Speed Racer is one of the most iconic classic anime shows and characters, with several generations of fans being familiar with the demon on wheels. Now, it will be easier than ever to watch the series via digital platforms, as well as on a new channel devoted entirely to classic cartoons.

MeTV is expanding its retro programming with old-school animation, including one of the first anime that Westerners encountered. The series will also be available to purchase digitally, both in its English incarnation and in the original Japanese dub. This comes as the Tatsunoko series and its manga source material near their sixth decade of existence.

MeTV Is Adding Speed Racer and Other Classic Anime & Western Cartoons

Also known as Memorable Entertainment TV, MeTV is expanding its roster of content with MeTV Toons. This 24/7 channel will run several old-school cartoons and even anime, including the original Speed Racer series. Releasing in the late 1960s, it was one of the first anime to become a widespread success in the West, although most viewers were likely unaware of its Japanese origins. Another series that will be on MeTV Toons is Marine Boy, which originally came out in 1965 and was one of the very first anime to be dubbed in English.

Beyond anime, there will also be several Western cartoons on the programming channel. One of these will be the 1980s cartoon Silverhawks -- a sort of avian spinoff of Thundercats. Bugs Bunny & Friends, Tom and Jerry, Popeye, Scooby Doo, Rocky and Bullwinkle and Jonny Quest are likewise confirmed through the website. One image also seems to suggest that Challenge of the Gobots will be present on the channel. This series, which was a rival to Marvel and Sunbow's The Transformers, was the animated adaptation of Tonka's Gobots line. Those were American releases for Bandai and Popy's Machine Robo toys, which were used in the anime series Machine Robo: Revenge of Cronos.

Speed Racer's First Anime Series Races to Digital Platforms

In addition, Shout! Studios has announced that the original Speed Racer anime will be coming to digital platforms on June 1. This will be in a video-on-demand format, and it won't just be for the English version of the series but also the original Japanese incarnation, Mach Go Go Go. The latter was previously available as part of a rather expensive collection from Funimation, with the series' new format being much more affordable.

The original Speed Racer manga was created by Tatsuo Yashida and began publication in 1966. One year later, the anime adaptation was released by Tatusnoko Productions, going on to become a classic series for many fans of the medium. In fact, it's widely regarded as having defined anime for Western viewers until the 1990s, when shows such as Dragon Ball Z became popular. Since then, the series has had American remakes and even a live-action movie that's gone on to become a cult classic.

Source: Anime News Network