I've been thinking about the Fuzion system again recently, so I started nosing around some of my old files for the game. Back in the 90s, one of the first websites that I built (using library computers for decent internet access when I had a dial-up at home) was a Fuzion fan page called Uncle Vurt's Fuzion Homepage. Unfortunately that site is long gone (as is Geocities) but some of the material still lives on. It was cool that I got to host the beta/playtest files for Sengoku and Shaintar (back in it's Fuzion days), and I had a lot of fun with that site and being part of the early Fuzion fan community.
I can't believe I thought that was an attractive site.
Back then, one of the most popular files on my site was the Speed Racer netbook that I put together. It was even linked to from the old Speed Racer fan site. That got a lot of hits for my site and helped put it on the map. Every now and then, when someone discovers that I was Uncle Vurt back then, I get requests for the netbook. I don't know why I've never republished it here on my blog before, but now seems as good of a time as any. For me, Speed Racer is one of those dream RPG jobs. I would love to be able to work on an official adaptation of the material into game form. Some of the campaign frame material was adapted from an old Gateways magazine article on Speed Racer.
This netbook took into account information from the original anime series, as well as the comic published by NOW Comics back in the 80s and 90s. If you're a Speed Racer fan, you really should track down copies of some of the back issues (find NOW's Green Hornet comics too, while you're at it) because they did a really good job of updating and adding a bit of maturity to the characters and concepts. I particularly liked their Racer X stuff (although it was nowhere near as great as the Racer X comics that Wildstorm put out a while ago).
This is the original and unedited Speed Racer netbook, as of the last revision of it that I did back in 1997. I hope you enjoy. Comments are appreciated.
Go, Speed Racer, Go!
version 0.2
Welcome to the world of Speed Racer, probably the Anime that started
all of us fans of the form on this hobby. This document converts Speed Racer
and clan into the Fuzion System. Fuzion is copyright 1999 by the Fuzion
Group. Speed Racer and all related characters are copyright 1999 by Tatsunoko
Productions. Additional information is adapted from the Now Comics run of
Speed Racer. This document is not intended for commercial release and is not
intended to challenge any of the above copyrights.
Go Mach 5 Go, go, go!
The white body of the Mach 5 zipping around a hairpin curve
Nothing can stop him, nothing can scare him
Go, go, gooooo!
With unyielding spirit, Goh Mifune drives the Mach 5
Once he starts driving, he is like a demon
He sees nothing other than the track
He give everything to win
Go Mach 5, go
Go Mach 5, go
Go Mach 5, go, go!
The sharp-looking mach 5, Goh Mifune
Step on the gas. Get more spee
Go Mach 5, speed until the end of the earth
Young life flames in his heart
Go, go, goooo!
Watch his fearless spirit race
Speed up, speed up Mach 5 until the final victory
Go Mach 5, go
Go Mach 5, go
Go Mach 5, go, go!
Lyrics to the Japanese Go Mach Go Go
Lyrics by Tatsuo Yoshida and Akira Ito
composed by Nobuyoshi Koshide
vocals by Vocal Shop
This document is copyright 1999 by Christopher Helton
Document History
Version 0.1 [August 17, 1997 This is primarily characters for right now. The
vehicles are still not 100% and though I would rather keep them on the
drawing board until they are in better shape, I have put them here anyway.
If anyone has a better idea, let me know]
Version 0.2 [December 20, 1997 People have actually been clamoring for an
update to the Speed Racer document. This is it. Added Japanese theme song
to intro. In this version, I will be integrating some new information from
Speed Racer: The Official 30th Anniversary Guide through the document.
Also new to this document is stats for the incredible Mach 5, and information
about Speed Racer 1998, a new version of Speed Racer from the original
Japanese studio that is supposed to hit America in 1998. Updating some
character write-ups.]
Contents
1.0 The Characters
2.0 The Cars
3.0 Role-Playing In The World of Speed Racer
4.0 The Japanese "version" of Speed Racer
5.0 Speed Racer 1998
6.0 Errata, Notes and Contributions to the Document
1.0 The Characters
[This section is the meat of the document, the characters of the Speed Racer
anime. All of the characters are drawn, of course, from the Speed Racer
program, and are modified with additional information from the defunct comic
book series published in the 80s by Now Comics. If there is something that
does not sound familiar, it might be from the comic series, use what you want
and ignore what you don't. Please note: Point totals are not given for any
of the Speed Racer characters, because I feel that it is just not nessecary.
You should know if Speed and his clan are too tough, nor not powerful enough
for your campaign, just change them.]
Speed Racer
Real Name: Greg Racer (according to Now Comics); Goh Mifune (original Anime)
Age: 18 Occupation: Race Car Driver
Characteristics
INT 6 Luck 13 Resistance 21
WILL 7 Punch 5d6 Kick 6d6
PRE 6 END 50 REC 10
TECH 6 STUN 20 STUN Left
REF 7 SD 10 SD Left
DEX 5 HITS 20 HITS Left
CON 5 Run 15m Leap 5m Swim 5m
STR 5 SPD 3
BODY 4
MOVE 5
Skills Perks/Talents
Hand to Hand +5 Handsome +1
H2H: Evade +4 Intuition
Athletics +3 Renown +5
Perception +3 Knack(Driving) +3
Driving +5 Wealth +1
Mechanics +2 Judo 12
Education +4 Complications
Concentration +2 Sense of Duty: Friends & Family
Persuasion +3 Stubborn: Risk Bodily Harm
Pilot (Boats) +3 Honesty : Risk Embarrassment
Pilot (Prop Planes) +3 Code of Honor: No Killing
Driving (Motorcycles) +3 Impulsiveness: Risk Bodily harm
Role-Playing Speed Racer: Speed is considered by many to be the greatest race
car driver in the world, despite his still young age. Speed has a tendency to
find trouble, and to get into bizarre challenges and races. having the
characters meet Speed should be easy, just have them be drawn to the strange
race that he may be taking part in, or have them go to actually see the
famous Speed Racer, and then draw them into whatever danger occurs around
Speed.
