The appeal and evaluation of "éX-D Exdriver" Clip x Clip

"Exdriver Clip×Clip": The appeal of this OVA depicting the coexistence of humans and AI cars in the future

"Exdriver Clip x Clip" is an OVA released by Bandai Visual in 2001. Although it is a short series of only four episodes, it depicts the exploits of the Exdrivers in a future society where AI cars are mainstream. The original story was written by Kosuke Fujishima, known for works such as "Oh! My Goddess" and "Ouran High School Host Club," and the director is Jun Kawagoe. In this article, we will take a closer look at the appeal, highlights, characters, and production background of "Exdriver Clip x Clip."

■ Story

"Exdriver Clip x Clip" is set in the not-too-distant future. All the cars on the streets are AI cars (cars equipped with artificial intelligence), people have already forgotten how to drive, and only special engineers are allowed to drive gasoline-powered cars. Meanwhile, three Exdrivers, Risa Sakakino, Rona Endo, and Soichi Kanno, struggle every day to stop runaway AI cars without causing an accident. Through their actions, the story depicts the coexistence of AI and humans, as well as the fun of driving and the importance of technology.

■ Characters

The appeal of "Exdriver Clip×Clip" lies in its unique characters. The main characters are introduced below.

Risa Sakakino

Voice actor: Miki Nagasawa

Risa has a straightforward and impulsive personality, and does not think deeply or worry about things, but always tries to move forward. She has a masculine personality. She is not good at being boxed in, and does not want to waste a single minute or second. She is waiting for a man who will surpass her in everything. She is not good at studying, but she is not stupid. The cars she drives are an Impreza and a Lancia Stratos.

Endo Rona

Voice actor: Yoko Asada

Lorna has a gentle personality and is an airhead who sometimes seems to think things through but is not. She is not good at following the trends of the world and tends to move at her own pace. She is not good at organizing things and talking about them, so other people tend to think, "What are you talking about?" She is smart and has the academic ability to go to university, but she did not go because she is a laid-back person. The car she drives is a Lotus Europa.

Sugano Soichi

Voice actor: None (details unknown)

Soichi, a boy from Kent, England, is a smart boy who skipped grades and transferred to high school. He has the unfounded confidence of a boy, which makes him seem a little cocky, but his sincere dedication to his work is likable. His car is a Caterham Super Seven JPE.

Kei Munekata

Voice actor: Unsho Ishizuka

Captain Munekata, the captain of the X-drivers, hates being called captain and has a quiet personality. He is also Lorna's grandfather and always wears black overalls. He acts as the command center for the X-drivers in this area and drives a Lotus Eleven.

Nina A. Sander

Voice actor: Michiko Neya

Nina, Munekata's secretary and excellent operator, is a woman who always wears white. However, when I ask her why, she always evades the question. Her age is unknown, and she drives a Nopro Roadster.

Kazama Rei

Voice actor: None (details unknown)

Kazama, who has all the courage, speed and technique, has even obtained the highest EX license, the FA license. EX riders are rare in this era, and the bike he rides is a Ducati 900 SUPERSPORT.

■Production Background

"Exdriver Clip x Clip" was created based on an original idea by Kosuke Fujishima. Fujishima was involved in planning as well as the character original idea. It was directed by Jun Kawagoe, and the composition and script were written by Shinzo Fujita. Character design was by Kenichi Hamasaki, mechanical design by Hidefumi Kimura and Takeshi Takakura, and EX car design by Shunji Murata. The mechanical animation director was Yoshio Mizumura, the sound director was Toshiki Kameyama, and the music was by Hikaru Nanase. Animation was produced by Actus.

The production company is a joint venture between Bandai Visual, Dentsu, Genco, and Actus, and the copyright belongs to "©2001 Kosuke Fujishima, exd, BV/D・G・A".

■Highlights

The highlight of "Exdriver Clip x Clip" is that it is set in a future society where AI cars have become mainstream. It is full of tension and thrills, with scenes of AI cars going out of control and the Exdrivers trying to stop them. The personalities and relationships of the characters are also part of the charm, especially the friendship between Risa Sakakino and Rona Endo, and the growth of Souichi Kanno.

Don't miss the car and motorcycle designs, too. The designs are modeled after real cars, such as the Impreza, Lancia Stratos, and Lotus Europa, and are drawn realistically, making this a must-have for car enthusiasts.

■ Related works

"Exdriver Clip×Clip" is one of the "Exdriver" series. Related works include "Exdriver", "Exdriver Clip", "Nina&Rei Danger Zone", and "Exdriver the Movie". By enjoying these works together, you can gain a deeper understanding of the world of "Exdriver".

■ Evaluation and recommendation

Although "Exdriver Clip x Clip" is a short series, it has many charms, such as a story depicting the coexistence of AI cars and humans, unique characters, and realistic car designs. It is especially recommended for those who are interested in cars and motorcycles, and those who are interested in AI technology. It is also a work that fans of Kosuke Fujishima cannot miss.

This work was released in the form of an OVA, so you can watch it on DVD or Blu-ray. It may also be available on streaming services, so if you're interested, be sure to check it out.

Conclusion

"Exdriver Clip x Clip" is a work that depicts the exploits of Exdrivers in a future society where AI cars have become mainstream. This OVA is attractive for its unique characters, realistic car designs, and a tense story. This is a must-see for anyone interested in cars, motorcycles, and AI technology, and for fans of Kosuke Fujishima. By enjoying the related works, you can enjoy the world of "Exdriver" even more deeply.