Screen shots to follow for some reason my stupid progy wont take them anymore grrrr. I’ll try and get them up later today after I’ve been to physio.
Before we get into the nitty gtitty of the episode lets look at the other aspects first. The animation is greatly improved when compared to that of the series, the characters have lost a lot of their cartoon aspects that did detract at times first time around.
There is a lot more attention to the smaller details as well, especially on the cars and engines. The animation does, as it usually does, falls a few times. And there is some repeat animations. However these are minor things and matters that I really didn’t mind.
The music for this OVA is just amazing, especially the OP, “Dreamer on the Road” by Dynamite Shige, who all so sang both the ED songs aswell. Looking at this and the other 3 OVA’s that followed I can’t help but feel it was wasted potential to make them OVA’s. A second season of 26-37 episode could of easily fleshed out all four OVA’s perfectly. But….oh well.
On to the episode:
I really like the OP of episode 1. Starts off nice and quite, then BAM we’re hit by exhausts and we treated to seeing the build up to the first race of the season. All the old favourites make an appearance in the OP, and we get to see the new designed cars the others have.
A few notable changes to mention. Lope has retired from the track and come back as a team owner, with Akira Hiyoshi as his driver. Hiyoshi remember was the original driver for Sugo, but lost left after they couldn’t remove Asurada’s protection. (More on that in the Season One reviews).
The other notable change is rather unexpected aswell. Franz Heinel retired as a driver and came back as a car designer/owner and joined forces with Jackie Gudelhian of all people. Naturally given they have polar opposite personalities I’m expecting good things from them.
The episode starts with Hayato holding the pole position and feeling more than a little proud of himself. However Shinjyo quickly beats his time, knocking him of the pole position. Unfortunately due to car trouble Hayato can’t make another run, so he grudgingly (not that he has much choice though lol) accepts he has to start from position two. However Randoll goes for another run and soundly beats both Shinjyo and Hayato, knocking over 2 seconds of the time.
As soon as the race starts Hayato leaps forward and retakes the second place seat, and tries to pass Randoll, and fails. Miki notes that the engine is running to hot, and when she tells Hayato to slow down he isn’t happy. Promptly he’s overtaken by Gudelhian and Shinjyo. This is a land slide an Hayato loses he next race, then in a bid to regain position he uses the Booster pack, but goes beyond the critical point blowing the engine.
Later that night Hayato has an out burst, saying without speed and power of the others he can not win, then storms off.
During the 4th race qualifiers he makes a number of mistakes, and afterwards has a run in with Randoll. Instead of flaring up however he runs off.
Hayato is feeling the pressure from the harsh comments coming from people about his performance. An old friend comes to his rescue, Ohtome makes a return and gives his friend some solid advice. Stop thinking about being ‘Last years champion’ focus on the here and now. The rather heated argument comes to a boil with Hayato stating that its pointless to race if he cant win. Ohtome’s reply is to go ahead and quit, since he wont win with thoughts like he has at the moment.
It end with Hayato running off, and Asuka apologises to Ohtome. It’s fairly easy to understand Hayato’s reactions though since its pointed out by Ohtome that ‘it’s a heavy burden for a 15 year old’.
Meanwhile it seems that Miki and Shinjyo have been getting on friendly terms and are off on a date. This is the first chance we get to see just how much the animation has improved, as both Shinjyo and Miki’s face’s are sharper, cleaner and had some minor design changes. All for the good IMO.
She asks him what he feels about Hayato in his current state, and he pretty much repeats what Ohtome has said. That Hayato is being crushed by being the champion and as a result is being impatient. However if he gets beyond that he’ll be someone to feat. But for the moment all he’s concerned about is Randoll and Gudelhian.
Gudelhian (who as usual has his harem) just happens to spot the two, and starts to tease them. However Heinel appears and drags him off before it gets really good.
Next we have Hayato riding his bike and Asuka doing dishes, both seem to be thinking over what Ohtome said. (On a side note Asuka has also under gone some great redesign) Hayato sits crying in the rain, before going to visit Asurada, where he has a heart to heart with Asurada. While Asurada is a machine, i still find the statements he comes out with to be amazing at times. his ‘winning or losing doesn’t matter to me, I’m your partner’ and ‘I’ll go after the dream your after. That’s all that matters’, to be just awesome replies to Hayato’s confused state.
He asks if Hayato wants to quit racing, and if that’s what he wants he’ll follow. Since even when they aren’t racing, they’re still partners. Hayato breaks down and says doesn’t want to quit racing, since he loves racing together.
The next race is in Australia, and its teaming with rain. Hayato has thrown aside the past and stopped thinking as a champion, he now thinks as a challenger. He promptly over takes Bootsvorz and takes 4th place, and sin the process sets the fastest lap. Everyone, including the commentators feel that he’s rushing, and may self-destruct before the end. Ohtome appears again, and tells Miki and the rest not to worry, he can see that Hayato is fully in control this time.
He passes Shinjyo easily, who curses himself for underestimating him. Then passes Gudelhian who crashes.
Another old face turns up, Knight Schumacher (Osamu, Asuka’s brother from season 1). He comments that you aren’t a really racer until you can race fast in the rain. The woman beside him agree’s. Osamu feels that Hayato has the ability to be one of the best, and the woman agree’s. However she say’s he can’t since Asurada isn’t running at 100% Osamu asks the woman (whom he names as Clare) to look after Hayato for him. She smiles and agrees, then comments that from tomorrow they’ll be enemies!!!
The last lap is a battle between Randoll, Shinjyo and Hayato. Using the ‘down force effector fan’ he over takes Randoll and takes the checkered flag to win the race.
Thus ends episode 1.
Thoughts and comments
I like this episode, it gets the OVA off to a good start, throws in some angst and teenage temper tantrums and some good races.
Who is the new woman Clare, what’s her relationship with Osamu, and why would she become his enemy if she’s looking after Hayato.
Sadly this episode does feel a bit rushed, due to there being only six episodes to get everything into you can tell that things have been rushed. Hayato’s recovery from losing to winning was a bit rough. I would of liked to have seen some more tension, then to have Asuka come along and slap him silly like she usually does 
Also down to the rushing there’s no time for the comedy scenes that were throughout the first season. However they do include a scene with Grayson which i found a bit funny, atleast it made me smile 
