Ranked #757

Future GPX Cyber Formula

Cyber Formula series has been keeping its position at #1 in my anime list for a long time. Of course, I'm not just talking about this TV series, but also the sequel OVAs because they are quite arguably better. It's created by Sunrise.

In a nut shell, Cyber Formula is about car racing (Grand Prix), but there's a catch. It takes place in a near future, where the technology is more advanced. All cars are equiped with a computer system that aids the racer in many ways such as giving advice and tips, detecting dangers ahead, and basically fulfilling drivers' wishes. The computers understand human languages and can somewhat intereact with people.

This TV series was first aired in 1991, so it's considered as an old school anime I guess.


SYNOPSIS

It is 2015. Kazami Hayato, a 14 year old boy gets involved in an unexpected event that eventually leads him to become a driver in Cyber Formula Grand Prix. Racing cars are equipped with advanced computer navigation system that can interact with its driver to aid and fulfill driver’s needs. With “Asurada” a racing machine that was created by his father, Hayato and his team take on the world’s toughest drivers to become the youngest champion in the history of Grand Prix.


STORY

In a sense, it has a story of typical sport anime. A main character tries to become the best at what he does, in this case it is car racing. You will definitely see a lot of car racings in this anime. What makes racing unique in this anime is that each round takes place in different parts of the world with many different and difficult obstacles that racers have to face. It’s not your typical “just go around in circle” car racing. This series also shows us what kind of hardships and challenges that racers face while striving forward to their goals. What makes Cyber Formula shine are all the intense dramas that take place, complimented by some timely humor and heart warming moments.


ART

Well, it is an old anime so don’t expect Gundam 00 or anything like that! It’s still not too bad at all, considering when it came out. There are some inconsistency in that some scenes are flat colored (one tone) while some scenes have shadings (two tone), but it didn’t bother me too much, maybe because I was used to a lot of the old school anime series. Character designs are quite nice looking and I felt that the designs suit the personalities very well. The highlights of this anime are the racing machines, designed by one of my absolute favorite artists, Shoji Kawamori. The racing machines look very unique, but believable, which is always important to me. Oh, did I mention they have boosters?


SOUND

I really loved the soundtracks in the anime. They do have that 90’s nostalgic feel to them, which I enjoy a lot. Intense moments, sad moments, heart warming moments… They are all complimented well by great soundtracks. Rock music are quite prominent. OP and ED songs are great, I’ve been listening to them since over a decade ago and I still enjoy them to this date. Finally, voice actings were not flawless, but nothing was major enough to bother me. I think they found right voices for all the characters.


CHARACTERS

No story is great without good characters and Cyber Formula got them all. There are some characters that are just like us, that we can relate too. Then there are characters with great variety of personalities, which strengthen the enjoyment of the show. Another charm to this anime are some major character developments in the anime, mostly the drivers who face obstacles and hardships that they’ve never faced before. I could personally feel for them and sometimes I found myself really rooting for someone that I didn’t think I would be rooting for before.


ENJOYMENT

I’m not a racing fan and I don’t watch racing. However, Cyber Formula really takes it to the next level not only because it is futuristic, but you can see all the dramas that take place during races (unlike TV broadcasts). I think this anime has great replay value.


OVERALL

I loved Cyber Formula when I was a kid and I still love it to this date. Not only can kids enjoy this, but I think many grown ups will still find this series quite enjoyable. If you can get over the fact that this is an older anime, you will be hooked (especially for sports/mecha fans). There are OVAs, which are sequels to the TV series. The art quality skyrockets in the OVAs so if you weren’t quite impressed with the art quality of the TV series, keep watching because I’m sure the sequels will impress you. Giving 10 overall score for this TV series is likely biased, but I'd at least give a solid 8 to 9, considering when this series came out. read more