Rick Wheeler (Ryu Suzaku in the Japanese version) is an F-Zero pilot first originating from F-Zero: GP Legend.
History[]
A champion racer and a detective hailing from New York in 2051, Rick's life came to a tragic end, not before he was awakened from cryo-sleep for 150 years. Now a member of the Galaxy Mobile Platoon, Rick now competes in F-Zero races, but vows to bring the one who nearly killed him to justice, Zoda. His vehicle is the Dragon Bird. He's the main protagonist next to Captain Falcon and Jody Summer. His greatest rival and his best friend is Jack Levin.
Personality[]
Rick Wheeler always has unfathomable courage and determination when he goes against his greatest challenges. He tends to get hotheaded as he deals with Zoda as a way to avenge Haruka and repair his shattered life. Sometimes, he will get a bit foolish in several races, to the point where Jody called him a "glory hog."
Despite his impulsive nature, he's also well-known to be dedicated, strong-willed, and noble. He will even sacrifice himself if it comes to save someone else from impending death; a perfect example was when he shielded Jody from a volley of bullets from a Dark Million cruiser at Planet Alcatrand.
In F-Zero GP Legend[]
Rick Wheeler has competed in many races. In the second episode of the anime F-Zero: GP Legend, he crosses paths with the mysterious Captain Falcon and has worked with and raced against him on various occasions.
He also had a girlfriend named Haruka Misaki whom he loved very dearly before he was put into cold sleep. Before the tragic accident, he wanted to propose to himself to her. Prior to breaking the question, he was called into an assignment in hunting down Zoda, a deadly convict who escaped from prison. He was able to shoot off the driver-side door with a rifle as he escaped in a stolen vehicle, resulting in Rick's accident. He was then put into suspended animation since his injuries were too severe; the current medical technology wasn't able to heal him properly, and as he woke up, he met Jody and Dr. Stewart. He then rushed out to propose to his lost love but was always unable to find her.
By Lap 8, he kept mourning over his loss and how Zoda nearly destroyed him then. The woman he once rescued turned out to be one of Dark Million's most lethal assassins known as Luna Ryder/Miss Killer. Despite his vengeance for Zoda, he eventually discovered that she is actually Haruka brainwashed by him as soon as she woke up from cryosleep.
Later on in the anime, Dr. Stewart has revealed there was a reason why Rick was revived; he is destined to be the Savior of the universe from Black Shadow. He must obtain all the Reactor Mights before Dark Million does, and his Dragon Bird has housed one of them unbeknownst to Dr. Clash. It was said that he used to be mentored by James McCloud; a mysterious pilot that trains various racers, including those from Dark Million.
On the final episode, Burt Lemming makes a last stand against Black Shadow and passes on the title of Captain Falcon to Rick Wheeler. After Bart's disappearance, Rick Wheeler becomes the new Captain Falcon with Clank Hughes taking over the Dragon Bird.
In F-Zero Climax[]
In F-Zero Climax he becomes the new Captain Falcon. He drives the Blue Falcon GT, and he can only be unlocked by beating every Cup on each difficulty setting at first place overall.
In both games by default, he is a playable character with the Dragon Bird with great boost and strength but lacking when it comes to grip and overall speed.
Ikran's F-Zero timeline[]
Much like in the anime, Rick plays as the main protagonist; unlike the anime, though, he has woken up at a different time. He was in cryosleep in 2424, then awakening in 2574, one year after the GX Grand Prix!
His obsession was indeed to hunt down Zoda, but he has received a colossal character development. One night, he looked into the obituary Haruka was in, and she got involved in a horrible accident, rather than by Zoda's hands. He was devastated, and lost the will to fight, resulting him being abducted by Dark Million! They've inserted a black liquid as he was knocked out and taken to Dark Star. Several weeks passed, and he was soon awakened after he absorbed the same liquid. He was then made over by the Dark Soldiers and became submissive to Black Shadow's evil whims! He attained his machine, naming it the Dark Star Dragon, and he reunited and went with Miss Killer to slay the remaining Task Force member, Tinsel!
They ambushed her and Leon as they were following a distress signal emitting from the Dragon Bird, but the actual machine sicced onto them! Rick chased Tinsel into an icy cavern, and rammed in for the kill, till Leon intervened! They got into a lethal scrimmage until Tinsel managed to knock some sense into him, restoring his normal self. He led the two out, then back to his flat, and explained the incident Haruka was involved with. Then, he felt like he was at home again, till his thoughts were disoriented by the solution. He collapsed onto the bed, and by the time Tinsel offered to sleep with him, he weakly accepted.
Hours later, he reunited with Burt and Clank, then he had his doubts on saving his friends. He soon went with Tinsel introducing her friends, then allowing Rodney to use the formula his father invented. Rick grew groggy, before he wound up in the heavens and saw his beloved!! She advised him Black Shadow has created a byproduct using her body, and he must never let her intimidate him. He's the only one who can save the universe and allow her rest when Black Shadow's defeated.
