Ep 19. The Origin of the World

Oban Star Racers is a French-Japanese anime series that follows the journey of a young girl, Eva Wei, who sets out to participate in a high-stakes intergalactic race to fulfill her father's dying wish. Set in the distant future, the show combines elements of science-fiction, action-adventure, and drama to create a captivating storyline that keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats.

The show's nineteenth episode, "The Origin of the World," takes the audience on a journey through the history of the Oban race and its origins. The episode begins with Eva and her team arriving at the planet Alwas for the final race of the competition. Alwas is a picturesque planet that boasts a large, blue lake situated amidst snow-capped mountains. The backdrop of this episode is beautiful and serene, a stark contrast to the high-speed racing that takes place.

At the start of the race, the announcer introduces an interesting twist – the pilots must unlock and collect six hidden symbols throughout the race, or else they will face immediate disqualification. As the racers navigate through challenging terrain and avoid obstacles, Eva and her teammates struggle to locate the hidden symbols. However, during a harrowing experience, Eva stumbles upon an ancient temple that reveals much about the origins of the Oban race.

Through a series of flashbacks and vivid imagery, the episode explains how the Oban race came into existence. The legend goes that the universe was created by the gods, and each god created a planet with a unique purpose and inhabitants. The Falskaar, a planetary system with three moons, was created by the goddess Maya, who had a particular love for racing and speed. She then challenged the inhabitants of the planets in her system to create ships that could match her need for speed, and the Oban race was born.

According to legend, the race is held every ten thousand years, and the winner obtains the ultimate prize – the power to control the universe. However, as time went on, the power of the prize was too tempting for the pilots, and the race became more about greed and selfishness than about speed and skill. The gods, displeased with these developments, decided to put an end to the Oban race.

The flashback continues with the gods coming together to seal away the power of the prize, preventing any future Oban races. Maya, however, foreseeing the consequences of the race, promises not to participate in the sealed-off Oban race with the rest of the gods. The episode ends with Eva and her team racing towards the finish line, while the gods watch from above, hoping that they have made the right decision by sealing the power of the prize away.

Overall, "The Origin of the World" is a fascinating episode that provides an insight into the history of the Oban race, the ultimate prize, and the reason why the race was discontinued. It's exciting to see how the legends and stories surrounding the race are fleshed out with vivid imagery, providing an immersive experience for the viewers. This episode of Oban Star Racers highlights the importance of balancing ambition and the pursuit of power with respect for tradition and integrity.