Ep 1. The Devil Z

Wangan Midnight is a Japanese anime about street racing and the thrill-seeking culture surrounding it. The first episode of the show is called "The Devil Z," which introduces us to the protagonist of the series, Akio Asakura, and his love for street racing.

The episode begins with an intense race on the Wangan, a stretch of highway in Tokyo notorious for illegal racing. Akio is participating in the race in his car, a Nissan Fairlady 240Z, which has been modified and tuned to be a formidable contender on the roads. He's soon passed by a car called the Devil Z, driven by a mysterious man who seems to be a legend in the racing community.

The Devil Z is shrouded in mystery, but it's clear that it's an incredibly powerful car. As Akio and the other racers try to keep up, they realize that the Devil Z is not just fast, but also very dangerous. Its driver is known for being reckless and pushing his car to the limit, even if it means endangering himself and others on the road.

Despite the risks, Akio is determined to beat the Devil Z and become the best street racer in Tokyo. He's been working on his own car for years and has poured all his time and money into it. He also has a passion for racing that goes beyond simply wanting to win - it's a way for him to connect with others who share his love of cars and speed.

The episode introduces us to several other characters who will play important roles in the series. There's Osamu, a mechanic who helps Akio tune his car and who has a crush on Akio's love interest, Reina. There's also Tatsuya, a wealthy businessman who is also a skilled racer and who has his own reasons for wanting to beat the Devil Z.

As the race continues, Akio and the other racers come up with a strategy to try to take down the Devil Z. But things quickly go awry when the Devil Z crashes and flips over, putting its driver in serious danger. Akio rushes to help him and is shocked to find out that the driver is his childhood friend, who has been missing for years.

This twist sets up a major plotline for the rest of the series, as Akio tries to figure out what happened to his friend and helps him recover from his injuries. It also sets up the idea that racing is not just a hobby or a sport, but something that can have real-life consequences.

Overall, the first episode of Wangan Midnight sets up a thrilling world of street racing, danger, and high-stakes competition. The characters are intriguing, the cars are impressive, and the stakes are high. It's a show that's sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats as they root for their favorite racers and watch them push themselves to the limit.