The anime "Future GPX Cyber Formula," which began airing in 1991 and continues to shine brightly even now, is celebrating its 35th anniversary. The production of a new short anime commemorating the 35th anniversary has been announced, and fans are going wild, especially on social media. Why has it been loved so deeply and for so long?
◇Resonance between humans and AI
"Future GPX Cyber Formula" is a story about the protagonist, Hayato Kazami, who takes part in Cyber Formula, a motorsport incorporating cutting-edge technology, and grows through grueling races. The 37-episode television series aired in 1991. Following the enthusiastic support of fans, numerous OVAs were produced from "11 (Double One)" in 1992 to "SIN" in 1998.
Cyber Formula is a next-generation motorsport that features cars with speeds and performance far exceeding those of Formula 1, and equipped with AI support called the Cyber System. Here, the series presents a remarkably modern vision, depicting the cars not merely as "tools," but as "partners" with whom it can communicate.
While most of the AI in the film are specialized in navigation, Asurada, designed as a learning and evolutionary computer, is the only one capable of interacting with the driver. Hayato engages in discussions with Asurada, sometimes clashing with it, but ultimately deepening their trust in each other. The theme of "resonance between humans and AI" is remarkably prescient in today's world where autonomous driving and generative AI are commonplace.
◇A rich human drama
The core of the story lies in Hayato's personal growth. Caught up in the struggle for Asurada, a car developed by his father, Hayato is unexpectedly registered as a driver. Initially, his inexperience sometimes confuses those around him. However, through the bonds with his teammates and fierce battles with rivals, he develops the demeanor of a true champion.
The rivals surrounding Hayato are also a major draw of the series. There's Knight Schumacher, the "supersonic knight" who hides his true identity; Breed Kaga, his "big brother" figure; Shinjo Naoki, the hardworking guy who knows what it's like to fail; and Karl Richter von Randle, the "Amadeus of the Circuit"... Their way of life has captured the hearts of many female anime fans.
It wasn't just a record of wins and losses; the series depicted a rich human drama involving conflicting motives behind the pit lane, family love, and comebacks from setbacks, which led to its enduring popularity and support for multifaceted media development such as character songs and drama CDs.
◇ Shoji Kawamori's machine designs
The impressive production team is also noteworthy. The director was Mitsuo Fukuda, who would later work on the "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED" series. Hiroyuki Hoshiyama, known for "Mobile Suit Gundam," was in charge of series composition, and Mutsumi Inomata, known for the "Tales of" series, was in charge of character design.
The design by Shoji Kawamori, known for the "Macross" series, is what truly defined the machine's appeal. In addition to its form that embodies ultimate functional beauty, it incorporates a transformation system that changes shape according to the driving conditions. Even now, more than 30 years after its broadcast, it continues to be loved, with new high-end figures and models still being released.
The newly announced short anime is a direct sequel to the OVA "SIN." Director Fukuda stated that the anime will "condense a new year of Cyber Formula into six minutes," and declared that "no CG will be used; it will be entirely hand-drawn." Expectations are high for this top-tier hand-drawn animation, a bold challenge in today's digital age. The "race of the future" is about to start running once again as a new legend. (Manami Anima/MANTANWEB)