He woke up in the hospital and Clank announced Jack'll be in the Aeropolis race. He also made some restorations to the Dragon Bird. Rick decided to stay up for a while and activate the safety features in the base, then he watched Tinsel sleep, assuring she will be alright. As he promised to protect her. He didn't sleep till the crack of dawn.
They both practiced at the Multiplex track and had a fun race, as it reminded him competing with Haruka. He managed to get Jack and Lucy back, pushed Clash to his demise upon his last request, and destroyed Zoda and his gunship as he saved Tinsel! He then trained with Falcon who taught him a special technique named the Booster Fire, utilizing his own Reactor Might of Light, a celestial substance installed in his, Falcon's, and Tinsel's machines. He had a huge accident the first time, then he had beaten Falcon at the Aero Dive simulation, defeated Dark Million at the Cosmo Terminal quarterfinals, reunited Gazelle with Clank, and defeated Falcon again at the Phantom Road! He was able to see his truer identity and declined as he was given his mantle. He won the Death Wind semifinals, and there was a split victory in the Lightning Championship with Black Shadow! He was rendered unconscious by his double Black Fire and taken to Dark Star again! There, he learned that Dr. Stewart's planning to make an irreversible formula for the emperor's mind control, and he strived since the experiment went well with Tinsel! Black wanted to convince Rick to join him again, reunited with Miss Killer again. He was nearly successful as he tempted him to erase his dark past and serve him once more...till Rick's friends reminded him on who his true allies were, even Haruka and Tinsel. Their strength made him ignite and burst out of the stasis tube, then escape with the Blue Falcon and Silver Comet. He returned home and realized they must stop Dark Million.
He soon received a diary from Haruka, requesting him to have it after he awakens in a new world while she died in a tragic suicide. Rick and Tinsel then found out from Falcon that Deathborn's the true culprit of everything, as a way to disguise himself in the overworld! Two Reactor Mights were installed in his new Dragon Bird EX and trained himself in all the King League courses excepting Death Wind. Then prayed to Haruka to watch over him and guide him to victory.
Rick was able to restore Rodney and Tanaka thanks to his new thermal healing abilities from his Reactor Mights. Them, he found Tinsel distraught as she quit the Task Force and beaten Jody! She was captured and taken to Dark Star, making him surrender his Mights! He then took on the fight in the Falcon Flyer, with the Galaxy Runner and a restored Jody, there. He arrived at Dark Star, then succumbed to the Skull's deep sleep spell. There, he encountered and chased after Zoda thru the alleyways, although he was able to cheat his death! Yet still the perp was gone. Deathborn threatened his nightmare was about to begin. He frantically searched for Tinsel, then found and freed a baby jellyfish-like alien. He then saw her and Miss Killer in a violent brawl, and the latter kept reminding him she's Haruka, while Tinsel countered, she's only her shell but still evil! She screamed for him to remember Haruka's advice, which snapped Rick out of his reverie and saved Tinsel while Miss Killer dropped thru space! He reluctantly forgave Tinsel since Haruka said she's the one for him! He confronted Black Shadow, only to be overpowered, while being taunted the galaxy is in his hands! He was rescued by Draq, Gomar & Shioh, Leon, Beastman and Rodney, though they must hurry to save Earth and the galaxy!
Rick, Tinsel, and Rodney headed to the secret lab, and he revived Dr. Stewart. He said that only the savior shall help them, which turned out to be Rick turning the tides for Falcon!! Rick was chosen as the Wuji, while Black was the Yin, and Falcon the Yang. Since the beginning of the galaxy, 6 Reactor Mights were created: 3 Dark, 3 Light. His destiny is to unite all 6 Mights and conquer evil as Black and Falcon can't destroy themselves. So, the galaxy's fate was in Rick's hands. Then, he destroyed the lab and the Blood Falcon copies with the empty Death Anchor. Then, he took the fight to Deathborn!
Yugi and Joey followed in, while Rick was losing the fight with the invincible Dark Schneider. Falcon soon intervened as Blood Falcon fell to the Core thanks to the Black Skull Dragon's Shadow Flare. Rick had some difficulty activating his Boost Fire, till Tinsel and Haruka gave him the push he needed, as he activated his Full Power Booster Fire, eradicating the Core, and Falcon and Deathborn with it!! He was saved by that same jellyfish who had grown 10 tenths its size and gave power to his machine while lifting it to safety! Rick mourned over Falcon's sacrifice, and he was reluctant on accepting his mantle. In the Galaxy Runner en route to Earth, he and Tinsel saw Haruka's kindred spirit, saying goodbye and how much she's proud to have Rick as her man! He wished she shall rest in peace at last after 150 years...
