Speed Racer

1 9 6 7 (Japan)
52 x 20 minute episodes

Speed Racer (known as Go Mifune in Japan) drives a special sports car, the Mach 5, in races around the world. The Mach 5, designed by his father, a retired racer, has features that allow Speed to drive over any terrain and through any obstacles.

Speed Racer originally started out in Japan in 1965 as a comic strip by Tatsuo Yoshida and the original Japanese series was entitled Mach-G0-Go.

Speed is often accompanied in his exploits by his girlfriend Trixie , his kid brother Spridle, and Spridle’s pet chimp Chim-chim.  Spridle and Chim Chim are an inseparable team and provide the comic relief in Speed Racer. They have a habit of popping up at just the right time to pull Speed out of a jam so that he can go on to save the day. They often sneak on board the Mach 5 . (So much for the effectiveness of the race scrutineers!).

In the world of Formula 1 racing, the least understood, driver of them all is the mysterious Racer X. When the once unbeatable Racer X competes, everyone knows there will be trouble. Rumors abound about a "jinx" which follows Racer X to every competition. Whenever he's in a race, there is a terrible crash. A  rivalry, based on mutual admiration, exists between Speed Racer and the secretive Racer X.

Ironically, Racer X is not only Speed's greatest competitor, he is also his secret protector. In reality, Racer X is actually Rex Racer, Speed's older brother who left the family and now works undercover as a top secret Interpol agent and races his car The Shooting Star.