Anime Video Review: Overtake!

https://countzeroor.com/2025/08/27/anime-video-review-overtake/

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MF GHOST Season 3 Anime Broadcasts in 2026

In a thrilling announcement for fans of the racing genre, it has been confirmed that "MF Ghost" will be returning for its highly-anticipated third season in 2026. The anime adaptation of Shuichi S...

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Anime Review: Overtake

https://countzeroor.com/2023/12/30/anime-review-overtake/

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Well, finally we’ve arrived at the end of this anime. Watching this episode after Christmas was such a great gift for me. I give my thanks to Santa, being a good boy in 2023 wasn’t a waste, after all. This ending is such a good payoff after all the build up. At last, our boy Haruka gets something after all he has done.

Honestly, it’s so fitting how masterful this episode is. It’s more than a satisfying end. This final episode also sums up everything that is great in Overtake! From character development to the actual race, you name it.

Nevertheless, I wish this anime got more attention. While its motorsport settings isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, I’m sure anyone who watched since the beginning is hooked. Let’s get to what happens in this final episode.

A Few Sweet Things

Let’s start with the little things. I think Overtake! is absolutely detailed, especially in the way the characters grow. I’m glad the anime doesn’t spare anytime for weird quirks that we often see in other shows.

Instead, Overtake! chooses quality plot over cheap fan service. To me, this makes us able to see the characters in a more grounded and sentimental way. Even down to the side characters, I found them to be individually endearing and not just as plot devices.

Unconditional Love And Support

The theme of supporting another is all over this anime. I think this is the core message in the whole story. Overtake! tells us to root for our closest friends and appreciate their supports.

Haruka’s story especially emphasizes this theme. By the end of this anime, I couldn’t believe that this is the same Haruka from the first episode.

Haruka went from an asocial person to the one who seeks out a friend in need and appreciating their support the most. He goes from declining Koya’s support to calling him as supportive as a mother, which is extremely wholesome but rather hilarious.

Speaking of Koya, He is more about opening up to what other people offer. After all, if we don’t want to be helped, no one will be able to reach out to us in the first place. I see he has gone a long way from a person who always pretend to be okay, to his literal meltdown, and him actually listening to others.

The Fans And Romance

A neat little detail that I notice in this episode. We should never ignore even the most miniscule support that we get. Do you know where did I get this? From Satsuki Harunaga. The guy, who I thought to be annoying at first, turns out to be one of the most impactful for me.

Ever since the beginning, Satsuki always greets his fans. Not once I see him giving a cold shoulder to anyone. Even at his lowest point, he listens to others’ advice, even if it seems unsolicited.

Remember what Aris said to Satsuki? Aris’s advice is a major turning point for Satsuki. Had he ignored her, he would never recover mentally. Also, don’t forget Aris’s respond when Satsuki repeats her advice and gives her a wink, I think it’s a cute little comedic touch to add a nose bleed.

“I see. I always wanted to be like Hunt. However, it seems that Lauda is the one I should really learn.”

Satsuki Harunaga after listening to Aris in episode eight.

Also, Satsuki turns out to be an excellent wingman. Despite the attention he gets regularly, he doesn’t succumb into a Narcissus-like trope. When a fan approach him and Toshiki, he doesn’t immediately assume she comes for him. Instead, the fan comes for Toshiki, and we get to watch how adorably awkward Toshiki is.

An Unrequited Love

On a side note, somewhere in the middle of the anime, we know there is one established romance. It’s between Aris and Satsuki. Although, it’s not so obvious if Satsuki shares the same feelings.

However, I didn’t expect Kotaro to show an interest toward Aris. I know they’re very close and childhood friends. But, before the final race, it seems Kotaro wants to ask Aris out, only to be stopped by Aris’s cluelessness. I know he blushed when she ate his ice cream, taking it as an indirect kiss. But, I didn’t think he’s into Aris. Am I just much an airhead as Aris? Man…

The Most Epic Race In This Anime

Moving on to the actions in this anime. We know Overtake! has a gorgeous CGI animation. However, F4 races basically are races between cars with the same chassis. So, I can understand if some say the races are not as exciting as MF Ghost’s.

On the other hand, the races in Overtake! still prove to have excellent cinematography. I like the way the anime captures each moment of actions and emphasizes what the characters are thinking.

A Great Build Up

The beginning of this final episode highlights each characters’ thought on this event. I love how this anime starts the final episode and the first the same way, showing Sae-chan driving Koya to the race. However, in the final episode, Koya is much more enthusiastic and invested.

Other than Koya and Sae’s relationship, I like how the anime spare some running time for the development of others as well. Haruka and Koya supporting each other, Satsuki and Aris’s romance, and we’ll get to the rivalry of the three racers.

Also, it’s a nice touch that they include Mr. Komaki and Belsorriso owner, Mr. Ena. Both of them were in the same team alongside Haruka’s father. For a brief moment, they reminisce how Haruka’s father would take a breather on the spot they’re at. It’s sweet to see the old ones being nostalgic, especially if it involves someone related to the protagonist.

A Call Back To The Rivalry

Early in Overtake! we’re immediately introduced to Toshiki and Haruka’s beef. It began when Toshiki smashed in Haruka’s car. Ever since, Toshiki nickname Haruka as a “Chicane”. Toshiki’s sentiment for Haruka lasts to later episodes.

There is also Toshiki and Satsuki’s beef. Well, not necessarily a beef, but it’s natural for Toshiki to have a bit of ambition when you’re a second driver who constantly drives behind the first driver. Toshiki eventually got his first driver position, replacing Satsuki who was recovering from his injuries.

However, Satsuki challenged Toshiki’s position when he returned in the last episode. So, Belsorriso conducted an in-team race. Filled with determination, Toshiki came out first. I like the dynamics between these two. It showcases their competitiveness while still maintaining a good sportsmanship.

So, it’s a no-brainer when the anime pits the three against each other in this final race. Haruka starts at the sixth position and is quickly gaining on the Belsorriso duo. Until, it’s finally the three of them competing for the first place.

The Last Slipstream

I mentioned a lot about Toshiki’s determination to be the top driver in Belsorriso. However, I don’t think he goes so far that he becomes a maniacal about being the top driver. In this episode, he does what makes me think he is the most compelling character in the anime.

