Oban Star-Racers

[Tama83]

First a little background:

This was created by a French guy (can't remember his name right now) and is a French-Japan co-production by a company called Sav! The World Productions (http://www.savtheworld.com) (sic) in association with Bandai Visual and Jetix (yes it's airing there; just hear me out). I'm posting this here because it can technically be considered an anime since it uses a similar art style (when you see it, you'll know), plus it was animated by Hal Film Maker (Pretear, Princess Tutu).

Anyway, there are two trailers for this show (John, I hope I'm allowed to do this; they aren't direct links, they're links to places where you can see them). This (http://www.savtheworld.com/eng/oban.php4) one is from STW's site (click where it says OSR Trailer). It also has a basic description of the plot and its development. Over here (http://tv.disney.go.com/jetix/obanstarracers/abcf/videos/video1/index.html) is Jetix's trailer.

Now, there is a considerable difference between the two. The first one has a whimsical orchestral track playing, whereas the Jetix one is just a generic trailer featuring the typical "booming" narrator voice, along with generic "techno" music.

I'll get straight to the point. This show looks to be an animated series of epic proportions. It is my hope that Jetix (in the U.S.) won't take any unnecessary liberites with this show in order to make it more "American" (since it was developed for int'l audiences as opposed to just Japanese or European or American). It is my hope that the epic production values will be preserved in the U.S. broadcast (incidentally, the show is now airing in French on France 3, which is a French public broadcaster).

I apologize in advance if I've wasted anyone's time. I just wanted everyone to know about this. I would like it though, if any of you would give this show a chance (I know I will). In any event, and for what it's worth, I (at least) can take comfort in the fact that they've allied themselves with Jetix and not 4Kid$.

PS: Just a thought, but after seeing the trailers (should you choose to watch to watch them), I think you should save the "podracer" comparisons (I'm referring to the race vehicles) and view them as original ideas (should you choose to do so :)).

[Soaker87]

If I can get it in an unedited format, I'll probably check it out. I actually rather like kiddy anime. -_-; I'm liking the Canadian/Japanese Spider Riders so far.

[seba_boi]

Yoko Kanno did the OP... It's fun to listen to... :)

[Tama83]

Again however, I hope that it, along with the rest of the show's production values are preserved in the U.S. broadcast (I say U.S. because I don't know what Canada would do) .

[Leader Desslock]

This show looks to be an animated series of epic proportions.
It looks to me like a piece of young-audience eye candy with just enough melodrama thrown in to pass for character development. Still, if it can keep its focus, it could end up succeeding where Last Exile fell flat on its face. It looks cute, and it'll be worth an eventual rental. Thanks for bringing it up; it's the first I've ever heard of it. I have to give it credit for having a nice background score in the trailer.

I think you should save the "podracer" comparisons...and view them as original ideas..
Dude, look at the designs - there's no way to even pretend it's an original idea. There's nothing wrong with them taking the Podracer inspiration from Star Wars; it's not like the "young kid enters adult race" idea started with Anakin Skywalker anyway.

[Meson]

I remember what this series was still called "Molly: Star-Racer". I still have the trailer, in fact.

I liked it back then, and I am still looking forward to this series.

Too bad the Japanese animators aren't skilled enough to keep the full-3D CGI animation of the original concept.

[Tama83]

Okay, the creators name is Savin Yeatman-Eiffel, who also founded the company producing the show. Also, strange, but true: he's the great-great grandson of the original designer of the "Eiffel" Tower, which explains why it's part of the company's logo, (although initially the logo reminded me of "RKO Radio Pictures" :lol: ).

[Danju]

Yoko Kanno did the OP... It's fun to listen to... :)
My interest in this just shot way up.

[John]

John, I hope I'm allowed to do this

Should be fine since links to the new trailers were added to the AnimeNation News Page a little over a month ago.

This doesn't look stunningly original, but it does look cute and fun.

[Tama83]

...if it can keep its focus, it could end up succeeding where Last Exile fell flat on its face.

I don't know about Last Exile (doesn't that one involve flying of any sort?). If anything, it might succeed where IGPX fell flat on it's face...

[Tama83]

Sorry about the double post, but it was the only way I could "bump"* this topic, as well as express something else:

The show premieres this monday night on Toon Disney's "Jetix" block (hope you have digital cable). Now when I say that I hope that the "epic productions values" are preserved, I mean, among other things, the music, which includes both the soundtrack, AND at least the opening theme song. You see, other Jetix shows have had generic instrumental themes, or generic vocal theme songs. This show however, is different. When someone like Yoko Kanno writes a theme song, you can pretty much be sure it will be epic (in the 1 minute or so that you hear it). In the case of this particular show, I think it would be completely inappropriate to replace the OP (at least) and main soundtrack with a generic opening and soundtrack typical of most Jetix shows. As far as I know, there doesn't appear to be any kind of flag waving in terms of production, which means that even though this show is French-Japanese, I think it's meant to appeal to int'l audiences, and for this reason, I hope the show will be at least similar, if not the same as what France is seeing right now.

Then there's the dialogue. Obviously Molly will have an American accent, but I hope that the dialogue in general doesn't sound "too" American. I don't know if this show is a dub of the French version now airing, or if both versions were prepared at the same time, but I hope just the same that the dialogue will evoke that int'l "feel" that the production values suggest.

In all, this show has great potential, and for this reason, I just hope that Jetix (in the U.S.) won't take any unnecessary liberties with the script and music (as I've previously stated).

