IGPX Episode 10: Showdown
Original Japanese title: Showdown
Now realizing the fragility of life, Takeshi moves on ready for his next race. River jumped ship to Team Sledgemamma, and now River is ready to beat Takeshi once and for all. But will Takeshi be able to race when his mech starts breaking down? And will the bad occurrences stop there? This episode features the first race against River after he joined Team Sledgemamma.
Spoilers Below
Don't scroll down any further if you want to avoid spoilers! The action reports, music credits and screenshots contain some spoilers from the episode!
Report #1
Satomi vs Sledgemamma: Pre-Race Analysis
Both teams are vying for the second slot in the finals race
Which team will go all the way to the apex of the IGPX? Today is the race to see who of Team Satomi and Team Sledgemamma will gain the privilege of fighting Team Velshtein in the finals. Velshtein was the #1 team in the Regular Season in terms of points.
Looking at the team formations that were just announced, Team Sledgemamma's leader, Yamma, was moved to Midfielder and River, who has only just been transferred to Team Sledgemamma, has taken his place as Forward. It's not uncommon for teams to change formations, but changing the position of Yamma, which could be considered a position for an ace pilot, from Forward to Midfielder in such a pivotal race is likely a move that recognizes River's ability. Regarding this point, IGPX commentator, Benjamin Bright, had three different things to say:
1. "River has the advantage of knowing a lot about his former teammates."
2. "Takeshi being in the same position as River as a Forward simply means that River, who has not had a chance to race in the IG-1 yet, has saved up all of his energy and his resolve to fight and beat Takeshi."
3. "Being in the position of Midfielder, looking out over the race as a whole, Yamma will ultimately take control over the outcome of the race."
Apparently, the change of positions is going to change the race dramatically. According to the officially recognized bookmaker of the IGPX (Lucky Point Corporation), shortly after the announcement of the team's formations, the betting odds fluctuated dramatically. As for the current projected outcomes, it is 60/40, with Team Sledgemamma having the slightly higher chance to win than Team Satomi. As for which pilot will take first place, Takeshi has the lowest odds. Yamma is said to have a higher chance, while first-timer River has the highest chance. It seems that audiences also don't really know who will win. The current thinking of many fans seems to be this: "Although we can feel a Sledgemamma win, we want to see Takeshi get the checkered flag first." Surely, they must be seeing the odds as 50/50.
But this is the race to decide who continues to the finals and who doesn't. We are looking forward to a race that will make us want to not even blink so that we can catch every bit of the exciting action that awaits!
Music Credits
Toonami Version
"Sweetsmoke"
By Mr. Scruff
Album: Trouser Jazz
Heard: At the beginning of the episode.
"Sordid"
By Amon Tobin
Album: Permutation
Heard: During Takeshi's flashback & one more time in the race before the commercial break
"The Darg Frog"
By Journeyman
Album: National Hijinx
Heard: The nighttime scene where we briefly see River and
then again during the Team Sledgemamma meeting
"Landscape with Water-Guitar Version"
Licensed Track (not commercially available)
Album: Emotions & Eccentricity
Heard: During the flashback scene with the Rocket
"Song for Mary"
By The Herbaliser
Album: Take London
Heard: When Takeshi and Liz (and eventually Amy) talk
before the race
"Toys Are Us"
By Hexstatic
Album: Master-View
Heard: During the pre-race pep talk
"Three Strikes"
By Jim Dooley
Album: WWII in HD (Music from the Original History Channel Series)
Heard: As the team walks out onto the race track
"Laundry Pt 3"
By Neotropic
Album: 15 Levels of Magnification
Heard: The first song heard after the commercial break
ends
"Everything Is Under Control" (DJ Kentaro Mix)
By Coldcut
Album: Everything Is Under Control
Heard: Just as the teams enter the second lap
"Thunderworld"
By Cato Kyvik
Album: Epic Adventure (not commercially available)
Heard: After Team Satomi finishes their pit
"Power Struggle"
By Klaus Badelt
Album: Action (not commercially available)
Heard: During a small portion of the next part of the race
"El Cargo"
By Amon Tobin
Album: Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory Soundtrack
Heard: The last song of the episode
Production I.G Version
"Sweetsmoke"
By Mr. Scruff
Album: Trouser Jazz
Heard: At the beginning of the episode
"Sordid"
By Amon Tobin
Album: Permutation
Heard: Many times throughout this episode, including Takeshi's flashback scenes & before and after the commercial break
"Dark Approach"
Licensed Track (not commercially available)
Album: War & Struggle
Heard: During the outdoor nighttime scene
"Landscape with Water-Guitar Version"
Licensed Track (not commercially available)
Album: Emotions & Eccentricity
Heard: During the flashback scene with the Rocket
Unknown Track (ID #IG1)
By ???
Album: ???
Heard: During the team meeting before the race
"Three Strikes"
By Jim Dooley
Album: WWII in HD (Music from the Original History Channel Series)
Heard: As the team walks out onto the race track
"Red Heat (Perc Mix)"
By Brian De Mercia
Album: Epic Adventure (not commercially available)
Heard: Just as the teams enter the second lap
"Thunderworld"
By Cato Kyvik
Album: Epic Adventure (not commercially available)
Heard: After Team Satomi finishes their pit
"Power Struggle"
By Klaus Badelt
Album: Action (not commercially available)
Heard: The last song of the episode
Additional Information
US original broadcast date: January 14, 2006
Japan original broadcast date: December 7, 2005
Toonami Version Differences
- A few seconds were cut as to not make the pause between the time Takeshi puts the blanket over his head and then shifts a little in his bed. It was originally
around 10 seconds in the original.
- A scene where Yuri is seen next to Takeshi's encouraging him for the next race was cut.
Screenshot Gallery
