Best Cars And Racing Anime, Ranked

Vroom! It’s hard to deny the thrill of putting the pedal to the metal and reaching break-neck speeds. Since not everyone can afford souped-up vehicles or wants to risk severe accidents, some people try to live out their dreams vicariously by watching racing anime​​​​​.

All things considered, there aren’t all that many car anime out there, and most of the ones that do exist are quite old. The pickings might be slim, but there are still a few great movies and shows out there to check out.

Updated October 8, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The Fall 2024 has one racing anime that should keep fans of the genre entertained, as long as they enjoyed its first season.

Does Fall 2024 Have Any Racing Anime?

Fall 2024 has just started airing, and the lineup is shaping up to be among the year’s best. In terms of sequels, Re:ZERO, Blue Lock, Bleach, Arifureta, DanMachi, Seirei Gensouki, Gun Gale Online, Shangri-La Frontier, and Dragon Ball are airing new content, and that is not an exhaustive rundown. The season also has plenty of exciting newcomers, specifically Dandadan, 365 Days to the Wedding, Blue Box, Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror, and Ranma ½.

Now, none of these series revolve around racing or driving, so they are not particularly relevant to this discussion. Fortunately, Fall 2024 has one series that fits the descriptor.

MF Ghost Season 2

MF Ghost etched its name among the best racing anime following its first season, but it has room to grow. In some ways, the Fall 2024 sequel will determine the show’s legacy as, at this point, the novelty of returning to the Initial D universe has worn off. MF Ghost has to justify its animated existence in isolation, proving it has more to offer than just a retread of its decorated predecessor.

Even more so than Initial D, MF Ghost distills the racing genre to its essentials. While not completely devoid of personality or motives, Kanata can feel like a blank slate at times, serving as a plot tool to facilitate fast-paced and exciting races. Season 2’s opening episode showcases the show’s main strength: the fantastic driving sequences. The episode barely has anything else besides driving, and it is all the better for it. Despite featuring a time trial qualifier rather than a traditional race, the anime still manages to nail a sense of speed and competition, all the while establishing key players for the future.

Now, onto the best racing anime ever…

18 Speed Racer X

MyAnimeList: 6.28

Outside of Japan, most people’s first exposure to Speed Racer was likely the 2008 movie, one of the more divisive anime adaptations. The original series is iconic and influential, but it is not the easiest show to revisit in this day and age; alternatively, there is always the 1997 reboot. At the bare minimum, its animation has aged slightly better than its more decorated predecessor.

Speed Racer X was a failed attempt to revive the franchise, to the point that a 52-episode run was cut short to only 34. The series struggled to find an identity, opting to chase trends that were common during the ’90s. Some fun can still be had for those who like a bit of cheese, but otherwise, this show should only be watched by completionists.

17 eX-Driver

MyAnimeList: 6.67

In the span of two years, eX-Driver released six OVAs, a single prequel OVA episode, and a movie in 2002. The anime takes place in a future where humans have forgotten how to drive since every vehicle is controlled by A.I. The only exceptions are the eponymous “eX-Drivers,” and these people are tasked with stopping rogue A.I. when things go haywire.

eX-Driver is a dumb show that takes itself a bit too seriously at times. However, the driving sequences are generally great, particularly in the movie. While it is not that easy to care about the characters, the show gets its action right, even if they aren’t technically taking part in races.

16 Tailenders

MyAnimeList: 6.70

Clocking in at less than 30 minutes, Tailenders moves by at an absolutely blistering pace, and the movie manages to accomplish quite a lot despite its short runtime. Set in a world ravaged by Earthquakes, two rivals compete in races to try and match the record set by Loser King, a racer who vanished approximately a hundred years prior to the story’s events. After one race leaves Tomoe Shiro on the verge of death, a woman shows up to make him an offer he cannot refuse.

While its animation cannot compare to something like Redline, Tailenders is nevertheless a treat for the eyes, courtesy of its flashy and vibrant visuals. The story doesn’t have the time to fully flesh out its ideas, but it sprinkles in enough surprises to keep things interesting. This movie is mostly style but there is a hint of substance.

