Seriously, I really wish there was more racing anime

Specifically, street racing and modifying cars. There's got to be more than redline, initial d, and wangan midnight to scratch that itch to want to see animated hotrods and racing. With how popular cars and modifying is all over the world its really a bummer that the genre hasn't been explored more. I feel like theres so much potential there

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Commentaires

crispy_doggo12026-01-12 06:41

Maybe you would like Appare Ranman

tiny2ner2026-01-12 06:42

Thanks, I just added it to the watchlist.

Livid_Palpitation_462026-01-12 06:41

“Appare-Ranman!” Is like an anime wacky racers.

Not sure if that’s the same kind of racing anime you want, but it was pretty enjoyable

tiny2ner2026-01-12 06:43

After literally one glance it looks more steampunk, but, ill check it out. I added it to the watchlist. Thank you.

TrailOfEnvy2026-01-12 06:41

There are MF Ghost, which is in-universe sequel to Initial D

tiny2ner2026-01-12 06:43

I.... completely forgot that released. Ill get to it pronto

disposable-assassin2026-01-12 06:49

Lol, season (cour?) 3 just started so you have some episodes to catch-up on

tiny2ner2026-01-12 06:52

Now we're talking. Something i can watch on lunch break and not worry about catching up in a week lol

Madaniel_FL2026-01-12 06:41

MF Ghost

Overtake!

tiny2ner2026-01-12 06:44

Overtake is one ive never head of. Ill look it up, and add it to the list with mf ghost

MusubiKazesaru2026-01-12 06:42

Check out Future GPX Cyber Formula and its sequel OVAs, they're excellent.

MF Ghost which you didn't mention is Initial D's sequel and as far as racing at least goes, it's more interesting.

Capeta does it with karts

Overtake! does it with F4 racing

Appare-Ranman! isn't solely about racing, but it does feature the building and racing of various wacky cars.

tiny2ner2026-01-12 06:47

Sounds interesting, ill check each of them out!

MusubiKazesaru2026-01-12 06:58

Enjoy

Dip2pot4t0Ch1P2026-01-12 07:24

Mf ghost Season 3 also just started so its a good time to pick it up now

uniqueusername6492026-01-12 08:27

I was so annoyed at that S2 cliffhanger. But I truly enjoy the series.

Dip2pot4t0Ch1P2026-01-12 08:33

Fr,who the hell does a season cliffhanger mid event?

uniqueusername6492026-01-12 08:35

Yeah, that was just rude :D

Euphoric_Strategy9232026-01-12 11:10

How's the serie compared to initial D ? I'm kinda interested as I liked Initial D. but not sure if I want to take time for this one.

Edit : how well, judging by the others comment it seems to not be very good...

rookie_692026-01-12 15:50

Its like initial d if you stripped it of good (or atleast passable) character writing and good racing. Its a 5/10 show at best

Euphoric_Strategy9232026-01-12 16:33

Sadge

lavaine2026-01-12 07:27

Not a lot of anime out there focused on what you're wanting, no.

You could settle for mangas like "Countach" (289 chapters, finished), "Over Rev!" (349 chapters, finished), "Koudou Wolf" (4 chapters, ongoing), and "King" (11 chapters, finished) I guess.

Or just watch other general racing anime like:

Two Car (somewhat interesting, if only for the rarity of a show focused on side-car racing):

https://anidb.net/anime/13322

eX-Driver:

https://anidb.net/anime/55

"Goddamn" (lol, what a title) (for rally):

https://anidb.net/anime/3490

High Speed Etoile (future AI racing weirdness):

https://anidb.net/anime/17514

Maybe peruse the motorsport tag to see if any others stand out (tag also includes shows that only had racing in an episode, but not as a focus, so you'll be sifting through crud, too, admittedly):

https://anidb.net/tag/2759/animetb

tiny2ner2026-01-12 08:07

Thank you for the excellent reply

Far_Science_43822026-01-12 08:57

Can I watch Motherfuc*ing Ghost without watching Initial D?

MusubiKazesaru2026-01-12 09:48

You can, but it does follow up on some characters. None of them are especially relevant though, but it does cap off their stories a bit. You can get by on "The Initial D protag trained the MFing Ghost MC and he used to know people even if he doesn't show up"

Far_Science_43822026-01-12 10:37

That's good to know. So I may start with Motherfu*king Ghost then.

rookie_692026-01-12 15:47

Im sorry but mf ghost is not even close to being as good as initial d in any single category

BernieTime2026-01-12 22:19

I'm watching it now because I enjoyed Initial D. Saw that some outlets rated it as the worst Anime of 2025. It has it's problems sure, but think that was more of an overreaction to the current version not measuring up to what came before.

rookie_692026-01-13 00:16

Yeah its not the worst thing in the world, just painfully mid

MusubiKazesaru2026-01-13 01:13

I think it's superior in pure racing. Initial D at its best was quite good, but the writing wasn't always there. That's true of MF Ghost too, maybe even more so, but it's racing setup is better. There's only so many times it can be interesting to watch almost the same race over and over again in Initial D and always 1v1. MF Ghost changes locales, features more cars, and has a much bigger core racing cast. MF Ghost's false underdog story isn't hammered on over and over again quite as as much either.

