Vroom! It's hard to deny the thrill of putting the pedal to the metal and reaching break-neck speeds. Since not everyone can afford souped-up vehicles or wants to risk severe accidents, some people try to live out their dreams vicariously by watching racing anime.
All things considered, there aren't all that many car anime out there, and most of the ones that do exist are quite old. The pickings might be slim, but there are still a few great movies and shows out there to check out.
17 Super Grand Prix
| Japanese Title | Arrow Emblem Grand Prix No Taka |
|---|---|
| Studio | Toei Animation |
Super Grand Prix is a fondly remembered anime classic from the '70s. The story follows Takaya who longs to be an F1 racer but manages to crash a stock car after slipping on oil. When he somehow comes out uninjured, he's approached by a mysterious man asking him to join a famous racing team while driving a unique new prototype car.
Fans of classic Formula 1 racing will recognize wonderful nods in the show as well with some characters loosely based on racing legends from Mario Andretti to James Hunt.
16 Twocar
| Japanese Title | Two Car |
|---|---|
| Studio | SILVER LINK. |
| Where to Stream |
Technically, Twocar features motorcycles with sidecars rather than traditional cars, but this premise is close enough to this article's subject to be worth a recommendation. Miyake Island is known for kneeler racing, a motorsport that involves teams of girls competing in high-octane races. Twocar largely revolves around Yuri Miyata and Megumi Meguro, two reluctant partners who spend most of their time arguing. As the story gears up for a big race, the show devotes time and attention to the other competing teams.
Twocar knows how to put together a fun racing sequence, and these moments are decently animated, exciting, and well-paced. However, the rest of the anime is hit-and-miss, particularly the characters.
15 eX-Driver
| Japanese Title | eX-Driver |
|---|---|
| Studio | Actas, Production Reed |
In the span of two years, eX-Driver released six OVAs, a single prequel OVA episode, and a movie in 2002. The anime takes place in a future where humans have forgotten how to drive since every vehicle is controlled by A.I. The only exceptions are the eponymous "eX-Drivers," and these people are tasked with stopping rogue A.I. when things go haywire.
eX-Driver is a dumb show that takes itself a bit too seriously at times. However, the driving sequences are generally great, particularly in the movie. While it is not that easy to care about the characters, the show gets its action right, even if they aren't technically taking part in races.
14 F-Zero: GP Legend
| Japanese Title | F-Zero: Falcon Densetsu |
|---|---|
| Studio | Production Reed |
While fans have longed for a new F-Zero game for decades, sadly one has yet to come. However, fans can still get a taste of the iconic series they love by checking out the anime based on the franchise!
F-Zero: GP Legend released all the way back in 2003 and features over fifty episodes discussing the origins of Captain Falcon and the epic races he participates in. The futuristic races are a breath of fresh air in a genre that usually features everyday cars.
13 Tailenders
| Japanese Title | Tailenders |
|---|---|
| Studio | Picograph |
Clocking in at less than 30 minutes, Tailenders moves by at an absolutely blistering pace, and the movie manages to accomplish quite a lot despite its short runtime. Set in a world ravaged by Earthquakes, two rivals compete in races to try and match the record set by Loser King, a racer who vanished approximately a hundred years prior to the story's events. After one race leaves Tomoe Shiro on the verge of death, a woman shows up to make him an offer he cannot refuse.
While its animation cannot compare to something like Redline, Tailenders is nevertheless a treat for the eyes, courtesy of its flashy and vibrant visuals. The story doesn't have the time to fully flesh out its ideas, but it sprinkles in enough surprises to keep things interesting. This movie is mostly style but there is a hint of substance.
12 What's Up Mechadoc
| Japanese Title | Yoroshiku Mechadock |
|---|---|
| Studio | Tatsunoko Production |
What's Up Mechadoc is an '80s anime often overlooked by western anime as it never received dubs outside of Japan and Italy. This is a shame as the show's attention to detail and amazingly tense races with vehicles anyone could buy makes it a show any petrolhead could get into.
The show only uses real cars from the era and that's not all — the sound designers actually recorded the real engine sounds for each car used in the show. The accuracy of the show from the vehicles to details on tuning them will leave any mechanic smiling.
11 Future GPX Cyber Formula
| Japanese Title | Future GPX Cyber Formula |
|---|---|
| Studio | Sunrise |
As Sunrise's Future GPX Cyber Formula has been largely forgotten, it might be surprising to learn that this series was active for roughly a decade, producing four ova sequels to the main show. The franchise even has a 2018 video game. When revisiting this car anime, its success becomes quite understandable – this is a pretty entertaining watch that benefits from Sunrise's solid animation and pacing.
In this universe, cars are largely automated, although the anime's central cyber system needs to be navigated by a human partner. Packed with intense races that go to some wild places, Future GPX Cyber Formula is a blast from the past that holds up shockingly well.
