Original subtitles

Osaka Expo.

The place where many dreams start out.

The Hybrid Performance Exceed Reactor.

Also known as HyPER.

A new form of energy distilled from fossil fuels.

These cars were given new lives because of HyPER.

Thus began a race series to determine the fastest.

And that racing series was NEX Race.

It's so cold.

The snow has sure piled up.

Temp

Track Temp

Wind Direction: Northwest

Wind Speed

Please move away from the track

Snow removal is about to begin

Geothermal heat from Mt. Fuji

is utilized for \hthis process

Track Temp

It's been five years since NEX Race came into being.

It has spawned an undisputed champion for the racers to compete against.

Splendid. Truly splendid.

Anonymous drivers from new, unknown teams

come to take down this undisputed champion.

It's the perfect stage to demonstrate our technical capabilities.

Yecch.

Takasegawa-kun, I've assembled everything you wanted.

The people, the place, the machinery, the cars, and even the AI.

You understand, right?

You can leave it to us, Mr. Kuzuryu.

This season's NEX Race finale takes place on hallowed ground at Neo Fuji Speedway.

We will now go over the circuit info.

Take it away, Primastellas!

Temp: - 3°C Wind: Northwest 2 m/s

Leave it to us!

The temperature today is minus three,

with two meter-per-second northwesterly winds.

The track temp is a toasty 35 degrees.

The track is 6,540 meters in length and the race will consist of 50 laps.

A key feature of the track is this straight, which is one of the longest in the world.

When lapping the track, all top-class races reach their top speeds in this stretch.

The key here is to navigate the next turns successfully after reaching such high speeds.

And now we come to another potential action spot: the four continuous corners!

The track climbs before the next sequence, so acceleration limits are crucial.

Then, once the racers have completed a full loop...

...they reach the ultimate battlefield: the long home straight!

There's only one line through the corner just before it.

Yup! This track's climax depends on the racer's position and how they push to get to the front!

And that is what makes Neo Fuji Speedway.

The recommended dish here is Mt. Fuji Curry.

Specialty

Neo Mt. Fuji Curry

This vivid blue dish is extremely popular. We hope you all get to try it!

And now, back to you!

Sumire-chan! Chris-san!

Thank you for that, Primas.

So, Chris-san, according to this course record...

Yup, that's him.

Lorenzo M. Salvatore in the Adriano Formula car.

Our "King."

The King has already won eight races this season, making him the overall champ.

He's an unstoppable force.

He's won every title since the inaugural NEX Race season, five years ago.

He really is the undisputed champion.

However...

Her appearance has changed the competition.

Alice Summerwood from Arianrhod Grand Prix.

Also known as the Queen.

A constant challenger since her debut two years ago,

she has successfully taken two wins off the King.

As the only driver who can compete with the King, she truly is the Queen.

These two will surely be the stars of today's race.

It's sure gotten flashier.

Every time I hear this, it makes me want to race. Don't you think?

It won't stay on for long.

That's future me's problem.

Sophia!

What's my fortune?

Don't hesitate! Move forward!

It says, "Don't hesitate! Move forward!"

Okay.

It's time.

Yeah.

Although we call this a new racing series that utilizes HyPER,

in reality, it's a place to compete against technology.

Half the field are AI drivers, after all.

You'll just have to accept AI, HyPER, and the rest.

I would rather not have known about that side of things.

The adults must be responsible in order for the children to play.

Yup, this is a great spectacle.

Do you like idols?

Yeah.

So? What do you think?

According to the owner, we need to be showing results soon.

If we could have three years...

Try one year.

A-Are you serious?

That was my reaction, too, but it makes sense for NEX Race.

Let's watch and discuss.

The King is in pole position, while the Queen lines up in second.

Those two own those grid slots.

Up next is Richard Parker, the Queen's teammate,

then it's Falk Ogura from Izanami Racing heading the other veterans on the grid.

The King and the Queen both get away safely.

Richard is right behind the Queen, acting as her rear gunner.

