Jan 9, 2010
I'm writing this because the other reviews have rated IGPX is less than ten and the anime only averages a seven. I find this deeply wrong. Never before has an anime impressed me as much as IGPX. This is a passionate plea for anyone looking at the page to go watch it.
IGPX is animated by Production I.G., so high quality is to be expected. While the characters and scenery are all beautifully animated, the mecha/race sequences are entirely CGI. Thankfully, the CGI is more than enough to look good on the track, yet is kept seperate from the non-race scenes as to not be jarring.
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A professional voice cast consisting of Haley Joel Osment, Michelle Rodriguez, and even Mark Hamill is used to great effect. This is one of the few series I prefer to watch dubbed. A brilliantly liscensed electronic soundtrack sets the mood perfectly for the series and is never distracting.
Where IGPX really shines, however, is the story. IGPX is a mecha anime, but a greatly appreciated original take on the genre. There's no intense war going on to complicate the plot. Each season is a tournament arc in the best way possible. The races are pure adrenaline and varied enough that they never lose excitement. Although the characters are never in any mortal danger, at times youcan actually feel like you're in the mecha, flying across the track at 400+ mph. Off the track the series is almost slice-of-life in plot and pacing, as it focuses on Team Satomi preparing for matches. This side of the story is enough to carry whole episodes; one of the best episodes, "Holiday," features no racing at all. Each member of Team Satomi is fleshed out just enough to keep with the gentle pacing and to make the audience really connect with each character. There is romance in the series and it is handled realistically and maturely, something uncommon in many anime.
So if all this is true, why was IGPX a commercial failure? Simply put, it was never properly suited for Cartoon Network. It was too mature for Toonami and not flashy enough for Adult Swim. If it had been more successful, more seasons were possible, but IGPX ends perfectly. Every plot thread is resolved as it should be, so you won't leave the series unsatisfied.
If you like realistic characterization, a great soundtrack, star vocal talent, and a nice balance of slice-of-life and action, IGPX is a must-watch. I urge you to take the chance.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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