Speed is impulsive and heroic, which means that he has the tendency
to jump to the aid of pretty girls (even though he has a girl friend already)
and do stupid things for them (like racing down an active volcano). Any of
the characters who are gamblers may have an easy time getting Speed to do
things. Just remember to play Speed as a nice guy (a nice guy who finishes
first), who is smart, funny and a small bit bashful.
Early in his career, Speed had to sneak around his father in order to
race, but he now has his father's full blessing and has made quiet a career
for himself as a racer. Now, Speed has been "crowned" the World's Champion
Driver.
Racer X (Masked Racer in Japan)
Real Name: Rex Racer
Age: 30 Occupation: Secret Agent/Race Car Driver
Characteristics
INT 7 Luck 14 Resistance 24
WILL 8 Punch 5d6 Kick 6d6
PRE 6 END 50 REC 10
TECH 7 STUN 25 STUN Left
REF 7 SD 10 SD Left
DEX 6 HITS 25 HITS Left
CON 5 Run 15m Leap 5m Swim 5m
STR 5 SPD 3
BODY 5
MOVE 5
Skills Perks/Talents
Hand to Hand +7 Handsome +2
H2H: Evade +5 Intuition
Athletics +5 Renown(as Racer X) +5
Perception +4 Knack(Driving) +2
Driving +6 Membership (I.S.P.) +5
Mechanics +4 Common Sense
Education +6 Combat Sense +2
Concentration +4 Kung Fu 16
Persuasion +3 Complications
Firearms +4 Dependents: Racer Family
Criminology +3 Stubborn: Risk Bodily Harm
Deduction +4 Obsessed: Protect Family
Paramedic +3 Secret Identity
Lockpicking +3 Duty: To I.S.P.
Security Systems +4 Vow: Protect Family (Risk Bodily Harm)
Shadowing +4
Surveillance +4
Tactics +3
Role-Playing Racer X: Racer X has a long and interesting history. He is
secretly the older brother, Rex, of Speed racer, who is believed to be dead
by the Racer family. rex and “Pops” co-designed a lot of the elements of the
Mach-5 together. Rex wanted to be a racer, like Speed, but when he had an
terrible accident during his first race, "Pops" forbid Rex from ever racing
again. Rex ran away, and started his new identity as Racer X, becoming a
world class race car driver. Eventually, Rex was drafted into the
International Secret Police (I.S.P.), an organization of spies that use race
car driving as a cover.
Racer X is very serious about his duties, and about protecting his
family, to the extent of actually knocking Speed unconscious once when he
came too close to discovering Racer X's true identity as his brother. While
being a Secret Agent/Race Car Driver seems silly, stranger things have
happened in Anime before.
When using Racer X in a campaign, he could be the saving grace to
rescue characters, or perhaps the characters could be trying to
investigate/unmask Racer X to determine if he truly is responsible for the
many accidents which happen in the races in which he participates. In an
espionage-type campaign, the characters could be teaming up with Racer X, be
a member of I.S.P., or even assisting him in keeping his true identity a
secret from his family.
The Rest of the Speed Racer Clan (and Related Characters)
Trixie
Real Name: Trixie
Age: 19 Occupation: Girlfriend/Idle Rich
Characteristics
INT 6 Luck 11 Resistance 24
WILL 8 Punch 4d6 Kick 5d6
PRE 6 END 40 REC 8
TECH 5 STUN 20 STUN Left
REF 5 SD 8 SD Left
DEX 5 HITS 20 HITS Left
CON 4 Run 15m Leap 5m Swim 5m
STR 4 SPD 2
BODY 4
MOVE 5
Skills Perks/Talents
Hand to Hand +4 Beautiful +3
H2H: Evade +4 Intuition
Athletics +2 Common Sense
Perception +4 Wealth +4
Driving +3 Karate 12
Piloting +4
Education +7
Concentration +4 Complications
Persuasion +4 Curious (Risk Bodily Harm)
Deduction +2
Paramedic +2
Lockpicking +2
High Society +4
Conversation +2
Wardrobe & Style +3
Role-Playing Trixie: Trixie is attractive, bright and rich. She could be a
good link to the characters and the Speed Racer clan. As a rich person, she
has to have a life outside of Speed and his racing. Perhaps she is friends
with the characters in some form, or they have met socially. It could be a
good way to start a love triangle between one of the characters, Trixie and
Speed.
Trixie's curiosity tends to get the best of her, and get her into
trouble. A good adventure hook could be to have the characters attempt to
rescue her from something she got herself into and use that to introduce them
to the Racer clan. Maybe she would even be appreciative to someone who is a
bit slower than Speed would be.
Or, perhaps something has happened to Speed (or someone in the
family) and Trixie has used her money to hire the characters to investigate.
The possibilities are nearly endless.