Falk is weaving around, looking inside and outside,

but newcomer Liu Youran of Baihu Racing is right on his tail.

These three have really bunched up.

This must have been Richard's plan.

That's the Queen's Shield for you.

Bouncing back from a bad start,

Polaire Racing's Sophia is now right behind Youran and running high in the points.

With their way ahead blocked, four cars are sitting in a traffic jam.

It's frightening how close they are!

Keep in mind that NEX Race has an in-built safety system.

The equipped AI will instantly judge and maintain a safe distance.

And in turn, the driver can be even quicker on the throttle pedal.

Precisely.

The King is the first to make it to the first corner.

The King is in complete control. It'll be hard to pass him.

It looks like it's the usual one-two up front.

In third place, it's Richard.

Everything to this point is as expected.

Falk the veteran and Youran are now rounding the first corner.

It looks a bit tight for three cars.

Youran takes the lead of the train.

With that tenacity, it's hard to believe she's a rookie.

The others are approaching the corner.

Sophia slips past around the outside.

She's a great driver, but she takes risks.

The King has already pulled ahead more than a second over the Queen.

That's the undisputed champion for you.

Oh, look! A mistake by Youran!

Falk seizes the opportunity and overtakes.

I hope that slip-up doesn't drop her down through the field.

Youran loses another place.

Chris-san, you put the commentator's curse on her.

My bad.

The King has completed the lap.

After just one lap, he has a lead of more than a second.

The pressure of this being the final race isn't getting to him. He's driving perfectly.

This is the King's strength:

turning his ideal lines into reality and securing his place at the top.

By comparison, the Queen is on the wilder side,

and she's using her instinct and intuition to stay right on King's tail.

So it's the King and the Queen leading, and behind them is this guy: Richard Parker.

No one can get close to the Queen with a spirit like hers.

The other racers are now completing the lap.

This race has only just begun.

Youran gets overtaken again.

Is her mishap earlier still weighing on her mind?

Her driving's still a bit stiff. It'll probably take a while for her to loosen up.

And now, the leaders are back.

This is their third lap.

This is where it truly begins.

Right. From the third lap on, they're allowed to use their Revol Burst.

The most important thing in a NEX Race

is probably knowing exactly when to use the Revol Burst.

There are only two ways to win: being up front or coming from behind.

Which did you prefer?

Probably being up front.

But the Revol Burst has sort of ruined all that.

This is the era of coming from behind.

Youran's starting to close in.

Looks like she's done warming up. Now we'll see what she's really made of.

She's right on Sophia's tail, but Sophia's not letting her through.

She's great at this.

The rear of the field is in a train.

Youran's getting even closer.

She tries to find a way past.

Ah, it's no good.

We're just getting started.

Ah! Yayoi has crashed in the final corner!

Looks like the King and the Queen have chosen now to pit.

Well, the temperature's low today and their tires have held on well.

They both started on the mediums, so this is the best time to change them.

Looks like Sophia's carrying on past. So that's a change to the order.

She'll last a little longer on hers.

But when the temperature's so low, the hard tires find it tough.

They'll likely switch to the mediums, or in some cases, the softs.

I see.

And there's the restart.

This is where the Queen's Shield comes in.

He's definitely locked onto Sophia in the lead.

And they both make it past Sophia.

They call him the Shield, but he's great at being aggressive, too.

Yayoi's crash has thrown the race into chaos.

But first place keeps switching hands at a fast pace.

That's the second crash of the day!

It's getting rough out there.

Looks like Sophia's choosing now to pit.

The King and the Queen are also pitting.

We have 14 laps left.

Looks like they're getting ready for the second half.

And Falk's also pitting.

Looks like it was a team decision.

I see you're on fire as usual.

Flattery won't get you anywhere.

Do we have time after this?

You want to go to the toy shop?

I need to get my son a Christmas present. You'll come with me, won't you?

Yeah, yeah. How's the Queen doing?

Very good. I'm sure she'll be right alongside me in about two years.

Don't sound so happy about that.

It's thanks to her that I don't get bored.

For now, at least.

