Real Drive
The story takes place in 2061, 50 years after humanity developed the "Net society" that depended on information networks despite their security issues. To improve security, a new network called Meta Real Network — or "Metal" for short — was developed. People's personal memories are reduced to information and placed within "protected virtual stand-alone organic cyber enclaves" called bubble shells online. The result was a virtual "explosion" of creative freedom as people felt safe enough to explore instincts and desires on Metal that they would not otherwise explore in real life. This "friction" between the Metal's alluring lack of restrictions and rules-bound reality led to trouble and incidents that investigators known as "cyber divers" must handle. Masamichi Haru is one such cyber diver.
Cast: Kanae Oki, Hiroki Takahashi, Katsuji Mori
TV-14HDCC
Season 1
26 episodes
1. Underwater Island DriveConstruction of an artificial island is disrupted by an unexplained phenomenon known as "burning sea". Masamichi Haru is injured by burning sea during a test of early Meta-Real technology, leaving him comatose for fifty years. Now elderly and wheelchair-bound, he still hopes to solve the mystery of burning sea. His friend Eichiro Kushima now hopes to use the Meta-Real, also known as the Metal, to research the burning sea phenomenon.TV-14CC23minApr 9, 2008
2. GirlAoi Minamo is hired to be Haru's assistant. When burning sea causes a power outage that threatens life support systems on the artificial island, Minamo rushes to the electrical substation, while Haru uses his cyberbrain to dive into the Metal Network.TV-14CC23minApr 16, 2008
3. Re-diveHaru struggles to become proficient enough at Metal diving to help Kushima's research. During his final test, he experiences braindown.TV-14CC23minApr 23, 2008
4. Atoll of DesireHaru has become an official investigator and is asked to dive into the Metal to rescue the consciousness of an Artificial Island shareholder who has experienced braindown.TV-14CC23minApr 30, 2008
5. Sous MarinMinamo searches for a pair of antique Sous-Marin sunglasses as a gift to congratulate Haru on becoming an official investigator. During the search, Minamo and Sota have a run-in with champion fighter Iron Schwartz.TV-14CC23minMay 7, 2008
6. Love LetterBecause of her lack of a cyberbrain to read online texts, Minamo must find a physical book for a book report. Her discovery reveals the true story of a lost love.TV-14CC23minMay 14, 2008
7. Hand in HandMinamo and Haru discover a dog whose consciousness was swapped with that of his owner. They hurry to find the owner's body before it becomes too late for them to switch them back.TV-14CC23minMay 21, 2008
8. No FriendMinamo and Sota investigate reports of ghost sightings at Minamo's school.TV-14CC23minMay 28, 2008
9. EmploymentMinamo and Sota's father shuts down the core server to minimize damage from a virus intrusion, putting his job on the line.TV-14CC23minJun 4, 2008
10. Supremacy NegotiationsThose who contact a mysterious oracle in the Metal named Eliza end up with lost memories. During the investigation, Minamo realizes that Haru has been talking to none other than Eliza.TV-14CC23minJun 11, 2008
11. Just IntonationMinamo tries to help violinist Ichinose, who has been discouraged ever since Kushima suddenly quit playing violin long ago.TV-14CC23minJun 18, 2008
12. Morning Without LightMinamo meets Amy, a girl who has just received cybernetic eyes to cure her blindness, but learns that Amy is struggling to adjust to being able to see. Meanwhile, Haru is asked to investigate the disappearance of a highly sought-after artist in the Metal.TV-14CC23minJun 25, 2008
13. Another SeaHaru reminisces about his youth, from his parents' struggles with poverty that led to trouble with the yakuza, to his meeting a dolphin that inspired his fascination with the sea, and finally to his exploration of the ruins of his city, now underwater because of climate change, which led him to become a test diver for early Meta-Real experiments.TV-14CC23minJul 2, 2008
14. Wave and WindMinamo goes for a dive in the sea. This episode is a recap of the series so far.TV-14CC23minJul 9, 2008
15. Last DinnerHaru investigates cyberbrain deterioration in a group of food connoisseurs.TV-14CC23minJul 16, 2008