15 What’s Up Mechadoc

MyAnimeList: 6.78

What’s Up Mechadoc is an ’80s anime often overlooked by Western anime as it never received dubs outside of Japan and Italy. This is a shame as the show’s attention to detail and amazingly tense races with vehicles anyone could buy makes it a show any petrolhead could get into.

The show only uses real cars from the era and that’s not all — the sound designers actually recorded the real engine sounds for each car used in the show. The accuracy of the show from the vehicles to details on tuning them will leave any mechanic smiling.

14 Future GPX Cyber Formula

MyAnimeList: 7.45

As Sunrise’s Future GPX Cyber Formula has been largely forgotten, it might be surprising to learn that this series was active for roughly a decade, producing four ova sequels to the main show. The franchise even has a 2018 video game. When revisiting this car anime, its success becomes quite understandable – this is a pretty entertaining watch that benefits from Sunrise’s solid animation and pacing.

In this universe, cars are largely automated, although the anime’s central cyber system needs to be navigated by a human partner. Packed with intense races that go to some wild places, Future GPX Cyber Formula is a blast from the past that holds up shockingly well.

13 Speed Racer

MyAnimeList: 6.68

The original Speed Racer from the ’60s may have had some issues with recycling animation a bit too much and being a bit cheesy, but it’s still fondly remembered. Its iconic opening theme is still stuck in the heads of many viewers to this day. The classic anime inspired 1997’s Speed Racer X, a live-action movie, and even a spinoff focused on girls called Mach Girl.

Speed Racer is one of those shows that is difficult to place in this day and age. Except for Initial D, it is the most well-known and, arguably, influential racing anime of all time, and its reach extends far beyond most shows that lean into this theme. However, the anime has just not aged particularly well, making it almost impossible to recommend to most people.

12 Bakusou Kyoudai Let’s & Go

MyAnimeList: 6.92

Not all racing shows have to have big suped-up cars! Bakusou Kyoudai Let’s & Go is the perfect show for anyone who loved remote-controlled racing cars as a kid. Retsu and Go’s racing adventures spanned more than 100 episodes across two seasons and even inspired a movie. The show was successful enough to spawn a third season focusing on new characters.

Bakusou Kyoudai Let’s & Go can be difficult to recommend since it primarily works as a gateway anime for children, but it is hardly accessible enough to fulfill that role. Still, the show is charming in its own right. It’s an enjoyable ’90s release for fans to dig into if they want something longer to watch.

11 F (Formula-1 – Engines On The Track)

MyAnimeList: 6.72

A forgotten anime from the late ’80s, F is almost unknown in the West, which is not helped by the fact it is not available on a streaming service. In Japan, F was quite successful as a seinen manga, even receiving two sequels in 2002 and 2009 respectively. If someone can acquire the show, they will find themselves watching a coming-of-age story about a country boy with big dreams. Although not the most likable person in the world, Gunma Akagi is, at the very least, talented behind the wheel, particularly with machines managed by his friend Tamotsu. After losing a race against a Formula 3 driver, Gunma decides to become a professional racer, all to join F1.

Obviously, F shines a light on motorsports and delivers a fairly intriguing look into the industry; however, the anime prioritizes its characters over the activity itself. That’s not to say the show lacks memorable races, as that is far from the case, but they primarily exist to fuel the characters’ journeys. As it aired in 1988, the anime does show its age, although the animation is still more than watchable.

10 RideBack

MyAnimeList: 7.26

Madhouse’s RideBack is difficult to classify due to the story having two distinct halves that do not 100% combine to create a really satisfying whole. Set in a future with fairly advanced robotics and an overwhelming organization known as the GGP, RideBack starts as a heartwarming tale about persevering in the face of tragedy. A talented ballerina, Rin’s dream is taken away following a significant leg injury, causing her to go into a depressive state as she struggles to find a goal that can push her forward. However, one day, she stumbles upon the RideBack invention, which is basically a cross between a motorbike and a robot. Along with greatly enhancing her mobility, the technology propels Rin into the world of motorsport, igniting a flame that she feared had gone out permanently.

