ÉX-Driver: Difference between revisions

ÉX-Driver
Genre	Shonen, Racing, Postcyberpunk
Manga
Written by	Kosuke Fujishima
Published by	Kodansha
Anime
Directed by	Jun Kawagoe
Studio	Bandai Visual, XEBEC
Anime
éX-Driver The Movie
Directed by	Jun Kawagoe
Studio	Bandai Visual, XEBEC

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Revision as of 22:13, 29 September 2006

Warning: Display title "éX-Driver" overrides earlier display title "<i>ÉX-Driver</i>" (help). éX-Driver is a manga series, created and authored by Kosuke Fujishima, which was adapted into an anime series, produced by Bandai Visual and XEBEC. The anime series spanned 6 episodes, as well as a feature movie, entitled éX-Driver: The Movie. The complete anime series, including the movie, were broadcast by the anime television network, Animax, across its respective networks around the world, including East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia and other regions.

Overview

In the distant future people no longer drive cars themselves, instead relying on AI (artificial intelligence) computers to drive their cars for them. But when these AI systems start losing control and running wild somebody has to stop them. éX-Drivers are the people who are able to operate the older mechanical non-AI dependent cars who chase down the AI cars and stop them.

Anybody regardless of age can be an éX-Driver as long as they possess the required skills. This would explain why one of the main characters can be only 13 years old and drive. Also there is no longer any left-hand-drive or right-hand-drive law which would explain why both types of car can be seen.

The premise of the show is that there are éX-Drivers all over the world but the focus is on the team operating in Japan.

Cars used by éX-Drivers are marked with an éX-D decal. Typically an éX-Driver car would be an older mechanical type car and almost always would be rear-wheel drive with the exception of the four wheel drive Subaru Impreza WRC since éX-Drivers usually employ techniques, such as drifting when bringing down run away cars, which is not possible with front wheel drive cars and is hard to do in an all wheel drive car.

Characters

Lorna Endou (遠藤ローナ, Endō Rōna) the girl next door type, who drives a Lotus Europa Special.

Lisa Sakakino (榊野理沙, Sakakino Risa), the fiery brunette who drove a Subaru Impreza WRC in the first episode which was wrecked had to be replaced with a Lancia Stratos HF Group 4 from the second episode onwards.

Souichi Sugano (菅野走一, Sugano Sōichi), the 13 year old prodigy who drives a Caterham Super Seven JPE and a modified Daihatsu Midget (second episode only)

Lorna and Lisa would be your stereotypical ‘different as night and day’ partners who despite their completely different personalities still manage to be the best of friends and get along very well. This was mentioned by Lorna is episode #3.

There is a good amount of rivalry between Lisa and Souichi throughout the series mainly because Lisa feels threatened by the kid being a better driver then her. This little rivalry was highlighted in episode #2.

It would be interesting to note that there are some similarities in the personalities of the characters in éX-Driver to the characters in another Kosuke Fujishima work; You're Under Arrest. Lorna and Miyuki, Lisa and Natsumi, Souichi and Nakajima, also to some extent the Chief and the staff.

The character Souichi Sugano may be a reference to Manga author Shuichi Shigeno, creator of Initial D.

Episode list

AI vs RECIPRO
On And On
No Problem
Regulations of Love (éX-Rider)
Crossroads
The Last Mile

Technology

A good amount of future or near future technology was featured throughout the series such as automated highway systems and A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) technology.

Automated highway systems have been proposed as a solution to the traffic congestion problems. A.I. computers 'drive' the cars instead of people.

Movie

The éX-Driver anime series was also adapted into an anime movie sequel, entitled éX-Driver The Movie, which follows the adventures of Lisa, Lorna and Souichi as they participate in an international éX-Driver race held at Los Angeles. The movie also consisted of a special prequel to the series, entitled, éX-Driver - Nina & Rei Danger Zone, which served as the prologue for the movie, centering on the adventures of two of the former éX-Drivers, Nina and Rei. Three short bonus shorts were also featured with the movie, featuring Lisa, Lorna and Souichi in events set just before where the movie takes off. These bonus shorts are done in comedic style, mainly with camera pans and zooms on still images:

Onsen -- set in a hot spring
Race Queen -- set in the éX-Driver Base
Airport -- set in the Airport on their way to Los Angeles

External links

Official Sites

Miscellaneous

éX-Driver ({{{type}}}) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
éX-Driver: The Movie ({{{type}}}) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
éX-Driver: Danger Zone ({{{type}}}) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
éX-Driver ({{{type}}}) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia

@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 * {{nihongo|'''Lorna Endou'''|遠藤 ローナ|Endō Rōna}} the girl next door type, who drives a [[Lotus Europa|Lotus Europa Special]].
-* {{nihongo|'''Lisa Sakakino'''|榊野 理沙|Sakakino Risa}}, the fiery brunette who drove a [[Subaru Impreza WRX STi|Subaru Impreza WRC]] in the first episode which was wrecked had to be replaced with a [[Lancia Stratos|Lancia Stratos HF Group 4]] from the second episode onwards.
+* {{nihongo|'''Lisa Sakakino'''|榊野 理沙|Sakakino Risa}}, the fiery brunette who drove a [[Subaru Impreza WRX STI|Subaru Impreza WRC]] in the first episode which was wrecked had to be replaced with a [[Lancia Stratos|Lancia Stratos HF Group 4]] from the second episode onwards.
 * {{nihongo|'''Souichi Sugano'''|菅野 走一|Sugano Sōichi}}, the 13 year old prodigy who drives a [[Caterham Seven|Caterham Super Seven JPE]] and a modified Daihatsu Midget (second episode only)