Appare-Ranman!
During the back-end of the 19th century, the genius but socially awkward engineer Sorano Appare and the wise yet cowardly samurai Isshiki Kosame find themselves drifting in the sea between Japan and America. With no money, the duo decide to enter the Trans-America Wild Race to win the prize money so they can get home. The two encounter rivals, bandits, and challenges in the wilderness as they race through America, from the starting line in Los Angeles to the finish line in New York, in the steam-powered car they built.
Episodes
At the end of the 19th century, mechanical engineer Appare is thrown in jail for upsetting one of the town’s elite, who then also appoints young swordsman Kosame to keep an eye on him. But Kosame finds keeping Appare out of trouble to be a challenge.
Stranded in Los Angeles, Appare and Kosame must find work in order to survive, but their options are limited. The pair learn of a transcontinental auto race being held soon, and Appare sets his mind to winning it, while Kosame is anxious to get home.
Appare and Kosame take in Hototo and dress his injuries. Al Lyon, representing the BNW motor company, arrives in Los Angeles and wants to rent the storehouse that the pair are staying in, so Appare proposes that they race for it.
Wanting to prove that women can be capable racers, Xialian challenges her team’s official driver, David, to a race. However, not wanting to risk one of his vehicles on some silly race, the owner makes Xialian drive a big hunk of junk.
After days of working nonstop, Appare is out like a light and Kosame has to drag him to the big celebration on the eve of the race. Nearly kicked out for violating the dress code, they chow down just before all hell breaks loose at the party.
The racers reach the first supply point and prepare to take on Death Valley. Meanwhile, Hototo discovers one of the racers is planning a deadly trap but soon finds himself in a bind.
Fully aware of Gil’s devious plan, Appare must decide whether to warn the others or take advantage of the situation. But much to everyone’s surprise, Gil has another secret he’s kept quiet about.
Tragedy strikes when some unsavory men ambush the racers. When push comes to shove, Kosame must come to terms with his mother’s killing or hang his friends out to dry.
The threat of danger puts the race at a standstill as the organizers change their plans. While Appare is busy trying to solve his cooling problem, other racers get drunk and visit the hot springs.
As the race once again resumes and heads towards a Missouri railroad bridge, Gil the Butcher lives up to his name and sets his dirty plans in motion.
Appare struggles to cope with tragedy and the outlook for the race is grim. Though some racers seem to have given up, Al is determined to keep a promise he made and rush to the rescue.
With Gil hunkering down in a ghost town, the racers need a plan to save Sofia. Problem is, they’re severely outnumbered and may have no choice but to fight their way through.
After taking down his henchmen, the group rushes in for the final showdown against Gil. But by the time they learn of his devious plans, it may be too late to save Sofia and the city.
