Speed Racer: The Next Generation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Speed Racer: The Next Generation |
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|---|---|
| Created by | Larry Schwarz |
| Written by | Ben Gruber Allan Neuwirth Marv Wolfman Susan Kim Justin Gray Jimmy Palmiotti Aaron Bergeron Daniel Schofield Mike Yank Walt Gardner James Harvey |
| Directed by | Stephen Moverley (pilot episode) John Holt (Season 1) Jay Surridge (Season 2) |
| Voices of | Kurt Csolak Sahra Mellesse Carter Jackson Peter Fernandez (Season 1) Michael Sinterniklaas Robbie Sublett (Season 1) David Zen Mansley Greg Abbey (Season 2) Bryan Tyler (Season 2) |
| Opening theme | "Go Speed Racer Go!", rearranged by John Angier |
| Ending theme | "Go Speed Racer Go!" (w/o vocals) |
| Composer(s) | John Angier |
| Country of origin | United States Ireland (Season 2) India (Season 2) |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 52 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Larry Schwarz James Rocknowski John Rocknowski |
| Producer(s) | Larry Schwarz Ken Katsumoto James Rocknowski John Rocknowski Sergei Aniskov Sean Lahey Christopher Fauci Michael Gold Doug MacLennon |
| Running time | 22 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Speed Racer Enterprises Animation Collective (Season 1) Telegael (Season 2) Toonz Entertainment (Season 2) Lionsgate Television |
| Distributor | CAKE |
| Release | |
| Original network | Nicktoons Network |
| Original release | May 2, 2008 – August 25, 2013 |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | Speed Racer Speed Racer X |
Speed Racer: The Next Generation is an animated TV show. It is based on the classic Japanese Speed Racer series. This show takes place many years after the original story. It is the fourth TV show in the Speed Racer world.
The show was made by Animation Collective. It first aired on Nicktoons Network on May 2, 2008. This was just before the live-action Speed Racer film came out. Even though they came out at similar times, the TV show and the movie were made separately. They also featured different generations of the "Speed Racer" family. A second season of the show started on March 24, 2011.
Contents
About the Show's Story
The story of Speed Racer: The Next Generation begins many years after the original Speed Racer series. The first Speed Racer has gone missing to keep his family safe. However, the main characters believe he is still alive.
Original Characters in the New Series
At first, only one character from the original show, Spritle, has a big role. Spritle is now the headmaster of the Racing Academy. The original Speed Racer appears briefly in some episodes and fully in the first episode of Season 2. Sparky, Speed Sr.'s old mechanic, also appears in Season 1. He uses a different name to protect himself from Speed's enemies.
Meet the New Speed Racer
The series follows a teenage orphan named Speed. He dreams of becoming a famous car racer, just like the original Speed Racer. Speed goes to the special Racing Academy, which was started by the Racer family. There, he faces challenges and competes with X, who is the best racer at the school. X is also the son of the original Speed Racer. In the first movie, Speed finds out that he is also a son of the original Speed Racer, making X his brother.
Building the Mach 6
Speed and his new friends work to finish the Mach Six. This car is designed to have the spirit and cool gadgets of the famous Mach Five. The Mach 6 is special because its engine can run without gasoline. This eco-friendly design catches the eye of Zile Zazic, a rich oil businessman. He wants to destroy the car. In Season 2, it's revealed that the Mach 6 can also travel through time. This becomes a main part of the story, as villains want to use this power for their own plans.
The Virtual Track
Another important part of the show is the Virtual Track. This is a special race track that takes racers into virtual worlds. Teachers at the Racing Academy can add different obstacles to these virtual races. If a racer is defeated in the Virtual Track, they are safely sent back to the real world. However, like any computer program, the Virtual Track can get viruses or be hacked. If this happens, anyone stuck inside can be affected.
The Mach Five and Mach Six Cars
The second episode of the series shows the rebuilt Mach 5. It looks like it did in the original cartoon, but it's animated with CGI. Some small changes were made to the Mach 5 in this show. For example, its homing robot looks more like a metal peacock. The car also has an ejector seat for emergencies.
The Mach 6 Takes Over
The Mach 5's return is short, as Zile Zazic successfully destroys it. However, plans for a new car are found, and the heroes build the Mach 6. The Mach 6's engine is made to run without gas, which is a key part of the story. It has all the features of the Mach 5, but they are updated. For example, the rotary saws are now laser saws. The car is silver and has jets in the back for extra speed or to escape danger.
Cool Features of the Mach 6
The Mach 6 has a clear, holographic screen called the 'comp' on its dashboard. Drivers can use this to talk live with their team and other racers. In Season 2, a new feature was revealed after the gasless engine was completed. When the Mach 6 reaches 250 miles per hour, an electric charge makes the car jump to another location in seconds. This feature can only be used three times before the car needs to restart. It has also been hinted that the Mach 6 can travel through time with the right part for its engine. The Mach 6 becomes the main car for the rest of the series. More of its original gadgets, like the sludge slick, are shown and used in later episodes.
Comic Book Series
A four-issue comic book series called Speed Racer: The Next Generation Birthright was published by IDW Publishing. It ran from November 2008 to February 2009.
Episodes List
List of Speed Racer: The Next Generation episodes
- TV Guide's Speed Racer: The Next Generation episodes
See also
In Spanish: Meteoro: la nueva generación para niños
