The Take
Yes, Redline is worth watching for anyone craving original anime that puts foot to the floor without lectures or committee notes. Takeshi Koike's directorial debut delivers a single-vision sci-fi race flick built on 100,000+ hand-drawn frames over seven years.
Gearheads and animation obsessives buy this to signal love for old-school craft and anti-message entertainment that just wants to go fast.
The Verdict
Redline stays true to its over-the-top premise with zero committee interference and maximum hand-drawn flex. The nihilistic streak keeps it from full classic status, but the racing sequences deliver exactly what the premise promises.
Watch it for the races.
Common Questions
What is Redline about?
JP races to win the galaxy's deadliest illegal event on hostile Roboworld while chasing love and dodging military interference.
Is Redline based on a true story?
No. It is fully original sci-fi created by Katsuhito Ishii and Takeshi Koike.
How long did Redline take to make?
Seven years of production with over 100,000 hand-drawn frames at Madhouse.
