Dragon Drive (2002)
A slacker teen discovers a virtual reality dragon-battling game that pulls him into an epic real-world adventure to save an entire civilization.
Dragon Drive - Series Information
- Original Title: ドラゴンドライブ
- First Air Year: 2002
- Last Air Year: 2003
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Action, Adventure
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (25 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 38
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Networks: TV Tokyo
- Production Countries: Japan
- Alternative Titles: 驭龙少年 (CN)
Dragon Drive - Plot
Oozora Reiji isn't a lazy boy, he's just terribly unmotivated; all the clubs and activities he's joined don't interest him for long. That is, of course, until his best friend Yukino takes him to a underground arcade where an unbelievable virtual reality game is played - Dragon Drive - in which players fight each other with virtual dragons. Reiji ends up throwing all he's got into training a dragon so rare that the Dragon Drive staff are baffled. But soon Reiji learns that Dragon Drive isn't all it seems, and he might be the only one who can save an entire world from evil.
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Dragon Drive - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Kazuo Oka
- Romi Park
- Chinami Nishimura
- Rica Matsumoto
- Akemi Okamura
- Emi Shinohara
- Issei Miyazaki
- Jun Fukuyama
- Kenichi Suzumura
- Kiri Yoshizawa
Dragon Drive - FAQs
What is Dragon Drive about?
Dragon Drive follows Oozora Reiji, a chronically unmotivated teenager who stumbles into an underground virtual reality arcade game where players battle using digital dragons. What starts as a fun distraction quickly becomes something far bigger — Reiji discovers the game is tied to a real world in danger, and only he can save it.
Who voices the main character Oozora Reiji?
Oozora Reiji is voiced by Romi Park, one of Japan's most celebrated voice actresses. Park is widely known for iconic roles across numerous anime series, bringing her signature energy and emotional range to Reiji's journey from a directionless slacker to an unlikely hero.
Is Dragon Drive based on a manga?
Dragon Drive is adapted from a manga series by Kenichi Sakura, which was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump. The manga ran from 2001 to 2006, meaning the anime adaptation launched while the source material was still ongoing, a common practice for popular Shonen Jump properties.
Where can you watch Dragon Drive online?
Streaming availability for Dragon Drive varies by region. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date viewing options in your area, as platforms carrying older anime titles can change frequently. Availability may differ significantly between countries.
How many episodes does Dragon Drive have?
Dragon Drive ran for a single season of 38 episodes, airing on TV Tokyo between 2002 and 2003. Each episode runs approximately 25 minutes, making the complete series a manageable watch at just under 16 hours of total runtime.
What makes Reiji's dragon special in Dragon Drive?
Reiji is assigned Chibi, a dragon so small and seemingly weak that the Dragon Drive staff are genuinely baffled anyone would choose it. Yet this rare creature turns out to be far more significant than its unimpressive appearance suggests, becoming central to the larger conflict that unfolds beyond the virtual game.
Who are the notable voice actors in Dragon Drive?
Dragon Drive features a strong cast of Japanese voice talent. Alongside Romi Park as Reiji, the series includes Rica Matsumoto, known globally for voicing Ash Ketchum in Pokémon, Jun Fukuyama, celebrated for roles in Code Geass and Fullmetal Alchemist, and Kenichi Suzumura among others.
What anime series are similar to Dragon Drive?
Fans of Dragon Drive tend to enjoy other action-driven anime with creature-battling or fantasy adventure elements. Series worth exploring include Attack on Titan for its intense action, Monster Hunter Stories: Ride On for its dragon-taming themes, and The Prince of Tennis for its similarly spirited young protagonist.
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