ONA
Description
Kōki Sawatari is a professional-level road racer participating in the MFG competition. He is 21 years old and drives an Alpine A110, later upgrading to the A110S and A110R models. Previously, he spent three years studying motorsports in France, where he competed in the Euro FE-3 formula category against Kanata Katagiri. Due to financial limitations, he was unable to secure a competitive car and lost to Kanata, which created a strong desire for revenge when the two meet again in MFG. Sawatari finished fourth in the previous MFG championship and is known for setting the course record at Lake Ashinoko.
In terms of personality, Sawatari is a striking-looking narcissist with a flirtatious and hedonistic nature. His most defining trait is what he calls a Seventeen Complex: he is exclusively attracted to seventeen-year-old girls, a preference that stems from a childhood crush on a friend’s older sister. This fixation affects his relationships; his current girlfriend, Sana, is seventeen, and he has stated he will break up with her once she turns eighteen. He openly prioritizes romance and leisure over racing, claiming he competes mainly for prize money to spend on his girlfriend. Despite this casual attitude, he possesses explosive speed when he becomes serious, and other drivers regard him as the one potential rival who could match Michael Beckenbauer in raw talent.
Sawatari’s motivations shift over the course of the story. Initially, he enters the second season largely motivated by his relationship with Sana and the opportunity to earn money. However, the arrival of Kanata and the intense battles with Beckenbauer ignite a dormant competitive fire. He begins to genuinely crave victory, even surprising himself with how much he cares. This development leads him to change his car to a more powerful variant for the later rounds, demonstrating his growing commitment.
His role in the series is that of a top-tier rival and a benchmark for the protagonist. As the record holder of the second race venue, he immediately presents a formidable challenge. His presence raises the overall speed and tension of the competition, and his rivalry with both Kanata and Beckenbauer forms a key part of the season’s dynamic.
Key relationships include his deep-seated rivalry with Kanata Katagiri, whom he knows personally from their European racing days and sees as a target for redemption. He also shares a mutual respect with Michael Beckenbauer, acknowledging Beckenbauer as the current peak he must surpass. Off the track, his bond with Sana is central to his character, as she is both his emotional anchor and the reason he initially downplays his own ambition. He interacts amicably with other drivers such as Shun Aiba, though his self-absorbed tendencies often set him apart.
Notable abilities include exceptional car control and technical skill, especially on twisty and demanding courses. He can quickly assess the limits of his machine and exploit its strengths. His natural feel for driving is complemented by an instinctive ability to detect seventeen-year-old women, a running gag that underscores his eccentricity. When focused, he can produce lap times that challenge even the best in the field, demonstrating that his latent potential is among the highest in the series.
In terms of personality, Sawatari is a striking-looking narcissist with a flirtatious and hedonistic nature. His most defining trait is what he calls a Seventeen Complex: he is exclusively attracted to seventeen-year-old girls, a preference that stems from a childhood crush on a friend’s older sister. This fixation affects his relationships; his current girlfriend, Sana, is seventeen, and he has stated he will break up with her once she turns eighteen. He openly prioritizes romance and leisure over racing, claiming he competes mainly for prize money to spend on his girlfriend. Despite this casual attitude, he possesses explosive speed when he becomes serious, and other drivers regard him as the one potential rival who could match Michael Beckenbauer in raw talent.
Sawatari’s motivations shift over the course of the story. Initially, he enters the second season largely motivated by his relationship with Sana and the opportunity to earn money. However, the arrival of Kanata and the intense battles with Beckenbauer ignite a dormant competitive fire. He begins to genuinely crave victory, even surprising himself with how much he cares. This development leads him to change his car to a more powerful variant for the later rounds, demonstrating his growing commitment.
His role in the series is that of a top-tier rival and a benchmark for the protagonist. As the record holder of the second race venue, he immediately presents a formidable challenge. His presence raises the overall speed and tension of the competition, and his rivalry with both Kanata and Beckenbauer forms a key part of the season’s dynamic.
Key relationships include his deep-seated rivalry with Kanata Katagiri, whom he knows personally from their European racing days and sees as a target for redemption. He also shares a mutual respect with Michael Beckenbauer, acknowledging Beckenbauer as the current peak he must surpass. Off the track, his bond with Sana is central to his character, as she is both his emotional anchor and the reason he initially downplays his own ambition. He interacts amicably with other drivers such as Shun Aiba, though his self-absorbed tendencies often set him apart.
Notable abilities include exceptional car control and technical skill, especially on twisty and demanding courses. He can quickly assess the limits of his machine and exploit its strengths. His natural feel for driving is complemented by an instinctive ability to detect seventeen-year-old women, a running gag that underscores his eccentricity. When focused, he can produce lap times that challenge even the best in the field, demonstrating that his latent potential is among the highest in the series.