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Most likely due to the fact that it was made in 2007, this is one of those great anime that do not get very much mention around here.

Those who have watched sports anime know that most are made with the same formula. A team works hard to overcame various opponents and goes through tournament after tournament to get there. On top of that you have athletes with super-human ability all over the place to the point that it gets hard to suspend the realism.

This show breaks from the general format of a sports show, and does a great job of it at that. So if you have seen one too many athletes disappear, fly, ect., rest assured you can safely watch this without rolling your eyes out of their sockets.

The Premise:

An awkward first year high-school student who isn't particularly good at anything joins a bicycle club captained by the older brother of the girl he likes, in order to change himself for the better. It highlights the hard-work he puts into cycling, as well as the actually racing.

Yowamushi Pedal Comparison:

I will make this section as quick as possible.

Similarities:

• The MC doesn't have road racing experience at the beginning
• Both anime do a good job of showing how brutal a sport cycling can be.

Dissimilarities:

• Overdrive doesn't have tournaments, training camps, and the rest of the standard sports anime cliches
• Note, this includes the special abilities, which are present in Yowamushi Pedal, though not as prevalent as shows like Kuroko no Basket, Pince of Tennis, etc.
• Overdrive has a more serious feel than Yowamushi Pedal, though it still has some comedy in it.
• The contestants in the race aren't all high-school students, there are many adults as well.

Final Notes:

When watching, don't be discouraged by the slow start. I felt a bit bored in the first episode or two, but now i am here recommending it to others.

Don't expect too much romance from this series, it has just slightly more than most sports anime.