RideBack is arguably at its best when focusing on Rin’s newfound passion, telling a sweet story that combines character development and fun races. However, the anime is also part of the cyberpunk genre, resulting in the introduction of a more political angle that can be quite jarring compared to the story’s early chapters. That’s not to say RideBack falls off a cliff in terms of quality, as it is good throughout, but this shift complicates what was initially shaping up to be a simple but effective storyline.

9 Pui Pui Molcar

MyAnimeList: 8.01

Pui Pui Molcar is one of the most highly reviewed children’s shows from Japan of all time. While it might not pack in the heart-racing action that other shows about cars might, its adorable guinea pig cars are undeniably kawaii.

The show originally gained popularity as a bit of a meme but has become loved by fans as an iyashikei anime — a show meant to have a healing effect on the soul. At only 2 minutes an episode, it’s the perfect show to relax to and binge in a single day.

8 Wangan Midnight

MyAnimeList: 7.48

Tokyo’s Shuto Expressway is subject to a lot of street racing in real life which is what inspired the story of Wangan Midnight. After losing a race quite badly against a doctor, third-year high school student Akio goes to the graveyard for parts only to discover a pristine Fairlady Z for purchase.

It turns out every previous owner of the car has been in terrible accidents due to it being touched up beyond safe levels. The story follows his racing adventures as he tries to eventually defeat the doctor in a race that originally humiliated him behind the wheel.

7 Appare-Ranman!

MyAnimeList: 7.25

Ah, P.A. Works’ Appare-Ranman!, an anime that can be rather divisive. An original tale that is not based on anything, the story sets up an intriguing and unique premise. For one, the show is a historical piece set during the late 1800s that splits its time between Japan and the United States, with the latter getting more attention. As Appare, an inventor, and Kosame, a samurai, find themselves strange in Los Angeles and in desperate need of money to get back to Japan, they decide to take part in an ambitious race in hopes of winning the prize.

Appare-Ranman! has a rock-solid concept that is not only fresh but can also go in wildly different directions. The anime could be an over-the-top Wacky Races-style comedy or a relatively grounded historical blockbuster. Ultimately, P.A. Works kind of went with both, perhaps to frustrating results. Despite centering around a massive race, Appare-Ranman! is not that interested in the competition itself, which comes across as an afterthought at times. The characters are the focus, and while likable enough, they are not extremely memorable. Still, the group is more than fun enough to keep viewers entertained for a few hours.

6 Capeta

MyAnimeList: 7.82

Most anime focus on a specific period of the protagonist’s life, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, deviating from that structure can result in a refreshing experience, and that adjective describes Capeta. Shy but good-natured, the eponymous boy’s life is turned upside down when he receives a go-kart from his dad, a gift that ignites his passion for racing and draws out his innate talent for driving.

Over the course of 52 episodes, Capeta chronicles its main character’s progression from a child taking his first turns behind a go-kart to a teenager on the cusp of going pro. In a vacuum, the show tells a fairly conventional story that does not hold too many surprises; yet, Capeta is unique in the sports anime field. It is like the racing subgenre’s version of Major.

5 Oban Star-Racers

MyAnimeList: 7.51

This entry might be a stretch since the characters use (basically) podracers rather than cars, however, the vehicles are essentially sci-fi bikes. Consequently, Oban Star-Racers has made the cut for this article; more importantly, this show is awesome and deserves more attention. A French-Japanese production, the series follows Eva, a girl who joins a racing team to get closer to her father. Also, everything builds towards a race that will determine the fate of humanity. It is exciting stuff.

Oban Star-Racers has stellar animation, fun characters, and quite a bit of tension, particularly for the racing genre. The series is not readily accessible in this day and age, but it is worth tracking down.

