Watch Spid das Rennauto

Spid das Rennauto, also known as Speed Racer, is an anime television series produced by Tatsunoko Productions. The show was first aired in Japan in 1967 and later dubbed into English for broadcast in North America in 1969 by Trans-Lux. The show was a huge success, with its unique storyline, iconic characters, and memorable theme song. Even today, it is considered a classic and has a significant fan following.

The show follows the adventures of a young driver named Speed Racer, who races with his customized car, the Mach 5. Speed, his family, and his friends often become embroiled in complex conspiracies and dangerous situations. The main antagonists of the series are the evil racing team, the Car Acrobatic Racing Team (CART), who will stop at nothing to win their races and will go to any length to defeat Speed and his team.

The central theme of the show was the competition between good and evil. Throughout the series, Speed and his family faced many challenges, but they always emerged victorious in the end. The show was also known for its larger-than-life characters, each with distinctive personalities, quirks, and backstories. The cast included Speed's loyal mechanic and best friend, Taejo Togokhan, the tough but kind-hearted Trixie, and Speed's younger brother, Spritle, and his pet chimpanzee, Chim-Chim.

One of the show's hallmarks was its innovative race sequences. The races were incredibly fast-paced and full of thrilling stunts. Speed's Mach 5 had several special features that helped him in his races, such as a retractable sawblade and a homing robot that would activate when the car was stationary. The show popularized several new terms, such as "jumps," "drifts," and "boosts," which quickly entered the lexicon of motorsports enthusiasts.

One element that made the show stand out was its art style. The animation was characterized by bold lines, vivid colors, and exaggerated expressions. This was particularly evident in the character designs, with their distinctive hairstyles, large eyes, and colorful costumes. Speed's heroics were often accompanied by a flurry of lightning bolts, and the show was full of impressive vehicular action.

Despite the show's popularity, it was not without its controversies. In its North American release, the show was heavily edited, with significant portions of the original footage cut for content or time. This included altered dialogue and dubbing, and the replacement of the original soundtrack with a new score. The show was also criticized for its portrayal of different cultures, such as the stereotypical depiction of the Japanese character, Mr. Kabuki, and the appropriation of Native American motifs for one of the cars.

Nevertheless, Spid das Rennauto remains a beloved classic of anime and motorsport culture. Its influence can be seen in numerous media, from video games to movies. The show was even adapted into a feature film in 2008. The show's themes of competition, honor, and adventure continue to inspire new generations of fans, making it an enduring legacy of the golden age of anime.