Sparky
Real Name: Sparky
Age: 21 Occupation: Mechanic
Characteristics
INT 7 Luck 11 Resistance 24
WILL 5 Punch 5d6 Kick 6d6
PRE 5 END 50 REC 10
TECH 9 STUN 25 STUN Left
REF 5 SD 10 SD Left
DEX 5 HITS 25 HITS Left
CON 5 Run 8m Leap 4m Swim 4m
STR 5 SPD 2
BODY 5
MOVE 4
Skills Perks/Talents
Mechanics +6 Knack (Mechanics) +3
Electronics +5 Intuition
Athletics +2
Perception +3
Driving +3
Education +5
Concentration +3
Inventor +2 Complications
Perception +2 Curious (Risk Bodily Harm)
Deduction +2
Paramedic +2
Lockpicking +2
Science (Engineering) +3
Systems Operation +2
Role-Playing Sparky: Other than his great ability with cars and mechanical
things, little is known of Sparky. When the rest of the Racer clan is out
adventuring, he tends to be left in the garage or at home. He is smart
though, and could be brought into a campaign to attempt to fix something
belonging to the characters, and use that as a springboard into the rest of
the Racer clan, perhaps by getting complimentary tickets to a race that Speed
is running in, a race to be fraught with disaster.
"Pops" Racer
Real Name: "Pops" Racer; Daisaiku Mifune (orginal Anime)
Age: 47 Occupation: Automobile Designer
Characteristics
INT 7 Luck 11 Resistance 24
WILL 8 Punch 4d6 Kick 5d6
PRE 5 END 40 REC 8
TECH 10 STUN 20 STUN Left
REF 4 SD 8 SD Left
DEX 5 HITS 20 HITS Left
CON 6 Run 15m Leap 5m Swim 5m
STR 6 SPD 2
BODY 6
MOVE 5
Skills Perks/Talents
Hand to Hand +4 Knack (Mechanics) +4
H2H: Evade +4 Intuition
Athletics +3 Wealth +2
Perception +4 Wrestling 12
Driving +4
Mechanics +8 Complications
Education +7 Bad Temper (Risk Bodily Harm)
Concentration +4 Dependents: Racer Family (Risk Bodily Harm)
Persuasion +2 Vow: Protect Family (Risk Bodily Harm)
Inventor +5
Paramedic +2
Science (Engineering) +5
Role-Playing "Pops" Racer: "Pops" is hot-headed, irritable, and has a quick
temper. he is also a brilliant car designer, and he genuinely loves his
family and would risk his own life to protect any of them.
Originally, "Pops" didn't want Speed to race, but eventually gave in
and started allowing him to race. "Pops" used to be the head designer for
Genelite Motors, but he quit when they would not give the go ahead to build
the Mach 5 off of his designs, saying they would not work. "Pops" then built
the Mach 5 with the help of Speed and Sparky and the rest is now racing
history.
The best way to introduce "Pops" into a campaign would be to have
the characters approach him to either design or repair a vehicle, appealing
to his vanity would be the best way to get him to work for the characters.
Just throwing money at "Pops" never works because he is a very honorable and
has a great deal of integrity. If the characters manage to get onto "Pops"
good side (and he does have one) then they might be introduce to the rest
of the Racer clan in that manner, perhaps by being invited over for dinner).
Don't forget that Pops is the head of his own company, Pops Racer
Motors and is the manufacturer of the Mach 5 and its engine. He must
manufacture other types of vehicles as well, and is probably in great demand
as a designer (or is often the object of industrial espionage attempts).
Spridell and Chim-Chim
Real Name: Spridell Racer and Chim-Chim
Age: 10 Occupation: Kid Brother/Annoyance
Characteristics
INT 3 Luck 7 Resistance 24
WILL 4 Punch 3d6 Kick 4d6
PRE 4 END 30 REC
TECH 3 STUN 15 STUN Left
REF 4 SD 6 SD Left
DEX 4 HITS 15 HITS Left
CON 3 Run 12m Leap 4m Swim 4m
STR 3 SPD 2
BODY 3
MOVE 4
Skills Complications
Lockpicking +2 Curiosity (Risk Serious Bodily Harm)
Gullible
Role-Playing Spridell and Chim-Chim: The only reason for Spridell (and
Chim-Chim) is to get into trouble and to get under foot. They are only around
to annoy and to irritate.
Spridell can be best used to draw the rest of the characters into the
action, most usually by being captured after breaking into some place where
he shouldn't have been in the first place. Spridell will make an excellent
hostage for villains.
Inspector Detector
Real Name: Inspector Detector
Age: 20 Occupation: Police Inspector
Characteristics
INT 7 Luck 12 Resistance 24
WILL 7 Punch 4d6 Kick 5d6
PRE 6 END 40 REC 8
TECH 5 STUN 20 STUN Left
REF 5 SD 8 SD Left
DEX 5 HITS 20 HITS Left
CON 4 Run 15m Leap 5m Swim 5m
STR 4 SPD 2
BODY 4
MOVE 5
Skills Perks/Talents
Hand to Hand +5 Authority +6
H2H: Evade +4 Intuition
Athletics +2 Common Sense
Perception +5
Driving +3
Firearms +4
Education +7
Concentration +4 Complications
Persuasion +4 Vow: Uphold The Law (Risk Serious
Deduction +6 Bodily Harm)
Paramedic +2
Lockpicking +2
Role-Playing Inspector Detector: Inspector Detector is a police Inspector who often gets involved when Speed gets caught up in something where laws are being broken.
He can be used in campaigns independently of the Racer clan as a friendly police officer.
