Original subtitles

— It was the beginning of a legend —

Japan's first grand tourer.

A six-cylinder DOHC engine.

An X-shaped backbone chassis.

Four ring disc brakes.

It has an elegant and balanced look with its long nose and short-deck engine block.

It has a max power output of 150 PS and a top speed of 220 kph.

It was developed to be a world-class, top-level sports car.

As a result of the efforts and training of many engineers,

its name became known the world over.

A legendary supercar that is still talked about to this day: the Toyota 2000GT.

Well?

He's mad at me. The owner's totally mad at me!

Weren't you listening?!

Wh-Wh-Where's the owner?

What's got you so scared?

I was called here because I totaled the car, right?

M-Maybe I'm gonna get fired right here and now!

He wouldn't have invited you to come all the way here just to fire you.

Huh?

You're doing some new training.

Training? Oh, thank goodness.

Oh, then maybe I didn't have to do that...

Do what?

Are you all right, Rin?

We heard our cohort's getting fired.

I don't think it's wise to fire her at this time.

H-Hey, uh, about that...

We're here now Rin-chan, so don't you worry!

This again?

Must you always bring someone with you?

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.

Are you open?

Back Alley Monja

Monkichi

Oh, my. Welcome.

Your Driving

Well?

It's so tiny and cute!

Cute?

It's still a car, so the fundamentals are the same. However, this 2000GT...

It was the beginning of a legend.

It was Japan's first grand tourer.

Wow.

Sh-She must really like this stuff.

A six-cylinder DOHC engine.

Yay!

It looks kinda cramped in there. Is this car for racing in?

It's a general-use vehicle.

Speaking of which, this type appears in games a lot. They're super expensive.

Expensive?

The 2000GT. Price. Market price.

What are you doing?

So, anyway, there's no point in hiding it anymore.

We'll let Rin use it for her training.

How come?

Why?

What do you mean, "Why?"

It's for your new car!

A new car?

A new car on such short notice...

And getting her to drive a car like this just for training...

Are you guys super rich?!

Not at all.

We're just scraping by.

No way!

It's true.

This little thing is something the owner borrowed.

Thank you for your cooperation.

You'll need this to win, correct?

Yes, sir. But also because it makes a great sound.

It's just old.

Are you sure about this? Isn't it something you treasure?

As an asset, yes.

So what will you do with it?

Well, the first to notice was ami.

Hm, ami?

Yes. The next to spot it was Acting Director Kagura.

There's something of note in Rin Rindo's driving data.

And that is?

Well, it's her left leg.

Her left leg?

Could it be that she...

Whoa, it's spewing out a lot from the exhaust.

What a unique smell.

Will this be okay? It's not gonna explode, right?

"Used by famous British spies. Fires small missiles and creates smoke screens."

Missiles?!

That only happens in the movies. You're getting all crossed up.

Ha, crossed up! Like getting it all crossed up while racing?

Okay, that's enough now.

All right, Rin. Take it for a spin.

Oh, but, um...

What's wrong? You can drive a manual, right?

Well, you see, I'm just kind of lacking in confidence.

I don't want to break it.

Maybe someone could demo it first?

In other words, you're scared.

I apologize. You're absolutely correct.

Rock, paper...

Scissors!

Oh, darn.

So I'm first.

I wanted the first go in that realtor on wheels.

I'm a little relieved.

Demo it for us!

U-Uh, right!

This here is your new body.

This is my...

This is displeasing.

But if you soften up the front and introduce oversteer,

the rear tires will slide around like you're on ice.

It is not enough.

The rear end does not matter, so please adjust the front end to give more grip.

You've got to be kidding. No human will handle it if we go that far.

The longstanding theory is to have slight understeer that the driver compensates for.

Besides, that's what our li'l lady wants, too.

Theories do not work with Rin. She lacks both brains and experience.

You can be quite harsh, can't you?

Besides, if you go over by that much, the burden on the tires and engine will be huge.

I will handle that part.

Also, the yaw damping on the tailslide is too strong so I can't put the power down.

Seriously? We can't guarantee her safety if we go further than this. I won't allow it.

Even now, your brakes are durable and your idling speed is high.

You're all set to go like spit, brake hard, roar past other cars,

and bang out lap after lap, matching the li'l lady's style.

Incorrect.

Huh?

So far, I have been wide out of every corner.

As I am now, I am lacking as Rin's car.

What have you observed about Rin's driving?

What?

If you are claiming that this is the most you can do,

I regret to inform you that I must ask you to cut short your career.

I will start it all again from scratch.

Interesting.

So in other words, you're saying I don't know the li'l lady's true driving style?

I am glad you understand.

I will be making corrections. Do you have your notes ready?

You betcha.

Huh? Is this wood? Real wood?

How lovely!

Where's the missile switch?

Next to the speedometer.

This isn't a movie.

Asakawa-san, the clutch is the third pedal in, on the left.

The clutch?

The clutch pedal is used whenever the driver decides they want to change gear.

In other words, it's a manual transmission.

Cars today rarely have them.

Since computers and the evolution of AI surpassed human decision-making,

it's no longer needed.

Why are we driving a manual?

You'll find out when you try it.

So, uh... First, I put it into a low gear.

Then slowly bring up the clutch.

What the heck? That was weird.

Jeez, what were you doing?

You don't get it.

Honestly. This is so easy. You just depress the clutch like so...

Slowly, slowly. You have to be extra gentle with these things.

You seem to be enjoying this, Chitose-san.

The moment you've all been waiting for.

Back Alley Monja

Monkichi

Thanks for the meal.

Thank you.

With older cars,

there are seven tedious rituals involved just to get it running.

