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Ryu Suzaku (Rick Wheeler in the 4Kids English Dub) is the pilot of the Dragon Bird, and is the protagonist of the F-Zero Farukon Densetsu (F-Zero GP Legend) anime.
In the past, Ryu was a former New York police detective, as well as the F1 racing champion of 2051. He met his untimely demise, attempting to pursue Zoda during a police chase. He also had a girlfriend named Misaki Haruka, who he would later re-encounter after awakening from cold sleep in the future. Towards the end of the series, he rekindled his relationship with after she regained her memories, successfully defecting from Dark Million and her Miss Killer persona.
Ryu would eventually pilot his own variation of the Blue Falcon after he became the next Captain Falcon, following the death of his predecessor, Andy Summer. His Dragon Bird was inherited by a teenage Clank Hughes in the epilogue.
Appearance[]
Ryu Suzaku is a young adult male with auburn hair, thick bushy eyebrows, and dull blue eyes. His outfit is usually composed of a blue jean jacket, a red and white undershirt, red fingerless gloves, burgundy pants with kneepads, and blue boots with red accents.
Upon becoming the next Captain Falcon, he wears an outfit very similar to his predecessor, but is notably younger and thinner in comparison.
History[]
F-Zero Farukon Densetsu (Anime)[]
Pre-2051[]
Ryu's farm life.
According to a Bart's F-Zero Classroom during Lap 46, Ryu was born on a farm in rural Boston, Massachusetts, and apparently had a dog named Axel.[1] Ryu’s father was a racer, but his mother was sick and was cared for by Ryu as he grew.[1] Not much else is known about his parents, nor Ryu's time in Boston.
Ryu's parents.
Ryu (revealed in Lap 4) had also notably spent some time in hospitals, most likely due to his mother's illness.
At some point, he became a New York police officer and an F1 racer. Through a fellow officer and friend named Rose, Ryu met Misaki Haruka, a race queen for F1. Although Ryu did not always win races, Haruka was there to lift his spirits and encourage him. The two slowly fell in love.
2051[]
Ryu having become the 2051 F1 champion, had planned to propose to Haruka. He was instead called to duty by the sudden prison break of Zoda. In the pursuit, Zoda shooting the hinges off his stolen car's door caused it to be flung Ryu's windshield, nearly killing him. In order to save Ryu's life, he was placed in cold sleep for 150 years.
Unbeknownst to him, Haruka would go out of her way to confront Zoda at a bank, ignoring the concerns of Rose. It was here that Zoda and Haruka also went into cold sleep.
2201[]
After Ryu's accident in 2051, he would awaken from cold sleep, 150 years later in the year 2201. This was originally meant to be in the year 2251, but Jody Summer urged Dr. Stewart to use his skills to have Ryu awaken earlier.
Ryu would wake up in a whole new setting, and would adjust to living in the future, while also learning that his past had actually caught up with him in the form of his old nemesis, Zoda. He would also have to deal with a woman who looked very similar to Haruka. He embraced his role as a member of the Mobile Task Force after recognizing Zoda in a news broadcast.
Ryu also grew close with the owner of the Falcon House, Bart Lemming, viewing him as a mentor figure. At some point between Lap 11 (at least) and sometime in the year 2202, Ryu even worked at the Falcon House, but his cooking made Jack Levin and Clank Hughes sick.
2202[]
Ryu eventually found out that 'Bart Lemming' was actually Jody Summer's brother, Andy Summer, and that Andy had also been Captain Falcon. He was also informed about the Legend of Falcon, thanks to Dr. Stewart. It also wouldn't be long before he found out that Haruka was brainwashed into becoming Miss Killer.
Additionally, Ryu would come to find out the secrets of his machine, the Dragon Bird. The Dragon Bird would then receive modifications to allow for another Reactor Might, granting Ryu the ability to use a stronger Boost Fire.
During the final battle against Dark Million, Ryu played a vital role in overloading the Dark Matter Reactor through the use of the Dragon Bird's two Reactor Mights. Andy Summer passed his title of Captain Falcon down to Ryu and sacrificed himself, taking Black Shadow down with him.
