OVA
Description
Jotaro Kaga, known professionally as Bleed Kaga, first competed in lethal, unregulated crash racing circuits. This dangerous background forged his driving skills prior to his move into professional Cyber Formula. His initial meeting with Hayato Kazami took place on Japanese highways, where Kaga shared valuable techniques with the novice, establishing a complex friendship strained by their differing goals. Kaga prioritized financial gain, leading him to join the Aoi ZIP Formula team during star driver Naoki Shinjyo's instability.
Kaga debuted professionally at the 2015 Cyber Formula Africa Grand Prix. Disliking team constraints, he defied orders by intentionally retiring during the season's final Japanese Grand Prix. He later competed in IndyCar, winning consecutive championships before returning for a full Cyber Formula season in 2018. His driving style merged aggressive, seemingly reckless maneuvers with strategic precision, avoiding unnecessary risks when victory seemed impossible. Though initially portrayed as purely profit-driven, this trait lessened over time.
His rivalry with Hayato Kazami intensified dramatically during the 2022 season (SIN). Facing Aoi ZIP Formula's dissolution without a championship win, Kaga confronted his outdated machine's inadequacy against top competitors. Kyoshiro Nagumo intervened, providing access to the experimental bio-computer-equipped Ogre AN-21—a prototype derived from the lethal Al-Zard NP-1. This machine had caused fatalities due to extreme physiological demands and required mastery of the Zero Zone state.
Skipping the season's second round, Kaga dedicated himself to mastering the Ogre at Fujioka Circuit. Former drivers Grey Steinback and Phill Fritz, experienced with bio-computers, assisted him. His efforts caused severe physiological strain, necessitating medical intervention after pushing into the Zero Zone. Despite Kyoko Aoi's attempts to destroy the Ogre before the final race, Kaga convinced her to allow his participation.
The championship culminated in a decisive confrontation with Kazami. Kaga narrowly overtook Kazami near the finish, deploying Ogre's emergency boosters to counter Kazami's Lifting Turn maneuver. This secured his sole Cyber Formula World Championship, simultaneously saving Aoi ZIP Formula from disbandment. Following this victory, Kaga retired from professional circuit racing, abandoned his "Bleed" alias, and returned to the United States. His departure included reconciliatory gestures: acknowledging Nagumo and expressing appreciation to Kyoko Aoi.
Post-retirement, Kaga visited the grave of his deceased friend Eiji Aizawa, meeting Aizawa's widow and child. This act revealed a personal dimension beyond his racing persona. Throughout his career, Kaga obtained his Super License through unconventional means and bore visible scars from his crash racing history. Despite an outwardly abrasive demeanor, he maintained underlying reliability and loyalty, particularly evident in his complex but enduring bond with Kazami.
Kaga debuted professionally at the 2015 Cyber Formula Africa Grand Prix. Disliking team constraints, he defied orders by intentionally retiring during the season's final Japanese Grand Prix. He later competed in IndyCar, winning consecutive championships before returning for a full Cyber Formula season in 2018. His driving style merged aggressive, seemingly reckless maneuvers with strategic precision, avoiding unnecessary risks when victory seemed impossible. Though initially portrayed as purely profit-driven, this trait lessened over time.
His rivalry with Hayato Kazami intensified dramatically during the 2022 season (SIN). Facing Aoi ZIP Formula's dissolution without a championship win, Kaga confronted his outdated machine's inadequacy against top competitors. Kyoshiro Nagumo intervened, providing access to the experimental bio-computer-equipped Ogre AN-21—a prototype derived from the lethal Al-Zard NP-1. This machine had caused fatalities due to extreme physiological demands and required mastery of the Zero Zone state.
Skipping the season's second round, Kaga dedicated himself to mastering the Ogre at Fujioka Circuit. Former drivers Grey Steinback and Phill Fritz, experienced with bio-computers, assisted him. His efforts caused severe physiological strain, necessitating medical intervention after pushing into the Zero Zone. Despite Kyoko Aoi's attempts to destroy the Ogre before the final race, Kaga convinced her to allow his participation.
The championship culminated in a decisive confrontation with Kazami. Kaga narrowly overtook Kazami near the finish, deploying Ogre's emergency boosters to counter Kazami's Lifting Turn maneuver. This secured his sole Cyber Formula World Championship, simultaneously saving Aoi ZIP Formula from disbandment. Following this victory, Kaga retired from professional circuit racing, abandoned his "Bleed" alias, and returned to the United States. His departure included reconciliatory gestures: acknowledging Nagumo and expressing appreciation to Kyoko Aoi.
Post-retirement, Kaga visited the grave of his deceased friend Eiji Aizawa, meeting Aizawa's widow and child. This act revealed a personal dimension beyond his racing persona. Throughout his career, Kaga obtained his Super License through unconventional means and bore visible scars from his crash racing history. Despite an outwardly abrasive demeanor, he maintained underlying reliability and loyalty, particularly evident in his complex but enduring bond with Kazami.