IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix

- Season 1

(2005)

By 2048, motor racing has evolved into a popular fighting race called IGPX, a competition of humanoid high-speed mechs running at 600 km/h. As the winner of the IG-2, Team Satomi is now joining the top league, the IG-1. But on the other side of the shining glory, the young team suffers for a total lack of teamwork. To begin with, defense pilot Liz does not get along with Takeshi, the forward; they always get into fights. And when Takeshi meets with Yamma, from the next opponent, Team Sledgemama, he gets a harsh greeting. Will Team Satomi make it in the IG-1?

The new IG-1 season opens. The first opponent for the rookies of Team Satomi is Team Sledgemama, known for its rough play. While Sledgemama's leader Yamma relentlessly aims at Takeshi, Liz and Amy desperately fight back, but the battle in the IG-1 is tougher than anybody in Team Satomi had imagined. Takeshi looses confidence and the team spirit slumps for the worst. Then a depressed Takeshi meets "Princess" Fantine from Team Skylark, the idol of the IG-1.

"Withdrawal from the IGPX" was the decision of company headquarters. Team manager Satomi Satomi is astounded. The board of directors only gave the team one day. The race has already started, so Satomi leaves for the racetrack, but she can't keep calm inside. Now at the race, the opponent Team Black Egg takes an aggressive defense-only strategy. Takeshi and his teammates encounter difficulty shaking off the tough defense. Can Team Satomi "crack the egg"?

The brain of Team Satomi is Amy. She has been called a genius since she was little, but she has a problem she would never tell anyone. Meanwhile, Takeshi is walking along the racetrack and meets Team Satomi's next opponent, the champion team Velshtein's Cunningham, who graciously tells Takeshi, "there's a whole world of difference between our abilities." Takeshi is baffled. How is Team Satomi going to challenge the dominating team Velshtein?

The second pilot River is restless thinking about Team Satomi's match with the champions of Velshtein and his present position in the team. "I will drive the forward machine. Nothing will stop me!" Meantime, Satomi has gone to see someone for some crucial parts for her mechs. But this turns to be a stubborn old man and gives Satomi a hard time. Late at night in the mechanic room, River climbs on the forward machine... What are his intentions? Could Team Satomi get new machine parts on time?

The next opponent, Team Edgeraid, is skilled at making strange and acrobatic moves. But there is more. As Amy enhances her abilities by riding an IG machine with Luca, Edgeraid's forward and team leader Bjorn pilots his machine supported by his dog Sola by his side. This next race is going to be a unprecedented competition between a dog and a cat! How is Team Satomi going to fight back the invisible attacks of Team Edgeraid? Meanwhile, Satomi receives a visitor in her office...

Masa, the chief mechanic with Team Satomi, is being paid an unexpected visit by his father, who is bringing sad news: "Your mother has taken ill." Masa is shocked, but something is refraining him from rushing home. Meanwhile, the annual IGPX Festival is being celebrated the race track. But when Takeshi is about to start a test run to set the machine, the mech gets into trouble! Could Takeshi finish the course? What is Masa's secret? And why is Fantine suddenly approaching Takeshi?

Team Satomi's next opponent is Team Skylark, but at the time, the paparazzi have already scooped that Takeshi is dating Fantine, Skylark's charming forward pilot. The world's attention is now concentrating on the two young pilots even before the race starts, but this situation is apparently disturbing Liz, who gives a complicated gaze towards Takeshi. What will Liz do during the race? What will happen to Takeshi's relationship with Fantine? Meanwhile Satomi, who became suspicious about the new sponsor, finds a shocking truth...

During a brief holiday, Takeshi and Fantine decide to go out on a date. Takeshi appears nervous while getting ready and Liz is somehow feeling upset with that. Since Takeshi is not realizing that now he's become a celebrity, he does not put on a disguise, and it is immediately spotted by fans causing a big fuss. As the two run away, Johnny, who is a big fan of Takeshi's, pops up in front of them. But there are also suspicious figures behind the young couple. What are they after?

It was decided Team Satomi would hold a rematch against Team Sledgemama. The night before the match, a dark shadow sneaks into Team Satomi's mechanic room where the machines were undergoing final adjustment. The next day, as the race starts, Takeshi's machine's right leg makes an odd noise. Masa and Andrei desperately check the machine, while the noise moves around Takeshi's machine. What could be the problem? Can Takeshi continue the race? Can Team Satomi defeat Team Sledgemama?

Takeshi was thoroughly scrutinized by Team Sledgemama. All his attempts to find a way to fight back is futile. Andrei gives a piece of advice to a distressed Takeshi. After the Team Satomi's three pilots are surrounded by unexpected adversaries. What are they after? Can Team Satomi advance to win the league?

Team Velshtein uses the technique called Indraga Mano. Team Satomi had already faced it in the previous race, and this time they want to be equipped with a new weapon to counter the attack. "There is a precursor to any movement. If you sharpen your mind, you will know it before your opponent makes a move," explains Andrei. Takeshi and Liz are familiar with martial arts and they train Amy to catch this specific timing. But without any experience, Amy seems unable to get it and falls into deep frustration. Can Team Satomi evade Team Velshtein's Indraga Mano?

The final match against Team Velshtein has begun! The duel between Takeshi and Cunningham escalates as they advance to a level that no one had ever attained in the history of IGPX! In the meantime, Liz and Amy develop their skills in the battle. In the midst of the fierce fights, Andrei suddenly calls on Takeshi, who is having a difficulty. "If you defeat Velshtein, I will introduce you to Rocket George." Will Takeshi able to meet his pilot idol Rocket George? Can Team Satomi defeat Team Velshtein?