Speed Racer - Episodes 1-11 Reviews

• Go, Speed, Go (back to the store & return this ... mess!)

  
  By A1YIGQWYB2WN4R on 2003-04-25
  So, you waited MANY years to finally get the original Speed Racer show on DVD! (I know I did!) Well, you may be disappointed with this release. (I know I was!) Why was I so upset? Well, read on:

  First and foremost, this is NOT the same version of Speed Racer we grew up with! Both the opening credits sequence and the closing credits sequence have been re-done. Gone are the original "Trans-Lux" credit and the exciting swirling white animated "Speed Racer" logo. Now, the opening boasts cheesy yellow & red titles that were obviously created by computer. The lousy graphics were then placed over a re-edited opening sequence that uses the original Japanese version as its base (You can see the swirling red Japanese title in the middle of the wheel). This is where the computer-generated credits are used (with jarring, ham-fisted edits!). The closing credits also feature computer-created graphics that are superimposed over out-of-focus background animation. The closing theme also appears to have been re-recorded...

  Look, I know you shouldn't base your purchase solely on the fact the opening and closing credits were changed, so let's look at the episodes themselves:

  The colors are very good, as it does look like the producers of this DVD went back to the original Japanese masters. The problem is that the producers decided to pack *5 hours* of material onto *one* single-sided DVD! The episodes have been compressed too much! The bit rate fluctuates from only 2.1Mbps to about 4.5Mbps. (Compare this to the 6.9Mbps to 10.0Mbps bit rate of Rhino's "Battle of the Planets" DVDs.) The Speed Racer episodes suffer from quite a bit of digital artifacting. My disc's video also freezes from time to time.

  Maybe the producers of this think they are being generous by including 11 episodes. Well, I think they could have given us 11 episodes over 2 discs, or at least one double-sided disc. They compressed the material too much, and the final results are very disappointing.

  Beyond the video compression the producers used to cram 5 hours of material onto one DVD, many of the episodes have also been "time-compressed", meaning they have been sped up. This is usually done so stations can air more commercials, but for a home video release, it's inexcusable!
  
  So, how do I know they have been time-compressed? Well, I compared the actual episode content (minus the opening & closing credits) of the first eight episodes to the Japanese version. Of these first 8 episodes, 3 run faster than the originals. Now, the US-version is edited in a few places, so that will shorten their runing time, but identical portions should run the same speed. Sadly, they don't.
  
  When you watch the episodes side by side (something my TV is capable of doing), the US Speed Racer episodes start getting ahead of their Japanese counterparts. Episodes 1, 7, and 8 all immediately start running faster than the originals. The running time for the first episode is 21:31. Compare that to the 22:45 of the Japanese original (1:14 faster). That's enough for 2 more commercials! Episode 7 is 1:35 faster, and episode 8 is a minute faster.
  
  I don't want to speculate on why the producers felt the need to time-compress these episodes, but it shouldn't have been done!

  The Japanese release of "Mach Go Go Go (Speed Racer's original Japanese name) came out on a total of 9 DVDs. They cost a lot more than this disc, yet they feature a much better picture, with less compression. I only wish the US-version was of the same high-standard as the Japanese-version. Sadly, it's not.

  Finally, to emphasize how [bad] an operation this whole DVD is, look at its "1966" copyright date. Well, "Mach Go Go Go" wasn't released in Japan until 1967, and the US version didn't come out for another year or two...! Why 1966? How can a company release a truly definitive version of Speed Racer when they don't even know when it was made..?!
  
  

• 'Bout Time!

  
  By AYBBGS1NYXG8B on 2003-02-20
  Well, well, it's about time! The BEST Japanese anime show of its time, and loved by every one of us who watched it religiously while growing up, "Speed Racer" FINALLY comes to DVD with the first 11 episodes!! If done right and in order, as various websites say, this is what the disks should include:

  1. The Great Plan pt. 1
  2. The Great Plan pt. 2
  3. Challenge of the Masked Racer pt. 1
  4. Challenge of the Masked Racer pt. 2
  5. The Secret Engine pt. 1
  6. The Secret Engine pt. 2
  7. The Race Against the Mammoth Car pt. 1
  8. The Race Against the Mammoth Car pt. 2
  9. The Most Dangerous Race pt. 1
  10. The Most Dangerous Race pt. 2
  11. The Most Dangerous Race pt. 3

  "Mach V vs. Mach V" is one of my very favorites, but this is a great start, and will buy every DVD "Speed Racer" set that comes out. What a great addition to the collection of anyone who likes anime, nostalgic tv, and the dangerous adventures of Speed, Racer X, Pops, Trixie, Sparky, and of course Spritle and Chim Chim. Some sites say there are 55 episodes total, from what I have checked there are 52, but either way can't wait to own them all!

  Trivia: Do you know what the "M" on Speed's helmet and the "G" on his shirt were for? I never did, until recently, but here's the DL: in the original Japanese version of the cartoon, titled "Mach Go Go," Speed's name is Go Mifune - so the "G" stands for Go (his first name), the "M" on the helmet for Mifune (his last name). Finally, THAT riddle from childhood solved!

