Loving the Classics - Speed Racer Anime

I've always loved anime, even as a child, but I didn't know the difference back then. Shows like Speed Racer blended with the rest of the Saturday morning cartoons. I remember the excitement of waking up early to catch my favorite show.

Japanese animation has been around for almost a century. Astro Boy & Gigantor started as manga and are just a couple of good works from that era. There's no wonder manga got so popular in the American cartoon industry.

History of Manga and Anime

The roots of manga can be traced back to the 12th century, but the modern manga industry as we know it today began to take shape in the post-World War II era. Osamu Tezuka, often called the "God of Manga," played a crucial role in developing the art form in the 1950s and 60s.

Manga was initially published in magazines like Weekly Shōnen Magazine and Weekly Shōnen Sunday, which began publication in 1959. These magazines featured serialized stories that captivated readers with their dynamic artwork and compelling narratives. Each page transported readers from everyday life into fantastical new worlds.

Anime, the animated counterpart to manga, gained popularity with the rise of television in the 1950s. By the 1960s, anime adaptations of popular manga series began to appear on Japanese television, paving the way for the global phenomenon we know today.

Speed Racer: From Manga to Anime

Speed Racer originated as a manga series called "Mach GoGoGo," created by Tatsuo Yoshida in 1966. Yoshida, the founder of Tatsunoko Productions, drew inspiration from earlier works like "Pilot Ace" and "Mach Sanjiro," as well as popular films of the time such as "Viva Las Vegas" and "Goldfinger."

The manga's popularity led to an anime adaptation in 1967, which became an even bigger success. Tatsunoko Productions created 52 episodes of "Mach GoGoGo" from 1967 to 1968, setting the stage for its international fame.

The Mach 5

Central to the Speed Racer story is the iconic Mach 5 car. In the original Japanese version, it was simply called "The Mach," with the giant 'M' on its nose standing for Mifune, the family name of the main character. The number 5 on the car plays into a clever pun with the main character's Japanese name, Go Mifune, as "go" means "five" in Japanese.

The Mach 5 is more than just a car; it's a technological marvel filled with gadgets that help Speed Racer overcome various challenges. These features, activated by buttons on the steering wheel, became a signature element of the series.

American Adaptation

The English rights to "Mach GoGoGo" were acquired by Trans-Lux, and "Speed Racer" premiered on American television in the summer of 1967. The adaptation process, led by producer Peter Fernandez, involved significant editing and dubbing efforts. Fernandez not only wrote and directed the English dialogue but also voiced several characters, including Speed Racer and Racer X.

In the English version, Go Mifune became Speed Racer, and his adventures centered around his Mach 5 car, his girlfriend Trixie, his younger brother Spritle, Spritle's pet chimpanzee Chim-Chim, and his mysterious older brother, Racer X.

The Legacy of Speed Racer

Speed Racer's impact on both anime and Western animation cannot be overstated. The series is credited with helping to define anime in the United States until the 1990s, with an estimated audience of 40 million viewers during the 1960s and 1970s.

The show's popularity has led to numerous adaptations and spin-offs over the years:

1. In 1997, Tatsunoko produced a modernized version of "Mach GoGoGo" which aired for 34 episodes.
2. An English adaptation of this remake, titled "Speed Racer X," was produced by DiC and aired on Nickelodeon in 2002, though only 13 episodes were completed due to licensing disputes.
3. A daily comic strip ran in the New York Post from 2000 to 2001.
4. A live-action film adaptation was released in 2008, bringing the world of Speed Racer to a new generation.

Speed Racer's enduring popularity is a testament to its unique blend of high-octane racing action, family drama, and futuristic technology. The series continues to be celebrated by fans worldwide, with IGN ranking the original Speed Racer series at #29 on its "Best 100 Animated Series" list.

As we look back on over 50 years of Speed Racer, it's clear that this groundbreaking series has left an indelible mark on the world of animation and pop culture. Whether you're a long-time fan or discovering it for the first time, the adventures of Speed Racer and the Mach 5 continue to captivate audiences with their timeless appeal.