エクスドライバー (éX-DRIVER)
In the future, all cars are now AI-driven. Of course, they are not 100% perfect. When a AI car goes berserk, enters the éX-DRIVERs, people with the license to drive. Their job: stop the malfunctioned cars with their surperb driving skills. Patrolling the streets of Tokyo will be 3 teenagers: Lisa, Lorna and Souichi. Don't underestimate them...
éX-DRIVER is created by Fujishima Kosuke (藤島康介), from character designs to the story itself. Produced by Bandai Visual from 2000 to 2001 as a 6-episdoe OVA, a movie version was released in 2002.
Links:
Official Site (in Japanese)
éX-DRIVER
6-episode OVA (2000-2001)
When it comes to Fujishima-san, you can expect this: lots and lots of cool-looking cars. Well-known for his love of cars, he always puts in lots of car-related stuff into his work, whenever possible. Since this is his "pet" project, he turned it into what he always wanted to do: car-chasing with super cool cars.
Character designs is pretty good, with his trademark style. The only thing to complain about will be the animation quality for the OVA, which is kind of being cheap on the budget.
Dino's Rating: 6
Will Girls Like It: Maybe
éX-DRIVER the Movie
2002
Our favourite éX-DRIVERs are invited to compete in a race in Los Angeles, against all other top éX-DRIVERs from around the world. However, conspiracy among the sponsors awaits them...
As a "sequel", it is more like a side story to the original OVA. However, Fujishima-san finally got the budget he needs to give his project the best CG works available, and the result is extremely good. The CG cars blend in with the animation very nicely, and of course the characters look even better in this movie verison.
As part of the movie release, they also included a "prequel" episode, "Nina & rei: Danger Zone" that happened several years before the OVA. Featuring the hot Nina Anna Thunder and Kazama Rei, the story is surprisingly funny. In fact, the funniest in the franchise. Well it never hurts when it is also given the high level CG and animation treatment like the movie.
Dino's Rating: 7
Will Girls Like It: Maybe