When the three battle against each other on the track, Toshiki accidentally crashes into the backmarker. A backmarker is the last driver in a race, they often get blue flagged by the race marshal as a signal to let the race leaders pass them.

However, I think in this case either Toshiki is driving too passionately, the backmarker fails to notice Toshiki, or the marshal fails to signal the backmarker. Either way, it results in him breaking his front wing.

Now, it’s clear Toshiki can’t race optimally, the front wing is a major component in a car’s aerodynamics. However, instead of pitting, he chooses to give a slipstream for Satsuki, and catapults his teammate further away from Haruka. Toshiki later retires from the race. Man, if this is not the greatest move a wingman can do, I don’t know what is.

Haruka And Satsuki’s Duel

With Toshiki out of the way, it’s up to Satsuki to maintain Belsorriso’s domination. However, Haruka and Komaki Motors are in their top shape today. Satsuki and Haruka’s duel might be my favorite part in this episode, the long one-take scene is absolutely stunning in my eyes.

Haruka proves to be a formidable opponent for Satsuki. I notice that Haruka has a really aggressive driving style when he is chasing someone. On the contrary, Satsuki is swift, precise, and more calculated. However, his injuries hamper him from showing his potential this time.

Haruka’s Win Is Also Koya’s Win

Eventually, with everyone including people from past episodes supporting him, Haruka overtakes Satsuki. And with this maneuver, his win is secured, with Satsuki coming in second. It’s also worth mentioning the throwback to Haruka’s memory about his father. Haruka’s win feels so sweet after all he has gone through. However, it seems like Koya also enjoys his own victory.

“I’m filled with power when I support you.”

Koya to Haruka when he is about to take pictures.

Koya promises to take Haruka’s picture when Haruka get to stand on the podium, and this is his moment too. This episode shortly sums up his struggle. It’s Haruka who ignited Koya’s soul in photography. However, when things get tough, Sae also gives him the push he needs. Suffice to say, seeing Haruka holding the trophy and Koya taking pictures of him are absolutely satisfying payoffs.

My Final Conclusion About Overtake!

To wrap up my review on this episode and the anime overall, I’d like to point out some bits that I found so compelling. I didn’t know about Overtake! until the second episode aired.

I had no information whatsoever about this original anime. However, it turns out to be one of my favorites all season. And yet, Overtake! checks out every box in my good anime requirement list.

A Masterful Storytelling And Production

The greatest aspect of Overtake! is its story. Despite being only twelve episodes long, this anime masterfully showcases the development of each character. Also, it has one of the most heavy-hitting themes across fall 2023 anime, while also still being entertaining and lighthearted.

In addition to that, I really appreciate the production value of this anime. Although Overtake! might not the most visually appealling anime of all time, it’s still has both gorgeous art style and CGI animation. Also, the opening song, Tailwind by Kanae, has really grown on me.

Amazing Races, Albeit Short

Another thing that everyone must appreciate about this anime is the sheer amount of references to the real-life formula racing. It seems like Overtake! takes the history behind this motorsport really seriously. On top of that, this anime showcases the real danger behind formula racing too.

Also, the anime sometimes highlights the real sciences on how a formula car works, and its business, financial aspects. However, it’s a shame the racing isn’t as much as I’d like. But, this is a worthwhile sacrifice to balance with the story.

A Satisfying End

Once again, the finale is a perfect ending episode. I love how this episode subtly sums up the whole plot. Every minute has its own moments, from the heartfelt to the high-adrenaline ones. Also, all the intricate themes are adressed once more in the final episode, and they’re given a great wrap up.

Surely, Overtake! deserve more attention. I won’t be surpirised if this anime will be called a hidden gem in the future. it has a very well-balanced pacing, Overtake! has the more mature themes and a good amount of real-life formula racing references for motorsport geeks.

https://seinenrider.com/2023/12/28/what-an-epic-anime-overtake-episode-12-review/

#Anime #AnimeReview #Fall2023 #Overtake_ #Racing #RacingAnime

Time sure goes fast. It feels like I discovered this anime yesterday. Yet, here we are already eleven episodes in. When this anime ends, I hope Troyca and Kadokawa are already planning for the second season. In the meantime, let’s review the eleventh episode.

This episode is more about Belsorriso’s dynamics. Harunaga’s return shakes the status quo within the team. Injured as he is, he wants to take his position back from Toshiki. Meanwhile, Toshiki has been slowly adjusting to his new position as the first driver, despite being not as fast as Satsuki.

However, the aftermath of his accident left Satsuki with a torturous pain. Here we see the two Belsorriso’s front liner battle their own obstacles. Toshiki must overcome his nervousness, and Satsuki has to quickly recover to retake his spotlight. I love how this episode concludes Satsuki’s and Toshiki’s inner conflicts.

What Goes Around, Comes Around

Despite being not under this episode’s spotlight, Komaki Motors gets a little bit of development. It’s sad that Mikazuki decided to withdraw their sponsorship for Komaki Motors. All because Koya’s tarnished reputation. Even though Momo’s grandfather holds no grudge towards him, it seems the public opinion hasn’t changed even for a bit.

Luckily, the goddess of fortune seems to be on their side. Remember that Koya and Haruka went around the neighborhood looking for sponsorship? I’m happy to see that those mom-and-pop shops decided to band together and fund Komaki Motors. Although it’s nothing much, Komaki Motors needs every help they can get.

This is not something new in racing. Crowdfunding a team is a viable way to support your favorite team, especially if they are a small and underfunded team like Komaki Motors. In fact, Marotti Autosport did this to be the first fully fan-owned entry in the Indy 500.

Satsuki Harunaga’s Returns

Saying Satsuki’s return shakes the new dynamics in Belsorriso’s garage is an understatement. I mean, who in the right mind would try to race when they haven’t fully recovered after injuries? Well, Niki Lauda, apparently. Satsuki might have taken Lauda as an inspiration in a really serious way.

I honestly felt a bit concerned watching him piloting Belsorriso’s car. Yes, I know he seems to be “the talented one” among the drivers. But, considering he didn’t only suffer from bone injuries, I think he also got some internal wounds. How he forces himself to get back as soon as possible is admirable, but also kind of psychotic if you ask me.

If I recall correctly, aside from one of his legs and arms, Satsuki also suffered from injuries to his ribs. Satsuki’s T-bone crash was harrowing to watch. It’s a type of crash that can easily claim lives, after all.