  GET THIS SET! Unless they really mess up the transfer, this is the best DVD animation news in years!

  Go Speed Racer, Go!!
  
  

• Finally!

  
  By A84Z6XUMGRMJ1 on 2003-10-31
  I've loved Speed Racer since I was a little kid. When Ted Turner's first television station, WTBS, Channel 13, started up in Georgia in the mid-70s, he had all the great old shows, The Munsters, The Brady Bunch, Get Smart, The Addams Family, I Dream of Jeannie, The Partridge Family....all part of his afternoon lineup. Speed Racer came on at 3 PM, Monday thru Friday. Every weekday for years I'd get out of school at 2:30, the bus would take me home, I'd rush into the house and turn on the TV just in time for the theme song. I never got tired of it. (Just an interesting point of trivia - I think - in a book on Speed Racer I read the results of a survey where Speed fans were asked what they considered the single most important reason Speed Racer is so popular. The #1 answer: the theme song.)

  I've seen some TV shows I loved as a kid, years later when they were released on video, and wondered how I ever could have enjoyed them. Being three years old is no excuse. The prime example being 8th Man. But I watch Speed Racer today, and while I'm well aware that, because of my history with the show, the fact it was such an important of my life while growing up, I love it perhaps more than can really be justified by what's there....some episodes still DO it for me. And that's pretty cool.

  What in America we call Speed Racer actually began in the Sixties in Japan as a manga (comic book) called Maha Go Go Go. In America you'll usually see this partially translated as Mach Go Go Go so that's the terminology I'll use from here on. Grand prix auto racing was very popular in Japan at the time, almost a national obsession. To Tatsuo Yoshida, the creator/artist/writer of Mach Go Go Go, the opportunity presented by this situation was obvious: create a series about a teenage Grand Prix driver. I have reprints of several of the original manga. At least some of the anime episodes (more about which shortly) were adaptations of previously published manga stories.

  The ....Go Go Go part of the title was a triple entendre. (1) "Go" means the number five in Japanese, it was a reference to the car's name, the Mach 5. (2) In the original manga and anime, the main character we call Speed Racer in the US was named Go Mifune (or Goh Mifune, I've seen it spelled both ways), a homage to Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune (Yoshida was a huge fan) which explains why "Speed" has a yellow G on his shirt and his support crew is called the Go Team. (3) The American word "Go," i.e. "Haul it, dude."

  The big red M on the Mach 5's hood, which in America we commonly assumed stood for "Mach 5" was actually the emblem of Mifune Motors, Pops Racer's car company. Likewise this explains the M on Speed's helmet. Trixie had an M on her blouse because in the original manga/anime her name was Michi Shimura. Sparky lucked out; the S on his chest happened to match both his Japanese name, Sabu, and American renaming, as well.

  One thing that never made any sense to me, when watching Speed Racer as a kid, was that Racer X had the "Mach 5 symbol" on his chest. It makes even less sense once you learn this is the Mifune Motors emblem. "Hello Speed, I'm secretly Kenichi Mifune, your older brother who ran away from home years ago. In order to hide this fact, I will....wear the emblem of the family business in foot high lettering on my chest!" Good plan. They'll never figure that one out. And of course, they didn't.

  In the original manga - and this is something we never really got from the anime - Michi (Trixie) was the spoiled, willful, rich daughter of the head of a rival car company (which explains how she owns her own helicopter - something I always wondered about as a kid - and drives a Mercedes). She first met the Racers when she was sent to spy on them. Wouldn't she know it, she fell in love with Speed which kind of scotched that plan. In my early teens I couldn't understand what Speed saw in Trixie. It's only with adult sensibilities that I appreciate what a total little hottie Trixie really was.

  Of course I hated the bratty kid brother. And the monkey! Don't get me started. WAY too much unneeded so-called comic relief in what should have been - and was - a really exciting, dramatic adventure series. I took my Speed Racer seriously. I could never understand how a guy as cool as Speed could have such a whiny little snot-nosed punk of a brother.

  All 52 episodes of the original Mach Go Go Go anime were translated into English and in 1967 began airing in America as Speed Racer. The series is about equally split between stand alone eps and two-parters (there's only one three-part Speed Racer). The series has a very self-contained air, with a beginning, middle and an end. It begins with Speed's first professional race and ends when he wins the world championship. In the late 80s thru early 90s the entire series was released on video tape. I bought about half the series, all the tapes I could find, at that time. Just a few months ago the first 11 episodes were released on DVD. You better believe I bought that one. (Hopefully we'll eventually see all 52 episodes on DVD.) All the video tapes that were dupes of DVD eps I then turned around and gave to my next door neighbor's teenage son. Spreading the glory and majesty that is Speed Racer to a new generation. And he really liked them. Obviously there's hope for America's future, after all.
  
  

• This is a great DVD!

