in position but questions Miss Killer’s plan, but she threatens him with informing Zoda of his car thefts. Ryu gets intercepted by Octoman on the road, with the latter teasing the former about the slashed tires. They engage in a chase, while Clank heads to a lot with the stolen classic cars. The Moon Shadow nearly runs him over, but Clank manages to dodge.

On the road, Ryu quickly readjusts to driving a car with wheels, while Octoman has difficulty. Miss Killer informs her associate that he’ll be caught if he continues, and recommends driving on a road with many turns. From the “camera” on the dashboard, she watches Ryu and instructs Octoman to drive up a steep road. Octoman runs out of patience and drives on the sidewalk before returning to the road again. A cat stops him, allowing Ryu to catch up. Octoman, however, flees to the Deep Claw, with the Dragon Ghost in pursuit. Clank manages to track a beacon coming off of the Dragon Ghost, emanating from the “camera.” Octoman assumes he lost Ryu, but the Dragon Ghost stands in his way. With the Dragon Ghost refusing to move, Octoman panics and loses control of his machine. Clank informs Ryu of Miss Killer’s plot to collect his data, and Ryu disposes of the transmitter.

At the same park from earlier, Miss Killer sits on a bench, noting that she has enough data. Ryu encounters her, thanking her for his “great holiday.” He questions her motives for recording him, and she states that she wanted to know the reason for his consecutive race victories. She also commends his driving technique, saying the data will be analyzed by Dark Million. Before Ryu can stop her, she drives off.

Ryu returns to the Galaxy Police headquarters, as Dr. Clash mentions that thanks to Ryu, the stolen cars were all returned. Jack shows Ryu the pictures that Clank took of him for the F-Zero homepage, with a message from Clank declaring Ryu “the best F-Zero pilot there is.”