When the Dark Matter Reactor was destroyed, Ryu and his machine were recovered from the wreckage, but as the Task Force questioned him about Andy's status and whereabouts, Ryu tearfully said "Captain Falcon saved the galaxy."
2207[]
Ryu Suzaku as Captain Falcon at the end of Lap 51, the final episode in the F-Zero Farukon Densetsu anime.
By the end of the series, Ryu became the next Captain Falcon. The title was passed onto Ryu by Andy Summer shortly before the latter’s fatal Falcon Punch in the year 2202. Ryu is also at least engaged to Misaki Haruka, if not married, by the year 2207, while she currently runs the Falcon House.
F-Zero GP Legend (GBA game)[]
| F-Zero GP Legend Manual | |
|---|---|
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Rick Wheeler
(US): This pilot has been resurrected in the year 2201 after 150 years of silence. The reason for this is not solely to race in F-ZERO Grand Prix races—he seems to have several ulterior motives behind his desire to win. |
| (PAL): The pilot who was revived in 2201 after a 150-year sleep. Look out for him in various settings, not just the F-ZERO Grand Prix. | |
In the F-Zero GP Legend GBA game, Ryu (named Rick in the English version) is a playable character with his machine, the Dragon Bird. He is also featured as a Story Mode character.
F-Zero GP Legend Story Mode[]
Due to the game being released only 8 episodes into the anime's original JP airtime, and the game being loosely based on the anime, the Story Mode is not canon.
F-Zero Climax[]
| F-Zero Climax Pilot Profile | |
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Ryu Suzaku (JP): ２０５１年の任務中の事故からコールドスリープされ、２２０１年によみがえったスゴうでマシン刑事（デカ）。
彼の使命は宿敵ゾーダを追いつめ、Ｆ－ＺＥＲＯグランプリにおいてばく大な賞金をかくとくしようとする悪に勝利することだ。[2] |
| (DeepL Translation): A detective from the year 2051 who suffered an accident while on the job, and was revived from cold sleep in the year 2201. His mission is to pursue his nemesis, Zoda, and defeat the evil organization that plans to win the prize money from the F-Zero Grand Prix. | |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Ryu and Clank Hughes share the same birthday, July 28.
- Mr. Zero gives Ryu a title of "Super Rookie" in Lap 11. This title is also given to Clank in the 2207 Mute City Grand Prix epilogue of Lap 51.
- Ryu, Jack, and Clank have resided at the living quarters next to the Falcon House at some point. Ryu keeps his room neat compared to Jack.
- Though the living quarters are seen, Ryu actually resides an apartment by himself, away from the Falcon House, suggesting that the other living quarters are an alternative or backup of sorts.
- Ryu and Jack, despite prize money earned from winning races, only earn a salary. The rest of the money goes to the Galaxy Police budget, prompting Ryu and Jack to apparently beg Bart for free food.
- Ryu Suzaku is voiced by Toshiyuki Morikawa, who was formerly the voice actor of the Street Fighter character of the same name; Ryu.
References[]
| The Mobile Task Force |
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| Mobile Task Force - Ryu Suzaku - Clank Hughes - Jody Summer (Anime) - Dr. Stewart (Anime) - Mr. EAD (Anime) - Jack Levin (Anime) - John Tanaka (Anime) - Dr. Clash (Anime) - Lucy Liberty |
| Anime Universe Machines |
|---|
| Dragon Bird (GT) - Red Gazelle - White Cat - Golden Fox - Iron Tiger - Fire Stingray - Wild Goose - Blue Falcon (GT) - Deep Claw - Great Star - Little Wyvern - Mad Wolf - Super Piranha - Death Anchor (Hyper Death Anchor) - Astro Robin - Big Fang - Sonic Phantom - Green Panther - Hyper Speeder - Space Angler - King Meteor - Queen Meteor - Twin Noritta - Night Thunder - Wild Boar - Blood Hawk - Wonder Wasp - Mighty Typhoon - Mighty Hurricane - Crazy Bear - Black Bull - Elegance Liberty - Moon Shadow - Panzer Emerald - Soldier Anchor - Red Bull |
| Anime Universe F-Zero Locations, Planets, & Venues |
|---|
| List of Anime Universe F-Zero Locations - List of Anime Universe F-Zero Planets - List of Anime Universe F-Zero Venues |