Speed Racer (1967)

Original Air Date: 1967-1968

Network: Syndicated

This classic show about exotic supercar races was the first taste of anime for many American viewers. It featured the best car in all of anime, the Mach 5. Like the Batmobile and KITT from Knight Rider, the Mach 5 is more than just a car -- it's an icon.

Speed Racer's mass-market success helped set the stage for the influx of anime we see in today's media, mainly because the American adaptation of the show was surprisingly good for the time. The new English theme song was a bit reminiscent of old radio jingles, and millions of Americans can recognize the tune in just a few notes. The title change from "Mach GoGoGo" to "Speed Racer" was probably one of the best marketing moves in animation history, and the often-parodied, fast-paced, sometimes-awkward English dub added a strange kind of charm to the show.

In retrospect, the show comes off as campy and low-budget, but back in the '60s and '70s it was the new hotness, and its legend grew even more with syndication. Attempts to remake and modernize the series have pretty much ended in disaster, but the original still remains a nostalgic favorite with fans across the world