Newsletter : Motorcycle Anime Collaboration Tokyo Override Now Streaming on Netflix! --Motorcycle Action in Tokyo 100 Years in the Future--

Tokyo Override is a new Netflix original science fiction anime series set in Tokyo 100 years in the future, is now streaming exclusively on Netflix. Yamaha Motor's Creative Center gave its full cooperation in the production of the series, from providing 3D data and support of recording the sounds of Yamaha's legendary YZF-R1 and VMAX motorcycles, as well as collaborating with the World Building for the story and designing an original concept race bike in 100 years in the future. The motorcycle action is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the series.

■A "Classic" YZF-R1 Flies through the Future Tokyo

Tokyo Override, directed by FUKUDA, Yusuke and Veerapatra Jinanavin is set in Tokyo 100 years from now where AI is prevalent throughout everyday life and all kinds of urban functions have been automated. This original sci-fi anime is now streaming exclusively on Netflix.
　The dynamic motorcycle action is one of the highlights of this anime. Yamaha Motor cooperated and oversaw various parts of the production process. For example, the characters ride through the future city streets on already legendary classics such as Yamaha YZF-R1 and VMAX. We provided the 3D design data and assisted with recording the sounds of the actual motorcycles. Our designers and planners were also actively involved in the series' production process, envisioning the motorcycle racing scene 100 years in the future and designing the machine that races.
　"What was particularly interesting was the scenario creation process called World Building we did with the production team," recalls NAKAMURA, Satoshi from the Planning Design Division. "We spent a lot of time over numerous discussions about what the world of Tokyo 100 years in the future would be like and compiled the results into a 'bible' to follow during production. The events and vehicles you see in the series as well as the story itself are all based on that 400-page bible."  

■Realism Beyond Previous Motorcycle Anime

In the highly AI-driven society depicted in Tokyo Override, traffic accidents and other problems are far less likely to occur. On the other hand, natural disasters still remain out of human control. As a way to prepare for such disasters, the production team focused on the world of racing.
　"In racing, unexpected accidents can always occur. The idea of positioning this as a means of identifying risks and finding pathways to move to a safe location is very unique, and with the added entertainment factor inherent to racing, I felt there was a sense of reality when looking at it from the perspective of what meaning racing would have 100 years from now," explains Nakamura.
　One of the star riders, Amarin, rides the Y/AI, a machine that trusts in human possibilities. One of the highlights is in pursuit for realism, the future bike design keeps the rider position the same as the MotoGP machine "YZR-M1", while the form of the bike balances in the perspective of advanced design and product design. A full-size concept model of the Y/AI was also built and is scheduled to be unveiled at the Motor Expo 2024 in Thailand at the end of November.
　"The story is set based on the social structures, technology, and people's values 100 years in the future that we created in the World Building bible. If you watch the show while imagining about how these things come together, you may find it even more interesting," says Nakamura. "I don't know the ending yet. As a viewer, I would like to really immerse myself in the world and its story when I watch it."







The Creative Center has a program that encourages self-study and self-improvement among our designers and planners. The 12 members who assisted in the production of Tokyo Override were also brought together from various departments through this system, and they participated in the project while making use of their respective expertise. One of the 12 recalled, "This was a good opportunity to seriously think about our world 100 years from now. From all the discussions and deep diving we did through the project, I got the sense that the world will actually not change as much as I imagined."

KAWAI, Maiko