Don't get me wrong, I do think Initial D at the top of its game is better. Particularly around S2 to the film. The downhill battles are exhilarating, but eventually it gets old.

rookie_692026-01-13 07:53

I dont know how familiar you are with actual racing but for me it all falls apart as soon as the cars are revealed. Kanata could literally be max verstappen and he still shouldn't be able to compete wirh any of the porches, lamos, Ferraris etc as long as the opponent is a competent driver. Not to mention he is literally perfect from the start and doesn't grow at all. And also just the badly designed rules and exposition for why the race looks like that doesn't help. I know im nitpicking but as a racing fan in general its just designed bad. There is no way in hell an event like that would hold up even for a second in the real world.

Now im not saying initial d is some peak of realism but its atleast grounded in reality. I agree that it gets slightly stale after 4 seasons but thats honestly because the writer runs out of ideas and gives takumi unable to lose, but even then inital d at its worst is just predictable while mf ghost at its best is just a car version of an op isekai protag slop

MusubiKazesaru2026-01-13 08:02

I understand what you're saying, but what we have is what the anime is portraying and it's not like Kanata has placed especially highly in the earlier races. He's only made it farther in this one due to the fixed rules of the MF rules and them finally making real upgrades to his ride and the nature of the selected roads. It's not meant to be based in reality, but to be something you could see happening based on the presented information.

It's also just silly to just dismiss it as "isekai protag slop", when that has nothing to do with anything. At least complain about valid shit like his boring personality or the weird magic shit that got rid of his injury mid-race.

rookie_692026-01-13 08:25

To be honest i didn't watch mf ghost past season 1 but still based on any information you get kanata should not be competitive. His 86 has what slightly over 200 hp, the best cars he competes with have as much as 4x that AND awd. No matter what tire management you do, no matter how much talent you have there is just such a big equpment diff that you cannot come close unless your opponent is a chump. No amount of exposition, setup and lore can fix a concept that fundamentally does not work.

For my other point it literally is just that:
- op "cool" protagonist thats seen as a chump from the start
- insane amount of pointless fanservice that has no actual reason to be there
- predictable mediocre at best battles
- nothing of any importance or interest ever happens outside the battles, its just there to add some padding
- characters that range from uninteresting to straight up pedophiles
- series in general just being an obvious cash grab but instead of banking on the genre being popular it banks on the success of inital d

MusubiKazesaru2026-01-13 08:28

Kanata got 14th place in S1. That's not exactly impressive.

Your rant makes me think anime isn't for you.

rookie_692026-01-13 08:38

For Being passionate about racing and saying exactly why the anime is bad at portraying racing? Okay bud

Kanata got 14th out of hundreds of people that would try to qualify. In any single racing event that is atleast somewhat realistic he would not even be on the start line. Thats it, story over

MusubiKazesaru2026-01-13 08:40

He got 14th in the final race. He finished 16th in the trial and got in because of something like a drop out situation. We have no idea what any of those people were driving nor what skill they have and racing on regular roads. I thought you watched S1.

rookie_692026-01-13 08:48

Its clear to me you have no actual idea how racing looks like irl. At an event of such prestinge there would be 100 competitors qualifying in the best of the best cars and the guy in a dinger would not come close.

To make a good show about racing no matter the medium you first need to understand how racing works and how it would work with the rules you present. Mf ghost does not do that with its idea from the very beginning.

IntroductionRare52712026-01-12 06:45

Could check out JoJos Bizarre adventure. It has a guy named Speedwagon so I can confidently say it's about racing.

tiny2ner2026-01-12 06:46

Ill give you one guess as to who the antagonistic racer is revealed to be at the end

Subject702Joker2026-01-12 06:46

Initial D/MF Ghost

rickyhou222026-01-12 06:48

Adding onto all the MF Ghost recommendations, Umamusume is Japanese horse racing as anime girls. I recommend watching Cinderella Gray or Beginning of a New Era

tiny2ner2026-01-12 06:51

Ok, thank you for the rec.

Edited because im not trying to argue or potentially insult anyone.

kormitgrog2026-01-12 07:07

A bit too old to be watching that?

I’m not sure what you are suggesting.

Sgt_General2026-01-12 07:38

I'm just gonna link to [Gigguk's recent YouTube video](https://youtu.be/ymUJgnUKXo8?si=urYr8D3WcSErTVf_) about *Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray* and the various *Uma Musume* anime series they've brought out in general.

