Arrow Emblem: Hawk of the Grand Prix

アローエンブレム・グランプリの鷹 (Arō Enburemu Guranpuri no Taka)
Arrow Emblem: Hawk of the Grand Prix

Genre	Drama, Sports
TV anime
Directed by	Rintaro
Studio	Toei Animation
Network	Fuji TV
Original run	September 22, 1977 – August 31, 1978
Episodes	44
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Arrow Emblem: Hawk of the Grand Prix (アローエンブレム・グランプリの鷹, Arō Enburemu Guranpuri no Taka^?) is an anime series aired from 1977 to 1978 in Japan. There are 44 episodes aired at 25 minutes each. It is also known as "Arrow Emblem Grand Prix no Taka". In the United States, it was re-edited to a short movie called "Super Grand Prix".

1 Original story
2 Production notes
3 Staff
4 DVD release
5 Merchandise
6 Trivia
7 References
8 External links

Original story

The story is about a young boy named Takaya Todoroki who dreams of becoming a F1 racer. He puts all his energy into winning a beginners heat, but causes a massive pile up due to an error of judgement. Initially swearing to give up racing. Then a masked stranger appears by his bedside in the hospital who turned out to be world-famous driver Niki Lauda. He encourages him to dust himself off and try driving a new prototype. Before long, he is a team member of "Katori Motors", hoping to become a world F1 champion, driving the "Todoroki special", a car built to his own design.^[1]

Production notes

The show's Japanese name "Grand Prix no taka" translates as "Hawk of Grand Prix", a theme that often recurs in the opening animation. The main character's name was probably chosen to suit this theme as well.

In the US the 44 episode series was significantly shortened to form a 90 minute movie for children called "Super Grand Prix" released by Liberty International on August 12, 2003. The story is essentially the same, except Takaya is now known as "Sean Corrigan" and nicknamed "Crash Corrigan" for the crash.

Staff

Director: Rintaro

Screenwriter: Masaki Tsuji

Creator: Kogo Himiko

Additional Directors: Nobutaka Nisizawa, Yugo Serikawa, Takenon Kawada, Yasuo Yamakichi

Designer: Akio Sugino, Takuo Noda

Animator: Bunpei Nanjo, Takeshi Shirato, Toshio Mori

Music: Hiroshi Miyakawa

DVD release

There are 2 DVD releases for the series, a 4 disc set and a 5 disc set.

Merchandise

There were a number of Arrow Emblem race cars released under the Popynica toyline by Popy Pleasure in 1978 and 1979.

PB-34 Todoroki Special

PB-35 Todoroki Special, mark 2

PB-36 Todoroki Special, mark 3

PB-37 DX Todoroki Special

PB-38 Katori Super Roman

PB-39 Katori Rally Version

PB-40 DX Katori Super Roman

PB-41 Anchor

PB-44 DX Anchor

PB-45 Countach LP500S

Aside from these model cars, Popy also made a 1:1 scale racing helmet which could be worn by children. Unfortunately the serial number for this helmet is unknown.

References to two other pieces of merchandise have been found:

A slotracing track, created by Bandai.
A garage kit of the Todoroki Special, created by Club M

Trivia

It was aired every week Thursday 7:00pm to 7:30pm.
The character Nick Lauda is evidently based on the real Austrian world champion F1 driver Niki Lauda. While Nick Lauda is only referred to as "Masked Man" (due to the mask he wears) in the English dub 'Super Grand Prix', he does specifically mention Niki Lauda during the flashback sequence in which he is discussing his own past. Although it is apparently only for the purposes of drawing comparisons to himself rather than blatantly suggesting that he is Niki Lauda. Masked Man stating a famous figure also served to help console a frustrated Crash Corrigan in providing an example of a person who never gave up.
It has been suggested that the design of the 'Todoroki Special' was inspired by the 1976 Tyrrell P34 'six wheeler'.

References

^ Clements, Jonatha. McCarthy Helen. [2006] (2006). The Anime Encyclopedia: Revised & Expanded Edition. Berkeley, CA: Stone Bridge Press. ISBN 978-1-933330-10-5

External links

Arrow Emblem collectors' info