Lap 27 - Beast Hunter

Beast Hunter is the 27th episode of the F-Zero Farukon Densetsu anime.

## Overview

During a full moon in Mute City, a wolf howl is heard, prompting Beastman to exit his Hyper Speeder and seek out the source of the sound.

At the Falcon House, Clank and Lucy discuss what they heard during the full moon the previous night. Though Lucy expresses fear, Ryu remains skeptical, and Bart suggests that it was probably a prank. Leon enters the cafe, exchanging greetings with the others. Lucy notes that it has already been a week since he started working there, and Bart commends him for being a hard worker. Clank then asks Leon to help him clear the tables, but Lucy insists on helping Leon. Something falls to the ground and shatters, as Leon apologizes.

Ryu teases Lucy about Leon's apparent crush on her, but Lucy disregards this. Jack storms out of the Mobile Task Force meeting room, as Lucy and Ryu encounter Beastman in Lucy's seat. Upon further inquiries, Beastman strikes his whip at her feet. Ryu confronts Beastman, but the latter points his gun at the former. Jody interjects, informing Ryu and Lucy that Beastman has temporarily joined the Task Force. Dr. Stewart adds that Beastman is a beast hunter. Beastman then explains that while the Task Force seeks out Black Shadow, the beast hunter pursues beasts like Bio Rex. Jody assigns Ryu to watch him.

The Dragon Bird pursues the Hyper Speeder on the road. While Beastman insists he can do his tasks alone, Ryu follows after him. At a club, Jack hides from Beastman. Ryu enters a short time after, and questions what Jack is doing at the club. He then asks him for Beastman’s whereabouts, to which Jack points to an exit. By the time Ryu runs outside, the Hyper Speeder drives away. Jack apologizes for letting Ryu look after Beastman, and informs him that Beastman is rough and persistent, and that Ryu shouldn’t take the assignment.

Ryu tells Jody of the situation, and Jody responds by telling him that they’ll be in serious trouble for losing Beastman. Tanaka attempts to assert his authority but Ryu hangs up. Lucy stands in the rain, holding a bouquet of flowers, as Leon offers her umbrella. The two walk to the Falcon House and talk to each other, with Lucy ntoing tha Leon also happens to be a pilot. They stop as Leon hesitates to ask her something. Ryu pulls up next to them in the Dragon Bird, lightly teasing them before asking about Beastman. Lucy tells him that she hasn’t and continues to walk as Leon’s umbrella is blown away.

They arrive at the Falcon House without Ryu, where Lucy presents the bouquet to Bart as a way to spruce up the cafe. Leon becomes nervous upon noticing Beastman seated at one of the tables. As Leon serves Beastman his coffee, Beastman notes that Leon isn’t a native of Earth. Bart interjects, stating that Leon is his friend and helps around the Falcon House. Lucy further defends Leon, shortly before Ryu bursts in to inform Beastman of Bio Rex’s location.

Bio Rex escapes from a bank heist with a group of Dark Soldiers, with Beastman and Ryu on their trail. Beastman manages to deal with the Soldier Anchors but Bio Rex escapes through the warp gate. Ryu blames Beastman and questions why he stopped, only for Beastman to say he’ll deal with the problem his way. At the Falcon House, Leon thinks about spending time with Lucy. Nightfall arrives at Mute City, as Ryu leaves a snack for Beastman after knocking on his windshield. Ryu asks if Beastman has seen anything, but Beastman suggests that Ryu can leave if he wants, while Beastman remains insistent that there is a beast in the area. Not long after, a wolf howl is heard, and Beastman encounters the beast on a rooftop. The beast leaps off the roof, escaping. Ryu arrives shortly after, asking Beastman why he attacked first without provocation. Beastman explains that his family was attacked by a beast, and that the beast they saw on the roof was the same species, initially thought to be extinct. In order to prevent harm to humans, he swears that he will pursue the beasts anywhere.

As Ryu parks his Dragon Bird next to the Dragon Ghost, Leon arrives and confesses that the beast was him. They head to a park, where Leon further explains that he isn’t entirely a beast. He acknowledges that his ancestors were once cruel, but generations would change for the better. During a full moon, Leon has no control of his transformation. Ryu sympathizes, though Leon states that he can’t stay in the city and has to leave. Upon bringing up Lucy, Leon pleads for Ryu to not tell her about his identity.

Miss Killer encounters Bio Rex planning to leave Dark Million. Bio Rex panics and explains that Beastman used to be part of Dark Million before Bio Rex was even born, and the hunter is pursuing him. Miss Killer encourages Bio Rex to fight, and that she’ll help him.

During the race, Miss Killer assures him not to worry. The Big Fang takes the lead, with the Hyper Speeder right behind him. Jody reminds her team to focus on the task at hand. Miss Killer reveals her true intentions of letting Bio Rex stay back to distract the others, while she wins the race. Leon stays with Lucy, even as all of the machines reach a critical boost point. Lucy engages, but Leon hesitates, feeling that his beast side would overtake him. Beastman engages Bio Rex, but the Elegance Liberty is knocked over by the Big Fang. Ryu and the pit crew attempt to lift the overturned Elegance Liberty, as Leon hesitates due to revealing his secret. After considering his feelings for Lucy, Leon transforms and turns the machine over. Ryu helps to take Lucy out of her machine, while Beastman approaches him and Leon. After a brief standoff, Beastman gives up his hunt, telling Leon that he doesn’t want to see him again.

Lucy wakes up and heads to the Falcon House after the race, lamenting that Leon left before she could say goodbye. Alone in the rain again, she dwells on not having figured out his secret sooner, having seen his tail when they were talking together. Ryu arrives with an umbrella, and while Lucy wasn’t expecting him, the two walk together.

## Bart's Classroom

Bart addresses a viewer's letter that asks for some facts about the Falcon House.

* The Falcon house is a place for F-Zero pilots to rest, and is open from the hours of 8 AM to 9 PM. However, he may close early or politely tell customers to leave, in order to help a pilot in need. He apologizes for the inconvenience.
* In the morning, coffee and cake are served.
* The cafe even has F-Zero merchandise, ranging from t-shirts, bubble gum, notepads, and even cups.