16. Clear PowerSota tries to train enough to defeat Holon in battle. Meanwhile, Haru investigates a case of a female android being illegally used for prostitution.TV-14CC23minJul 23, 2008
17. Home Sweet HomeMinamo's family comes to visit.TV-14CC23minJul 30, 2008
18. Green RebellionHaru, Minamo, Sota, and Holon go to a distant jungle island to investigate a mysterious background noise in the Metal. All seems well until ionization in the rainforest disrupts Holon's cyberbrain.TV-14CC23minAug 6, 2008
19. Returning Water DropsHolon collapses, and the others attempt to complete their investigation without her help.TV-14CC23minAug 13, 2008
20. With These FeetAt the jungle island, Haru realized that he can learn to walk again, and he begins to practice in secret to avoid jeopardizing his job as a Metal diver. Meanwhile, Minamo gets tested for suitability to receive a cyberbrain.TV-14CC23minAug 20, 2008
21. EternityFollowing the success of weather particle experimentation, the Secretary-General and Jeni En want to install weather particle plants as soon as possible. Kushima is opposed to the plan, suspecting that the weather particles will cause complications that threaten the Artificial Island. Meanwhile, Sota goes on a date with Holon.TV-14CC23minAug 27, 2008
22. Peaceful DeathKushima goes missing, and is later found without his cyberbrain. Brain death will occur within twelve hours, so Sota and Holon search for his cyberbrain while Haru searches the Metal for his consciousness. Meanwhile, with Kushima missing from the Trustee meeting, the Secretary-General has no choice but to approve Jeni En's motion to begin bringing the weather particle plants online.TV-14CC23minSep 3, 2008
23. Human CommandmentsWith help from the Secretary-General, Sota deciphers the clues to bringing Kushima's cyberbrain back online, but instead of Kushima, an emergency AI awakens. The AI explains Kushima's suspicion that the weather particles cause the burning sea phenomenon, convincing the Secretary-General to halt weather particle production until Kushima can prove his theory. However, Jeni En temporarily revokes the Secretary-General's authority with a vote of no confidence.TV-14CC23minSep 10, 2008
24. Earth CommandmentsSota breaks into the weather particle facility with help from Haru in the Metal, but before he can reach the control room where the weather particle launch can be halted, Sota must fight Jeni En.TV-14CC23minSep 17, 2008
25. Last DiveAfter the spread of weather particles, drastic weather changes occur across the planet, and the burning sea phenomenon returns. Haru decides to use the experimental deep dive suit in an attempt to make contact with Kushima.TV-14CC23minSep 24, 2008
26. Real DriveHaru makes contact with Eliza and receives Kushima's proof that the weather particles will cause worldwide disaster. Haru broadcasts the proof on the Metal, and the world's leaders quickly agree to shut down the Metal to kill the weather particle nanomachines. Kushima's consciousness then contacts Haru and explains that the ocean itself will replace the functionality of Metal via the salt water in the human body. Haru, restored to his younger self, is safely returned to the surface, where he reunites with Minamo.TV-14CC23minOct 1, 2008
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Real Drive
★ 7.1/1020081 season26 episodesEnded
The story takes place in 2061, 50 years after humanity developed the "Net society" that depended on information networks despite their security issues. To improve security, a new network called Meta Real Network — or "Metal" for short — was developed. People's personal memories are reduced to information and placed within "protected virtual stand-alone organic cyber enclaves" called bubble shells online. The result was a virtual "explosion" of creative freedom as people felt safe enough to explore instincts and desires on Metal that they would not otherwise explore in real life. This "friction" between the Metal's alluring lack of restrictions and rules-bound reality led to trouble and incidents that investigators known as "cyber divers" must handle. Masamichi Haru is one such cyber diver.
Creators and cast
- Studio
- Production I.G