2.0 The Cars
3.0 Role-Playing In The World of Speed Racer
The Speed Racer Ground Rules Sheet
Campaign Uses Hit Locations Chart: Yes
Campaign Uses Damage Mods from Hit Loc. Chart: No
Knockback Rules Used: Yes
Critical Hits Rules Used: No
Campaign Morality: 1
(1) Good vs. Bad is black & white;
(2) Good vs. Bad is mostly clear-cut;
(3) Some cross-over between Good vs. Bad;
(4) There is little distinction between good and bad;
(5) Morality is always in shades of gray
Realism: 3 (Switches back and forth easily)
(1) Very Romantic;
(2) Romantic;
(3) Neutral;
(4) Realistic;
(5) Extremely Realistic
Dials and Switches
Dials:
Characteristic Points: 50
Option Points: 40
Campaign Style (Perk Multiplier): Moderate Impact x2
Power Points: 0
Rule of X: 24
Campaign Style (Modify current STR by): +0
Campaign Style (Autofire Rates): 4
Campaign Style (Knockback Units): 4 yds
Switches:
Complications: On
Option Points Can Be Spent on Characteristics: On
Power Points Can Be Spent On Characteristics: Off
Wealth: On
Who Goes First?
Switch 1: Off
Switch 2: On
Speed: On
Impairing Wounds: Off
Special Armor Rules for Mecha: Off
Plug-Ins Available:
Martial Arts Plug-In
Mecha Plug-In (for designing Vehicles only)
Role-Playing in the world of Speed Racer can be many things, according to the campaign and the genre of the campaign setting. Playing it straight from the world of the American cartoons can mean swinging from drama to comedy to action to adventure. However, with a little bit of work, Speed Racer and the Racer clan can be used in a variety of campaigns and genres.
Last of the Red-Hot Racers. Like the world of Mad Max, a now old Speed Racer travels over the blasted remains of the world of the future as a lone wolf fighting gangs and helping strangers with the jury-rigged Mach 5. This is not the impulsive, naive Speed of old, but a world-weary and battle hardened survivor who knows that the battle goes to the one with the most firepower. Perhaps the story behind the campaign could be the story of the redemption of Speed Racer, causing him to turn from the path that he has gotten on, and onto a more heroic, and less bitter one.
The Mach 5 Heirloom. Set in the distant future, the children and grandchildren, of Speed and Trixie have passed down the incredible Mach 5 from generation to generation. Perhaps it is not as innovative or cutting-edge as it once was, some important event has called for the return of the Mach 5 (perhaps refitted with new technologies) to help the world. This could be anything from an alien invasion to a race to protect the Earth. In this idea, the Mach 5 could now be an advanced (and even transforming) Mecha.
The Mock Mach 5. Someone who looks like Speed Racer is committing crimes using an incredible replica of the incredible Mach 5. Can the characters clear Speed’s good name before its too late. In a world where Speed Racer does not exist except as a television show, there is someone roaring through the late night streets of the city trying to replicate the “adventures” of Speed Racer and his friends.
The Mach 5-O (O for Offense). Speed and “Pops” have decided that the world has gotten a little too dangerous and have fitted the Mach 5 with offensive weaponry. This would be a good example to a campaign idea for a “cyberpunk”-type world, where the world is tough and everyone has to get tougher to match it. This could also be used in an espionage campaign, where everything is more gritty and the Mach 5 has moved to match it.
Mecha Mach 5. In a science fiction world, for some reason or another, the Mach 5 can be refitted as an offensive Mecha and used as part of an Earth Defense Force, like in a Robotech-type of campaign setting. Speed and Racer X could go from world-class race car drivers to defenders of the Earth against alien invasions (like Battle of the Planets or Voltron: Defender of the Universe).
4.0 The Japanese “version” of Speed Racer
The original Japanese version of Speed Racer was called Mach Go Go Go (Go being the Japanese word for five). Mach Go Go Go ran in Japan in the early 1960s.
The main character of Mach Go Go Go (other than the incredible Mach 5), was a young race car drive named Goh Mifune. Goh Mifune competed in worldwide racing events on behalf of his father Daisuke’s Mifune Motors.
Working with Goh in these races was his mother Aya, Goh’s kid brother/mascot Kuo, the mechanic Sabu, Go’s girlfriend Michi Shimua and a comic relief monkey named Senpei. The “original” version of Inspector Detector was Rokugo Keibu.
Also working beside Go at times, when things got particularly ominous was the mysterious Masked Racer, who was in reality Go’s older brother Kenichi.
5.0 Speed Racer 1998
An all new Mach Go
6.0 Errata, Notes and Contributions to the Document
[Sources] These are the sources that have been used to compile this document:
Speed Racer. The actual Anime, the American version, from the Cartoon Network.
Gateways magazine. Issue 9, June 1988. “Speed Racer: Then, NOW, and Beyond” by Jape Trostle
Gateways magazine. Issue 9, June 1988. “Role-playing Speed racer and the Fabulous mach 5” by Jape Trostle
The Complete Anime Guide, 2nd Edition. by Trish Ledoux & Doug Ranney.
Speed Racer: The Official 30th Anniversary Guide. by Elizabeth Moran.
Contributors:
Special thanks on this document goes out to Aaron Revennaugh who proofread and suggested changes, as well as providing the Anime books which helped provide background information, particularly the Japanese “version” of Speed Racer. Also thanks to Aaron for giving me the 30th Anniversary book as a Yule gift.
[Notes]
1.0 Everyman Skills. Personally, I think that the Everyman Skills package for playing in the Speed Racer universe should be different than that of a normal Champions: The New Millennium or Bubblegum Crisis campaign. Remember that Everyman Skills are at a level of +2.These are my suggestions:
Everyman Skills
Driving
Athletics
Conversation
Education
Mechanics
Local Knowledge
Hand to Hand
Hand to Hand: Evade
2.0 [Speed Racer Websites] In this section, I will point out Speed Racer resources out on the great and wonderful World Wide Web. If any readers of this document have any suggestions for sites not listed send me e-mail.