Once Again, A T-bone Crash Is A Deadly Crash

Satsuki’s crash also reminds of Anthoine Hubert’s tragic crash which unfortunately claimed his life. Hubert was a talented driver. Back in 2018 GP 3, he managed to finish at the podium eleven times out of the total 18 race.

In 2019, he joined F2 racing as BWT Arden’s driver. However, on the second lap of the Spa-Franchorchamps round, he was involved in a series of chaotic crash. After crashing into the tire barrier, his car bounced, only to be met by Juan Manuel Correa’s car.

Correa was also in the middle of a peculiar situation. He had lost control of his car due to the debris caused by the disarray in front of him. So, at 135 mph (217 kph), he crashed into Hubert’s left side, leaving the two severely injured. Hubert was pronounced dead around ninety minutes after the crash, while Correa suffered long-life injuries.

I fear Satsuki’s injuries will have more implications further in the story. He seems to be forcing himself despite his cheerful face that he always wears. I began watching this anime hating Satsuki, and here I am now worrying about him.

Belsorriso Showdown

Satsuki wastes no time to return to his team. At first, I thought Belsorriso would turn down his return because they already have other drivers, including Toshiki. But, who am I kidding? Satsuki is the most talented in the team if not in the whole F4 roster.

However, Satsuki surprises everyone by asking to be back as the first driver immediately. Well, considering Toshiki already got the spot, with two other drivers aspiring to take it as well, and Satsuki’s current condition, it’s a delicate term he has proposed.

So, to settle the roles, Belsorriso decides to arrange an in-team race. The four drivers are to race against each other, and the winner will hold the first driver role.

I thought, wait… how about the cars? You guys only have two cars for two drivers, right? But, who am I kidding? It’s Belsorriso, of course they have four F4 cars. I guess they weren’t joking about this team’s financial power.

The True Victory Is When You Defeat Yourself

The race between the Belsorriso drivers is my favorite part of this episode. Not only because I get to watch some actions, but it’s also an important turning point for Toshiki.

I feel this race isn’t so much about who will take the first driver role. But, more about Toshiki’s struggle to overcome his anxiousness, and how Satsuki fights his pain due to his injuries. As we know, Toshiki Tokumari was always Belsorriso’s second driver before Satsuki’s untimely accident.

However, he couldn’t quite cope with the pressure of being in the front. He always seems to overthink and mind the cars behind him more than he should. Although Satsuki is talented, we can see his injuries clearly impede him from showing his full potential.

“That’s right. You’re not my enemy. My enemy is myself, and your enemy is yourself too.”

Satsuki Harunaga’s monologue.

In the end, it was Toshiki who finishes first, with Satsuki following close after him. Even so, what I found Satsuki’s and Toshiki’s monologue to be interesting. I think Satsuki agrees with the rest of us and Belsorriso team that Toshiki is drowning in his own worries.

It doesn’t matter who is chasing him from behind. What’s important is that he needs to remain calm and focus on what’s ahead. Similarly to Satsuki, his main challenge for now isn’t Toshiki, Haruka, or getting the best time in a lap. But, it’s his injuries and the grueling recovery process.

https://seinenrider.com/2023/12/13/you-are-your-enemy-overtake-episode-11-review/

#Anime #AnimeReview #Fall2023 #Overtake_ #Racing #RacingAnime

It’s good to be back to Overtake! This time, the anime feels like it smooths things down for us. I say this is a much-needed filler episode. The last episode was just too intense with the traumatic flashbacks.

The 10th episode picks up directly from what episode 9 left off. Koya’s tragic backstory is saddening, and honestly, I didn’t expect an anime with a racing flavor to crunch my heart like this. However, that’s not all the anime has left for us.

Episode 8 told us about Haruka’s dilemma. Haruka could make a George Russel move by accepting Belsorriso’s offer. However, it means he would be leaving Komaki Motors. In my opinion, his decision in this episode is very touching. Although, it might be not the right one professionally speaking.

Haruka Stays With Komaki Motors!

Yup! You read it right, Haruka decides to stay with Komaki Motors. I first thought the story would make a driver swap. I wonder what would happen if Belsorriso mercilessly replaced Satsuki with Haruka, and then Satsuki starts his revenge arc, that would be interesting.

However, the anime decides to wait for Satsuki’s recovery and put a replacement second driver for Toshiki to partner with. In fact, there is something I didn’t expect either that happens to Toshiki. I remember the first time he took the first driver role, it kind of overwhelmed him.

I thought, with Haruka’s decision to keep his status as Komaki Motors’ driver, Toshiki would feel relieved because he didn’t have to drive in front of a person who had never done teamwork on racing tracks. But, apparently, he spirals down into his Debbie Downer mood even more.

Why Haruka Dismissed Belsorriso’s Offer

In any case, what shook me the most was Haruka’s reason why he didn’t leave for Belsorriso. Haruka says he doesn’t want to be a professional driver. Wait, I thought he got, at minimum, a slither of inspiration from his father. Although he doesn’t dismiss the possibility of him changing his mind, Haruka’s reasoning turns out to be more personal.

After tasting Belsorriso’s might and seeing what they can do with their financial advantages, Haruka thinks that, of course, he can coast to the top easily with what Belsorriso can provide. But, he prefers to take the podium with his skills in the play for most of the part.

It’s an interesting take, I think. Yes, his train of thought gives the impression of a shonen protagonist, but I can understand that he wants to relive the moment his father lifted him up on the podium with his strength.

Koya And Sae, A Different Take On Romance In Anime

Let’s take a step aside from the racing for a little bit. Most anime shows a romantic journey in the making, including Overtake! with Aris and Satsuki, though. But, Overtake! also gives a glimpse of how a relationship between a divorced couple can take directions, which is very uncommon in anime, I think.

From the very beginning of this anime, it’s established that Koya has an ex-wife, Sae. He sometimes gets photography jobs from her. Although she is not a major character, she has a big impact on our main protagonists, Haruka and Koya. She was the one who first told Haruka about Koya’s problem with taking portraits. She also always supports Koya throughout the anime.

Sae’s Maturity Is So Rare In Anime

I think she is a very mature and well-written side character. Watching from the perspective of a young, unmarried guy, I was a bit surprised to see her relationship with Koya. Even though their relationship has ended romantically and legally, she still shows a great deal of care for her ex-husband.

