Real Drive (2008)
A cyberpunk anime set in 2061, where specialist investigators called cyber divers navigate a virtual network teeming with freedom, danger, and human desire.
Real Drive - Series Information
- Original Title: RD 潜脳調査室
- First Air Year: 2008
- Last Air Year: 2008
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Crime
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 23 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 26
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: April 9, 2008 (United States - TV-14), April 9, 2008 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: Nippon TV
- Alternative Titles: RD Sennou Chousashitsu (JP)
- Production Companies: Production I.G
- Production Countries: Japan
Real Drive - Plot
The story takes place in 2061, 50 years after humanity developed the "Net society" that depended on information networks despite their security issues. To improve security, a new network called Meta Real Network — or "Metal" for short — was developed. People's personal memories are reduced to information and placed within "protected virtual stand-alone organic cyber enclaves" called bubble shells online. The result was a virtual "explosion" of creative freedom as people felt safe enough to explore instincts and desires on Metal that they would not otherwise explore in real life. This "friction" between the Metal's alluring lack of restrictions and rules-bound reality led to trouble and incidents that investigators known as "cyber divers" must handle. Masamichi Haru is one such cyber diver.
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Real Drive - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Kanae Oki
- Hiroki Takahashi
- Katsuji Mori
- Keiji Fujiwara
- Hiromi Tsuru
- Ai Nonaka
- Ayako Kawasumi
- Akeno Watanabe
Writers
- Junichi Fujisaku
- Yasuyuki Muto
- Taiki Sakurai
- Midori Goto
- Masahiro Kawashima
Real Drive - FAQs
What is Real Drive about?
Real Drive is set in 2061, fifty years after humanity built a global information network. A new virtual space called Metal allows people to explore desires and instincts freely. When that freedom breeds trouble, specialist investigators called cyber divers step in to handle the fallout. Masamichi Haru is one such diver.
When did Real Drive first air?
Real Drive premiered on April 9, 2008, on Nippon TV in Japan. The series ran for a single season of 26 episodes, wrapping up its broadcast run later that same year.
How many episodes does Real Drive have?
Real Drive consists of 26 episodes across one complete season. The series aired its full run in 2008, telling a self-contained story set in a near-future world shaped by virtual networks and cyber investigation.
Is Real Drive connected to Ghost in the Shell?
Real Drive shares creative DNA with Ghost in the Shell. Both are produced by Production I.G and based on concepts by Masamune Shirow, the manga artist behind Ghost in the Shell. Real Drive explores similar themes of virtual identity, digital consciousness, and the blurred boundary between humanity and technology.
Who are the main voice actors in Real Drive?
The principal voice cast includes Kanae Oki as Minamo Aoi, Hiroki Takahashi as Sota Aoi, Katsuji Mori as Masamichi Haru, Keiji Fujiwara as Eiichiro Kushima, Hiromi Tsuru as Erica Patricia Takanami, Ai Nonaka as Yukino, Ayako Kawasumi as Holon, and Akeno Watanabe as Sayaka.
What genre is Real Drive?
Real Drive blends animation, action, adventure, science fiction, fantasy, and crime into a cyberpunk-flavored anime experience. Its near-future setting and focus on virtual networks place it firmly in the tradition of thoughtful Japanese sci-fi anime.
What anime is similar to Real Drive?
Fans of Real Drive often enjoy Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, which shares its cyberpunk atmosphere and Production I.G pedigree. Dimension W and Akudama Drive also explore futuristic technology and crime in compelling ways. Beyond the Boundary and Claymore round out strong picks for action-driven anime fans.
What is the content rating for Real Drive?
Real Drive carries a TV-14 rating in the United States, indicating content that may be unsuitable for children under 14. The series deals with mature themes including virtual identity, human desire, and cybercrime, making it best suited for teenage and adult audiences.
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