The Official Speed Racer Web Site
www.speedracer.com
End of Version 0.2 of Go, Speed Racer, Go!
I can't believe I thought that was an attractive site.
Back then, one of the most popular files on my site was the Speed Racer netbook that I put together. It was even linked to from the old Speed Racer fan site. That got a lot of hits for my site and helped put it on the map. Every now and then, when someone discovers that I was Uncle Vurt back then, I get requests for the netbook. I don't know why I've never republished it here on my blog before, but now seems as good of a time as any. For me, Speed Racer is one of those dream RPG jobs. I would love to be able to work on an official adaptation of the material into game form. Some of the campaign frame material was adapted from an old Gateways magazine article on Speed Racer.
This netbook took into account information from the original anime series, as well as the comic published by NOW Comics back in the 80s and 90s. If you're a Speed Racer fan, you really should track down copies of some of the back issues (find NOW's Green Hornet comics too, while you're at it) because they did a really good job of updating and adding a bit of maturity to the characters and concepts. I particularly liked their Racer X stuff (although it was nowhere near as great as the Racer X comics that Wildstorm put out a while ago).
This is the original and unedited Speed Racer netbook, as of the last revision of it that I did back in 1997. I hope you enjoy. Comments are appreciated.
Go, Speed Racer, Go!
version 0.2
Welcome to the world of Speed Racer, probably the Anime that started
all of us fans of the form on this hobby. This document converts Speed Racer
and clan into the Fuzion System. Fuzion is copyright 1999 by the Fuzion
Group. Speed Racer and all related characters are copyright 1999 by Tatsunoko
Productions. Additional information is adapted from the Now Comics run of
Speed Racer. This document is not intended for commercial release and is not
intended to challenge any of the above copyrights.
Go Mach 5 Go, go, go!
The white body of the Mach 5 zipping around a hairpin curve
Nothing can stop him, nothing can scare him
Go, go, gooooo!
With unyielding spirit, Goh Mifune drives the Mach 5
Once he starts driving, he is like a demon
He sees nothing other than the track
He give everything to win
Go Mach 5, go
Go Mach 5, go
Go Mach 5, go, go!
The sharp-looking mach 5, Goh Mifune
Step on the gas. Get more spee
Go Mach 5, speed until the end of the earth
Young life flames in his heart
Go, go, goooo!
Watch his fearless spirit race
Speed up, speed up Mach 5 until the final victory
Go Mach 5, go
Go Mach 5, go
Go Mach 5, go, go!
Lyrics to the Japanese Go Mach Go Go
Lyrics by Tatsuo Yoshida and Akira Ito
composed by Nobuyoshi Koshide
vocals by Vocal Shop
This document is copyright 1999 by Christopher Helton
Document History
Version 0.1 [August 17, 1997 This is primarily characters for right now. The
vehicles are still not 100% and though I would rather keep them on the
drawing board until they are in better shape, I have put them here anyway.
If anyone has a better idea, let me know]
Version 0.2 [December 20, 1997 People have actually been clamoring for an
update to the Speed Racer document. This is it. Added Japanese theme song
to intro. In this version, I will be integrating some new information from
Speed Racer: The Official 30th Anniversary Guide through the document.
Also new to this document is stats for the incredible Mach 5, and information
about Speed Racer 1998, a new version of Speed Racer from the original
Japanese studio that is supposed to hit America in 1998. Updating some
character write-ups.]
Contents
1.0 The Characters
2.0 The Cars
3.0 Role-Playing In The World of Speed Racer
4.0 The Japanese "version" of Speed Racer
5.0 Speed Racer 1998
6.0 Errata, Notes and Contributions to the Document
1.0 The Characters
[This section is the meat of the document, the characters of the Speed Racer
anime. All of the characters are drawn, of course, from the Speed Racer
program, and are modified with additional information from the defunct comic
book series published in the 80s by Now Comics. If there is something that
does not sound familiar, it might be from the comic series, use what you want
and ignore what you don't. Please note: Point totals are not given for any
of the Speed Racer characters, because I feel that it is just not nessecary.
You should know if Speed and his clan are too tough, nor not powerful enough
for your campaign, just change them.]
Speed Racer
Real Name: Greg Racer (according to Now Comics); Goh Mifune (original Anime)
Age: 18 Occupation: Race Car Driver
Characteristics
INT 6 Luck 13 Resistance 21
WILL 7 Punch 5d6 Kick 6d6
PRE 6 END 50 REC 10
TECH 6 STUN 20 STUN Left
REF 7 SD 10 SD Left
DEX 5 HITS 20 HITS Left
CON 5 Run 15m Leap 5m Swim 5m
STR 5 SPD 3
BODY 4
MOVE 5
Skills Perks/Talents
Hand to Hand +5 Handsome +1
H2H: Evade +4 Intuition
Athletics +3 Renown +5
Perception +3 Knack(Driving) +3
Driving +5 Wealth +1
Mechanics +2 Judo 12
Education +4 Complications
Concentration +2 Sense of Duty: Friends & Family
Persuasion +3 Stubborn: Risk Bodily Harm
Pilot (Boats) +3 Honesty : Risk Embarrassment
Pilot (Prop Planes) +3 Code of Honor: No Killing
Driving (Motorcycles) +3 Impulsiveness: Risk Bodily harm
Role-Playing Speed Racer: Speed is considered by many to be the greatest race
car driver in the world, despite his still young age. Speed has a tendency to
find trouble, and to get into bizarre challenges and races. having the
characters meet Speed should be easy, just have them be drawn to the strange
race that he may be taking part in, or have them go to actually see the
famous Speed Racer, and then draw them into whatever danger occurs around
Speed.