Based on today’s consensus on how divorced and separated couples are viewed these days, especially in the online world, it’s easy to get a skewed image of how we should handle an ended relationship. Seeing how Koya and Sae interact with each other gives me a picture of how to handle a broken romance maturely.

Koya always appreciates his ex-wife’s help, while Sae recognizes Koya’s trouble, and never turns her back on him. Even though they are not married anymore, I still can see that they want each other to not get eaten by challenges in life. However, there are bits of Koya’s personality that make Sae seems to want to slap her forehead.

Sae Still Cares Deeply About Koya

Her concern for her ex-husband still runs deep, though. Haruka apparently told Sae about Koya’s real trauma. This whole time, she thought it was the public outrage that broke Koya, but it actually was Momo’s tragic death.

I like how she expresses her genuine realization to Koya, how she shows that she learned something new about her ex-husband, and her regret that perhaps she could’ve done more about it in the past.

Their whole dynamic is very interesting to me, it’s very adultlike. What is more surprising to me is that the anime never once showed them yelling at each other.

A Change Of Pace Among Romance Anime Cliches

I don’t recall the anime putting more details on their divorce, but it seems they went their separate ways in a very mature way, or maybe the anime is saving more of Koya and Sae’s story for future episodes. In any case, I think more anime should portray collected and level-headed relationships like theirs, even if the romance is already over.

No matter how good a romance in anime is, sometimes I can’t help but notice there are some overly saturated tropes and plotlines. How often do you see tsunderes, kawaii first meeting, or the girl punching the guy for accidentally bumping into her? Those are common cliches in anime, right? I think the market for grounded and sensible couples in anime is still fresh to explore.

Haruka’s Rough Start And The Race

Now, let’s look at the racing part, shall we? This time, it’s the Suzuka circuit that will be the background for Haruka and Toshiki’s showdown. With Haruka back in Komaki Motors’ car, it’s an uphill battle for him. He only manages to catch 14th place for the starting grid. So, he has to overtake thirteen other cars to get a win.

On the other hand, Toshiki and the other Belsorriso driver, Yuita, are way ahead. Before the race, Toshiki had given Yuita the green light to drive to all his heart’s content, even if technically Yuita is the second driver. When the race starts, Toshiki gives his first place to Yuita, giving away the pressure of being the leader of a race.

Way back among other racers, Haruka takes as many opportunities as he can. In a short time, he manages to climb up his position and is now not far from the Belsorriso cars. Well, it’s now obvious to Toshiki that Yuita can’t handle the pressure. On top of that, Yuita is incredibly slow compared to him. One thing leads to another, Yuita loses control and skids, with Toshiki who is quick to take the first place again.

Why Can’t Haruka Get A Win? Come On!

This is where Haruka starts to threaten Toshiki’s dominance in this race. He is now in second place and is close to snatching the victory. But, alas, his tires give up, possibly because of how aggressively he drives this entire race.

Tire management is a crucial thing in any race. The rubbers will heat up and cool down depending on how fierce a driver wants his car to be. But, the more aggressive a driver is, the more the cost he must pay in terms of tire consistency.

You’d think Haruka deserves, at the very least, the third place at this point. But, he just has to settle with what he gets in this episode. Maybe, this is the anime’s way to get more tension and the itch of seeing Haruka standing on the podium. Well, that actually works to me at least. But, I’ll be mad if by the end of the anime Haruka still hasn’t taste a single sweet victory.

https://seinenrider.com/2023/12/08/maturity-in-a-racing-anime-overtake-episode-10-review/

#Anime #AnimeReview #Fall2023 #Overtake_ #Racing #RacingAnime

Koya’s disappearance sparks so much worries for Haruka and the rest of Komaki Motors team. We see his last trace back in episode 7. In that episode, Haruka learns about Koya’s photograph that outraged the public. However, now he gets another clue about Koya’s trauma in that photo album.

This episode touches on both Koya’s response to his trauma and Haruka’s role as a supportive friend. Also, we finally know the real reason behind Koya’s reluctant to snap a picture of a person, turns out it’s not the cancel culture.

Both Haruka and Koya show great character development this time. Seeing Haruka here makes me think he is a completely different person from the Haruka in the first episode. Also, this episode showcases a really delicate topic. It tells how a person with trauma would actually muster up some courage and finally faces his past head-on.

Chasing After Koya

We spent the entirety of episode 8 without Koya. I’m glad they decided to pick up his story here, or else our memory of him would go MIA as well. And you know what, his appearance in this episode is such a payoff.

It doesn’t take long for Haruka to find Koya. He located Koya from an address on a business card he found in Koya’s apartment. The night he arrives, he stumbles on Koya at a convenience store. The two then makes their awkward reunion.

Koya Is Avoiding Talks About The Real Reason

After a few chit-chat, Haruka immediately shoots his questions to Koya. What I like from Haruka this time is that he shows genuine concern for the photographer. He does some nice things to do when trying to make someone open up about their traumatic experience, which is quite refreshing to see in anime.

Haruka pretty much reminds me of how Kotaro would support him in his lows. He is so thorough when he cheers up Koya. First, he accompanies Koya to wherever Koya goes, they spend time together, and even go on a playful karting race. However, whenever Haruka asks about Koya’s real reason of going to this place, Koya would lead the conversation away to a different topic.

Emotional avoidance is a common thing that someone with PTSD does. The way this anime portrays Koya’s emotions and his facial expression is way too accurate, it’s kind of scary. Haruka is persistent and patient though, even water can make a rock dents.

There is one clue that Haruka took when he was in Koya’s apartment. In Koya’s album photo, it seems he stopped taking portraits right after he took the little girl’s photo. So, it can’t be the backlash that stopped him, it must be something else. This is where finally we get Koya’s story from the man himself.

The Disaster

It all happened when Koya and his acquaintance, Kikuchi, were taking photos about a town near a coastline. There, he made friends with and an old man, Mr. Shozo, and his granddaughter, Momo. Hold on, I thought he was purposely sent to take pictures of a tragedy. Something is definitely not right.

The way Koya refrains from telling the story, the seriousness, and every sigh that comes out from him are enough to say that this story is going to be wild. And “wild” turns out to be an understatement, I say.