10 Speed Racer
| Japanese Title | Mach GoGoGo |
|---|---|
| Studio | Tatsunoko Production |
The original Speed Racer from the 60s may have had some issues with recycling animation a bit too much and being a bit cheesy but it's still fondly remembered to this day. Its iconic opening theme is still stuck in the heads of many viewers to this day. The classic anime inspired a new adaptation in 1997, a live-action movie, and even a spinoff focused on girls called Mach Girl.
9 F (Formula-1 - Engines On The Track)
| Japanese Title | F |
|---|---|
| Studio | Studio Deen |
F follows Gunma Akagi as he goes from a boy living in the countryside to the next Formula 1 racing star. Directed by Atsuko Nakajima of Ranma ½ fame, the show features an emotionally powerful story that is sure to bring fans to tears.
While the '80s show isn't currently available on streaming services, it's worth tracking down physical copies of this anime classic.
8 Bakusou Kyoudai Let's & Go
| Japanese Title | Bakusou Kyoudai Let's & Go |
|---|---|
| Studio | Production I.G, Xebec |
Not all racing shows have to have big suped-up cars! Bakusou Kyoudai Let's & Go is the perfect show for anyone that loved remote-controlled racing cars as a kid. Retsu and Go's racing adventures spanned over 150 episodes across three seasons and even inspired an entire movie. It's a perfect '90s flick for fans to dig into that want something longer to watch.
7 Pui Pui Molcar
| Japanese Title | Pui Pui Molcar |
|---|---|
| Studio | Shin-Ei Animation |
| Where to Stream |
Pui Pui Molcar is one of the most highly reviewed children's shows from Japan of all time. While it might not pack in the heart-racing action that other shows about cars might, its adorable guinea pig cars are undeniably kawaii.
The show originally gained popularity as a bit of a meme but has become loved by fans as an iyashikei anime — a show meant to have a healing effect on the soul. At only 2 minutes an episode, it's the perfect show to relax to and binge in a single day.
6 Wangan Midnight
| Japanese Title | Wangan Midnight |
|---|---|
| Studio | A.C.G.T. |
Tokyo's Shuto Expressway is subject to a lot of street racing in real life which is what inspired the story of Wangan Midnight. After losing a race quite badly against a doctor, third-year high school student Akio goes to the graveyard for parts only to discover a pristine Fairlady Z for purchase.
It turns out every previous owner of the car has been in terrible accidents due to it being suped-up beyond safe levels. The story follows his racing adventures as he tries to eventually defeat the doctor in a race that originally humiliated him behind the wheel.
5 Capeta
| Japanese Title | Capeta |
|---|---|
| Studio | Studio Comet |
Just about everyone has gotten behind the wheel of a regular go-kart but few people have driven one designed for professional racing. Capeta follows the story of a young boy who goes from a bullied kid to a go-kart champion with a need for speed.
Seeing the down and out elementary schooler slowly come into himself through his teenage years makes for an incredible underdog racing story.
4 Oban Star-Racers
| Japanese Title | Oban Star-Racers |
|---|---|
| Studio | Hal Film Maker, Pumpkin 3D |
This entry might be a stretch since the characters use (basically) podracers rather than cars, however, the vehicles are essentially sci-fi bikes. Consequently, Oban Star-Racers has made the cut for this article; more importantly, this show is awesome and deserves more attention. A French-Japanese production, the series follows Eva, a girl who joins a racing team to get closer to her father. Also, everything builds towards a race that will determine the fate of humanity. It is exciting stuff.
Oban Star-Racers has stellar animation, fun characters, and quite a bit of tension, particularly for the racing genre. The series is not readily accessible in this day and age, but it is worth tracking down.
3 Appare-Ranman!
| Japanese Title | Appare-Ranman! |
|---|---|
| Studio | P.A. Works |
| Where to Stream |
A thrill ride, Appare-Ranman! did not get much attention when it debuted in 2020, which is a shame as this is arguably the best car anime of the last five years. Set predominantly in America, the anime follows the eccentric Appare Sorano as they put together a steam-driven car to take part in a cross-country race.
The result is a frantic anime overflowing with physical humor, cool vehicle designs, and relentless energy. At just 13 episodes, Appare-Ranman! can be completed in a weekend and the anime will make sure it is an enjoyable two days.
2 Redline
| Japanese Title | Redline |
|---|---|
| Studio | Madhouse |
| Where to Stream |
Outside of one series that is still to come, Redline is THE RACING ANIME. Released in 2009, Madhouse's movie bombards the audience's senses through its jaw-dropping animation, unique art style, and brilliant soundtrack. The story barely matters, the characters look cool but don't have much depth, and the romance is shallow; sure, these are all valid criticism, but they don't hurt Redline in any significant way.