Speed is impulsive and heroic, which means that he has the tendency
to jump to the aid of pretty girls (even though he has a girl friend already)
and do stupid things for them (like racing down an active volcano). Any of
the characters who are gamblers may have an easy time getting Speed to do
things. Just remember to play Speed as a nice guy (a nice guy who finishes
first), who is smart, funny and a small bit bashful.
Early in his career, Speed had to sneak around his father in order to
race, but he now has his father's full blessing and has made quiet a career
for himself as a racer. Now, Speed has been "crowned" the World's Champion
Driver.
Racer X (Masked Racer in Japan)
Real Name: Rex Racer
Age: 30 Occupation: Secret Agent/Race Car Driver
Characteristics
INT 7 Luck 14 Resistance 24
WILL 8 Punch 5d6 Kick 6d6
PRE 6 END 50 REC 10
TECH 7 STUN 25 STUN Left
REF 7 SD 10 SD Left
DEX 6 HITS 25 HITS Left
CON 5 Run 15m Leap 5m Swim 5m
STR 5 SPD 3
BODY 5
MOVE 5
Skills Perks/Talents
Hand to Hand +7 Handsome +2
H2H: Evade +5 Intuition
Athletics +5 Renown(as Racer X) +5
Perception +4 Knack(Driving) +2
Driving +6 Membership (I.S.P.) +5
Mechanics +4 Common Sense
Education +6 Combat Sense +2
Concentration +4 Kung Fu 16
Persuasion +3 Complications
Firearms +4 Dependents: Racer Family
Criminology +3 Stubborn: Risk Bodily Harm
Deduction +4 Obsessed: Protect Family
Paramedic +3 Secret Identity
Lockpicking +3 Duty: To I.S.P.
Security Systems +4 Vow: Protect Family (Risk Bodily Harm)
Shadowing +4
Surveillance +4
Tactics +3
Role-Playing Racer X: Racer X has a long and interesting history. He is
secretly the older brother, Rex, of Speed racer, who is believed to be dead
by the Racer family. rex and “Pops” co-designed a lot of the elements of the
Mach-5 together. Rex wanted to be a racer, like Speed, but when he had an
terrible accident during his first race, "Pops" forbid Rex from ever racing
again. Rex ran away, and started his new identity as Racer X, becoming a
world class race car driver. Eventually, Rex was drafted into the
International Secret Police (I.S.P.), an organization of spies that use race
car driving as a cover.
Racer X is very serious about his duties, and about protecting his
family, to the extent of actually knocking Speed unconscious once when he
came too close to discovering Racer X's true identity as his brother. While
being a Secret Agent/Race Car Driver seems silly, stranger things have
happened in Anime before.
When using Racer X in a campaign, he could be the saving grace to
rescue characters, or perhaps the characters could be trying to
investigate/unmask Racer X to determine if he truly is responsible for the
many accidents which happen in the races in which he participates. In an
espionage-type campaign, the characters could be teaming up with Racer X, be
a member of I.S.P., or even assisting him in keeping his true identity a
secret from his family.
The Rest of the Speed Racer Clan (and Related Characters)
Trixie
Real Name: Trixie
Age: 19 Occupation: Girlfriend/Idle Rich
Characteristics
INT 6 Luck 11 Resistance 24
WILL 8 Punch 4d6 Kick 5d6
PRE 6 END 40 REC 8
TECH 5 STUN 20 STUN Left
REF 5 SD 8 SD Left
DEX 5 HITS 20 HITS Left
CON 4 Run 15m Leap 5m Swim 5m
STR 4 SPD 2
BODY 4
MOVE 5
Skills Perks/Talents
Hand to Hand +4 Beautiful +3
H2H: Evade +4 Intuition
Athletics +2 Common Sense
Perception +4 Wealth +4
Driving +3 Karate 12
Piloting +4
Education +7
Concentration +4 Complications
Persuasion +4 Curious (Risk Bodily Harm)
Deduction +2
Paramedic +2
Lockpicking +2
High Society +4
Conversation +2
Wardrobe & Style +3
Role-Playing Trixie: Trixie is attractive, bright and rich. She could be a
good link to the characters and the Speed Racer clan. As a rich person, she
has to have a life outside of Speed and his racing. Perhaps she is friends
with the characters in some form, or they have met socially. It could be a
good way to start a love triangle between one of the characters, Trixie and
Speed.
Trixie's curiosity tends to get the best of her, and get her into
trouble. A good adventure hook could be to have the characters attempt to
rescue her from something she got herself into and use that to introduce them
to the Racer clan. Maybe she would even be appreciative to someone who is a
bit slower than Speed would be.
Or, perhaps something has happened to Speed (or someone in the
family) and Trixie has used her money to hire the characters to investigate.
The possibilities are nearly endless.
