Synopsis

In the year 2082, Earth has been invited to compete in the Great Race of Ōban, an intergalactic race whose winner can be granted any wish in the world — even bringing back a loved one. The invitation comes from the Avatar, a mysterious entity who ends hostilities between Earth and the sinister race of the Crogs, in return for Earth's entry into the race. Eva Wei, an Earth student, escapes boarding school to find her father, Don Wei, president of Wei Racing and the best race manager in the world. Having left his daughter in the care of the boarding school for many years without ever visiting, Don Wei does not seem to recognize Eva as his daughter. Unable to tell her father who she really is, she lands a job as a mechanic in his team under the name "Molly", a name chosen from a convenient poster on a crate in the hangar. When Wei Racing is ordered by the government to represent Earth at Ōban, Molly stows away as they are taken to a far-off planet. During the first race, the Whizzing Arrow, the Earth Star-Racer ship, crashes due to sabotage. Its star pilot, Rick Thunderbolt, becomes unable to race. After finding that the gunner, Jordan Wilde, makes a miserable pilot, Molly steals the ship and enters the next race. Don Wei grudgingly decides that the only one who can replace Rick is Molly. Haunted by the death of her mother — a famous star-racer — and the harsh "reunion" with her father, Molly is determined to win so she can be with her parents once again.

The ÅŒban-verse is filled with the standard trappings of the sci-fi genre: diverse alien species, faster-than-light space travel, intergalactic wars with hostile aliens bent on Earth's destruction, advanced communications, laser weaponry and the like. But the story is never boxed in by some of these more typical stereotypes. Magic exists in the ÅŒban-verse, though only a few specific races are shown to wield it (such as the Nourasian Knights and the Avatar) and even Sul is called a "magician" (though his powers are most likely telekinetic rather than magical). The addition of a unique creation myth regarding the birth of the galaxy (born from a living planet, no less!) along with the cycle of Avatars (chosen once every ten thousand years) lends a more fantastic, almost mystic tone to what would otherwise have become just another standard sci-fi racing anime.

The October 2006 issue of NewType USA presented a two-page spread about the series. Here's the scans for page one and page two.

Some Common Concepts Mentioned in DDD

The ÅŒban peeps make mention of many alien races and technologies in their journals. Here's a brief overview of some of the most mentioned concepts. More information can be found in the character's personal profiles.

The Crogs - Hostile alien creatures that resemble a cross between Kingdom Hearts's more ferocious Heartless and killer bunny rabbits. Extremely violent and warlike, the biggest threat to their interplanetary campaign is none other than the Earth Coalition. They "rescue" planets by enslaving their people and stripping the world of its resources. They also enjoy smacking around poor defenseless Nourasians.

The Nourasians - Take Tolkien's Elves, cross them with feudal era Japan, add a pinch of Ann McCaffery's Dragon Riders of Pern, and you get the Nourasians. Floppy eared, dark-skinned elfish aliens who ride upon giant beetles, the Nourasians are a peaceful people by nature and tentative allies of the Earth Coalition. Tenacious warriors, the Nourasian Knighthood wields magic alongside the more conventional weaponry of swords and bows. Bitter enemies of the Crogs. Current ruler is King Aikka.

The Avatar - Supreme ruler of the Milky Way Galaxy. Appointed once every ten thousand years when a suitable Champion wins the Great Race of ÅŒban. Jordan holds the current position. He's still learning how to use his powers and trains everyday so that he can become a better Avatar. His "Divine Aura" is like a glowy cross between Crow Howl (from Howl's Moving Castle) and the nocturnal form of the Spirit of the Forest (from Princess Mononoke). Has rockin' rock-star hair and wiggly tentacles. Jordan is utterly embarrassed by this form.

Canaletto - The Avatar preceding Satis. When it came time to choose a new Avatar, Canaletto conspired to steal the new Champion's powers and continue to reign over the galaxy. His plan failed (obviously) and he was imprisoned by his successor. Used Eva/Molly to try and regain his powers during the next race. Was defeated through The Power of Love and Kung Fu Action Jesus Jordan. Takes on the form of a creepy raven and likes to stalk the ÅŒban peeps, namely Eva.

Star-Racers - The most iconic technology of the series, star-racing has a devoted fan following not just on Earth, but on many planets throughout the galaxy. Maya Wei participated in the first ever Intergalactic Star-Racing Tournament between the Earth Coalition, the Fhils, and the Clan (but she died during this pivotal race). Earth tech star-racers are dual engine vehicle that run on super condescend ethanol engine liquid using a hyper propulsion hover system (the same technology used in hover cars and rocket seats). These vehicles are not meant for free flight, rather, they are able to hover several meters off the ground and move parallel to the ground at speeds of up to 600 km/h.

Myomer Technology - A crude form of prosthetic, myomer cables are bundled together and contract when an electrical current is run through it, just like human skeletal muscles. William J. Wilde was one of the first recipients of this revolutionary technology. Was used to create Orlando Gardiner's robotic body. Is currently being developed into battle suits to use against the Crogs.