The Horror Right Before Koya’s Eyes

When I watched Koya’s flashback, I feared the worst. You see, there is a reason why Japan has a high frequency of earthquakes. It’s because of the nation’s geographical location. Japan sits on the west part of the ring of fire, which makes it one of the most tectonically active places on earth.

Earthquake is a common occurrence in Japan. However, it will turn devastating if a tsunami follows up, just like the tragic 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. If learning about the aftermath of a tsunami is chilling enough, what about seeing the disaster happening in person? This is exactly what Koya experienced.

To add to the horror, at that time, most of the townspeople had evacuated to a hill, including Koya and Kikuchi. However, he couldn’t find Momo. Fearing for the worst, he pulled out his camera and started scanning the town, zooming from his camera.

A minute later, he found Momo in his lenses, running for her life. Although Koya wanted to go after her to the town, it was impossible realistically. So, all he could do was to watch and root for her.

Unfortunately, nature was unforgiving. Momo was swept away by the waves, and Koya witnessed the entire thing through his camera. Out of reflect, he pressed the button and her picture seconds before her death was taken. After that, Koya couldn’t take another photo of a person.

The Closure That Koya Needs

Considering how terrible the stuff that he went through, it’s understandable that he would fall into frantic episodes of psychological trauma. Seeing a person dies in front of your eyes is horrifying enough, let alone if it’s a small child and someone you know.

However, Koya’s action must be applauded here. Even though his memory of Momo still haunts him, he actually goes to visit Mr. Shozo, Momo’s grandfather, in a hospital. He keeps it secret as best as he can by asking Kikuchi to arrange it for him. When the two meets, it was Mr. Shozo’s family who reprimands Koya, saying he abandoned the little girl.

There are two things that I’d like to highlight here. First, to everyone’s surprise, Haruka speaks up and defends Koya, and he is very emotional about it too. It shows that Koya has grown in Haruka’s heart, and how Haruka now is far from the cold-shouldered racer that he was.

The second thing comes from Mr. Shozo himself. When he first met Koya, he seemed to not care about the photographer. However, after looking at pictures of his friends taken by Koya, he suddenly grew fond of the photos. He even asked Koya to take a selfie along with Momo.

Despite his family’s squabble over Koya, Mr. Shozo welcomes him with open arms. What makes me teared up is that Mr. Shozo apparently still has his phone, which Koya used to take the selfie. Moreover, he still keeps that photo as a memento. He remembers her granddaughter as the happy girl in the selfie, not as in the tragic portrait Koya took.

Mr. Shozo also encourages Koya to keep taking pictures. To Koya, this is huge. He might’ve blamed himself for Momo’s untimely passing up to now. So, receiving the words of acceptance and encouragement from Mr. Shozo is certainly the thing that he needs to hear. Honestly, I never expected this anime to be such a tear-jerker. The drama and melancholy aspect of the story takes such a heavy topic and deal with it in a well-timed pace.

https://seinenrider.com/2023/12/01/this-episode-made-me-cry-like-a-baby-overtake-episode-9-review/

#Anime #AnimeReview #Fall2023 #Overtake_ #RacingAnime

This episode punched me in the face right away. Haruka is with Belsorriso? What? Belsorriso first driver, Satsuki Harunaga, got into a terrible accident in episode 6. Ever since then, the team immediately put his partner, Toshiki Tokumaru, to replace him.

At first, the team put some younger drivers as Toshiki’s second driver. However, in this episode, Belsorriso actually wants to take Haruka in. This is a big decision. That means Haruka has to leave Komaki Motors that has been supporting him all these times, and drive for its rival.

Obviously, it drives every one in Komaki Motors into a dilemma. But, do you know who is getting the shortest end of the stick here? Satsuki Harunaga. Throughout this episode, he is still trying his best to recover fast, not knowing Belsorriso is already looking for a replacement.

I’m Not James Hunt, But Niki Lauda

Alright, I’ve stated how Satsuki came off as annoying at first. His overly positive personality made me think that he was such a one-dimensional character. However, in this episode, we see how his desperation to go back to racing propels his determination.

When Aris visits him in this episode, she spots him curling weight on his chair. She then discovers that the weights he is using are too heavy for rehab activity. She can clearly see how Satsuki is dying to come back to Belsorriso and the track.

I like how he is self-aware that he might be at the top of the race standings, but still is vulnerable to how things work. Drivers who got into an accident must undergo a period of recovery, even though it may take a long time. Also, Satsuki also knows he has to get back to Belsorriso to keep his career.

However, Aris reminds him about how Niki Lauda got back to racing despite his burn injury. I like how this little further progress the romance between the two. Turns out she has been paying a close attention whenever Satsuki recalls James hunt and Niki Lauda. With this in mind, he is determined to relive what Lauda did and return to his team.

Toshiki Is Under Pressure

In the meantime, let’s get on with the surprise at the beginning of the episode. I mean, come on, this episode starts with Haruka wearing a Belsorriso racing suit. To say I was stunned is kind of an understatement.

To potentially replace Satsuki, Belsorriso is scouting for a good driver as Toshiki’s wingman. Seeing a potential in Haruka, they actually offered Haruka to try out their car. But, before getting into Haruka’s side of the story, I want to put a spotlight on Toshiki first.

Toshiki Tokumaru was originally the second driver for Belsorriso, he got his current position to replace Satsuki as their first driver after the unfortunate accident. Throughout his career as a second driver, he is actually a solid team player.

Toshiki The Wingman

Toshiki always played by the book and for the team efforts, willing to give his position for Satsuki when needed. If he didn’t, it would cause a bit of a drama in the team, like what happened with Verstappen and Perez in the 2022 Sao Paulo GP.

However, when the two are practicing slipstream, Toshiki felt an uncanny pressure. Haruka keeps a close distance behind him, minimizing the effect of dirty air. But, when they return to the pit, Toshiki lashes out at Haruka, saying he shouldn’t put unnecessary pressure on a teammate.

At this point, Haruka realizes that he has been driving alone this whole time. So, it’s going to take time for him to learn to drive as a team. On the other hand, Toshiki has an extensive experience of being a supporting driver. Yet, he got into an angry fit about how Haruka is driving. Being at the front turns out not like he imagined.