Sparky
Real Name: Sparky
Age: 21 Occupation: Mechanic
Characteristics
INT 7 Luck 11 Resistance 24
WILL 5 Punch 5d6 Kick 6d6
PRE 5 END 50 REC 10
TECH 9 STUN 25 STUN Left
REF 5 SD 10 SD Left
DEX 5 HITS 25 HITS Left
CON 5 Run 8m Leap 4m Swim 4m
STR 5 SPD 2
BODY 5
MOVE 4
Skills Perks/Talents
Mechanics +6 Knack (Mechanics) +3
Electronics +5 Intuition
Athletics +2
Perception +3
Driving +3
Education +5
Concentration +3
Inventor +2 Complications
Perception +2 Curious (Risk Bodily Harm)
Deduction +2
Paramedic +2
Lockpicking +2
Science (Engineering) +3
Systems Operation +2
Role-Playing Sparky: Other than his great ability with cars and mechanical
things, little is known of Sparky. When the rest of the Racer clan is out
adventuring, he tends to be left in the garage or at home. He is smart
though, and could be brought into a campaign to attempt to fix something
belonging to the characters, and use that as a springboard into the rest of
the Racer clan, perhaps by getting complimentary tickets to a race that Speed
is running in, a race to be fraught with disaster.
"Pops" Racer
Real Name: "Pops" Racer; Daisaiku Mifune (orginal Anime)
Age: 47 Occupation: Automobile Designer
Characteristics
INT 7 Luck 11 Resistance 24
WILL 8 Punch 4d6 Kick 5d6
PRE 5 END 40 REC 8
TECH 10 STUN 20 STUN Left
REF 4 SD 8 SD Left
DEX 5 HITS 20 HITS Left
CON 6 Run 15m Leap 5m Swim 5m
STR 6 SPD 2
BODY 6
MOVE 5
Skills Perks/Talents
Hand to Hand +4 Knack (Mechanics) +4
H2H: Evade +4 Intuition
Athletics +3 Wealth +2
Perception +4 Wrestling 12
Driving +4
Mechanics +8 Complications
Education +7 Bad Temper (Risk Bodily Harm)
Concentration +4 Dependents: Racer Family (Risk Bodily Harm)
Persuasion +2 Vow: Protect Family (Risk Bodily Harm)
Inventor +5
Paramedic +2
Science (Engineering) +5
Role-Playing "Pops" Racer: "Pops" is hot-headed, irritable, and has a quick
temper. he is also a brilliant car designer, and he genuinely loves his
family and would risk his own life to protect any of them.
Originally, "Pops" didn't want Speed to race, but eventually gave in
and started allowing him to race. "Pops" used to be the head designer for
Genelite Motors, but he quit when they would not give the go ahead to build
the Mach 5 off of his designs, saying they would not work. "Pops" then built
the Mach 5 with the help of Speed and Sparky and the rest is now racing
history.
The best way to introduce "Pops" into a campaign would be to have
the characters approach him to either design or repair a vehicle, appealing
to his vanity would be the best way to get him to work for the characters.
Just throwing money at "Pops" never works because he is a very honorable and
has a great deal of integrity. If the characters manage to get onto "Pops"
good side (and he does have one) then they might be introduce to the rest
of the Racer clan in that manner, perhaps by being invited over for dinner).
Don't forget that Pops is the head of his own company, Pops Racer
Motors and is the manufacturer of the Mach 5 and its engine. He must
manufacture other types of vehicles as well, and is probably in great demand
as a designer (or is often the object of industrial espionage attempts).
Spridell and Chim-Chim
Real Name: Spridell Racer and Chim-Chim
Age: 10 Occupation: Kid Brother/Annoyance
Characteristics
INT 3 Luck 7 Resistance 24
WILL 4 Punch 3d6 Kick 4d6
PRE 4 END 30 REC
TECH 3 STUN 15 STUN Left
REF 4 SD 6 SD Left
DEX 4 HITS 15 HITS Left
CON 3 Run 12m Leap 4m Swim 4m
STR 3 SPD 2
BODY 3
MOVE 4
Skills Complications
Lockpicking +2 Curiosity (Risk Serious Bodily Harm)
Gullible
Role-Playing Spridell and Chim-Chim: The only reason for Spridell (and
Chim-Chim) is to get into trouble and to get under foot. They are only around
to annoy and to irritate.
Spridell can be best used to draw the rest of the characters into the
action, most usually by being captured after breaking into some place where
he shouldn't have been in the first place. Spridell will make an excellent
hostage for villains.
Inspector Detector
Real Name: Inspector Detector
Age: 20 Occupation: Police Inspector
Characteristics
INT 7 Luck 12 Resistance 24
WILL 7 Punch 4d6 Kick 5d6
PRE 6 END 40 REC 8
TECH 5 STUN 20 STUN Left
REF 5 SD 8 SD Left
DEX 5 HITS 20 HITS Left
CON 4 Run 15m Leap 5m Swim 5m
STR 4 SPD 2
BODY 4
MOVE 5
Skills Perks/Talents
Hand to Hand +5 Authority +6
H2H: Evade +4 Intuition
Athletics +2 Common Sense
Perception +5
Driving +3
Firearms +4
Education +7
Concentration +4 Complications
Persuasion +4 Vow: Uphold The Law (Risk Serious
Deduction +6 Bodily Harm)
Paramedic +2
Lockpicking +2
Role-Playing Inspector Detector: Inspector Detector is a police Inspector who often gets involved when Speed gets caught up in something where laws are being broken.
He can be used in campaigns independently of the Racer clan as a friendly police officer.