  
  By A1CDZM5YMB61PD on 2003-06-19
  Speed Racer is a Japanese "Manga" that was created in 1966. In 1967, the 52 episodes of the show were dubbed into English, and syndicated across the U.S., where they were watched by millions of young people who carried the cartoon in their hearts all the way to today! Speed Racer is the story of a young racecar driver who experiences excitement and danger around the world, both on the racecourse and off. Even though the show is now some 38 years old, the cars are still fantastic to look at and the story has lost none of its fascination!

  Recently, the first eleven episodes of the show have been released in this DVD. The eleven episodes cover five stories: The Great Plan, Challenge of the Masked Racer, The Secret Engine, The Race Against the Mammoth Car, and The Most Dangerous Race. Not only that, this DVD is crammed with extras, the best of which are and interactive look at the Mach 5 (Speed's car) and a gallery of villains - each with a clip showing the villain in action!

  This is a great DVD! My ten-year-old son has been a fan of Speed Racer since he was quite young (a chip off the old block!), and he is very glad to have some of the episodes on DVD. So, now he and I can sit and watch this great cartoon together. If you know a young boy who likes racecars, then get him this DVD, and he will love you for it!

  One extra thing: the limited-edition "rubber tire" packaging is a nice touch. It is so well done that it is really a work of art. Get this DVD!
  
  

• The first 11 episodes of the original anime!

  
  By on 2003-02-14
  Finally the first 11 episodes of the Speed Racer anime are coming to DVD! Don't worry Speedy fans, more episodes of the show are coming but this is to start you off on your Speed DVD collection. If the other sayings on other sites are true, the next DVD of Speed Racer you will see will contain all 55 episodes of the show on a few DVDs in one package. No release date has been set for that release, but if you can't wait for that release, then spring out the money to get this one because it should be really good.
  
  
• IT'S A CLASSIC!!--JUST BUY & ENJOY!!!
  By A1WUK4AY17AQ0H on 2003-05-12
  FIRST, the ONLY obvious difference from TV-run versions, is a new "SPEED RACER" title logo. THAT'S IT. The ending credits (as original as ever)--are still as smudgy as they were originally aired in the US with its early use of crude-looking video-over-animation titles (AND still horribly misspelling Jack Grimes' name as "Crimes")...if they were NEW titles, I think they would have corrected that legendary goof (considering the voice-over cast bios--including the correctly-spelled 'Grimes' in the Extra Features.)
  As for any blurred images...there were a few "dramatic" film dissolves between scenes--that was all the blurring that could be seen in any of the 11 crystal-sharp episodes. And the colors are absolutely vibrant, causing me to assume that these episodes were taken from master prints. True, there are a few specks here-and-there, but you're talking about a much-handled, imported, re-dubbed animated show from 1967!
  The only time the video portion "freezes," ...if anyone recalls the original episodes, is when, after the first minute-or-so, as each story begins, there was/is a dramatic freeze-frame image of the main subject of that particular episode (my guess is that the original Japanese title was inserted at that point).
  There's honestly no way to be truly disappointed with this release--even being lucky enough to finally see the series (begin) to be digitally preserved. Any high-tech analysis down to the exact frame of video should be quickly dismissed and considered downright silly. There's approximately 4.5 hours of SPEED, and with Bonus Material (however minimal), this single and highly-affordable DVD (no flipping, even!) merits nothing short of 5-STARS!
  
  
• Adventure's Waitin' Just Aheaaaaaaaad!
  By A2OSERGXBYMPJ0 on 2004-07-10
  The eleven episodes of Speed Racer on this DVD are a surefire way to bring nostalgic parents and their wide-eyed children closer together. I just got this and my four-year-old has barely watched anything else since it went in the DVD player. I'm not the world's biggest Chim-Chim and Spritle fan, but my son can't get enough.
  
  All I remember of the show from my childhood is the catchy refrain in the theme song and that I loved watching it. Personally, the problems people have had with the opening and closing titles being different aren't a big issue for me. And I'm not watching with a stopwatch, so time compression isn't a big deal either. The shows themselves are what I got the DVD for and as far as I'm concerned, they're great.
  
  That's not to say the DVD is perfect. I've noticed an occasional audio "chirping" glitch here and there, but not enough to be a problem. My biggest problem is that your viewing choices are limited to "play all" or each episode individually, and that you can't chapter advance while "playing all." So if I want to watch the three-part "The Most Dangerous Race" I can sit through the first 8 episodes or after watching episode 9, I have to push "play" again for ep. 10 and then again for #11. Not the biggest of deals, but along with the fact that the episodes aren't broken into chapters, either (if you stop watching 2/3rds of the way through, be sure to set a bookmark, or be ready to fast-forward forever), it makes it difficult to watch the DVD the way you want to watch it.
  
  The extras are nice, but nothing incredible (although the footage of the mid-90s remake makes you appreciate the original even more). A trivia section, explaining things like why Speed has a "G" on his shirt, or why cars change colors halfway through the big turn in the opening sequence, would have been nice. Granted, most of that is available on the Internet, but having it on the disk would have been better than pictures of a few items of Speed memorabilia with no context attached to them.
  
