Mach GoGoGo 1997 version
For the 30th anniversary of the original, Tatsunoko unleashed a 34-episode reboot under the same name. It was as slick and crisp as any 90s anime series could be, updating the characters and concepts to a high-tech future. Go Mifune was renamed Go Hibiki, and the Mach 5’s gimmicks were renamed the “Safety Seven” with a couple adjustments; the buzzsaws became laser cutters and the belt tires became balloon tires, for example.
The Masked Racer became known simply as “X” and took on a Batman motif, while the villains were as crazy and inventive as they’d ever been. The story had an unusual structure with the “racing arc” lasting 21 episodes and a new “time travel arc” lasting another 13. The second arc started with a Back to the Future vibe (the car could timeslip when it reached 555 miles an hour) and bore no resemblance to anything in the 1967 series.
The series ran from January to September 1997 and made its way to TV in the US in 2002, but went off the air after only 13 episodes due to licensing disputes. Since then, it has been released subtitled on DVD and every episode can be seen on Youtube here.
Find more info on Anime News Network here.
There was a healthy toy line for the show, but this miniature car is the only item I’m showing here.
It was also released on DVD via Tatsunoko’s own label, and a subtitled version followed from Funimation (seen here).
CD Singles
For me, the best thing about the show – by far – is the music, starting with the first opening title song, Pure White Energy. It’s even more propulsive than the original with melodies that make you wish for an open racetrack of your own.
Listen to the Japanese version here and the English version here.
The first ending theme, Fly to the Dream is an excellent companion piece. Listen to it here.
The second opening (which took over in Episode 22) was a cover of the 1967 theme with some new lyrics. See the second opening title with subtitles here and listen to the full version of the song here.
Hear all versions of the second opening and ending songs here.
CD Albums
Music Collection: COCC-14153
Song Collection: COCC-14228
Columbia released these two discs to cover the entire body of music for Mach GoGoGo 1997, and they are the brightest jewels of this entire series.
Click here to hear the entire Music Collection on Youtube if you doubt me.
Like its predecessor, there isn’t much print media for the 1997 series, but one notable exception is a children’s “board book” that brings together some very cool illustration work to show off the capabilities of the Mach 5. Here’s the whole thing from cover to cover…
Button D: Defense Shield
Button E: Emergency Wire / Button B: Balloon Tire
Button C: Cutter Blade
Button F: Fish Diver
Button G: Gallant
Button A: Aerojack