Future GPX Cyber Formula

Future GPX Cyber Formula
Company type	Anime franchise
Industry	Entertainment, Animation
Founded	March 15, 1991; 35 years ago
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Anime television series, OVAs, video games, novels, toys, audio dramas, art books
Owner	Sunrise, VAP, Asatsu-DK

Future GPX Cyber Formula is a Japanese anime series set in a futuristic motorsports world, produced through a collaboration between the advertising firm Asatsu-DK, entertainment producer VAP, and animation studio Sunrise. The original broadcast ran on Nippon TV from March 15 to December 20, 1991. This was succeeded by four original video animation (OVA) installments titled Double One, Zero, Saga, and Sin, which together form the complete Cyber Formula saga. The franchise further broadened its reach with adaptations including video games, art books, collectible toys, audio dramas, and novels.

On the international stage, the series was shown in the Philippines via ABS-CBN's Hero TV and in Italy on Italia 1. Bandai issued an English-subtitled DVD box set in 2003. In 2021, Medialink secured licensing rights for distribution throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Since 2022, an Albanian-dubbed version has been broadcast on Albania’s Çufo TV.

Summary

Set apart from traditional Formula One racing, Cyber Formula depicts a futuristic racing competition where vehicles utilize eco-friendly power sources such as hydrogen fuel cells and room-temperature superconducting motors. These cars are equipped with artificial intelligence systems that assist with navigation. The storyline follows Hayato Kazami, a youthful racer unexpectedly enlisted to drive Asurada, a Cyber Formula vehicle engineered by his father. Throughout the initial two seasons, Hayato confronts various obstacles as he competes in the Cyber Formula Grand Prix.

The 1991 television series takes place in the year 2015. Subsequent OVAs—spanning from 11 (Double One) through SAGA—chronicle events between 2016 and 2020 from the viewpoint of the Sugo racing team participating in the 10th through 15th Cyber Formula World Grand Prix tournaments. The final OVA, SIN, covers the 16th and 17th Grand Prix seasons (2021–2022), centering on Bleed Kaga’s fierce rivalry with Hayato, who has ascended to become the young monarch of the racing circuit.

Additionally, non-canonical competitions set in 2023 and 2024 appear within the video games Future GPX Cyber Formula: Road to the Infinity 2 and 3. These titles were developed with input from original anime staff but are officially regarded by publisher Sunrise Interactive as "non-canon sequels."

Production

The animation of Future GPX Cyber Formula was handled by Sunrise, with production led by VAP and advertising agency Asatsu-DK. It aired on Nippon TV between March and December 1991. Mitsuo Fukuda directed the series as his debut project; initially designed as a children’s show featuring obstacle races with AI-controlled cars, it drew inspiration from Speed Racer. The races combined various terrains including circuits, urban streets, gravel paths, and icy surfaces. However, amid a surge in interest in Formula One racing at the time, the project evolved into a more serious portrayal of motorsport competition. The futuristic vehicle designs were crafted by Shōji Kawamori, famed for his work on Macross.

Production support came from Red Company, with Chōji Yoshikawa overseeing series structure under Hiroyuki Hoshiyama’s guidance. Sponsor Takara planned to schedule race broadcasts on Fridays and release corresponding toy models of winning cars on Saturdays. Yoshikawa limited annual races to ten to maintain a balance between narrative depth and artistic quality; winners and final rankings were predetermined to streamline storytelling.

Jun'ichi Kanemaru was cast in his first lead role as Hayato Kazami. Contrary to common practice where young male characters are voiced by female actors, Sunrise selected Kanemaru following an internal recommendation and audition process—marking a distinct casting choice for the protagonist aged fourteen.

OVA

Following the television series, four sequel OVAs were produced. The initial one, Future GPX Cyber Formula 11 (Double One), consisted of six episodes released from November 1992 through June 1993. Next came Future GPX Cyber Formula ZERO, which was distributed across eight volumes between April 1994 and February 1995. The third installment, Future GPX Cyber Formula SAGA, also contained eight volumes and was issued from August 1996 to July 1997. The concluding OVA, Future GPX Cyber Formula SIN, was made available in five volumes spanning December 1998 to March 2000.

There was also a two-episode OVA titled Future GPX Cyber Formula EARLYDAYS RENEWAL, launched between April and June 1996, serving as a recap of the TV series with updated scenes, voice performances, and narrative modifications.

Novels

A spin-off novel named Future GPX Cyber Formula 1: Black Asurada appeared on July 1, 1992, published by Tairiku Shobo. It was authored by Toshirō Ōyama, the TV series' scriptwriter, with illustrations by character designer Takahiro Yoshimatsu. This novel delves into Smith’s scheme against Asurada during the early episodes of the TV show. Another novel titled Future GPX Cyber Formula: Jaguar's Emblem, which focused on Bleed Kaga’s background, was scheduled for release in November 1992 but was ultimately cancelled following the publisher's insolvency.

A novel adaptation of the Saga OVA arc, penned by series director Mitsuo Fukuda and illustrated by original character designer Mutsumi Inomata, was published by Shogakukan on April 1, 1998. It covers roughly the first half of the storyline up to episode four with some variations in detail. A continuation covering the latter portion was planned but never finalized.

Video games

The franchise extended into multiple video game formats, including a sugoroku-style game for Game Boy released by Barrier in February 1992; a top-down racing title for Super Famicom developed by Takara in March 1992 and localized in North America as Cyber Spin; and a choice-driven adventure game for PlayStation called Future GPX Cyber Formula: New Challenger (VAP, March 1999). In this PlayStation game, players take on the role of rookie driver Seiichirō Shiba competing in the "Extreme Speed" race held throughout America.

Moreover, the Road to the Infinity series of real-time racing games was published by Sunrise Interactive for PlayStation 2, GameCube, and PlayStation Portable platforms between 2003 and 2008. From 2003 to 2018, PROJECT YNP released the Sin Cyber Grand Prix series—Sunrise-approved doujin PC games based on the franchise.

Reception

The television series earned the prestigious Animage Anime Grand Prix award in 1991.

External links