  I know this review has been mostly drawing attention to the DVD's flaws, but I still stand by my 5-star rating. The individual episodes are wonderful. The stories, while occasionally hokey, are engaging and fun. The artwork and sound are great. And then there's that theme song ... whoa Nellie! Minor gripes aside, this is a great DVD for young and old. Don't miss it.
  
  
• He's a demon on wheels
  By A37PV5GMP2ILJC on 2008-05-14
  "Here he comes, here comes Speed Racer
  He's a demon on wheels
  He's a demon and he's gonna be chasing after someone
  He's gaining on you, so you better look alive
  He's busy revving up his powerful Mach 5"
  
  (From theme song: US Version, by Peter Fernandez)
  
  Since I'd never heard of Speed Racer before seeing the preview for the movie, and because my child is an avid race car fan, I thought it best to do some homework so that I could at least hold my own during son/mother interrogation sessions.
  
  The questions begin simply enough.
  
  "Which character are you from Speed Racer?"
  
  But then it develops into the type of car, how fast it goes, who are the bad guys, and then he gets to the really hard stuff. It's fortunate therefore that this DVD exists, as we were able to watch it together many times (him)/ad nauseam (me), and I managed to survive the grilling, at least until we go see the movie.
  
  Originally from the Japanese anime Mach GoGoGo, the series was "Americanized" and aired in the USA from 1967. It features the young racing car driver of the title, plus assorted family members, female romantic love interest, the mysterious Racer X, and tons of villains. The star however, is the Mach 5 itself - a secret agent car if there ever was one, complete with gadgets which are activated by pressing the seven buttons on the steering wheel and another on the console.
  
  This DVD has the first eleven episodes of the 1967 television cartoon, plus production notes; words and music of the theme song; a brief glimpse of the Mach 5; a Villain's Gallery of eight featured bad guys (complete with clips), a preview of the sequels and spinoff commercial, and a list of available merchandise.
  
  The episodes are:
  1. The Great Plan (Part 1)
  2. The Great Plan (Part 2)
  3. Challenge of the Masked Racer (Part 1)
  4. Challenge of the Masked Racer (Part 2)
  5. The Secret Engine (Part 1)
  6. The Secret Engine (Part 2)
  7. The Race Against the Mammoth Car (Part 1)
  8. The Race Against the Mammoth Car (Part 2)
  9. The Most Dangerous Race (Part 1)
  10. The Most Dangerous Race (Part 2)
  11. The Most Dangerous Race (Part 3)
  
  
  Recommended for those who need to brush up their Speed Racer knowledge prior to watching the movie, people who remember watching the series in the sixties, and people who are too young to have heard about it before now.
  
  
  
  Amanda Richards, May 13, 2008
  
  
  
  
• Even MORE problems with this release....
  By A31LCEYMVO6S9P on 2003-05-10
  ...I compared the "Race Against The Mammoth Car" episodes contained here and on the "Speed Racer - The Movie" (SRTM) DVD. The SRTM version runs the same speed as the Japanese DVD version. The "Episodes 1-11" DVD version of this episode runs *faster* than both of these... (Try it yourself by running SRTM on one player and "Ep.1-11" on another. (I used my computer's DVD drive for the second player.) You'll find the "Ep. 1-11" version start to get ahead of the SRTM version immediately and it will continue to move away as you watch.

  While doing my research, I also discovered that the "Ep. 1-11" version was EDITED FOR CONTENT! There is a scene where Sparky is hauled into a room by a wrench-wielding bad guy. Both the SRTM & Japanese versions include a shot of the wrench being raised to hit ol' Sparky on the head. The "Ep. 1-11" version is missing this small scene. I can see why this scene may be cut on TV to prevent kiddies from being traumatized, but it shouldn't be cut from a supposedly "uncut" home video release! (FYI, the Japanese version includes a sound effect of Sparky actually getting conked, while the SRTM version just has the bad guy chuckling...!)

  The "Ep. 1-11" version also suffers big time in the audio department. When you watch it and then switch to the SRTM version, you'll notice a marked improvement in audio. The "Ep-1-11" version sound very flat in comparison...

  And, of course, the video quality of the "Ep. 1-11" version pales when you compare it. Its bit rate runs at less than half of the SRTM version. When you use the "step" mode of your DVD player, you get fuzzy "transition" frames most of the time. The SRTM version doesn't have these transition frames and steps smoothly & clearly (as it should).

  Finally, many people have commented on the credits (both opening and closing) being changed. Well, I also compared the "Ep.1-11" version with an old (now out of print) Speed Racer laserdisk, and I can tell you that BOTH sets of credits HAVE been changed! The orignal opening credits start with a "Trans-Lux Television Presents" credit, and has a white Speed Racer logo that slowly "dissolves" after it's on screen for a few seconds. The new version eliminates the Trans Lux credit, and the new red & yellow Speed Racer logo is obviously computer-generated. The opening credits have also been sped up and now run 5 to 10 seconds faster than the orignal...