2.0 The Cars
3.0 Role-Playing In The World of Speed Racer
The Speed Racer Ground Rules Sheet
Campaign Uses Hit Locations Chart: Yes
Campaign Uses Damage Mods from Hit Loc. Chart: No
Knockback Rules Used: Yes
Critical Hits Rules Used: No
Campaign Morality: 1
(1) Good vs. Bad is black & white;
(2) Good vs. Bad is mostly clear-cut;
(3) Some cross-over between Good vs. Bad;
(4) There is little distinction between good and bad;
(5) Morality is always in shades of gray
Realism: 3 (Switches back and forth easily)
(1) Very Romantic;
(2) Romantic;
(3) Neutral;
(4) Realistic;
(5) Extremely Realistic
Dials and Switches
Dials:
Characteristic Points: 50
Option Points: 40
Campaign Style (Perk Multiplier): Moderate Impact x2
Power Points: 0
Rule of X: 24
Campaign Style (Modify current STR by): +0
Campaign Style (Autofire Rates): 4
Campaign Style (Knockback Units): 4 yds
Switches:
Complications: On
Option Points Can Be Spent on Characteristics: On
Power Points Can Be Spent On Characteristics: Off
Wealth: On
Who Goes First?
Switch 1: Off
Switch 2: On
Speed: On
Impairing Wounds: Off
Special Armor Rules for Mecha: Off
Plug-Ins Available:
Martial Arts Plug-In
Mecha Plug-In (for designing Vehicles only)
Role-Playing in the world of Speed Racer can be many things, according to the campaign and the genre of the campaign setting. Playing it straight from the world of the American cartoons can mean swinging from drama to comedy to action to adventure. However, with a little bit of work, Speed Racer and the Racer clan can be used in a variety of campaigns and genres.
Last of the Red-Hot Racers. Like the world of Mad Max, a now old Speed Racer travels over the blasted remains of the world of the future as a lone wolf fighting gangs and helping strangers with the jury-rigged Mach 5. This is not the impulsive, naive Speed of old, but a world-weary and battle hardened survivor who knows that the battle goes to the one with the most firepower. Perhaps the story behind the campaign could be the story of the redemption of Speed Racer, causing him to turn from the path that he has gotten on, and onto a more heroic, and less bitter one.
The Mach 5 Heirloom. Set in the distant future, the children and grandchildren, of Speed and Trixie have passed down the incredible Mach 5 from generation to generation. Perhaps it is not as innovative or cutting-edge as it once was, some important event has called for the return of the Mach 5 (perhaps refitted with new technologies) to help the world. This could be anything from an alien invasion to a race to protect the Earth. In this idea, the Mach 5 could now be an advanced (and even transforming) Mecha.
The Mock Mach 5. Someone who looks like Speed Racer is committing crimes using an incredible replica of the incredible Mach 5. Can the characters clear Speed’s good name before its too late. In a world where Speed Racer does not exist except as a television show, there is someone roaring through the late night streets of the city trying to replicate the “adventures” of Speed Racer and his friends.
The Mach 5-O (O for Offense). Speed and “Pops” have decided that the world has gotten a little too dangerous and have fitted the Mach 5 with offensive weaponry. This would be a good example to a campaign idea for a “cyberpunk”-type world, where the world is tough and everyone has to get tougher to match it. This could also be used in an espionage campaign, where everything is more gritty and the Mach 5 has moved to match it.
Mecha Mach 5. In a science fiction world, for some reason or another, the Mach 5 can be refitted as an offensive Mecha and used as part of an Earth Defense Force, like in a Robotech-type of campaign setting. Speed and Racer X could go from world-class race car drivers to defenders of the Earth against alien invasions (like Battle of the Planets or Voltron: Defender of the Universe).
4.0 The Japanese “version” of Speed Racer
The original Japanese version of Speed Racer was called Mach Go Go Go (Go being the Japanese word for five). Mach Go Go Go ran in Japan in the early 1960s.
The main character of Mach Go Go Go (other than the incredible Mach 5), was a young race car drive named Goh Mifune. Goh Mifune competed in worldwide racing events on behalf of his father Daisuke’s Mifune Motors.
Working with Goh in these races was his mother Aya, Goh’s kid brother/mascot Kuo, the mechanic Sabu, Go’s girlfriend Michi Shimua and a comic relief monkey named Senpei. The “original” version of Inspector Detector was Rokugo Keibu.
Also working beside Go at times, when things got particularly ominous was the mysterious Masked Racer, who was in reality Go’s older brother Kenichi.
5.0 Speed Racer 1998
An all new Mach Go
6.0 Errata, Notes and Contributions to the Document
[Sources] These are the sources that have been used to compile this document:
Speed Racer. The actual Anime, the American version, from the Cartoon Network.
Gateways magazine. Issue 9, June 1988. “Speed Racer: Then, NOW, and Beyond” by Jape Trostle
Gateways magazine. Issue 9, June 1988. “Role-playing Speed racer and the Fabulous mach 5” by Jape Trostle
The Complete Anime Guide, 2nd Edition. by Trish Ledoux & Doug Ranney.
Speed Racer: The Official 30th Anniversary Guide. by Elizabeth Moran.
Contributors:
Special thanks on this document goes out to Aaron Revennaugh who proofread and suggested changes, as well as providing the Anime books which helped provide background information, particularly the Japanese “version” of Speed Racer. Also thanks to Aaron for giving me the 30th Anniversary book as a Yule gift.
[Notes]
1.0 Everyman Skills. Personally, I think that the Everyman Skills package for playing in the Speed Racer universe should be different than that of a normal Champions: The New Millennium or Bubblegum Crisis campaign. Remember that Everyman Skills are at a level of +2.These are my suggestions:
Everyman Skills
Driving
Athletics
Conversation
Education
Mechanics
Local Knowledge
Hand to Hand
Hand to Hand: Evade
2.0 [Speed Racer Websites] In this section, I will point out Speed Racer resources out on the great and wonderful World Wide Web. If any readers of this document have any suggestions for sites not listed send me e-mail.
The Official Speed Racer Web Site
www.speedracer.com
End of Version 0.2 of Go, Speed Racer, Go!