"Wangan Midnight" review: A story of late-night racing and passion

The appeal and reviews of Wangan MIDNIGHT

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

June 9, 2007 - September 19, 2008 SKY PerfecTV! Perfect Choice June 15, 2007 - September 19, 2008 (1st - 26th)

■Broadcasting station

・Broadcast/Sky PerfecTV! Perfect Choice

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 26

■Original Story

・Original work: Michiharu Kusunoki

■ Director

・Director: Tsuneo Tominaga

■ Production

・Animation production: A.C.G.T.
Produced by OB Planning

■Works

©Michiharu Kusunoki/Kodansha, OB Planning

■ Story

■Explanation

■Cast

■ Main staff

■Subtitle

■ Theme songs and music

The appeal and reviews of Wangan MIDNIGHT

Wangan MIDNIGHT is a TV anime series based on the manga of the same name by Michiharu Kusunoki, which aired from 2007 to 2008. The story depicts the high-speed and passionate race battles that take place on the Shuto Expressway, and has captivated many fans. Below, we will take a closer look at the appeal and reviews of Wangan MIDNIGHT.

The appeal of the story

The story of Wangan MIDNIGHT is about the protagonist Akio Asakura, who drives an S30 Fairlady Z, also known as the "Devil's Z," aiming for the fastest lap on the Shuto Expressway. The rivals that stand in Akio's way each have their own unique characters and machines, so viewers will not tire of the show. In particular, the battles with Tatsuya Shima, who drives a black Porsche 911 Turbo, and Reina Akigawa, a female GT-R driver, are worth watching. In addition to the races, the show also depicts the human drama of the racers, making for a fascinating story with depth.

Character Appeal

Each character in Wangan MIDNIGHT has their own unique background and personality, which leaves a strong impression on viewers. The main character, Akio Asakura, is calm and cool, but he is also charming because he values ​​his passion for racing and friendship. His rivals, Tatsuya Shima and Reina Akigawa, also have strong personalities and skills that draw viewers in. Furthermore, the supporting characters are also appealing and play an important role in livening up the story as a whole.

Visual and performance appeal

Wangan MIDNIGHT's animation is a high-quality production by A.C.G.T., and the sense of speed in the racing scenes and the details of the cars are depicted realistically. In particular, the night view of the Metropolitan Expressway and the depiction of light and shadow during the race are beautiful and highly visually appealing. Director Tsuneo Tominaga's direction also skillfully portrays the tense racing scenes and the emotions of the characters, drawing the viewer into the story.

The appeal of music

The music for Wangan MIDNIGHT, with the opening theme "lights and any more" by TRF and the ending theme "Talkin' bout good days" by Mother Ninja, livens up the atmosphere of the work. In particular, the energetic rhythm and lyrics of the opening theme express the speed and passion of the race, lifting the hearts of viewers. The background music is also used skillfully to match the racing scenes and the emotions of the characters, and is an important element in livening up the story's progression.

Ratings and Recommendations

Wangan MIDNIGHT is highly regarded as a racing anime, and is especially popular among racing fans and car enthusiasts. All elements, such as the story development, the appeal of the characters, the quality of the visuals and production, and the effects of the music, are all fused at a high level, and have the power to draw viewers in. The original manga is also very popular, and the anime version faithfully reproduces its appeal.

The reasons why I recommend this work are as follows:

• Enjoy high-speed racing scenes and realistic machine depictions
• Unique characters and a deep story
• Beautiful visuals and presentation provide visual satisfaction
• Energetic music enhances the atmosphere of the piece.
• Quality that will satisfy even fans of the original manga

Wangan MIDNIGHT is recommended not only for fans of racing anime, but also for those who are interested in the story and characters. Be sure to watch this work and experience the speed and passion of the race battle on the Metropolitan Expressway.

Additional Information

The original manga for Wangan Midnight was serialized in Young Magazine from 1990 to 2008, and was completed in 42 volumes. The anime version depicts only a portion of the story, and firmly incorporates the essence of the original. A live-action movie was also released in 2014, which also received high praise. Furthermore, a new anime series, Wangan Midnight C1 Runner, aired in 2017, meeting the expectations of fans.

If you are interested in the world and characters of Wangan MIDNIGHT, be sure to check out the original manga, live-action film, and new anime series. You will be able to enjoy the charm of this work even more.