Arrow Emblem Grand Prix Hawk - A thorough review of the thrilling races and moving story

"Arrow Emblem Grand Prix Hawk": A story of speed and youth

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

September 22, 1977 - August 31, 1978 Every Thursday 19:00-19:30

■Broadcasting station

CX

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 44

■Original Story

・ Original story/ Yasutomi Yasugo

■ Director

・Direction: Rin Taro → Nobutaka Nishizawa

■ Production

Produced by CX and Toei (animation)

■ Story

Aiming to enter an F1 race, Todoroki Takaya enters an entry-level race with a machine he tuned up himself. However, just before winning, the machine has trouble and bursts into flames.

However, with the help of former top driver Niki Lauda, ​​who recognized Takaya's abilities and encouraged him, he got into the Katori Motors rally car and traveled around the world competing in major rallies as a rally driver.

With the aim of dominating the F1 race with a Japanese-made machine, he began taking on the world with the "Todoroki Special", a machine he had conceived himself.

■Explanation

This is a car racing drama that was aired at a time when the "supercar boom" was sweeping across Japan. It is a coming-of-age drama about young people who put their lives on the line for speed, and it depicts the unique stage of the racing world without breaking any rules.

■Cast

・Takaya Todoroki/Kei Toyama・Masaru Ohinagata/Keiichi Noda・Nick Lambda/Kan Tokumaru・Daisaku Kuruma/Hidekatsu Shibata・Suzuko Aise/Mami Koyama・Hangoro Aise/Masako Nozawa・Rie Katori/Rihoko Yoshida・Narrator/Koji Yada

■ Main staff

・Original concept by Yasutomi Yasugo ・Original design by Sugino Akio, Kobayashi Dan ・Planning by Tamiya Takeshi, Yokoyama Kenji, Bessho Koji ・Production by Sugawara Yoshiro ・Screenplay by Tsuji Masaki, Uehara Shozo, Fujikawa Keisuke ・Chief director by Rintaro ・Direction by Serigawa Yugo, Kawada Takenori, Kabuki Tokiji, and others ・Character design by Noda Takuo, Koizumi Kenzo ・Art setting by Mukuo Takamura, Tsuji Tadanao ・Music by Miyagawa Yasushi

■ Theme songs and music

・OP
・Grand Prix no Taka・Lyrics by Yasutomi Yasugo・Music by Miyagawa Tai・Song by Mizuki Ichiro, Feeling Free

・ED
Racer Blues Lyrics: Yasutomi Yasugo Music: Miyagawa Yasushi Vocals: Mizuki Ichiro

The appeal and evaluation of "Arrow Emblem Grand Prix Hawk"

"Arrow Emblem: Grand Prix no Taka" is an anime series that aired from 1977 to 1978, and was heavily influenced by the supercar boom that was a symbol of that era. This anime is a coming-of-age drama that depicts the growth and challenges of Todoroki Takaya, a young man who aims to become an F1 racer. The story unfolds around his passion and friendship, as well as his setbacks and comebacks, set against the backdrop of the unique setting of racing.

The appeal of this work lies above all in its realistic racing scenes and the story of the protagonist's growth. At first, Todoroki Takaya races in a car he tuned up himself, but is disappointed when the car experiences trouble and bursts into flames just before he is about to win. However, he later gets help from former top driver Niki Lauda and travels around the world as a rally driver, growing to the point where he can ultimately aim to win an F1 race. Along the way, he meets many friends and rivals, and the story depicts his growth as a person.

This work also features a variety of high-performance machines, reflecting the supercar boom of the time. In particular, the "Todoroki Special" designed by Todoroki Takaya himself was the culmination of his passion and skill, and made a strong impression on viewers. The depiction of the race scenes was also very realistic, allowing viewers to experience the immersive feeling of being in the race themselves.

The cast was also impressive, with many popular voice actors of the time appearing, including Toyama Kei, who played the main character, Todoroki Takaya, Noda Keiichi, Tokumaru Kan, Koyama Mami, and Nozawa Masako. Toyama Kei's passionate performance in particular captured the hearts of viewers, realistically portraying Todoroki Takaya's passion and fighting spirit. Additionally, the calm narrator, Yada Koji's narration, was also an important element in livening up the atmosphere of the work.

The staff was also impressive, bringing together some of the top creators of the time, including Yasutomi Yasugo who came up with the idea, Rintaro who was the chief director, and Miyagawa Yasushi who composed the music. Rintaro's direction in particular had the power to draw viewers in by bringing out the power and drama of the race scenes to the fullest. Miyagawa Yasushi's music also produced memorable songs that remain in the viewers' hearts, such as "Grand Prix Hawk" and "Racer Blues", which symbolize the theme of the work.

This series has been highly praised since it was first broadcast, and has gained many fans. In particular, the realism of the racing scenes and the story of the protagonist's growth left a strong impression on viewers. The depiction of the machines, which reflected the supercar boom at the time, also attracted viewers' interest. Furthermore, thanks to the impressive cast and staff, the overall quality of the series was also highly praised.