About a week later, Rick accepted Falcon's loss and wore his uniform proudly, while also wanted to conquer Tinsel's worst fear, to go over the 50-ft. gap in White Land!! With some encouragement, she did just that and she wouldn't have done it without his support! They then saw a comet, and Rick called it as the Tinsel Dragon. The couple had never been any happier!
Tinsel moved into his flat, and he took on his first bounty-hunting mission at Port Town within the Hive and exterminated the T-Virus; it was thanks to Falcon that gave him a choice for him to keep living. By his 51st mission, he and Tinsel decided to vacate at Planet Giant for a week, though they had met Lily Flyer who was earnest to bring Don Genie to justice, before he should awaken the four Materia Deities. While he nearly died from a massive electrocution, he attained some electrokinetic abilities, thanks to the misfiring in his body a change in his molecular makeup.
He was soon able to revisit his old home at Boston, only to have his family farm to be desolate and dead by chemicals. It was labelled as Stark Farm, and he was determined to restore its vegetation. He also met the Empyrean Colonist, PJ, and even got engaged to Tinsel during Valentine's Day in Port Town! Things were looking up for him, as they both established some plans for their wedding, on Oct. 9, 2577, 2 years after he met Tinsel as they were chasing after Goroh for the stolen medicine for terminally ill kids, even Alias. It was developing nicely, till Tinsel received some repressed memories as she was abandoned by her father; she wasn't sure who'd be her escort down the aisle. To make things right, Rick shut down 4/5 intergalactic brothels all hosted at the southern Asian colonies, although he lost one at Planet Magica and resisted Princia Ramode's charm.
After that, he attended the bachelor party, and decided to give Tinsel rehearsals for their dance, featuring I Got a Name! He was delighted when Tinsel gave him some old-fashioned racing movies for his 24th birthday! They also got a chitchat with the Guardians of the Galaxy, saying they can't make it due to their hefty bounty-hunting schedule. He and Tinsel then received their gifts, even some shoki-bokuro, even some exotic drums from Giant, even a taiko, and their tribal outfits representing the Ryu Suzaku (Vermillion (Dragon) Bird) and the Genbu (Black Tortoise).
Within a fortnight, it was time to tie the knot at the first Mute City track for the Knight League!! Burt as the marriage officiant, Jack as his best man, Dr. Stewart as Tinsel's escort, Luna as maid of honor, and Phoenix as the ringbearer. They each made their own wedding vows, and he went after Tinsel's, then there was a sake-sipping ceremony symbolizing overcoming bitter trials. They finally exchanged their rings and became the official couple as Rick and Tinsel Steelus Wheeler!!
The reception, dance, and performances were amazing, even when Tinsel did the finale, Someone Saved My Life Tonight, as speaking out to those who wronged her in the past. They soon went to the Port Town space harbor for their honeymoon and did they unthinkable; to get intimate, unprotected. Rick led the way as Tinsel played the drum numbers on audio Blu-Ray. And so, Rick and Tinsel became one, both in the stars and in their hearts and souls.
Later on, they were ambushed by a gangbanger in Mute City, possibly one belonging to the disbanded Bloody Chain. Rocket came to their aid thanks to his Laser Gun which incapacitated the criminal. He and the other Guardians reunited with them, with the couple admiring Groot's rapid growth. They boarded the Milano to take the thug to the nearest prison where the Federation would apprehend him. Rick and Tinsel discussed with the Guardians on how much the future had changed for the team and the Young Capt. Falcon. Gamora stated some species had either become endangered/extinct, though Rick did volunteer to repopulate some species including indigenous people from Giant and Earth, specifically Native Americans, using tubes storing his donated DNA. He also mentioned both he and Tinsel tried and failed using their cells to reproduce in a uterine replicator hence losing their chances on bearing a kid. The guys also reminisced on all the people they'd lost during the Infinity War, before they entered thru a black hole taking them over five centuries into the future. They eventually regained their confidence hoping to settle in Port Town and plan for a brighter future.
In the deleted scenes it was said in the second Lap Rick went to the Commissioner after Clash's death. His survivor's guilt was going thru the roof, and he wanted to turn himself in for killing the mechanic, even though he asked him to do so to save him from his deteriorating mind by Dark Million. The big cheese still had faith in the detective, describing him as one of his best men, and in order for him to redeem himself he must get over his misery and save the Task Force and the galaxy from further corruption. That was only a flashback, after Rick said goodbye to Haruka in the Galaxy Runner and when Tinsel escorted themselves home. He then let out all his grief, on how he felt no one cared for his losses, he never had time to grieve as he was constantly fighting Black Shadow, Miss Killer, and Zoda, and he felt he was used as a tool ever since he got out of cold sleep! Tinsel assured him that if very little people cared, she does. It was then soon the day before Haruka's burial, and Rick in his 150-year getup mourned for her and sobbed as he implored for forgiveness. He was suffering from nausea, headaches, heartbreak, and hardly ate nor drank anything. It was then noted to Jody and Dr. Stewart the pair decided to leave the team. After several days of mourning and sleeping for long hours, Rick helped Tinsel after she made the decision to move into his flat! Then, after he woke up late one day, he noticed she wasn't there. His last guess was at Memory Park where he ran to and saw Tinsel moping over the harbor. With a thin grin, it brought her to Rick's side, and they warmed up to each other at last!