  The closing credits have also been altered. The orignal version has a very distinctive font and typical filmed credits. The new version has computer-generated credits, a completely different font, AND to show how the producers really don't care about quality, they misspelled Jack Grimes' name (He's now "Crimes"...). The original version has his name spelled correctly.

  So, if you want 11 episodes of Speed Racer that have been digitally compressed too much, time compressed, edited for content, and had the opening & closing sequences changed, go for this. If you don't, then I suggest bypassing this low-budget offering.
  
  

• Yes, it is about time. But...
  By A1JIAZF9HZ6XIH on 2003-04-23
  ...a quibble - you decide how minor. The opening credits aren't original. The original white "Speed Racer" title's been replaced by the newer red, trademarked logo. That in itself isn't all that big a deal (unless, like me, you still think Star Wars oughtn't say "Episode IV" no matter what George Lucas says), but what is a big deal is that the whole credit sequence is obviously the time-compressed version from when the series aired (briefly) on MTV. For those of us who were glued to the TV every day after school watching the show, the obvious "rushing" of the theme music is jarring - and given the format (DVD and not broadcast TV) inexcusable.
  
  
• OK; Should be Better
  By A38ON1MOZNBCGE on 2003-06-18
  The quality of the video and audio is great -- much better than I've seen on video tapes (most of which were recorded at EP speed). But it's pretty [bad] that they changed the graphics for the opening, and even [worse]that some of the episodes are recorded at the wrong speed -- they play a little fast (you can tell because the voices on those episodes are higher pitched, as is the theme song). That's bad.

  Also bad is the misspelling of Jack Grimes' name as one of the voices. On the videotapes, it is correctly spelled Grimes; on the DVD it is Crimes. That, along with the fast playback on some of the episodes shows that little care was used in putting this DVD together. Family Home Entertainment should be ashamed. I expect more.
  
  

• Nice, yet disappointing
  By A2E0WNF4ZNP0EU on 2005-08-20
  Although it's nice to be able to see the Speed Racer episodes I enjoyed as a child, the quality of the video on this DVD is extremely disappointing. The video is obviously compressed and looks terrible. I guess the producers of the DVD figured that nobody would notice if they saved on production costs by compressing all of the video onto a single disc. Even though it's a cartoon, the image degradation is very apparent. I'm hoping that someone brings a better version to market in the future.
  
  
• One of the all-time greats on DVD at last
  By ATJLR5VAS2QE5 on 2003-04-26
  Certainly a bit dated in a number of ways, Speed Racer is still an excellent and highly enjoyable cartoon from the early days of Japanese cartoons.

  The first 11 episodes (which include my personal favorite arc, "The Most Dangerous Race") have been crammed onto one disc, and with pretty good results. The opening credits and end credits look pretty bad, but the episodes, for the most part, look better than they have in years. (The intros and some of the eps seem slightly blurry when the camera is moving, but as far as I can tell, the episodes haven't been time-compressed or any other garbage like that. More than likely, it's a sign of shoving so much data onto a single disc.)

  The special features are a bit basic (cast bios, production info, etc.), but aren't entirely unwelcome, just not as plentiful as one would expect. All in all, though, this set is a fine start to the series on DVD.
  
  

• Oh the memories....
  By A2FSVQ17P9RY9H on 2003-05-28
  The DVD I received has the "real rubber tire" and colorful rubber Speed close up portrait on the box. It was a real pleasure to hear the sound of the Mach V engine reving up! Don't expect THX sound quality since the series originated in 1966. The 11 episodes play through one at a time and each plays the intro and exit music themes. Watching Speed Racer after school in the 70's with my sister was one of the few things we could enjoy together. I still have the hots for Trixie!
  
  
• So good to have Speed back !!!!!!!!!
  By A21ZAK5F5BZOD9 on 2003-12-17
  I'm proud to say that I'm one of Speed Racer's FIRST generation American viewers. I distinctly remember seeing this fantastic series for the first time in late '67--when I was a mere 14 yr. old growing up in northern New Jersey--and it blew me away from the get go. There was nothing to compare it with--the beautiful animation and snappy dialogue was WORLDS APART from what the Hanna-Barbera people were doing at the time--of course, back then, I was way too unsophisticated to notice or care about such droll distinctions--all I knew was SPEED was COOL and Trixie was a BABE!! hehehe (never could "get" the whole Spridle,Chim-Chim thing, though.....but I guess that was part of SR's over-all charm, I suppose..a little strange incongruity doesnt hurt, does it?) As I view the series now--well into middle-age, a WONDERFUL NOSTALGIA overwhelms me--as I'm sure it does for all those who grew up with this quirky, yet seminal cartoon (I cringe at having to refer to SR as a "toon"--- because it means SO much MORE than that to me---but, alas... that's what it was, after all).... A truly BELOVED cartoon that will never be forgotten by so many of us over a certain age. I thank from the bottom of my heart all those brilliant Japanese artists and American voice actors who brought us this glorious work of art so many years ago. This dvd is a MUST for those that adore the show.
  