Redline is a celebration of animation; a movie designed to constantly take the audience's breath away through its sheer visual epicness and unrelenting pace. It accomplishes that splendidly.
1 Initial D
| Japanese Title | Initial D |
|---|---|
| Studios | Gallop, Studio Comet, Pastel, Studio Deen, A.C.G.T., SynergySP |
| Where to Stream | Crunchyrolln (1st - 4th Stages), Funimation (1st - 4th Stages), Hulu (1st, 2nd, 4th Stages) |
Likely the most iconic racing anime of all time, Initial D is by far the most popular racing anime of all time The show inspired a video game series that spanned over twelve games, an incredibly long-running manga series, and even several movies.
Watching a kid use his local knowledge from delivering tofu for years to outrace seasoned street racers is incredibly thrilling and the series manages to keep raising the stakes through all 60+ episodes of the series. Any fan of fast cars and tight races owes it to themselves to watch Initial D.
Great Racing Anime (That Don't Involve Cars)
Ultimately, car racing anime are in short supply. Most seasons do not introduce a new addition to this subgenre, and these releases seem to be growing rarer with each passing year. Fortunately, there are quite a few non-car racing anime out there, some of which are amazing.
Uma Musume: Pretty Derby
| Japanese Title | Uma Musume: Pretty Derby |
|---|---|
| Studios | P.A. Works, Studio Kai |
| Where to Stream |
No idea is too weird for mobile games or anime, and Uma Musume: Pretty Derby exemplifies this mantra. This show is about racing horsegirls. Not girls who race on horses, but horses that have been reincarnated as horsegirls. In order to be the best racer they can be, these hopefuls attend special schools that prepare them for the competitive life ahead of them.
Uma Musume: Pretty Derby seems like one of those shows that would have nothing to offer beyond an eye-catching gimmick, but the anime is far better than it has any right to be. The characters are surprisingly well-written, especially in season 2.
Yowamushi Pedal
| Japanese Title | Yowamushi Pedal |
|---|---|
| Studio | TMS Entertainment |
| Where to Stream |
Debuting its fifth season in Fall 2022, Yowamushi Pedal has enjoyed a long and successful run. Wataru Watanabe's shonen manga debuted in 2008 and is still ongoing, while the anime has skipped the 100-episode mark and has also produced a couple of movies. Revolving around Sohoku High School's cycling club, the story covers multiple generations while using its protagonist, Onoda, as its center. For most of his life, the teenager has ridden a bicycle to get around town, allowing him to unknowingly build up a ton of stamina. One day, a schoolmate notices Onoda's cycling and encourages him to join the school's club.
Yowamushi Pedal is enjoyable, if unspectacular. The anime sticks close to the sports genre's tropes and rarely diverts from the beaten path, which can make some of the later seasons a bit too predictable and repetitive. However, the characters are generally likable, and that goes beyond just Sohoku's riders.
SK8 The Infinity
| Japanese Title | SK8 |
|---|---|
| Studio | Bones |
| Where to Stream |
SK8 The Infinity feels ripped right out of the late '90s, but the anime debuted in 2021. Okinawa is home to a cutthroat underground skating world where racers compete for bragging rights (and other things). The premise might sound silly, but SK8 sells it through great visuals and characters who are absolutely passionate about the sport.
The anime is quite character-driven and focuses heavily on the friendship between Reki Kyan and Langa Hasegawa. Although they come from wildly different backgrounds, the high school students quickly bond over their shared interest in riding, and they embrace Okinawa's dangerous skateboarding world.
Run With The Wind
| Japanese Title | Kaze Ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru |
|---|---|
| Studio | Production I.G |
| Where to Stream |
Run with the Wind is one of the best sports anime of the 2010s, and it is an easy recommendation for anyone who is remotely interested in the genre. In fact, Production I.G's series should be watched by any anime fan, regardless of whether they enjoy sports shows or not. As implied by its title, Run with the Wind is about running, specifically Kansei University's track club.
Although he used to be a great runner, Kakeru left that life behind when he entered university, but a series of unfortunate events lead him to the track club's live-in dormitory. Fueled by their captain's desire to take part in the Hakone Ekiden, a group of individuals who never dreamed of reaching such heights come together in pursuit of this seemingly impossible goal. As they run, they grow as people.
IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix
| Japanese Title | IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix |
|---|---|
| Studios | Production I.G |
Replacing cars with mecha, IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix is an over-the-top action fest that feels like the anime equivalent of a kart racer. Yes, this motorsport allows its drivers to blast their opponents off the track, and the chaos is beautiful. Producing 26 episodes, this anime is a fun ride while it lasts. While somewhat forgotten nowadays, IGPX had a decent following during the mid-2000s, and the franchise even produced a PS2 game.