February 17, 2004
eX-Driver Episode 1
"AI vs Recipro"
Cute high school girls driving fast cars. Can't go wrong with that setup, right?
Kosuke Fujishima's art style is immediately obvious in the character designs for eX-Driver (really unique looks, pretty girls, all that goodness). The art direction is really good, and goes well with the souped up cars and futuristic style of the show. Lorna and Lisa go through a lot of the classic Fujishima character expressions, so fans should feel right at home.
From reading some of Fujishima's manga and watching YUA and AMG, it's really obvious that he is a huge car nut. Detailed drawings between chapters in AMG, the upgrade-happy drivers of YUA, and finally this, a show set in a future where people no longer drive their own cars, leaving it up to AI and a large, connected traffic system. The eX-Drivers are sent in to handle situations in which cars malfunction or drive hazardously. There's some pretty neat car tricks in the two car chases in this episode, and all in all, it's a pretty fun show.
Light on substance, but good animation and fast pacing makes it an easy watch.
Rating: B
Posted by Kei at February 17, 2004 11:51 PM