  
• Speed kills.....
  By on 2003-12-31
  I am so pleased to have Speed Racer back in my life, and especially in the life of my 3 year old son. I don't imagine there are many really young Speed fans anymore. How sad. We were even able to get him toy Mach 5 cars and he knows all the characters. This DVD is a great way to re-introduce yourself or your children to this great series. I wish and hope that more episodes will become available. The only downside is a sparse list of extras on the DVD. I hope that the company owning this franchise will see that there is still a demand for this great show and for related projects.
  On a side note, Speed Racer items are available at the official Speed Racer web site. Ebay carries a number of Speed Racer items also, including the Japan-only Hot Wheels Mach 5.
  The only hard part is, do I buy for my son to play with or for me to collect!
  
  
• Beware! All episodes are time-compressed
  By on 2003-04-23
  Just bought this new DVD and, for whatever reason, all 11 episodes are time-compressed! Each one runs 23:30 instead of the original 24:40. While the picture and sound quality are very good (much better than previous VHS releases), there was no logical reason for the manufacturer to do this. As soon as you play an episode, and hear the opening theme song: you'll know the sound and picture have been "sped" up. Hope future releases are better.
  
  
• A GREAT start on the entire Speed Racer collection!
  By AWY8636EK92VR on 2003-04-23
  I can't tell you if every episode of Speed Racer will be released as a box set sometime in the future, but there is no reason to wait! This DVD is a GREAT start, and at a terrific price too. The first 11 episodes will do for now. (Hey - they could have given us just two or four episodes!)

  The picture quality looks great, very bright colors, and the audio is fine too. I didn't notice any soundtrack noise or picture scratches. There is a "play all episodes" features which allows you several uninterrupted hours of Speed, or you can just play individual episodes. I found the episode menu easy to use. It breaks down each complete episode on a separate page, two or three parts each, making it easy to select just the episode you want.

  On the negative side, there are no USEFUL chapter markings. I don't know that you really need them for a short episode, but the chapters that do exist are fairly nonsensical. Some episodes have several chapters while others have none. It appears the chapters actually correspond to the bonus material. For example, track 1, chapter 4 is the same as track 3, (yet it is track 3 which is used for the bonus material.) I can't understand why the main episodes (on track 1) need these chapter markings. Perhaps those who understand such technical things can explain!

  The bonus features are nice, but there is nothing that is particularly enlightening or new. You can see the Mach 5's control panel in action via clips from the episodes, but you're going to see that anyway when you watch the episode!

  I would like to have seen the 1996 Volkswagen commercial - it is mentioned but not included on the disc. Likewise, biographies but no photos of the voice cast. I guess you can check out the official 30th Anniversary Guide by Elizabeth Moran if you really want all the details.

  I give this DVD 5 stars for the episodes and fine quality. Buy it for the episodes, not the bonus materials.
  
  

• Poor Digital Transfer
  By A2QR8S59KFVD71 on 2003-04-25
  ... the quality is horrible. It seems to stem from the digitalization process that any time there is motion within the frame (which is all the time) the image blurs. The people at Family Home Entertainment seem to have realized this because they superimposed new titles throughout the disc. This is very noticeable as the font used is quiet different than the originals. In addition the image seems washed out and the speed of the cartoon tends to vary especially during the opening theme. None of these problems are apparent in FHE's VHS versions of the episodes offered. Yet another serious drawback of this release is the lack of commentary from Peter Fernandez & Corine Orr the original voices on the show as was offered in the Speed Racer Movie released some time ago. What extras they do offer are .... In FHE's defense the idea of this release was great in packaging the first 11 episodes in order on one disc but any serious fan of this series would be FAR better off owning the VHS tapes.
  
  
• "Here comes Speed Racer
  By A6VXZ1EEPRTLV on 2003-05-27
  Speed Racer is the kind of cartoon that can make a deep and lasting impression. Though it had been nearly thirty years since I had last seen it, the memory of the characters and basic storylines, remained very much intact. Watching these episodes, and hearing the music and sound effects again, the memories quickly came flooding back. And while I didn't remember exactly what each button on Speed's steering wheel did, viewing the cartoon again was still a pleasant trip down memory lane.

  The action adventure cartoon from Japan, follows the exploits of Speed Racer, an ambitious and sometimes headstrong, 18-year old racecar driver. His automobile, the Mach 5, is equipped with numerous high tech features that enable Speed to deal with a variety of hazardous situations. The concept of a super slick racing car, driven by a squeaky clean hero type is a good one. The Mach Five, is probably the coolest, most famous, animated racecar ever. Though the car itself has great appeal, it is the interaction between Speed, and his family and friends, that holds your interest. Sure, the plots don't always make too much sense, and level of realism isn't very high, but this is after all, only a cartoon.

