Mad Cave Acquires SPEED RACER Rights

Mad Cave Studios Rides Again With Speed Racer Revival

Mad Cave Studios is revving its engines once more. They just grabbed the rights to Speed Racer, the iconic 1967 anime classic from Tatsunoko Production. This marks Mad Cave’s second venture with Tatsunoko’s creations. Previously, they captured the imaginations of fans with Gatchaman, also known as Battle of the Planets.

A Historic Partnership in the Making

The collaboration has fans buzzing. Mari Yamauchi, the Director of International Business at Tatsunoko Productions, expressed her enthusiasm: "Speed Racer is one of Tatsunoko’s most beloved properties. We’re excited to partner with Mad Cave Studios to bring fresh, original stories to all generations." This stems from Tatsunoko’s satisfaction with Mad Cave’s work on Gatchaman, paving the way for continued collaboration with Speed Racer.

Meanwhile, Mark Irwin, president of Mad Cave, shared his excitement: "We’re honored to work with Tatsunoko Production on Speed Racer. This project is a dream come true. We’re eager to dive into the rich history and timeless appeal of Speed Racer."

Speed Racer’s Enduring Legacy

Speed Racer started in 1966, originally known in Japan as Mach GoGoGo. It chronicles the adventures of Go Mifune, a young racer with dreams as fast as his Mach 5 car. The vehicle, crafted by his father, is central to the narrative. Joining him are his girlfriend Trixie and the mysterious Racer X, his frenemy. This anime was among the first to charm U.S. audiences, running in syndication concurrently with its Japanese premiere.

Over the years, Speed Racer evolved into various comic adaptations. NOW Comics first tackled it in the late ’80s and early ’90s. WildStorm Productions followed in 1999. By 2000, Mort Todd brought it to the New York Post’s daily strip. Seven Seas and IDW Publishing continued the legacy in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

New Horizons for Speed Racer

Mad Cave’s plans for Speed Racer remain under wraps for now. Many anticipate they hold rights to reprint previous Speed Racer comics, spanning Japanese and American versions. New titles are also likely. For now, fans can look forward to Gatchaman’s fifth issue, set to launch on November 27, alongside the final issue of its Galactor spin-off.

This news fuels both nostalgia and excitement. Fans eagerly await what Mad Cave Studios will bring to the Speed Racer legacy. Buckle up, as this iconic racer is about to take us on another thrilling ride.