You have to be very careful.

If you slip up even a little, you'll regret it.

You can't rush it on your own.

You're not the only one that wants to drive.

So be patient. The car will tell you when it's time to go.

Now.

All right!

I put it in the wrong gear.

How's it feel now that I've cranked in the max oversteer possible with today's engines?

If we go any further, you'll be a drift car.

A drift car would be good.

Please make the whole package a little faster and take out a small amount of wing.

That'll make you damn uncomfortable. Will the li'l lady have the strength?

Rin will be fine. I guarantee it.

All right. Let's take it to the extreme for a bit.

This is the peakiest setup possible with this machine right now.

I'll play around with the limits for toe and camber.

Don't complain to me if you can't drive straight.

Show some support with that.

Easy for you to say. You're the one making me do the opposite of what's standard.

I have high expectations.

This setup can show us how far we can push Rin and this car's potential.

Okay. Run a check now.

Beginning test data. Loading simulator. Checking... Checking... Clear.

Cornering G exceeds default value. Danger. Danger. Test canceled.

Well?

G-forces during deceleration and cornering exceed expected safety values.

Don't underestimate humans.

Even that li'l Lorenzo can handle this.

Lorenzo? The King?

Data updated. Reconfirming Rin's G-resistance test.

Checking test results with safety suit equipped.

Interesting. Rin's G limit is unexpectedly high.

In that case, let's move the brake bias a little closer to the front wheels.

You're finally catching on.

Well, I'd personally adjust the bias to 80:20.

Simulating.

The G influence is within the permissible range.

No, the effects on the body can be mitigated, depending on the support.

In that case, let's try a ratio of 90:10.

Now you're getting it.

I'm all pumped up!

To provide the best car for Rin...

She's somehow finally able to drive it.

It's baby steps, though.

I-I messed up the gears again.

So the next car will be a manual?

We're in front of her rivals, you know.

I-I'm so sorry.

Never mind. None of them can drive it anyway.

Is Rin going to be okay?

What do you all think?

Okay! Maybe this time!

Making gear changes whenever you feel like must be fun.

Hooray!

The feeling of control would be amazing!

But I don't think it's necessary for modern racing.

The information processing speed of our AIs is much faster than we can manage.

It's able to determine the optimal time to shift and it does it all for us.

We can focus on driving while our AIs do that for us.

Yup.

Yeah. Driving a manual is all in the past.

So then why?

This is looking good! It's kinda fun, like a video game!

Ah, I did it again. But I can't let my guard down. Right, ami-chan?

Oh, that's right. I'm on my own today.

All right. This is as far as I'll go.

Thank you for your work.

You, too.

The results are good, regardless of the process.

Yeah, it's a great build.

I cannot wait a second longer for Rin to drive this.

You can even say stuff like that?

Of course. We have to prove our calculations are correct.

Rin will be unstoppable if she is fully able to control this car.

I simply want to prove this.

What is that expression that has been on your face since earlier?

Oh, uh, nothing. Okay, let's make those final adjustments.

We'll start with fitting the li'l lady's running monitor.

Rin...

Just a little more!

Huh? She's getting faster.

Hey, isn't that a little too fast?

That car's not for racing.

There are no AI safety settings, right?

Rin-chan!

This isn't safe. I'm going to stop her.

Hold it!

Let her continue for a bit longer.

This antique that runs on fossil fuels could be in a museum.

It has no AI and runs only on heat, vibrations, and the wind.

Looking at it now, it's totally unreasonable.

But...

That's what makes it fun.

Your driving style is outdated.

However...

Countdown. Three.

You change gears so quickly, a hydraulic clutch cannot keep up.

Two.

You pump the gas pedal six times a second,

a delicate engine rotation adjustment that even an AI cannot do.

One.

At top speed, you brake so hard, the force threatens to do damage to your head,

and you drive with the throttle wide open.

Revol Burst!

It is simply old school.

It has no shred of rationality to it.

But the era renowned for humans setting their hearts ablaze with their driving...

That is your driving style.

Wow!

Awesome!

That is Rin Rindo's driving style.

She's having fun and not even paying attention to us.

But...

She's able to dance again.

Manual cars, huh? Well, it will bring attention, but that's all.

True as that may be, it seems to suit her.

I'm not looking for some decorative idol.

I'm looking for a hero who can make our tech known worldwide.

The conditions are the same.

We must beat the King in the remaining races and stand on the podium.

If that doesn't happen, we'll find a different human.

I've said this before,

but my team is competing with the intention of winning every race.

You're all talk.

Talk is cheap.

Very well.

Her movements are stiff.

You don't need to wrestle with the gears.

Think of the arm and leg movements as one.

As a former prima, she should be able to do it.

I'll pass that on.

Such sloppy driving.

Back Alley Monja

Monkichi

Hello.

Welcome.

If I had only caught up to Rin then...

May I ask a question?

What is it?

What do you say when you lose due to your own lack of strength?

Huh?

What do humans say when they simulate a situation

that could have let them win, yet they do not get a do-over?

Oh, so that's what you meant.

Here's what we say: "Damn it all."

Damn it all?

Damn it all.

Damn it all.

Damn it all.

I've powered up with a new car!

Having fun?

Yeah! I feel like I can do anything right now!

You're so young. I was like you when I was your age.

How old are you again, Youran?

Next time on HIGHSPEED Étoile: Shanghai Night Race!

Shanghai Night Race

I'm gonna do something amazing.

Name: Toyota 2000GT Affiliation: Toyota Motor Corporation

Illustration: Takuya Fujima

Always ensure driver and passengers wear helmets, safety gear, and safety clothing when riding motorized vehicles