  Though done in a light-hearted manner, like many cartoons of the time, Speed Racer is pretty violent, with lots of action, fights, explosions, gunplay, car chases and fatal crashes. And while it may be tame compared to the animated features currently on TV, this still may not suitable for little children. In one episode (The Secret Engine), though in self-defense, Speed even appears to cause a death in a rockslide.

  The credits list only three people as providing the voices, and that seems entirely possible, as listening to the cartoon, similar sounding voices frequently reoccur among the various characters. This tends to make the cartoon a little monotonous aurally. The music however, is quite stimulating, and is used effectively to complement the action, especially in the episodes featuring the Mammoth Car, and The Most Dangerous Race.

  Visually, the transfer to DVD is excellent. The images are sharp, and the colors are solid and clear. There is minimal evidence of flaws or deterioration in the images. The DVD, is an excellent value, as it contains the first eleven episodes of the show, and clocks in at around 262 minutes. The "Limited Edition" has a sleeve that slides over the DVD case. The sleeve has glued to it an image of Speed set against the background of a tire tread, made of real rubber. The presentation is not without flaws however. For some unfathomable reason, there are no chapter stops, and without them, jumping around the disc is no easy task. Design of the menu is poor as well. The "extras" on the DVD are not very noteworthy either.

  So while the DVD comes up short in the "gravy" department, the "meat" is all there. For fans of Speed and the gang, this disc is definitely a must have, and is available at a very reasonable price. Get your copy today. "Adventure's waiting just ahead."
  
  

• Have a 4 and 6 year old at home?????
  By AQK3VKQI9C69G on 2004-01-27
  I remember watching Speed Racer when it first came out. I was 4 years old. My two boys are now Speed Racer junkies. They have worn out this DVD. I even had to shell out 12 bucks for a Mach 5 Hotwheel.
  It's great for kids. They don't make cartoons like this anymore.
  
  
• Let's Be Real!
  By A241KWIXBVET7S on 2005-05-15
  I'm a women who was a child in the sixties, and let me tell you we loved Speed Racer!!! I introduced this to my 7 year old son and 5 year old daughter, and they loved it. Those few of you who disect and criticize are forgetting how much fun these shows were. The rest of us remember!!! There is so much entertainment packed in these DVDs (we have the 1st and 2nd, and are waiting for the 3rd collection)! I personally find the graphics extremely impressive for the 1960s. Keep in perspective. Buy and ENJOY!!!
  
  
• Not so silly after all
  By A2L2DS88SVGZ1T on 2008-05-03
  After reading some of the reviews, I thought I might be unhappy when I watched the DVD's for the first time. I can see why they changed the opening credits. They wanted it to match the Trademark that is on everything else. No big deal. The song is the same. The closing credits look just like I remember. The remastered prints are great. The extra content that explains how fast they had to produce the American versions is amazing. A theme song recorded in one day. The sound effects are exactly as I remember growing up. You must get at least the first two DVD's before you see the new movie.
  
  
• Don't be confused!!! Buy this!!
  By on 2003-05-24
  Okay, I wrote a previous review and thought I'd write another because I feel some people may be scared away to buy this from what other reviewers said.The time compression that some talk about is only on the title and the credit. I checked an original episode I had and it clocked in at 24:00 complete. Then the DVD came in at 23:40. So the title and credits are the culprit in the time compression. You definitely can't tell that the voices are sped up. Now the title, yes, but can we be that picky? I mean would you rather be with Speed Racer or not? Easy choice for me. And I believe someone said the pic quality wasn't good. WOW!!! I think that reviewer must have a DVD player built by a caveman, haha. The pic quality will have you in awe. So if you're one worried about time compression and titles and credits, don't buy this but if you love Speed Racer, definitely buy this. Over 4 hours for the price, COME ON!! And someone complained about the Mammoth Car ep. where Sparky was conked on the head. Yes, it is edited out and I find that horrible they edited out anything but don't let a conk to the head not let you buy this or you'll feel like you've been conked yourself.
  
  
• He's a Demon On Wheels...
  By A2GVJ83F092MIS on 2004-07-25
  Speed Racer, though a bit cheesy thanks to Chim-Chim and Spritle, is a top-notch classic series. No disrespect to those 2 characters though, it wouldnt be Speed Racer without them. Fans of the show can now own the first 11 episodes, which are great in setting up the rest of the series. How Speed is such a good racer, how Racer X came to be are some of the questions answered in these first episodes. The rubber tire packaging was a great touch and for what you are buying this is a great price. This is a series adults and kids alike will enjoy so I recommend picking it up. Who can resist the antics of the Racer family and Speed's great races? As far as extras there is nothing great here. There is a trailer for the 90's series, and it looks terrible. It is an abomination to animation. This series will seem even better after you see that so enjoy episodes 1-11 of Speed Racer, then buy Volume 2 with episodes 12-23. Episodes on this set are:
  The Great Plan (1&2)
  Challenge of the Masked Racer (1&2)
  The Secret Engine (1&2)
  The Race Against the Mammoth Car (1&2)
  The Most Dangerous Race (1,2&3)
  
  
• The beginnings of a classic cartoon series...
  By A390V0MQLXVPU9 on 2006-11-09
  All issues of time compression aside, there are several excellent episodes on this DVD:
  
  The Great Plan - watch Speed enter his first professional race and learn the special features of the Mach 5.
  