It's only 12 minutes long and people might benefit from watching it, because Gigguk started out as someone who thought that the horse girls with race horse names going to school and competing in races sounded ridiculous, but he gave the latest series a shot and he admits that he judged it far too quickly when he first heard about it.

At the very least, you'll be able to make a more informed decision about why it's not for you. I totally get that you're really looking for cars in anime but in my experience people who like motor sports tend to appreciate the thrill of overtaking in all different forms of racing.

(On a similar note, *100 Meters* on Netflix is a recently released anime movie about human runners and it comes very highly recommended.)

tiny2ner2026-01-12 07:45

Thank for the reply, and I hope it pushes someone on the fence to watch it. I have heard in the past that its good, honestly. I just know it isnt a show for me. I pass no judgements on it at all, it just, isnt for me.

SouekiSennoSTM2026-01-12 06:49

- Monkey Turn

tiny2ner2026-01-12 06:55

Never expected there to be a speed boat racing anime. But neither am I surprised to learn of it. Lol I might as well ad that to the list, thanks for the off beat rec.

Brian1782026-01-12 07:04

Hydrothunder HURRICANEEE

tiny2ner2026-01-12 07:04

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHURRICAAAAAANE

improbable_humanoid2026-01-12 07:19

Deep cut lol

UnhappyComparison9372026-01-12 06:50

M.F ghost

Isekai_Dreamer2026-01-12 06:52

mfghost knew it sucked so it added in fanservice, but that didn't save it lol.

tiny2ner2026-01-12 06:57

Fan service is pretty cringe, actually the first ive heard its in there. But its about the best rec ive gotten so far I think.

Isekai_Dreamer2026-01-12 07:02

racing is really bland in this one. you're better off watching nascar because that's what it basically is now compared to initial D, just with love drama.

tiny2ner2026-01-12 07:03

Thats a bit disappointing.

thefumingo2026-01-12 08:17

Doesn't help that Shigeno sucks at drawing humans

Also Initial D worked partially due to touge skill + power differential not being as large: the thought of a 86 eating a Lambo on track is...hilarious to say the least

tiny2ner2026-01-12 08:27

Hahaha, alright now im amped to watch that

nhzz2026-01-12 12:07

its not track though, its urban circuits.

jon624912026-01-12 07:05

I sincerely recommend Overtake!.

It *is* a racing anime, but it's also so much more.

I initially watched it to scratch that racing itch, was not expecting the actual ride.

tiny2ner2026-01-12 07:17

Awesome. Ive got it on my list and its either going to be that or mf ghost, ill start one of them tomorrow

jon624912026-01-12 07:40

Let me know what you think :)

Kikuruchi2026-01-12 07:10

If you're down with reading manga, there's a lot more you can read

tiny2ner2026-01-12 07:15

I was when I was younger, I dont read as much any more. By the time my day is over id rather watch something on TV for a bit

Kikuruchi2026-01-12 07:20

Yeah that's understandable. Hope you can find something to watch 👍

washijyazo_2026-01-12 07:27

Other than what's already been listed, I'd also add F (1988), Yoroshiku Mechadoc and Arrow Emblem.

Shimamura252026-01-12 07:28

Uma Musume all the way, especially Cinderella Gray

ElliotAlderson20242026-01-12 07:36

He specifically mentioned auto racing.

Shimamura252026-01-12 07:43

Oh my bad

SaltAndABattery2026-01-12 20:16

To be fair, they both run on horsepower.

lame_gaming2026-01-12 07:39

there aren't many racing manga because of the limitation of the medium. plus cars are hard to animate

BasroilII2026-01-12 17:01

I mean, we said that about horses with Steel Ball Run, but apparently, it's gonna be a thing.

And let's face it Initial D has made OKish CG the norm for racing animation for like 2 decades now so it's doable. I think part of it is just lack of interest.

plsdontattackmeok2026-01-12 20:56

Sad the Initial D stage 4 was peak anime racing

negativedreammachine2026-01-12 07:47

Recently I watched Initial D

tiny2ner2026-01-12 07:51

Its an OG, especially for us gear heads. The goat drift king himself was involved in the development, which is what gives it the authenticity. Just suffers from a low budget, especially at the beginning.

negativedreammachine2026-01-12 07:53

Yes Is Redline any Good?

tiny2ner2026-01-12 08:01

To say its peak is underselling it. It is a genuine masterpiece. Studio trigger I think? Its their last 100% hand drawn project. It got outshine by something else that released at like the same time and because it didn't do well was kind of the nail in the coffin for hand drawn animation. It is SO GOOD

negativedreammachine2026-01-12 08:04

It became a flop right?

tiny2ner2026-01-12 08:15

That is correct, it was a commercial failure, despite high praise for the visuals, art style, and music. Has since found cult status

negativedreammachine2026-01-12 08:17

And also made the studio go bankrupt?
Does the studio even exist now?

tiny2ner2026-01-12 08:30

I went and looked up which studio it was. Its madhouse, not trigger. And hell no, the one project failure didn't bankrupt them. This is the studio behind one punch man season 1, frieren, the most current iteration of hunter x hunter, overlord, trigun, parasyte, and so on. They're a powerhouse studio to say the least.

