Lap 37 - "Death Reaper" Jack Levin

"Death Reaper" Jack Levin *(Shinigami Jack Levin)* is the 37th episode of the F-Zero Farukon Densetsu anime.

## Overview

The Bloody Chain is led by the Wild Boar, causing mayhem on the road. The Wild Boar collides with Galaxy Police cars before its pilot steps out. A downed Galaxy Police officer inquires the identity of the helmet-wearing figure approaching him, to which the latter introduces himself as "The Death Reaper of Thunder" (Dreadopp and Zedopp fansubs) / The Shinigami.

Lucy and Ryu report to the scene, as she recalls seeing Jack's Astro Robin with the Bloody Chain sometime earlier in the day. Ryu reminds her that the area is controlled by the Bloody Chain, which is led by Michael Chain. As they continue their search, they find some wrecked machines, where Lucy also finds Jack’s earring. The next day, they confront Jack at the Falcon House, and Jack claims that he was simply surrounded by fans. Lucy presents him with the earring, but Jack still avoids the subject. Clank then mentions the recent emergence of the Shinigami, also known as the Highway Devil, who was a notorious gang leader. Bart finds the sightings strange, noting that the Shinigami was rumored to have retired years prior. Ryu discourages Jack from seeking the Shinigami out, but Jack claims that, with him on the team, they can’t lose. The Bloody Chain passes by the Falcon House, blaring their horns as Jack excuses himself. Ryu warns him not to get involved with the gang, but Jack leaves with little disregard.

The Astro Robin drives through the streets and turns a corner, as Jack recalls once meeting with Michael Chain to confront him about reviving the Shinigami. Michael declined, adding that the Bloody Chain’s influence couldn’t compare to the Shinigami’s control over Mute City. Jack dismissed this before being presented with the Shinigami’s helmet, as evidence that the Shinigami was gone. Jack told Michael that he wouldn’t pick up the mantle again, though Michael told him that he would be waiting.

In the present, Michael, who has been posing as the current Shinigami, meets with Baba. He demands Baba to get rid of the Mobile Task Force, but Baba suggests that they could use the opportunity to lure Jack out and learn something from him. Michael then asks Baba for a chance to work with Zoda if the mission succeeds. Baba responds by boasting of his own importance to Zoda and his connections to Dark Million. Michael disregards this as exaggeration, and then orders his men to cause mayhem.

The Wild Boar leads the Bloody Chain into the city as a squadron of Galaxy Police cars pursue them. One of the Bloody Chain members’ machines unleashes missiles at the squadron, while a few others fire their weapons at the other cars, leaving a path of destruction behind. Michael calls out Jack to face him as Jody, Ryu, and Jack watch the screen. Jody disregards this as a petty criminal act, and discourages her team from acting, much to Jack’s begrudging agreement. Tanaka then calls Jody to the Galaxy Police Chief’s office, where the Chief questions her about Jack’s past. Jody defends Jack by saying that he has changed, working hard as a member of the Mobile Task Force. Dr. Stewart and Jody leave the director’s office, as Jack overhears Jody hoping that Jack “won’t make the same mistake twice.”

On a screen in the Task Force meeting room, Jack announces that he is quitting the Task Force, claiming that he is more well suited to be an idol. Jody shuts off the transmission as Lucy and Mr. EAD suggest asking Jack to reconsider his decision, but Jody lets it be. She then enters the hangar on her own, with Dr. Clash already assuming her intentions to go after Jack. Ryu, Lucy, and Mr. EAD arrive, questioning her decision to go alone, as they explain that they also want to help Jack. Ryu inquires about Jack’s past, and Dr. Stewart approaches the team, encouraging the truth to be told. Dr. Clash then reveals that Jack was once the Shinigami, until Jody caught him. A flashback reveals Jody as a Galaxy Police officer, pursuing the Shinigami on the road. As Jack lost control of his bike, she ran to his side and helped him as his bike exploded behind them.

In the present, Jody explains that since that point, Jack planned to change for the better, and she offered him a spot in the Mobile Task Force. Ryu, Lucy, Mr. EAD, and Dr. Clash search the city to find Jack, but Ryu is ambushed by some members of the Bloody Chain. The Astro Robin arrives to help before leaving, prompting the Dragon Bird to follow after it. Jack, now in his Shinigami outfit and appearance, announces his returns to one of the Bloody Chain members before the latter retreats. Ryu urges Jack to avoid taking on the situation by himself, but Jack tells Ryu to leave him alone. In response, Ryu teases Jack about sounding like Jody, before relaying Dr. Stewart’s words about sharing their burdened pasts together for the sake of their friendship.

Michael then arrives with his gang, surrounding Jack and Ryu. Jack then proposes a time trial race to Michael; If Michael wins, Jack joins the Bloody Chain, but if Jack wins, the Bloody Chain has to disband. As they all drive to the race location, Ryu notes Jack’s stubbornness of refusing help, before reminding him that the Task Force doesn’t want to help Jack for the sake of duty, but because Jack is their friend. Upon reaching their destination, Michael explains that construction on the bridge has been halted, so the highway will end at a certain point. Jack disregards the risk as Ryu warns him that it’s too dangerous. The race begins as the Astro Robin and Wild Boar clash with each other. Michael commends Jack’s old Shinigami “cruelty” before the Iron Tiger attacks the Astro Robin from behind. Jack calls out Michael for cheating, but Ryu saves Jack by ramming the Dragon Bird into the Iron Tiger. Without any more interference, the two machines stop at the edge of the bridge. Jack tells Michael that they’re even, but Michael punches him, starting a fist fight as Jody arrives. Ryu stops her from intervening, saying that Jack needs to settle things his way. Michael and Jack nearly fall off the bridge, with the Wild Boar exploding as it hits the ground. Even as they hang off of some pipes, Jack is still eager to fight, but Ryu reminds him that he is no longer the Shinigami. Jody extends her hand to Jack, helping him up. The Galaxy Police arrive to arrest Baba and the Bloody Chain, while Jack tosses his helmet off the bridge, officially retiring the Shinigami persona. He stumbles as he turns to leave, but is caught by Ryu and Jody, who help him walk.

At the Galaxy Police headquarters, Tanaka warns Jack that he can’t help him at this point, and Jack apologizes before telling the Galaxy Police Chief that he will take full responsibility for all of the trouble. He thanks the Chief for helping him, but the Chief redirects his thanks to Jody instead. The Chief suggests that while Jack’s past as the Shinigami is troublesome, he’ll consider it as part of the Michael Chain investigation. Jody welcomes Jack back as the Chief commends Tanaka for being “an excellent boss,” before also commending the Task Force for being Jack’s “excellent friends” for sticking by him. As Jack leaves the office, the rest of the Task Force greet him, as Dr. Stewart notes that friends can help overcome each others’ past burdens.

In the preview for the next episode, Jack reports that an F-Zero expedition team is searching for a Reactor Might on the planet Tank. A droning noise signifies the Reactor Might in the area, before Ryu reports trouble to Jack, and the two end up finding the Reactor Might.

## Bart's Classroom

Bart answers a viewer’s question which asks if Ryu and Jack are considered rich because of their earnings. He explains that the members of the Mobile Task Force only receive a salary, and the Galaxy Police is given the rest of the prize money earned during a Grand Prix. Upon displaying a visual of the Galaxy Police headquarters, Bart remarks that it has “useless and expensive” statues, as well as the Galaxy Runner. Allegedly, on the day before Ryu and Jack actually receive their salaries, they have come “crying” to Bart for free meals. Bart then states that Ryu isn’t poor, but “that’s just how work goes.”