"Au revoir", until we meet again "mes amis". :)

*It's a term at GameFAQs (if not other sites) that they use when referring to keeping a topic easily accessible (i.e., not having to click through 60-some pages of topics to find it).

[Stelok]

A racing anime? Sounds interesting. The screenshots/pictures on the website look interesting too.

[Tama83]

Okay, it made an early premiere tonight, and while it's okay so far, guess what happened.

The Opening and Ending theme songs--the ones Yoko Kanno composed--were (predictably, as well as pathtically) replaced by a single theme song (repeated in the end credits) created just for the U.S. broadcast. As far as I know, it's called "Never Say Never".

Now, I know what most of you are going to say: that Jetix does this all the time, and I should just either live with it and/or not worry about it, and normally I would just ignore it, however, this show is different; it's not JUST Japanese. The production is French-Japanese, however the show itself is an international show. That is, it was created not just for Japanese, not just for Americans, and not just for Europeons, it was created for international audiences. I was really hoping that it would be the same show all over the world, but nooooooooo, Jetix U.S. just HAD to localize one part of it, even if it IS the theme song.

Honestly, if we as a world, as a people, even, are ever going to get our act together, the flag waving, at least in the field of producing int'l TV, REALLY needs to stop. As I said, normally I would ignore this, but not this time. For this reason, and from this point forward--to use a "football" (the kind with the round black and white ball and goals, played similarly to hockey*) reference--I'm giving this show my own personal "yellow card". In other words, I will be giving this show what they call "zero tolerance". If Jetix U.S. makes even one more screwup, no matter how miniscule, then I'm through with this show, no matter where the story is.

I also know what you're going to say: that I'm exaggerating, and I should just enjoy the show. It's not that simple. This show, a French-Japanese co-production created for int'l viewing, was six years in the making, and finally when it premieres in the United States, we discover that it has a totally different theme song then what we were expecting. We expect Yoko Kanno, but instead we get what is essentially another stereotypical localized theme song that could be heard in other Jetix shows (the only difference is that the show's name is not in the lyrics). There was just no reason for it. Oh, they could claim legal reasons or whatever excuse they want, but one way or the other they should have tried harder. This is one of the "unnecessary changes" that I hoped wouldn't happen.

Now, I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, so I'll just say this: I hope that there aren't any other changes made to the U.S. broadcast.

Alright, I'll stop there. I don't think that the above is a "rant", but hey, interpret this however you want; this is just how I feel about it.

*I don't feel it would be PC at this time to refer to the sport using the word that rhymes with "clocker".

[Tidusauron12]

I don't know about Last Exile (doesn't that one involve flying of any sort?). If anything, it might succeed where IGPX fell flat on it's face...

lol, IGPX is the only show I still watch on TV.

[Tama83]

I don't mean to keep harping on this subject, but I thought I'd share something with with all of you.

Namely this (http://www.obanstarracers.fr/swf/molly.html).

It's the official French website for the show, and if you click on where it says "Vidéos" (I hope I got the accent mark right), you'll find two of them (videos, that is). One says "Générique", while the other says "Bande-annonce". If you click where it says "Générique", you'll see the opening theme song (in French, naturally) that us Americans are NOT getting. Now, I'm actually able to provide a direct link, but since I can't do that here, I have to provide the "front door", if you will.

Anyway, I'd just though I'd share this with "vous le vous" (I probably wrote this wrong -_-; ).

[obanracers]

Just thought you might like to know I've set up a UK fansite at http://www.obanstarracers.co.uk there is a copy of the original opening mp3 up there for download, I've got the american one too, but it's so bad I'm not sure whether to put it up!

Hopefully the UK release in October will have the 'proper' music

[Shanks]

I think that Code Lyoko was also by a french guy, but that is just speculation. I dunno if that is even considered anime or not...

[Tama83]

Yes, Code Lyoko is "by a French guy". In fact it's by two of them, and no it's not anime.

However, that has nothing to do with anything. We need to stay on topic here.

[fanart]

Hi there,

Thought you'd be interrested to know the English version of the official fan site and forum are now on line.
The adress is: www.obanstarracers.com
Direct adress to English forum: www.obanstarracers.com/forum
There are some nice cosplay and fart pics, the original Yoko Kanno opening, info about how the production took off the ground etc...
;)
Fanart

[Tama83]

Thanks for bringing this thread back, fanart.

Now, I can tell everyone that Jetix U.S. has recently restored the original Yoko Kanno ED, and with Japanese lyrics no less (I'm not kidding, I saw it myself). Unfortunately, they're still playing the "Never Say Never" OP.

Also, some more info on this show's development:

The creator, Savin Yeatman-Eiffel, was determined to stay true to his vision of the project, and so (according to Wiki) he refused to accept financing from a company who would have made him grant them more creative control then him (for this reason, we should thank Tezuka that he didn't deal with 4Kids...), although Jetix U.S. still changed the OP. He even directed the French voices himself and supervised the English version (who's voices were directed by Michael Donovan). Now, how's that for "hands-on"? Also, Sav! The World Productions is an "indie" company that he started in his one-bedroom apratment, and I gotta tell ya, this show definitely has the quality that one might find in an indie movie (in my opinion). In total, this show took nine years to make; the concept was created in 1997, and production began in 2000.

One more thing, you read that right. Jetix (in the U.S.) in all coming episodes, and rebroadcasts of past episodes is now playing the ED that Kanno composed, and yes, the lyrics ARE in Japanese (which, needless to say is a first for Jetix...at least in the U.S.). However, I'm not going to "let my guard down" just yet...

I really think some of you should give this show a chance (at least for now). Really, it's that good.