Having a driver to support another is a somewhat common strategy in racing. After all, the team wants to secure scores. The matter of who scores them is second in the priority list. Belsorriso seems to be very clear about their stance on team orders. Although it has its own controversy, implementing team orders has its advantages for the team.

The Big Dilemma

Alright, let’s get it on with the big question. Will Haruka leave Komaki Motors to join Belsorriso. As a professional racer, moving up to the big team is a great career step. We know that Komaki Motors is a small private team. On the contrary, Belsorriso is a giant in racing competition. To top it off, F4 isn’t even a top priority for them because they are essentially a GT racing team.

However, all of this negotiation is on a friendly ground. Mr. Komaki is actually a good friend of Belsorriso owner, Mr. Ena. They were in the same team with Haruka’s father as well. This is actually a great chance for Haruka to really show his talent. Mr. Komaki and Kotaro are also in support of this. Although, Kotaro already misses Haruka, despite Haruka hasn’t come to his decision.

Drivers moving to a more well-funded and more established is nothing uncommon. When a great young racer has proved his merit, the big kingpin of the championship might keep an eye on him.

Same thing with what George Russel did in 2022. Leaving Williams for Mercedes was a huge deal for him professionally. Although it means he had to leave everyone he knows at Williams, it would be questionable to decline an offer from Mercedes.

Well, Haruka has the same dilemma. Leaving Komaki Motors means leaving Mr. Komaki and Kotaro. But, professionally, it would be a great opportunity for him to drive for Belsorriso. But, how about Satsuki? If he hasn’t known about what his team is doing, well I’d say it wouldn’t end up good for him. In any case, I’d like to see how the story unfold in the next episode.

https://seinenrider.com/2023/11/24/a-hanging-opportunity-overtake-episode-8-review/

#Anime #AnimeReview #Fall2023 #Overtake_ #Racing #RacingAnime

It has been eight weeks since the anime MF Ghost and Overtake! came out. When these two first came out, I thought they were basically the same. Both anime are about racing, they are about guys driving cars, what could be different? How naive I was. Turns out, these two can’t be more different from each other!

I was immediately hooked by Overtake! since I primarily love motorsport, not supercars. You know, racing on tracks, with teams focusing on million dollars prototype vehicles competing to be the fastest. And so far, Overtake! hasn’t disappointed me one bit.

However, I just caught up to MF Ghost recently, and I can see why people love it. I am aware that this anime is a sequel to the legendary Initial D. I mean, come on, who hasn’t heard about Takumi Fujiwara drifting his Toyota AE86 and of course, the Eurobeat?

With how these two anime revolve around racing, I see people on Twitter or anime forums comparing them to each other. Hot take, I think they are completely missing the point. These anime might be about car racing, but there are so much contrast on how they are designed.

Racing Actions, Need For Speed

Let’s start with the obvious, the racing. Right off the bat, MF Ghost is way more action oriented than Overtake! It takes multiple episodes for MF Ghost just to highlight one race.

On the other hand, watching the races in Overtake! is like watching a whole championship. Every episode has a different race, and sometimes our protagonist isn’t the one claiming the victory.

A Toyota Against European Supercars

We are basically watching a full on racing broadcast in MF Ghost. Every turn, straight, and sector in the race is narrated here. However, the settings for the race are not based on real events. I understand that the MF Ghost race takes inspiration from rally and street racing. After all, the race is conducted on abandoned roads and city. However, what makes this race a bit off from reality is its only rule, the grip to weight ratio.

The grip to weight ratio is one heck of an important rule and plot device here. Why plot device, I say? The point of this racing rule is to basically equalize cornering speed. For this reason, plenty of racers are compelled to take cars with more horsepower. Make sense right? They take away your corners, then you have to work with brute force.

But, the main character, the rookie from England Kanata Rivington or also known as Kanata Katagiri defies this rule. Kanata masterfully eats the corners on the mountains.

Kanata’s only handicap is the car he is driving, a Toyota GT86. On horsepower alone, it lags way behind other racers who drive Porche 911 GT3, Lamborghini Huracan, Ferrari 488 GTB, and all other premium European cars.

His drifting skills practically beat all other racers in this anime. I think this is the MF Ghost race founder’s true intention, to make a point that horsepower alone can’t win against a very particular set of skills.

An Underdog In An Underdog F4 Team

On the contrary, Overtake! doesn’t feature all that fancy cars. The teams are also fictional, although they might be based on real F4 teams. The most striking difference, though, in Overtake! we don’t know any of the racers other than the three main characters. Haruka, Toshiki, and Satsuki.

Overtake! is more story-driven, to say the least. I could go on a lengthy detail on each car in MF Ghost, but I can’t do that in Overtake! This is because F4 cars use the same chassis for every car. The other improvements are unique for each team. But, the anime itself doesn’t showcase in detail what kind of adjustment that they do to the cars.

The settings for this anime is a very real racing championship under FIA’s umbrella, the Formula 4 championship. So, you practically can read through every minute details of the regulations to get more context.

However, I think the main selling point of the racing in Overtake! is its historical references. There are a few nods mentioning well-known formula racers like James Hunt and Niki Lauda, references to tragic accidents, or even the deadly risks of formula racing.

Other than that, the characters and their story are actually interesting. There are more serious themes in the anime aside from going fast and stepping on the podium. I’m actually impressed by how this anime shows the effects of extreme psychological damage on a person experiencing a traumatic event.

Also, the supposed main character of Ovetake! Haruka, is way too different from Kanata from MF Ghost. If Kanata is a prodigy that essentially has to be nerfed or else the anime ends too quickly, Haruka is just another racer in F4. Not to mention, his team is not the best. So, Overtake! is the way to go if you want an underdog story.

Establishing The Characters

When it comes to the storytelling, I am afraid I have to go with Overtake! In terms of pacing, the depth of the characters, and the plot I think this anime has the upper hand.

Being an original anime, director Ei Aoki and writer by Ayumi Sekine might have more freedom compared to Tomohito Naka who has to abide to the MF Ghost manga.

The Protagonists

There is a significant difference between the protagonists of these two anime. It’s actually the one factor that drives me into the conclusion that these two anime are so distinct. While both might be racing anime, they steer on different direction.

Kanata Katagiri is pretty much a “sudden prodigy” protagonist. Spoiler alert, Kanata came to Japan not because of the prestigious racing competition. Instead, he is looking for his father, who had gone missing since his childhood. So, Kanata’s participation in the MF Ghost is merely for announcing his presence to his father.

