Lap 23 - Coming Through! Spin Booster!!

Coming Through! Spin Booster! is the 23rd episode of the F-Zero Farukon Densetsu anime.

## Overview

The Dragon Bird takes the lead in a race, with Ryu confident that he’ll win. The Blue Falcon speeds past both the Dragon Bird and the Astro Robin, blocking the Dragon Bird’s path. Ryu utilizes his booster on the inside track, but spins out of control, allowing the Blue Falcon to come in first place.

Remaining at the venue by sunset, the Mobile Task Force members dwell on the race. Lucy laments over Ryu’s near victory, having assumed that Captain Falcon would have allowed him to win. Dr. Clash reminds her that Falcon is only in it for the money. Jack remarks about Ryu’s race tactics as they review the race footage. Lucy assures Ryu that there’s nothing wrong with the Dragon Bird, but Ryu hops into his machine, determined to figure out why he lost to Falcon.

At the Falcon House in the evening, Ryu still dwells on having lost, but Jack assures him that there are differences between him and Falcon. Ryu insists on wanting to defeat Falcon. Bart asks Ryu if he raced the same way he had in the past, which makes Ryu recall the Boost Fire technique. Jack, however, warns him that Ryu won’t be able to control his machine with the safety off, even if Ryu is assured that it will be how he defeats Falcon.

At the practice track, Dr. Clash and Lucy warn Ryu that the Dragon Bird won’t be able to keep it straight or use higher speeds with the safety off, as the controls are connected. Ryu, again, insists it’s the only way, but nearly loses control of his machine. Despite his fellow Task Force members’ concern, he manages to finish one lap. Ryu asks for the time it took him to complete the lap, to which Dr. Clash hesitates. Jack appears, encouraging Ryu despite Lucy’s protests. Ryu thanks Jack for the encouragement as the two engage in a race. Ryu turns the safety off, attempting to utilize Boost Fire, but loses control. In order to prevent Ryu from crashing into the side, Jack utilizes his boost, at the cost of the Dragon Bird knocking the Astro Robin back and overturning it. Ryu calls out for Jack, who is unconscious.

In the Galaxy Police’s medbay, Jody slaps Ryu, calling both him and Jack “idiots” for their reckless behavior. She reminds her team that their mission is more important than beating Captain Falcon. As Jack tries to motivate Ryu, Jody taps Jack’s injured leg, causing him to yelp in pain. In the hangar, Ryu apologizes to his machine, and Dr. Clash appears to tell him that while he can fix the Dragon Bird, he can’t fix Ryu if anything happens to him. He then explains to Ryu that what he attempted to do on the track is possible, but keeping speed in corners and spinning with the power of a booster is difficult. The technique can apparently only be used once, due to the burden it places on the machine.

On a Dark Million battleship, the Skull calls upon the lost spirits to tell him how to defeat Captain Falcon. A card is presented to him, revealing an image of Jody. Though he initially questions this, his black magic is apparently never wrong. He then plans to use his ancestors’ black magic, which can only be used once in a lifetime.

The Wave Panic circuit is about to begin, as Jack contacts Ryu from the medbay. He encourages Ryu to keep going despite the accident on the practice track. Ryu thanks Jack, as Jody overhears the conversation and smiles. However, she is unaware of the Skull’s black magic card placed under the White Cat.

Ryu analyzes Falcon’s racing technique, noting it to be the same as before, and utilizes the boost spin. Unsuccessful, he laments on his skills, before Jody reminds him of their mission. The Skull calls upon the card to be activated, which covers the White Cat in a black aura and takes control of it. The White Cat rams repeatedly into the Blue Falcon, as Jody assures Ryu that it’s not her doing. The Sonic Phantom speeds by, letting his magic handle the rest. Ryu asks for Falcon’s assistance with the situation at hand, as the Dragon Bird shoves the White Cat into the side of the track and the Blue Falcon keeps it from going forward. After stopping the White Cat, the Blue Falcon continues to race, and Jody encourages Ryu to beat Falcon.

The Blue Falcon and the Dragon Bird catch up to the Sonic Phantom, but the Dragon Bird is caught between the Big Fang, Deep Claw, and a recolored green Wild Boar. Ryu turns off the safety, and successfully activates Boost Fire, sending him forward with immense speed while spinning. The Skull is shocked at the sight, while Falcon smiles. Ryu secures first place as Jack cheers him on. The other Dark Million machines collide with the Sonic Phantom, overturning all of them.

Ryu and Falcon meet face to face at sunset, as Falcon commends Ryu for a great race, but advises him to watch his boost timing. Briefly locking eyes with Jody, Falcon then leaves the venue. Ryu wonders if Falcon was testing him, while Jody also wonders about him. Falcon smiles again as he drives into the distance.

## Bart's Classroom

Bart addresses a viewer's question about his, Ryu, and Jack's ages (as of the present year of 2202).

* Ryu is 23 years old, born on July 28th, with a blood type of A.
* Jack is 24, born on May 5th, with a blood type of O.
* Bart is "a nice middle," (slang for an attractive middle aged man, Dreadopp and Zedopp's fansubs render this as "pretty old") born on April 10th, with a blood type of A.

Should the viewer wish to give Bart a present, he appreciates the giver's "good heart" but states that it isn't necessary.