DragonDogeErus2026-01-12 08:02

> With how popular cars and modifying is all over the world its really a bummer that the genre hasn't been explored more.

The studio's have to ask themselves, what will be more popular, cars or horse girls? Though really, it's probably due to licensing as to why there aren't more.

tiny2ner2026-01-12 08:12

Im pretty sure its the licensing. And i get your joke, but if im not mistaken the horse girl anime is originally a game right? So the owner of the game hired a studio to make the anime in order to funnel money back to the game, which is kinda different. Than a studio picking a project to animate of their own decision. I mean, thats what I *think* is happening there, I dont actually know.

DragonDogeErus2026-01-12 08:19

I'm pretty sure that is the case, yeah. The extra funny thing is that I believe they do license the horse girls as they are based on(and have the names of) real horses in the Japanese horse racing scene. Obviously the licensing for the horses is likely a great deal cheaper than it would be for cars.

tiny2ner2026-01-12 08:36

Yeah, and its a damn shame. And most of the OEMs aren't willing to release their license for a show about street racing. I hate that I understand the issue causing my initial frustrations because I still want it. But, redline is the best automotive centric project ive seen in anime yet, and the closest thing to a real car is JPs hotrod that kinda sorta looks like its namesake the trans am

FattyHammer2026-01-12 12:39

just a bit of info:

cygames (uma musume, GBF, shadowverse, etc) is actually big enough to have their own inhouse anime studio.

the uma musume anime came out *before* the game, effectively acting as a very expensive commercial advertisement (as many anime typically are...).

the story very roughly follows historical races and careers, obviously dramatized but afaik the results and major developments are mostly accurate.

it's also quite a good franchise anime series at this point. if you enjoy sports-shounen at all as a genre i would give it a shot. season 1 is probably the weakest unfortunately, but it really only gets better as it becomes more and more of a show and less of an advertisement. the OVA series and movie are straight up some of the best anime i've seen. each series is also fairly standalone, you'll miss some character references and jokes if you skip but it's nbd.

lastly, the "trivia" due to real-world horse-racing references are hilarious and i strongly recommend getting in on at least the subreddit or some other community b/c fan-gasming over real horses in retirement is quite the novel experience.

separately: i second all the recommendations for overtake!, it was a great and short watch.

00zau2026-01-12 13:43

Wait a sec, why haven't we gotten a car girl gatcha yet?

Sibula972026-01-12 15:41

I think there has been an attempt or two, but nothing good.

ZoulsGaming2026-01-12 09:56

[https://myanimelist.net/anime/genre/3/Racing](https://myanimelist.net/anime/genre/3/Racing)

my anime list has 228 series under the tag "racing" and even though its a lot of cycling there should be some that you havent watched.

BadIdeaSociety2026-01-12 13:28

There was a moral panic in the era of import tuner when Initial D and Wangan Midnight became hit manga. It was bad enough that Wangan Midnight didn't get a TV anime until 2008 as an CSTV exclusive in spite of the fact that Wangan Midnight was the more popular of the two anime. It seems attitudes have relaxed in recent years. When the MF Ghost anime was released, I was shocked. I thought the prohibition on racing anime was a regulation, but it seems it was just a gentleman's agreement between broadcasters and nothing more.

There are some fun racing anime. I'm partial to Yowamushi Pedal, but it is a bicycle racing show.

As someone also said, Cyber Formula has some really fun anime that kind of helped sell loads of plastic models and mini 4x4 (Hyper Driver/Super Hyper Racers) for decades.

tiny2ner2026-01-12 20:22

Ha, turns out there was a Japanese gentleman's agreement for the cars that wasn't just the actual cars

Nachtwandler_FS2026-01-12 13:55

Besudes the things already recommended, there is, for example, **Highspeed Etoile**, but it was the most boring racing anime I ever watched.

Demongodjess2026-01-12 17:04

éX-Driver is a good watch although its a short one

Sutepanku2026-01-12 22:37

The ones I would suggest MusubiKazesaru already did, so I will do a recommendation out of the left field:

Taihou Shichau zo (You're Under Arrest)

It's not exactly about street racing, although they do arrest street racers in the anime, modify their cop cars, and do lots of high speed chases in general. You can start with the 1994 OVAs.

dekenaha2026-01-14 18:00

Same here tbh I love racing anime’s.