However, that’s not all, Kanata turns out to be a student of the legendary downhill specialist Takumi Fujiwara from Initial D. Hold on a second, how did Kanata get acquainted with Takumi?

Well, Kanata is a graduate of the RDRS (Royal Donington Racing School). He started his racing life since he was four, and won several titles of various championship even before he hit puberty. Suffice to say, Kanata was born a prodigy, and Takumi sharpened this young talent even more.

On the other hand, Haruka Asahina is a student of a regular high school. Yes, he might be the son of a former formula racer. But, if anything, his backstory might be more of a burden for him since his dad died on the track. Also, his team is average at best. Komaki Motors is a small private team, they don’t have a huge funding, and they recently lost a sponsor too.

Compared to Kanata, Haruka’s character is actually not that much different. Both doesn’t talk much and not exactly a friend to cameras. Except, I guess Haruka’s tsundere personality can’t really be paralleled to anyone.

Both protagonist has a tragic backstory too. Haruka had already lost his father, while Kanata is still in look out for his father’s whereabouts. However, Overtake! has already developed Haruka’s character. His initial aloofness is slowly fading, and he is more open about what he wants and feels. Kanata, though, by episode 7 he is still in the peak of his skill showcasing.

How About The Side Characters?

This part is what I really like about Overtake! While not everyone is the center of the story, the anime makes sure that we know the context for everyone’s behavior. Every side character feels fleshed out, and they also reveal each stage of their story in a timely manner.

For MF Ghost, unfortunately this is where the anime falls short. Kanata’s motivation is indeed well elaborated. They can pretty much draw other characters around Kanata, since I feel he has that “default” personality.

But, what bothers me is how the side characters feel shallow and one dimensional in this anime. Maybe this is just me being impatient for character development. I mean, by episode 7 of Overtake! we know the real personality of Toshiki and Satsuki. Heck, even Kotaro has a spotlight as a great supporting character here.

To show how shallow MF Ghost‘s side characters, let me just give you examples. In Overtake! we know nothing about the other racers, simply because they are not important in the storyline. Basically, they are NPC, and we are focused on watching the major characters.

But, MF Ghost introduces all fifteen competitors in the race. By doing this, we can know a bit more about them, but only like one trait for each person. So, the side characters feel like caricatures.

However, I appreciate the anime at least kind of foreshadow that Beckenbauer will be the big competitor for Kanata. I really do hope they can dig into each character in MF Ghost. For now, the big impression the anime gives is “car go skids and whoosh.”

Romance Subplot?

Ah, this one almost slips from my head completely. I think I can appreciate the flow in Overtake! a little better. The only instance of romance in this anime is what’s going on between Mitsuzawa and Satsuki. She secretly has a huge crush on Satsuki, and she has never brought up her feelings. Mitsuzawa first and only move so far is when she visits Satsuki in the hospital after his accident.

I think this is a good move by Overtake! to make the romance happens between two side characters. Not only they don’t bear so much obligation to establish it, it’s as if the writers are saying to the audience, “Hey, this is only going to happen once in a while for a side dish.”

Meanwhile, the romance between Kanata and Ren comes off as forced to me. Her reason for falling in love with Kanata is merely because of her looks. Despite Kanata is still oblivious to her feelings, Ren is already all in for him. Granted, she is just a high schooler, so I should cut her some slack.

I’d like to say that to the romance in this anime, if it’s not for Shun’s crush toward Ren. He essentially in the same situation as Ren to Kanata. However, how he stalks her is a bit of a turn off. He doesn’t even know her real name yet, only calling her as Angel No. 7. At best, both Ren and Shun’s case are just unrequited love and at worst they are downright stalkers.

Overtake! treats the romance subplot way better than MF Ghost. It’s subtle, low-key, and aware that the anime is a racing anime, not a romance one. So, with the romance stuff staying on its lane, I think it has more potential in how it’s going to develop without impending the main story. After all, the ones that should be going fast are the wheels, not the feels.

MF Ghost Or Overtake! Choices Oh Choices

Well, now it’s obvious, right? These two anime might seem similar at first. But, the more you watch it, the more they make you realize that they are heading toward opposite directions. However, nothing is stopping you from watching both of them.

Before you go and watch their latest episode, I’d like to add some little details that can be a huge turn off for some people. Just making sure, when you decide to hit the play button, you have a bit of fair warning.

Are You Okay With Fan Service?

Okay, it might be the less fun side of anime, but fan service will exist anyway. However, I think Overtake! is deliberately avoiding the inclusion of fan service. The only things that are remotely close to that are the historical references and some reenactment of memorable events in the race.

However, MF Ghost bluntly put the fan service right on your screen. When I say they put it up front, I really mean it. Shots from the back, from the front, you name it. You see, the MF Ghost race employs several girls to essentially to be their grid girls, which was common in motorsport. However, the anime mixes it up with Japanese idol culture.

For Whom Are These Anime Intended?

Okay, to end this post, let’s come to a conclusion. The two are completely different, each with its strong points and shortcomings. Overtake! seems to be intended for motorsport fans and people who prefer a more established story.

On the other hand, MF Ghost appeals more to supercar enthusiasts. Also, what’s interesting is this anime is a continuation of initial D. However, you must be aware that its story is like an afterthought. All in all, this anime gives more adrenaline, albeit with a scrambled storyline.

https://seinenrider.com/2023/11/19/mf-ghost-vs-overtake-which-one-should-you-watch/

#Anime #AnimeReview #Fall2023 #MFGhost #Overtake_ #Racing #RacingAnime

An Unbearable Guilt — Overtake! Episode 7 Review

This episode on Overtake! the anime is diving into the consequences of what happens previously. Koya has his reputation bite him in the back. Satsuki is now hospitalized after his accident. And, now suddenly, Mikazuki is pulling back their sponsorship for Komaki Motors!

The previous episode on Overtake! reveals how Koya finally gets his bearing back. In the opening of episode 6 he is finally back on the game, and takes pictures of a model. However, things goes to south when he witnessed Satsuki’s accident on the last race.

