This is one of those anime which ever aired in INDIA.
So, I watched it when it was airing in India....and at that time, I didn't know what the hell anime is.
First of all, don't look to the stats of this anime on MAL and on any other Animelist sites like Anime-Planet or Anilist or Kitsu....they are absolutely misleading. In India atleast 100k people watched it when it aired back in 2013-14. And maximum.....I can estimate that almost 2 Million people watched. And I am telling you....Everyone loved this anime and its characters. But on MAL it is in the completed list of only 6k people....Lol it is so less.
Whatever, Let's get to the point, I am thinking not to spoil you...so I will present what I liked majorly about this anime:
•Story__10/10:
Yes, The story is absolutely a unique one. The concept and story is supernatural but there are not much plot holes in it. The Author tried his best to make it enjoyable and less unbelievable.
The Story is about SHO YAMATO who loves MTB riding. In the first episode it is also shown that he is really a very great rider and he learnt all the skills from his father who was a Legend in MTB riding but was mysteriously disappeared. Sho has very good & helpful friends and in Episode 01 it is also shown that The MTB training ground(named X-Zone) takes them to some strange place or some other world...which is a mystery. The place where they have been placed has a lot of mysteries. And there are a lot of plot twists that makes it a real masterpiece which can never be created again.
The Story really has something different....which is really hard. Its current rating of 6.9 on MAL makes me sad at some point.
•Characters__10/10:
Oh yeah, The main thing in this anime is its characters, There are a huge no. of characters in this anime and all of them are so nicely written characters.....the Character development of Sho Yamato is really one of the best of all times. The story does justice with its characters. All the characters have a MTB and the speciality of The MTBs are that they do have same traits as that of their Riders.
This anime is built around the MTBs...so without telling about them, this review can't be accomplished.
There are MTBs for each and every character in this anime!
And the Supernatural power of the Bike is what is the main trait of its Rider. The MTBs resemble its rider's character. The Supernatural Power of MTBs is called IDATEN JUMP/IDATEN GO which is used by the rider in tough situations during the Idaten Battle.
All the bikes have emblems in front of it. The Emblems are Normal ones then SILVER & GOLD....And there is only one PLATINUM EMBLEM which is in the bike of our Protagonist__Sho Yamato's FLAME KAISER.
My personal Favorite character from this anime is "Kyoichi Shido" who is the brother of "Makoto Shido". He has a Idaten Bike named "Thunder Emperor" & his existence is kept hidden in the beginning phase of the series while he becomes a key role player in the middle of the series; In my opinion he was the most amazing rider of MTB in the series even though Sho Yamato, the protagonist had more amazing stats & all round success.
•Music__10/10:
Ah...it gives me chills still after 6 years when I re-watch it. They have made best quality music for each and every emotion...when enthusiasm...a rocking music...when any emotional scene...a very sad music...when any Mystery scene...a Psychological music.
Special Thanks to YASUHARU TAKANASHI for Such Such great OSTs.
Till now In my knowledge there are 35 OSTs officially released....there might be more.....I don't know whether 35 are the total or there are some other too. But I remember each & every OST of this anime even after 6 years. Its emotional music is really which hit me to the core.
I would recommend you to search some of its OSTs on Youtube - "Omoide", "Tobe", "Sho no theme", "Each Feeling", "Sentimental Battle", "OST 06" & "OST 25".
You can actually visit "Best OF Anime OST's" - a youtube channel to listen all the 35 OSTs.
•Art__10/10:
Don't get me wrong....This anime was a 2005 release. And it was adapted by PRODUCTION IG....my second most favorite studio.
As this is a Supernatural Anime....The Art really suited it. The color selection is what I noticed is the unique one. Well Art is Art....even a lot of Bad storyline anime also have great Art and animations so it really doesn't matter when The Story is good. The art and animation in this anime is really better than many anime of present time.
•Enjoyment__10/10:
I really really enjoyed it for the first time when it aired. And whenever I re watch it....It becomes more close to me. The combo of great ART-STORY-CHARACTERS-MUSIC makes it really enjoyable. Even if you don't like the concept of the story....still You will enjoy it.
There are a lot of plot twists which can drive you crazy....The character development seems very natural...like it is real!
All the characters develop a bit after their every race.
•Overall__10/10:
Yes....This is literally a Piece of Greatness. It deserves more praise. But as I said its rating is really not good on Animelist sites.
But there is a fact....This anime didn't suffer.....It aired in different countries and earned a lot of money and it is one of those anime which didn't get pirated by pirate sites. So In Stats on ANIMELIST sites it doesn't seem famous and rich in its sale. But in reality it is one those anime which are famous and earned enough money & praise.
Anyways...I can't say that My review will make you watch this anime...but All the way I tell you to just give it a try....and atleast watch first 25 episodes so that the story will get on its fastest pace.
I just want its stats to be good and not misleading. This anime needs to get popular on MAL and other Animelist sites. And As I said....it is already popular and loved by people no matter if doesn't get it officially.
Have a nice day.....Give it a try whenever you are free and want to watch some supernatural and new concept. I wish you will enjoy this anime.
^_^
