The Classic Anime Re-released to a New Generation
Zach Hugh is the king of the dangerous sport of Arena Racing at a venue called The Circus. Drivers
push jet powered hovercraft and themselves to the limit as they race
around a track to the delight of spectators who place bets on, among
other things, the odds of the drivers dying. It is a sport which leaves most competitors burned out or dead within a year, yet he has remained champion for a decade. A
sports reporter sent to interview him about his longevity discovers the
dark secret of his success: he has telekinetic powers and uses them to
destroy his rivals vehicles. Sitting in the command center where a
team monitors the status of Hugh's vehicle and health, he watches him
claim another victory... and keep racing. His monitors indicate that
has died, yet he races on, challenged by the spirits of those he killed
until he himself is finally destroyed. The reporter then explains
that The Circus closed shortly after that final race. The fans finally
saw what they'd wanted to see for all those years. A visually stunning meditation on the law of karma, and a warning on the danger of the "win at any cost" mentality. While
disturbing at points, it is one of the most gorgeous pieces of anime
ever done and some of Yoshiaki Kawajiri's finest work.
I remember seeing the old dub of this on MTV's Liquid Television back in the early/mid 90's. Damn I'm getting old...
ReplyDeletein did one of classic by Yoshiaki Kawajiri
ReplyDeleteAnthony isnt the old one getting old, heh.
ReplyDeleteI watched this too when I was a youth.