OVA
Description
Jōtarō Kaga, known as Bleed Kaga, emerged from the perilous underground world of crash racing. In these lethal high-stakes competitions, he forged unconventional driving skills and earned a reputation as the formidable "wild child of the circuit." His path first crossed rookie Hayato Kazami during a highway incident in Japan, where Kaga imparted crucial racing knowledge, planting the seeds of a complex friendship that later bloomed into a fierce professional rivalry.
Kaga entered the official Cyber Formula circuit mid-season in 2015 for the Africa Grand Prix, joining Aoi ZIP Formula to replace their underperforming star driver. His controversial debut secured second place, amplified by scrutiny over his Super License obtained through unofficial channels. Despite a reputation prioritizing financial gain, he revealed integrity by refusing a bribe from team owner Kyoko Aoi during the season's final race in Japan, deliberately retiring to ensure a fair championship battle among the top contenders.
Following a hiatus during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, Kaga competed in IndyCar, clinching two consecutive championships before returning full-time to Cyber Formula in 2018. That year, he solidified his position as Hayato's primary rival, ultimately finishing second in the championship after a narrow defeat. Their rivalry reached its peak during the 2020 season (*SAGA*), where Kaga piloted the Al-Zard NP-1 for Aoi ZIP Formula. The season concluded in team disqualification due to the Al-Zard incident – a scandal involving the car's bio-computer overriding driver control – resulting in Kaga's one-year suspension for 2021.
Kaga's character arc culminated in the 2022 season (*SIN*). Struggling with Aoi ZIP Formula's outdated equipment, he acquired the prototype Ogre AN-21, derived from Al-Zard technology. This car's bio-computer had caused fatal accidents, but Kaga mastered it by embracing the "Zero-Realm," a heightened predictive driving state. This ability carried deep personal trauma, stemming from its initial discovery years earlier which led to an accident that killed his close friend Eiji Aizawa. Kaga's eventual victory over Hayato in the season finale secured his sole Cyber Formula championship. He then retired, reverting to his birth name Jōtarō and departing for the United States. His journey concluded with a visit to Eiji's grave, symbolizing closure.
Throughout his career, Kaga blended aggressive tactics like turbulence generation with strategic precision in his driving style. His flamboyant appearance and perceived brashness masked a reserved and principled demeanor. Distinctive personal details included a forehead scar from his crash-racing days and his proficiency with an abacus, ranked level 1.
Kaga entered the official Cyber Formula circuit mid-season in 2015 for the Africa Grand Prix, joining Aoi ZIP Formula to replace their underperforming star driver. His controversial debut secured second place, amplified by scrutiny over his Super License obtained through unofficial channels. Despite a reputation prioritizing financial gain, he revealed integrity by refusing a bribe from team owner Kyoko Aoi during the season's final race in Japan, deliberately retiring to ensure a fair championship battle among the top contenders.
Following a hiatus during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, Kaga competed in IndyCar, clinching two consecutive championships before returning full-time to Cyber Formula in 2018. That year, he solidified his position as Hayato's primary rival, ultimately finishing second in the championship after a narrow defeat. Their rivalry reached its peak during the 2020 season (*SAGA*), where Kaga piloted the Al-Zard NP-1 for Aoi ZIP Formula. The season concluded in team disqualification due to the Al-Zard incident – a scandal involving the car's bio-computer overriding driver control – resulting in Kaga's one-year suspension for 2021.
Kaga's character arc culminated in the 2022 season (*SIN*). Struggling with Aoi ZIP Formula's outdated equipment, he acquired the prototype Ogre AN-21, derived from Al-Zard technology. This car's bio-computer had caused fatal accidents, but Kaga mastered it by embracing the "Zero-Realm," a heightened predictive driving state. This ability carried deep personal trauma, stemming from its initial discovery years earlier which led to an accident that killed his close friend Eiji Aizawa. Kaga's eventual victory over Hayato in the season finale secured his sole Cyber Formula championship. He then retired, reverting to his birth name Jōtarō and departing for the United States. His journey concluded with a visit to Eiji's grave, symbolizing closure.
Throughout his career, Kaga blended aggressive tactics like turbulence generation with strategic precision in his driving style. His flamboyant appearance and perceived brashness masked a reserved and principled demeanor. Distinctive personal details included a forehead scar from his crash-racing days and his proficiency with an abacus, ranked level 1.