OVA
Description
Jotaro Kaga, professionally known as Bleed Kaga, is a Japanese race car driver introduced in the initial television series. His background includes dangerous underground "crash races," often fatal events that honed his aggressive driving style and established him as a skilled yet unpredictable competitor. Initially motivated by financial gain, he joined the professional Cyber Formula circuit with the Aoi ZIP Formula team after the destruction of his modified vehicle, the Proto Jaguar. His entry proved controversial, as he secured his Super License through unconventional, undisclosed means rather than standard qualifications.
His relationship with series protagonist Hayato Kazami began during a highway encounter where Kaga shared driving techniques with the rookie. This initial friendship transformed into a fierce professional rivalry after Kaga joined Aoi ZIP Formula. Despite his mercenary reputation, Kaga demonstrated principle during the 2015 season finale by deliberately retiring from the Japanese Grand Prix. He refused team orders and financial incentives to obstruct fellow driver Naoki Shinjō, allowing the championship contenders to compete fairly.
After the 2015 season, Kaga left Cyber Formula for the Indy racing series, winning consecutive championship titles in 2016 and 2017. During this period, he occasionally served as a test driver for Kazami's Sugo team. Kaga returned to Cyber Formula for a full 2018 season with Aoi ZIP Formula, fully acknowledging Kazami as his primary rival. He consistently placed near the top in both the 2018 and 2019 seasons, finishing as overall runner-up in 2018.
A tragic past incident profoundly shapes Kaga's character. He discovered the advanced driving perception called the "Zero Realm" ability during his crash racing days. While testing this ability, he caused a catastrophic accident that killed his close friend, Eiji Aizawa. Kaga carried deep guilt over this event, seeing parallels between Aizawa and Kazami, which intensified his rivalry with Kazami as an outlet for unresolved grief.
The 2020 season saw Aoi ZIP Formula disqualified due to team violations, forcing a one-year suspension. Kaga returned under difficult circumstances for the 2022 season: Aoi Motors supplied him with an outdated machine, the Ex-Superion Z/A-10, threatening to disband the team unless he won the championship. Following a humiliating defeat in the season opener, former team owner Kyōshirō Nagumo provided the experimental Ogre AN-21. This prototype vehicle featured a dangerous bio-computer system that had killed previous test drivers, demanding extraordinary skill to control. Kaga struggled to master the Ogre, skipping the second race for intense training assisted by drivers familiar with similar systems, Phill Fritz and Grey Steinbeck.
Throughout 2022, Kaga battled Kazami while wrestling with the Ogre's lethal potential. His use of the Zero Realm ability proved critical for control, though it inflicted physical strain and psychological distress. Team owner Kyoko Aoi, fearing for his life, attempted to destroy the Ogre before the final race but was persuaded by Kaga to let him compete. Entering the final Grand Prix two points behind Kazami, Kaga engaged in a fierce duel. He executed a decisive overtake in the final corner using the Ogre's boosters, securing both the race win and the World Championship title.
Following this victory, Kaga retired from Cyber Formula racing. He discarded his "Bleed" alias, returning to his given name, Jotaro Kaga. Before departing for the United States, he visited the grave of Eiji Aizawa, encountering Aizawa's widow and child, providing a sense of closure to his past trauma. He subsequently attended the wedding of Hayato Kazami and Asuka Sugō, marking the end of their rivalry.
His relationship with series protagonist Hayato Kazami began during a highway encounter where Kaga shared driving techniques with the rookie. This initial friendship transformed into a fierce professional rivalry after Kaga joined Aoi ZIP Formula. Despite his mercenary reputation, Kaga demonstrated principle during the 2015 season finale by deliberately retiring from the Japanese Grand Prix. He refused team orders and financial incentives to obstruct fellow driver Naoki Shinjō, allowing the championship contenders to compete fairly.
After the 2015 season, Kaga left Cyber Formula for the Indy racing series, winning consecutive championship titles in 2016 and 2017. During this period, he occasionally served as a test driver for Kazami's Sugo team. Kaga returned to Cyber Formula for a full 2018 season with Aoi ZIP Formula, fully acknowledging Kazami as his primary rival. He consistently placed near the top in both the 2018 and 2019 seasons, finishing as overall runner-up in 2018.
A tragic past incident profoundly shapes Kaga's character. He discovered the advanced driving perception called the "Zero Realm" ability during his crash racing days. While testing this ability, he caused a catastrophic accident that killed his close friend, Eiji Aizawa. Kaga carried deep guilt over this event, seeing parallels between Aizawa and Kazami, which intensified his rivalry with Kazami as an outlet for unresolved grief.
The 2020 season saw Aoi ZIP Formula disqualified due to team violations, forcing a one-year suspension. Kaga returned under difficult circumstances for the 2022 season: Aoi Motors supplied him with an outdated machine, the Ex-Superion Z/A-10, threatening to disband the team unless he won the championship. Following a humiliating defeat in the season opener, former team owner Kyōshirō Nagumo provided the experimental Ogre AN-21. This prototype vehicle featured a dangerous bio-computer system that had killed previous test drivers, demanding extraordinary skill to control. Kaga struggled to master the Ogre, skipping the second race for intense training assisted by drivers familiar with similar systems, Phill Fritz and Grey Steinbeck.
Throughout 2022, Kaga battled Kazami while wrestling with the Ogre's lethal potential. His use of the Zero Realm ability proved critical for control, though it inflicted physical strain and psychological distress. Team owner Kyoko Aoi, fearing for his life, attempted to destroy the Ogre before the final race but was persuaded by Kaga to let him compete. Entering the final Grand Prix two points behind Kazami, Kaga engaged in a fierce duel. He executed a decisive overtake in the final corner using the Ogre's boosters, securing both the race win and the World Championship title.
Following this victory, Kaga retired from Cyber Formula racing. He discarded his "Bleed" alias, returning to his given name, Jotaro Kaga. Before departing for the United States, he visited the grave of Eiji Aizawa, encountering Aizawa's widow and child, providing a sense of closure to his past trauma. He subsequently attended the wedding of Hayato Kazami and Asuka Sugō, marking the end of their rivalry.