Her Majesty is calling.

I'm off.

I know I don't need to say it, but I will anyway.

Be careful out there, Lorenzo.

I know.

This race has only just begun.

Richard stayed out and is hanging on to first place.

Looks like Youran also stayed out.

I guess Falk-san's retiring after this.

I heard.

He says he has no choice 'cause he hasn't won a single race...

But that's not it, is it?

It must be frustrating.

And the race resumes.

That's good defending by Richard.

He's not letting any of the other cars past.

Here they come.

They made it through!

The King and the Queen are on top again and we're back to how the race started.

I'm sure Richard wanted to at least hold up the King,

but I guess that wasn't going to happen.

Falk overtakes to take fourth.

That's some nice driving. This might be his best showing yet.

To no one's surprise, the final battle of this series will probably end

with either the King or the Queen winning.

No, it's not over yet.

Huh?

Falk? Where'd he come from?

He's been following the King's lead this whole race.

The use of the gas pedal, the brake pedal, when to pit, when to use Revol Burst...

The King's timing has been perfect and he's been copying it all.

And it's all been for this moment!

Not bad.

Well done. But...

Only for catching up.

Rounding the final corner, the King and the Queen are back.

All that's left is the final straight.

And to no one's surprise, we have our winner.

The victor is the King! Lorenzo M. Salvatore!

The King finishes the season with nine wins.

A true titan.

This also means the King takes overall victory for the year!

Championship Standings

Dang it! I was so close!

He's too fast.

I can't catch him.

Well, what can you do?

We're dealing with the King and the Queen, after all.

The reason we have a one-year limit is because of him.

You mean the King?

Yes.

The mega-talented driver born in the NEX Race series.

Fast, precise, and pinpoint accurate.

He truly is the undisputed champion.

You can count how many races he's lost on one hand.

Those who race with the King admire him in their first year,

then fall into despair in their second.

Because they absolutely can't get first place.

Many drivers have left this series.

And you think it'll be the same for her?

Maybe not.

Maybe she'll end up like her.

The Queen. Alice Summerwood.

I'm a fan of hers.

I never thought of you as a fanboy.

Well, I definitely am one.

If you give up on getting first place, you are no longer a racing driver.

The time limit doesn't change.

They have one year to show results.

That's why I called you and ami here.

All right.

Falk-san.

Great job out there.

Raise your hands, you two.

My race ends here. I'm leaving the rest to you.

Yes, sir.

NEX Race: Round 1 Qualifying Day 1

The new racers participating this year are already putting in amazing times.

We have Kanata Asakawa and Towa Komachi from Izanami Racing.

Ooh.

Rin!

Ah, yes, ma'am!

It's finally time. Are you nervous?

I'm fine.

The driver's heart rate is rising.

Don't worry. That's perfectly natural.

Here.

Thanks, Hikari.

Just take it easy out there. Everyone's gonna be faster than you anyway.

You know, when you're being that honest...

We're challengers.

We have nothing to lose. Give it all you've got.

Right.

All green.

Ready when you are.

Trembling is a form of rhythmic motion.

The cause is mental tension.

Yeah, I know.

Because this is so scary... Even fun things...

Let's go, ami-chan.

OK.

Team Busen's qualifying runs are about to begin.

Their driver is Rin Rindo.

Since you're going to be a racing driver, let me tell you one good thing about it.

Having no one in front of you is one of the best feelings in the world.

I think I can get used...

to this view!

Underneath Fuji's Sky

NEX Race: a new world of race cars built with next-gen power.

The girl dances on a stage that exceeds 500 kph.

Her goal: to become the étoile of the circuit.

It's finally my turn! I'm gonna run rings around Fuji!

Rin, the next track isn't Fuji.

Huh? Wait, Hikari. Where is it, then?

Somewhere hot.

Ah, I see. Somewhere hot.

Next time on HIGH SPEED Étoile: "Debut!"

Debut!

Am I really gonna be able to debut, though?

Name: Falk Ogura Team: Izanami Racing (IZR)

Illustration: Takuya Fujima