「ホップ→ステップ→ -Godspeed! Psych!-」 (Hop -> Step ->: Godspeed! Psych!)
Hop -> Step -> -Godspeed! Psych!-
Overtake!’s 11th episode sets up the next race as a once-in-a-blue-moon chance for Haruka to make it to the winner’s circle as he’s finally secured enough funding to get proper tires. In a lucky twist of fate, it’s also the first race where Satsuki returns, forcing Toshiki to take on a leadership role even if Satsuki is quick to want his old spot back.
DI MOLTO
There isn’t as much to say on Haruka’s end since his growth at the moment is coming from how all of the shops Kouya begged a sponsorship from had a change of heart. It was funny to see how they all decided to pool together their funds for communal sponsorship after they saw how far down he sank without funding.
In a surprising twist of fate, his point-of-view in this episode has given us the most detailed car facts we’ve had in a while. Whether it be exploring the kind of maintenance F4 cars would need or spelling out how tires can factor in for a racer’s success, it’s interesting to get an episode that doesn’t shy away from the grittier details of getting ready for a big race..
I am curious about what will happen with Koutarou and Arisu since they usually have friendly chemistry with flares of tension, but things were heating up with Koutarou contemplating what to do with a spoon she ate his parfait with. She’s highly serious about Satsuki and her feelings for him transcend his charming looks, but Koutarou seems like he’s on the fence over whether he’s happy for having helped her get closer to him.
Unfortunately for Satsuki, he’ll need as much help as he can get as he jumped right into racing the moment he was cleared to leave the hospital. No matter how much the speed makes him sick or no matter how many people tell him to ease up, he’s still quick to throw himself on the field, whether he’s ready or not.
It’s hard not to see this being the perfect storm that causes Haruka to pull through to 1st because of how chaotic things are getting for Belsorriso. Toshiki’s leadership issues have already driven him nuts as he’s barely and luckily made it to the winner’s circle alone. But with Satsuki back, he’ll have to prove his worth as their leading first driver, lest he allow Satsuki to take the top spot while he isn’t ready.
Luckily, Satsuki’s subliminal lessons have given Toshiki more to work with as he helped the new first driver push past his anxiety over the racers behind him. Toshiki’s tension at having to micromanage the drivers behind him has been an elephant in the room for him since he didn’t have to merely focus on giving 1st place to Satsuki. I’m wondering if the little push Satsuki gave him will be enough for Toshiki to gain more confidence for his next race or if Haruka will throw him off once again, and give him his first victory over Belsorriso.