Racer X
From Speed Racer
Racer X (The Masked Racer) (覆面レーサー, Fukumen Rēsā?)
- Voiced by: Kinya Aikawa (Japanese), Peter Fernandez (English)
- A frequent recurring character, driving car number 9, the "Shooting Star," is the enigmatic Racer X (Fukumen Racer in the Japanese version and El Corredor Enmascarado in the Latin American version). Racer X is a heroic, mysterious, flamboyant, selfless, sympathetic and often brooding soldier of fortune whose secret identity is that of Rex Racer (Ken'ichi Mifune in Japan) Speed's older brother. Six years ago, Rex had a falling out with Pops after Rex wrecked a race car that Pops had built. Pops had told Rex prior to the race that Rex was not yet prepared to compete at the professional racing level. With less than one lap to go in his first major race, Rex was leading and cruising toward victory, but lost control of the car and wrecked it. Pops exploded with anger and berated Rex. In even more enraged response, Rex fled the family and exiled himself while vowing to become the world's greatest race car driver. It was at that time that Rex assumed the mysterious, Racer X identity, to pursue his racing career. In both Speed Racer X and in the 2008 movie, however, Rex is thought to have died in that accident. In the film, he is portrayed by two actors, Scott Porter as a younger Rex Racer, and Matthew Fox as the older Rex Racer and Racer X. :It was acknowledged by both Pops and Speed over the years that Racer X was the superior driver of the two, and the greatest driver that they had ever seen, but Speed always vowed to defeat Racer X as the two vigorously competed. In the anime, Speed was often suspicious of Racer X's identity and motives because Racer X would repeatedly, and inexplicably, sacrifice winning races to protect Speed from drivers and others who tried to harm him. The assistance from Racer X nearly always led to Speed winning races, while Racer X came in second place. Racer X always left the scene unnoticed, receding into his secret life. It was not until the episode "The Trick Race" that fans of the show finally got to see the face of Racer X. Early in the series, in the episode "Challenge of the Masked Racer," Speed had already begun to suspect that Racer X might, in fact, be his estranged older brother; this suspicion would be expressed by Speed in later episodes such as "Race Against The Mammoth Car."
Racer X is actually Speed Racer's older brother Rex. (This was revealed in the episode "Challenge of the Masked Racer"). Rex got into an argument with his father after he wrecked the first car Pops built. Rex chose to leave the family and vowed to become the world's greatest race car driver. He frequently helps Speed out of trouble from people who would want to hurt Speed because of his driving skills. Rex does this as an "agent" working with law enforcement.
Racer X drives a yellow race car with the number 9 known as the "Shooting Star" in the anime, although it is nameless in the film.
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Character traits
- Racer X is the most misunderstood racer on the formula one circuit. Both feared and revered, he inspires rumors that whenever he races crashes are sure to happen. A face mask shrouds his face adding to his mystique. Racer X frequently challenges Speed to races of the track, but during real races he helps him.
In the film Racer X avoids contact with ther Racer film due to emotional troubles he suffers from keeping his sercet.
Relationships
Unbeknownst to the rest of the Racer family, Racer X is Rex Racer, Speed Racer's older brother. He also has ties to Taejo Togokhan: he, Taejo, and Speed work to together in the final race to stop the Tatsunoko company mobsters.
Behind the scenes
- Racer X not only hides his true identity from everyone, including his own family, but goes through an entire facial reconstruction so that when unmasked, he could not be recognised as Rex Racer
Trivia
In every episode (that Racer X appears in), the narrator confirms that Racer X is Speed's older brother who went missing.
In the original anime, Racer X's white shirt had an "M" on it, just like the Mach 5 symbol, making it a little obvious that he was somehow connected to the Racers. In the movie, this is changed to a black suit with another "X".
Casting
In the original series he was voiced by Peter Fernandez, in the Speed Racer Film, Racer X is portrayed by Matthew Fox, while Rex Racer is portrayed by Scott Porter.
Alternate Stories
In the both the 2008 movie and the original Speed Racer television show, Racer X is thought to be dead after the car accident instead of leaving the family. In the movie, during a flashback, it is shown that he destroyed the car using explosives and he had re-constructive surgery on his face and voice, in order to fool Speed Racer into think Racer X is someone else, although Speed Racer knows that Racer X races just like Rex Racer.