  Challenge of the Masked Racer - our first introduction to Speed's older brother Rex who ran away from home years ago. This episode and The Great Plan set up the last three episodes in the series.
  
  Race Against the Mammoth Car - a classic two-part episode.
  
  The Most Dangerous Race - forget about physics and enjoy this three-part episode. Very well written and features the Car Acrobatic Team.
  
  I'm 40 now and I still remember rushing home from school to watch Speed Racer on our little black and white TV set. Can't help it, I still love this show!
  
  
• Vintage japanese animation""
  By A5VJUBG4HK80 on 2008-03-19
  Come on guys,quit complaining.Be greatful that you have a chance to buy the episodes.I hate people who just pick something to death.I for one am very happy to have these episodes.
  
  
• So glad I bought this DVD!!
  By A3LW6FZ12WUX2A on 2003-04-29
  At first I was a bit hesitant to buy this DVD;I kept thinking to myself,"Do you really,REALLY want to buy this DVD?" After watching the first five minutes,I was extremely happy that I did!
  Everything was as I remember,and let me tell you,no kid's anime of today can beat Speed Racer!The action and plots are really cool, and nothing is better than watching the comic stylings of Spritle and Chim Chim ^__^I was only going to watch a couple episodes a night,but I got addicted and ended up watching all 5 hours in one sitting!

  There is also of course alot of "in humor" that cult fans of the show will find priceless.For instance how often we are reminded that "Racer X is in fact Speed's older brother Rex who ran away from home many years ago".Or how anything great or going well is "groovy";and of course how Trixie can fly a helicopter no problem,but she looks absolutely dumbfounded when Speed asks her to drive!Little things like these are all gold nuggets that make the show even more popular..and I loved it!

  The bonus material on this DVD is also really cool,such as the villain's gallery,the interactive Mach 5 control demonstrations and let's not forget the sing-along lyrics to the theme song! There is also alot of interesting information on the director/ translator Peter Fernandez,and all of the voice actors.I had no idea that Carrie Orrington (voice of Trixie/Spritle) also did the voice for "Snuggle" the fabric softener teddy bear on commercials!Lastly the DVD cover made out of rubber tire material was pretty clever,and just another reason to buy this set.By the way,everything is all on one disc,which makes for quick easy viewing.

  About five years ago,Cartoon Network used to play Speed Racer quite a bit...then they only played it late at night...then not at all.(Sigh) I guess they thought Dragonball Z and Pokemon were cooler;well shame on them! Now I can watch REALLY great anime whenever I want,and I look forward to buying more episodes.Go Speed Racer Go!!
  
  

• Go Speed Go!
  By A1DJVSGM0JYAD9 on 2003-07-09
  When I stumbled upon this DVD in the Amazon Gold Box promotions... I was instantly hooked to buy! I remembered watching Speed Racer in the 70's as a kid and loving every minut, but dreading the cliff hanger endings because you couldn't always be sure to see the second part (without VCR's to record a week in advance we missed a lot!) Now, not only could I watch the first 11 episodes at once if I chose, but I could share Speed Racer with my kids (aged 7 and 4). I had a hunch they would be hooked... and you know, I was right! Speed Racer is like the precursor to Pokemon... without the monsters. In fact a lot of the poses Speed makes are like Ash Ketchum... The action... quick and cut away is similar at times. But that is beside the point, my kids were mesmerized by the story lines and the cliffhangers (perhaps it was cruel, but I forced them to watch only one episode a day...not the whole DVD as they would have gladly done... afterall, that is actually part of the experience.. that delayed gratification of seeing Speed beat the odds.)

  If you remember watching Speed Racer as a kid.. don't hesitate to buy this for your own and your kid's enjoyment... Speed Racer is awesome!
  
  

• Blast from the past
  By A33QTYB4L5MA9I on 2003-07-28
  OK, so the animation isn't exactly stellar and the plots are kind of silly. But I remember watching these things as a kid and they really bring back the happy memories! If you grew up on these like I did, you're in for a treat! If not, this DVD may not be for you. But you probably wouldn't be looking at this if you weren't already into Speed!

  As for the DVD itself, I have had some problems. I have a couple of players. My older Toshiba (which is usually picky) plays it fine, but my Apex (which normally plays ANYTHING without problem) doesn't. It's like it's in some kind of "single frame" mode, playing about one frame every couple of seconds and no sound. Haven't tried it on my PCs.
  
  

• Speed Racer - Episodes 12-23
• Speed Racer , Vol. 3 - Episodes 24-36
• Speed Racer, Vol. 4
• Speed Racer, Vol. 5
• Jonny Quest - The Complete First Season