MF Ghost season 2 episode 5 review: Top racers get toppled as Lake Ashinoko race continues

MF Ghost season 2 episode 5, titled A Cruel Reality, aired in Japan on Monday, November 4, 2024. The episode further highlights just how dangerous Lake Ashinoko GT has become due to heavy rainfall. Despite the wet and slippery conditions causing cars to skid off the track, the determined racers continue to push their limits.

In the previous episode, Sawatari was locked in a fierce battle with Beckenbauer as they fought for the lead position. Meanwhile, Daigo lost control of his car, ultimately being forced to drop out of the race.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers.

Akaba provokes Ishigami as the race enters a new segment in MF Ghost season 2 episode 5

Brief episode highlights

Akaba as seen in MF Ghost season 2 episode 5 (Image via Felix Film)

In MF Ghost season 2 episode 5, Nozomi makes a decisive move, choosing to prioritize her own position over staying behind with her brother. She successfully overtakes Yanagida, and Kakeru, surprised by her progress, nearly loses control of his car, but he quickly recovers.

The episode then moves on to the intense competition between Akaba and Ishigami on the track. Ishigami thinks that the rear-engine design of his Porsche gives him a major advantage, and he believes Takahashi might not have fully considered this while making the rules for MFG.

However, Akaba thinks Ishigami is too complacent, so he gets closer to his car and nudges it, trying to provoke him. Ishigami speeds up, but his overconfidence backfires when the track suddenly enters a series of blind turns, causing his car to skid off course. He has to stop and let other cars pass before he can safely rejoin the race, which puts him in twelfth place.

Thanks to Ishigami’s mishap, Kanata is now in fifth position, but he struggles to get past Maezono's NSX. Meanwhile, during her interview, Ren shares that she dreams of visiting her grandmother's house in Niigata in summer, a place surrounded by fields that she has not seen in five years due to her father's job. Kyoko, on the other hand, says she would like to spend some time at the beach, relaxing in a bikini and drinking a refreshing tropical fruit drink.

MF Ghost season 2 episode 5 review

Kyoko and Ren as seen in MF Ghost season 2 episode 5 (Image via Felix Film)

MF Ghost season 2 episode 5 highlights how dangerous the track is, as it takes a toll on even experienced drivers. After Beckenbauer, veteran racer Ishigami also makes a mistake and it costs him dearly.

The track challenges each driver's skills and tests their ability to stay composed. Without a strong foundation, they would struggle to maintain their positions, and without quick thinking and focus, they would miss the chances to advance.

The episode also stands out in the way it depicts each driver's unique approach to the race and not just fixating on the protagonist. Ishigami, relying too much on the advanced technology of his car, grows complacent and pays for it. In contrast, Akaba understands both his own strengths and weaknesses and those of his competitors. This awareness has put him in a strong position, now leading the fight for third place.

The interviews with the MFG Angels in MF Ghost season 2 episode 5 also provide insight into their personalities. Kyoko initially appears rude during her interview, but soon after, she reveals a more caring side when interacting with Ren. Ren, in her own interview, briefly shares her dreams, offering a glimpse into her character and aspirations.

MF Ghost season 2 episode 4 recap

Beckenbauer and Sawatari fighting for the first place in MF Ghost season 2 (Image via Felix Film)

In the previous episode, it was explained how Kanata was able to keep up with the other racers despite the limitations of his Toyota 86. Ikeda explained that the MFG track was designed in a way that even the top imported cars could not reach their full potential. Given the weather conditions, they slowed down even more to almost Kanata’s level. As a result, Kanata, whose car had a maximum speed of about 200 kph, was able to keep up and even overtake them.

Meanwhile, Sawatari closed in on Beckenbauer in the death zone and tried to pass him. As Sawatari accelerated through a corner, Beckenbauer stayed on the left, causing their cars to bump. This contact benefited Sawatari, who eventually took the lead. Beckenbauer, furious, vowed to seek revenge. His sister Agnes worried about him, knowing a second-place finish would deeply upset him.

The episode ended with Daigo losing control of his car and crashing against the guard rails. Thereafter, he gave up the race.

Final thoughts

Kanata as seen in MF Ghost season 2 episode 5 (Image via Felix Film)

In MF Ghost season 2 episode 5, the focus is on a range of supporting characters and their desires and motivations, rather than on Kanata. All the racers have a different mindset, as do the MFG angels. This manner of portrayal really fleshes out the characters, making viewers care for each one of them.