4 MF Ghost

MyAnimeList: 7.56

Created by Shuichi Shigeno, MF Ghost is a sequel to Initial D, undeniably the most famous racing anime of all time. Despite this connection, the 2023 series is set a few decades in the future and does not require audiences to be familiar with the classic show, although anyone interested in these sorts of stories owes it to themselves to at least try Initial D. MF Ghost‘s twist is its social setting, as the story is set at a time when automated self-driving cars are the standard. However, manual driving is still a thing, primarily in the form of street racing.

Kanata heads to Japan to compete in MFG, and he will be driving a Toyota 86 against some of the most high-end racing cars on the market. Unsurprisingly, the racing scenes are great, and Shuichi has certainly not lost his touch when it comes to crafting these contests. Outside these sequences, the show can feel a bit flat since the characters are quite shallow, which makes it difficult to get invested in the races’ outcomes. Kanata also threatens to be overpowered at times.

3 Overtake!

MyAnimeList: 7.54

MF Ghost and Overtake! aired during the same season, a phenomenon that rarely happens when it comes to racing anime. Despite sharing some common grounds, the shows excel in different areas, making them interesting companion pieces. While MF Ghost dedicates full episodes to showcasing a contest in painstaking detail, Overtake! only shows snippets of its F4 races. TROYCA’s series primarily concentrates on its characters, and that focus goes beyond just the main drivers.

Kouya is a photographer who has been unable to take photos of humans for years, but he finds inspiration in the form of Haruka Asahina, a young F4 competitor. Hoping to support the driver and his indie team, Kouya gets involved in the sport, leading to a surprising amount of introspection and growth. Overtake! is a character study that happens to involve race car drivers, and it is an effective one.

2 Redline

MyAnimeList: 8.28

Outside of one series that is still to come, Redline is THE RACING ANIME. Released in 2009, Madhouse’s movie bombards the audience’s senses through its jaw-dropping animation, unique art style, and brilliant soundtrack. The story barely matters, the characters look cool but don’t have much depth, and the romance is shallow; sure, these are all valid criticism, but they don’t hurt Redline in any significant way.

Redline is a celebration of animation; a movie designed to constantly take the audience’s breath away through its sheer visual epicness and unrelenting pace. It accomplishes that splendidly.

1 Initial D

MyAnimeList: 8.34 (First Stage)

Initial D is unquestionably the most popular car racing anime of all time, and it is not a competition. That said, “best” is a different question since, ultimately, the answer is subjective. Unlike most of the other entries in this discussion, Initial D was not a one-and-done affair; in fact, the anime produced new episodes (and movies) over two decades, and that does not take into account MF Ghost. With more than 80 episodes under its belt, Initial D did something right, and it even managed to gain an international following.

While complications ensue, the anime boils down to street racing, with the story following Takumi Fujiwara’s rise in this underground culture. The six story arcs generally pit two teams against each other, and they tend to follow a familiar structure that can start to get repetitive after a while. That said, Initial D‘s characters and storytelling are both decent, even if they are formulaic. However, none of that matters as the races are the anime’s major selling point. Occasional rough animation aside, Initial D constantly produces brilliant races that are lengthy, ambitious, and constantly tense. The show is still the standard-setter when it comes to this unique genre.

Also,
Initial D
‘s Eurobeat soundtrack is awesome.

Great Racing Anime (That Don’t Involve Cars)

Ultimately, car racing anime are in short supply. Most seasons do not introduce a new addition to this subgenre, and these releases seem to be growing rarer with each passing year. Fortunately, there are quite a few non-car racing anime out there, some of which are amazing.

Uma Musume: Pretty Derby

No idea is too weird for mobile games or anime, and Uma Musume: Pretty Derby exemplifies this mantra. This show is about racing horsegirls. Not girls who race on horses, but horses that have been reincarnated as horsegirls. In order to be the best racer they can be, these hopefuls attend special schools that prepare them for the competitive life ahead of them.

Uma Musume: Pretty Derby seems like one of those shows that would have nothing to offer beyond an eye-catching gimmick, but the anime is far better than it has any right to be. The characters are surprisingly well-written, especially in season 2.