Recommended points for "Arrow Emblem Grand Prix Hawk"

"Arrow Emblem Grand Prix Hawk" is recommended not only for those who like racing, but also for those who like youth dramas and coming-of-age stories. In particular, the following points are recommended.

1. Realistic racing scenes

The racing scenes in this work are very realistic and powerful. The viewers can feel as if they are participating in the race. In addition, various high-performance machines appear, catching the viewers' interest.

2. The protagonist's growth story

The story of Todoroki Takaya's growth will leave a strong impression on viewers. Despite experiencing setbacks, he grows with the help of his friends and rivals, and ultimately aims to win the F1 race. In the process, his passion, fighting spirit, and friendship are depicted, capturing the hearts of viewers.

3. A great cast and crew

Many popular voice actors and top creators of the time participated in this work. In particular, Kei Toyama's passionate performance, Rintaro's direction, and Yasuo Miyagawa's music were important elements in raising the quality of the work.

4. A car that reflected the supercar boom of the time

Reflecting the supercar boom of the time, this work features a variety of high-performance machines. In particular, the "Todoroki Special" designed by Takaya Todoroki himself was the culmination of his passion and skill, and made a strong impression on viewers.

Detailed information on "Arrow Emblem Grand Prix Hawk"

■Broadcast information

"Arrow Emblem Grand Prix Hawk" was broadcast on CX (now Fuji TV) from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. every Thursday from September 22, 1977 to August 31, 1978. There are 44 episodes in total, each 30 minutes long.

■ Original author and director

This work is an original anime, and the original idea was created by Yasutomi Yasugo. Rintaro was in charge of the overall direction as chief director, and Nishizawa Nobutaka was in charge of the latter half of the direction. It was produced jointly by CX and Toei (Doga).

■Cast

The main character, Takaya Todoroki, was played by Kei Toyama. His passionate performance captured the hearts of viewers as he realistically portrayed the passion and fighting spirit of Takaya Todoroki. Many other popular voice actors from that time also appeared in the film, including Keiichi Noda as Masaru Ohinagata, Kan Tokumaru as Nick Lambda, Hidekatsu Shibata as Daisaku Kuruma, Mami Koyama as Suzuko Aise, Masako Nozawa as Hangoro Aise, Rihoko Yoshida as Rie Katori, and Koji Yada as the narrator.

■ Main staff

The original concept was by Yasutomi Yasugo, the original designs were by Sugino Akio and Kobayashi Dan, the planning was by Tamiya Takeshi, Yokoyama Kenji, and Bessho Koji, the production was by Sugawara Yoshiro, the scripts were by Tsuji Masaki, Uehara Shozo, and Fujikawa Keisuke, the chief director was Rintaro, the direction was by Serigawa Yugo, Kawada Takenori, and Kaburagi Tokiji, the character designs were by Noda Takuo and Koizumi Kenzo, the art design was by Mukuo Takamura and Tsuji Tadanao, and the music was by Miyagawa Yasushi. All of these staff members worked together to improve the quality of the work.

■ Theme songs and music

The opening theme, "Grand Prix no Taka," was written by Yasutomi Yasugo, composed by Miyagawa Tai, and sung by Mizuki Ichiro and Feeling Free. The ending theme, "Racer Blues," was written by Yasutomi Yasugo, composed by Miyagawa Tai, and sung by Mizuki Ichiro. These songs symbolized the theme of the work and became memorable masterpieces that stayed in the viewers' hearts.

Evaluation and influence of "Arrow Emblem Grand Prix Hawk"

"Arrow Emblem: Grand Prix Hawk" was highly praised when it was first broadcast, and gained many fans. In particular, the realism of the racing scenes and the story of the protagonist's growth left a strong impression on viewers. The depiction of the machines, which reflected the supercar boom at the time, also attracted viewers' interest. Furthermore, thanks to the impressive cast and staff, the overall quality of the work was also highly praised.

This work can be said to be a pioneer of racing anime, and it had a huge influence on subsequent racing anime. In particular, the realistic depiction of the race scenes and the protagonist's growth story were often incorporated into subsequent works. In addition, the depiction of the machines, which reflected the supercar boom at the time, also attracted the interest of viewers and gained many fans.

Furthermore, this work was also praised as a coming-of-age drama and coming-of-age story, deeply moving viewers. In particular, the story of Todoroki Takaya's failure and recovery captured the hearts of viewers, giving courage and hope to many. This work is recommended not only for those who like racing, but also for those who like coming-of-age dramas and coming-of-age stories.

Recommended points and detailed information for "Arrow Emblem Grand Prix Hawk"

"Arrow Emblem Grand Prix no Taka" is a work recommended not only for those who like racing, but also for those who like youth dramas and coming-of-age stories. In particular, the realistic racing scenes, the protagonist's coming-of-age story, the luxurious cast and staff, and the machines that reflect the supercar boom of the time are some of the recommended points. In addition, detailed information such as broadcast information, original story and director, cast, main staff, theme song and music was also provided. This work was highly praised when it was broadcast, is a masterpiece that gained many fans, and has had a great influence on subsequent racing anime and youth dramas. Please watch this work and experience the passion, fighting spirit, and friendship of Todoroki Takaya.