As a motorsport fan, Satsuki’s T-bone crash is a scene I wish never to happen in real racing. F4 safety measures aren’t that tight compared to the higher leagues. For starters, their cars don’t even have the safety halo. One thing that would’ve saved a lot of drivers in real life, including Felipe Massa who suffered a terror-inducing head injury back in 2009.

I am starting to root for Satsuki, his character started off as the typical overly extroverted, golden retriever personality, playboy rival. However, as the anime goes on, he proved to be rather likeable, as he is a man of the sport and would always look out for others.

Seeing what unfolds in this week episode is rather heart wrenching. When everything seemed to go well and promised a bright future, that imagination is now clouded behind turmoil in every corner. The 7th episode of Overtake! catches up to the story and development of each main characters, albeit it can be mushed into one word, “sad”.

Koya And His Ruined Reputation

Let’s first discuss the main dish of this episode. Koya, as we know, has a PTSD from his past career. As a photographer, it is his job to take photos of the event he is reporting. However, this can backfire when his profession clashes with how people see what’s humane and inhumane.

Last episode revealed what kind of picture that he took to the point he is unanimously hated by the marketing industry and people in general. It was a horrible photo, admittedly. A photo of a little girl, holding her bunny doll. Unfortunately, it is assumed that she met her end not long after Koya took her picture.

In turn, Koya quickly got backlash for the general masses. In today’s term, he is effectively cancelled. However, he began to discover a new-found passion in photography and F4 racing. The beginning of this anime explicitly explain how Haruka inspired him to, once again, do his best.

Sadly, no one can have their cake and eat it too. Same thing with Koya, he can’t have a redemption in professional photography while also finding his spark for F4 racing. Why the world must be so cruel?

The Fallen Sponsorship And Koya’s Guilt

The Mikazuki beverages, the company that sponsors Komaki Motors, suddenly announced their withdrawal from the team’s funding. Koya first thought they were disappointed that Haruka decided to retire from the last race. However, their actual reason was none other Koya himself.

They discovered that Koya previously worked under a different name. The same name attached to the controversial girl picture in the earthquake/tsunami disaster.

Koya is stunned and unable to say a word. The people in suits decided to stop sponsoring the team he wholeheartedly supports just because his past controversy might harm the company. Imagine the guilt that Koya has to bear at this point.

Is Haruka A Tsun Tsun Tsun Tsun Tsun Tsundere?

On the other side of the story, Haruka is trying to contact Koya. He is still oblivious to what Koya is facing right now. But hey! Haruka is messaging Koya to apologize about his stubbornness back before the race in episode 6.

Although, Haruka’s message is far from genuine by the usual social standard. Thankfully, he has Kotaro to call it out. What would Haruka do socially without him, seriously.

Then, when Koya’s ex-wife arrives to Komaki Motors HQ, she explains that the sponsor might withdraw their support because of her ex-husband past. Thankfully, all of Komaki Motors have a big heart and accept it despite losing a sponsor definitely isn’t a sign of fortune.

Once again, Haruka and his tsundere mind put himself to blame. He thinks if he knew about Koya’s past a bit earlier, then he can better understand Koya as a person. But, again, Kotaro being the best wing man here calls out Haruka’s overthinking.

But, honestly, give this boy a bit of blush on his cheeks and a sprinkle of “be.. betsuni..” and bam you basically get every tsundere to ever exist. It’s good that we have Kotaro as the sensible head here. If you think about it, Komaki Motors is somewhat held together almost solely by Kotaro’s good sense.

Is Kotaro An Overlooked Supporting Character?

We have Mr. Komaki who is the supportive owner and hold the team together, but he can get too carefree at times. Then, of course, there is the tsundere driver, Haruka. The troubled sponsor-seeking photographer. And, Kotaro. As far as a supporting character goes, he hasn’t done much but surely has never strayed from common sense.

Kotaro has been making solid observation of other characters too. Earlier in the episode, he was seen with Aris Mitsuzawa. She is a staff from Belsorisso team and harbors a crush towards Satsuki Harunaga. As a childhood friend of hers, he actually gave solid advice about how she should show her feelings for Satsuki.

If this is a Japanese comedy, his character must be the tsukkomi. Although, the anime so far only utilized his sensibleness as the butt of the joke once, which is in the marathon part. His character could’ve had more role, especially in the less racing action part. After all, this anime also tackles the slice of life part of a racing team.

Satsuki Harunaga Is A Dimming Star

Finally, this part is the one I have a bit of dilemma on. Satsuki Harunaga came off a little bit obnoxious and overly confident to me at first. Especially, how he is always unnecessarily surrounded by female fans. Is the anime calling me single in every frame Satsuki is in? “Maybe” is all I can say.

However, after knowing has genuine love for racing, and his dream of being the next James Hunt, I can say that my opinion of him has changed. He is not a super handsome guy who incidentally loves racing. He is a race loving motorhead who is incidentally super handsome.

So far, Satsuki also has been a solid teammate for Toshiki, despite he is the first driver, or was. It is kind of sad seeing Belsorisso so quick to replace him. Granted, the doctors said he needs to recover for several weeks before going back to racing.

But, the way Satsuki keeps up his smiling facades over his obviously aching heart is just unsettling.

“There will be no problem without me from the start?”

“It seems my luck has run out. Just kidding.”

Satsuki Harunaga at the hospital seeing Toshiki taking his place as the first driver.

Well, it is important to recognize a pain when we feel one. Brushing it off like Satsuki does in this episode rarely ends up well on the other end. I hope the anime doesn’t take him into a typical revenge route, which is a shallow approach compared to the mature themes this anime has been bringing up so far.

Where Did Koya Go?

The episode ends with Haruka finally goes to Koya’s place. He expresses his apology with more sincere fashion, despite Koya is not opening the door for him. But, after not even a single response, Haruka decides to open the door himself.

It is rather surprising to see Koya’s place is empty, unlocked, and without any sign of him leaving a message for anyone. He just disappeared. Looking back at his response when his trauma is triggered, it is rather worrisome.

Koya apparently is notorious for not talking out his problems, according to his ex-wife. His disappearance is probably an attempt to give himself a breathing room away from everyone else.

It would be a nice character development for Haruka if he ends up being the one who brings Koya back. After all, it was Koya who supported him and bringing in the sponsor, albeit eventually it also fails. Maybe, it is time for him to return the favor.

#Anime #AnimeReview #Fall2023 #Overtake_ #Racing #RacingAnime