Yowamushi Pedal

Debuting its fifth season in Fall 2022, Yowamushi Pedal has enjoyed a long and successful run. Wataru Watanabe’s shonen manga debuted in 2008 and is still ongoing, while the anime has skipped the 100-episode mark and has also produced a couple of movies. Revolving around Sohoku High School’s cycling club, the story covers multiple generations while using its protagonist, Onoda, as its center. For most of his life, the teenager has ridden a bicycle to get around town, allowing him to unknowingly build up a ton of stamina. One day, a schoolmate notices Onoda’s cycling and encourages him to join the school’s club.

Yowamushi Pedal is enjoyable, if unspectacular. The anime sticks close to the sports genre’s tropes and rarely diverts from the beaten path, which can make some of the later seasons a bit too predictable and repetitive. However, the characters are generally likable, and that goes beyond just Sohoku’s riders.

Over Drive

Now, here comes a more obscure alternative to Yowamushi Pedal. Debuting in 2007, Over Drive has been seemingly forgotten, perhaps thanks to its limited availability on streaming platforms. It also does not leave the greatest first impression and takes quite a long time to pick up steam, which might dissuade viewers from sticking around for the full 26 episodes. Still, if someone is craving a slow-paced cycling story that has a (slightly) more mature tone than Yowamushi Pedal, Over Drive is a fine enough option (to be fair, it might be the only option).

Taking a page from Slam Dunk‘s playbook, Mikoto picks up a sport in the hope of impressing a girl he likes. However, unlike Hanamichi in the basketball classic, Over Drive‘s protagonist quickly falls in love with cycling, setting himself down a path to turn this newfound passion into his reason for living. The anime’s early episodes move at a glacial pace as they chronicle Mikoto’s training, which makes sense to an extent. However, things do pick up once the focus shifts towards competition.

SK8 The Infinity

SK8 The Infinity feels ripped right out of the late ’90s, but the anime debuted in 2021. Okinawa is home to a cutthroat underground skating world where racers compete for bragging rights (and other things). The premise might sound silly, but SK8 sells it through great visuals and characters who are absolutely passionate about the sport.

The anime is quite character-driven and focuses heavily on the friendship between Reki Kyan and Langa Hasegawa. Although they come from wildly different backgrounds, the high school students quickly bond over their shared interest in riding, and they embrace Okinawa’s dangerous skateboarding world.

One Piece: Dead End Adventure

Strange as it might seem to recommend a non-canon movie in a battle shonen anime featuring more than 1000 episodes, One Piece: Dead End Adventure is a pretty good pick for this topic. The film centers around a race pitting numerous pirate crews against each other, although there is something more sinister happening behind the scenes.

One Piece‘s movies can be hit-and-miss, particularly the earlier ones; however, Dead End Adventure is among the franchise’s more entertaining features. It can also be enjoyed without too much knowledge of the overall story.

Run With The Wind

Run with the Wind is one of the best sports anime of the 2010s, and it is an easy recommendation for anyone who is remotely interested in the genre. In fact, Production I.G’s series should be watched by any anime fan, regardless of whether they enjoy sports shows or not. As implied by its title, Run with the Wind is about running, specifically Kansei University’s track club.

Although he used to be a great runner, Kakeru left that life behind when he entered university, but a series of unfortunate events led him to the track club’s live-in dormitory. Fueled by their captain’s desire to take part in the Hakone Ekiden, a group of individuals who never dreamed of reaching such heights come together in pursuit of this seemingly impossible goal. As they run, they grow as people.

IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix

Replacing cars with mecha, IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix is an over-the-top action fest that feels like the anime equivalent of a kart racer. Yes, this motorsport allows its drivers to blast their opponents off the track, and the chaos is beautiful. Producing 26 episodes, this anime is a fun ride while it lasts. While somewhat forgotten nowadays, IGPX had a decent following during the mid-2000s, and the franchise even produced a PS2 game.