In Port Town, they both watched the twilight sky together, and he could've sworn he heard Haruka whisper, Thank You, to him, even seeing Douglas Jay Falcon saluting him once he wore the new Captain Falcon attire for the first time.
After that, it was his first bounty-hunting mission tracking down the T-Virus. He then succumbed to the infection as well as making a desperation super move onto the remaining zombie hordes, Licker, and powering up the train before the Hive imploded! He then wound up in Purgatory, and he was stunned on where he was, even feeling the white river which instantly dried up in his grip. He then saw Capt. Falcon's spirit informing him he's on the brink between life and death and he must decide whether or not to cross the Bardo. If he does, his spirit would cross into the afterlife. If he decides to stay on the peaceful side, his soul will live on, but there'd be some temptations as long as he's there, until his vessel recovers. Sure enough, there was a vision of Miss Killer, his dark thoughts embodied as her as she persuaded him to cross the Bardo. At first Rick refused to listen to her, till she'd shown him that he was unable to vanquish the T-Virus, as she made him see his friends had already perished, and Port Town in ruins! Disheartened, he slowly trodden to the edge, till he heard whimpers and sobs from his beloved begging him to not die like he did so losing Haruka...
It suddenly convinced him to never cross, then he tossed Miss Killer to the other bank before he was caught himself! Remembering Tinsel and her sorrowful words, he went back to the starting bank and reached into the thin barrier taking him back to the living! He told Tinsel he had to make a choice, something not many victims of death had, so he can be close to her again. He recovered in the ICU with her, and then he drawn a picture of his journey in the Bardo!
In the fifth deleted Lap, Rick and Tinsel were running to find shelter from the impending thunderstorm; they were still hanging out in Boston, and he managed to find an old shed belonging to his ancient homestead! As the storm hit, he used his thermal kinesis to ignite the dusty logs which quickly combusted in the fireplace! He and Tinsel then gathered various knickknacks and memos reminding Rick of his lost childhood, even photos and other oddiments of his parents and his deceased dog, Axel. As night fell, the storm raged on making Tinsel uneasy, though Rick's comfort, his stories of his past, and the dazzling flames were enough to soothe her. Eventually the fell asleep on the sofa, and they headed back to Mute City once the storm subsided.
The Tribal Ceremony[]
Rick embraces his Japanese/tribal heritage as the descendant of Ryu Suzaku. As Ryu Suzaku II, he had come to terms with his ancient roots as the personification of the Vermillion (Dragon) Bird. He often beats hard on the provided taiko, embracing the pride and his regalness. By the time the 3rd Tribal Ceremony came, he was beating the taiko inside one of the teepees, as Drowzee encouraged him and enchanted him while Tinsel was aroused by them as she was about to dance for him. Then they caved into their urges near the end...
In the fourth ceremony, he and Tinsel were summoned by Unaliving Liu Kang atop the Eternal Palace determined to put an end to Darkseid.
Trivia[]
- Rick Wheeler's design and Japanese version name were partially inspired by Ryu from Capcom's Street Fighter, his Japanese voice actor even voiced Street Fighter Ryu. His last name is also a reference to Ryu's home stage Suzaku Castle. Near the end of the anime, he is seen in a waterfall while wearing a white dogi with a black belt. This makes him the second F-Zero pilot to reference a video game character owned by a 3rd party company. The first pilot that does this was PJ.
- Rick's English VA, Greg Abbey, had previously played Sam Speed in Sonic X and would go on to play Speed Racer Snr. in Speed Racer: The Next Generation at Season 2 replacing Peter Fernandez, and Yusei Fudo in Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's - all high-speed racers in their own right.
- In the end of Lap 23, it's said that Rick was born on July 28th, and is currently 23 years old. His blood type is A.
- In Lap 34, Bart said that Rick never eats curry, which is actually Falcon's favorite food. He said it was a pity since it's on the Falcon House's menu most of the time.
- In Lap 35, it's said that Ryu lives in the Falcon House, and he keeps it neat. It also shares Bart, Clank, and Jack.
- In Lap 45, Rick's known to be a black coffee drinker, then he switched to sweet coffee. Like Zoda, he too loves sweets.
- In Lap 46, Bart stated that he was born on a farm in rural Boston, he owned a dog named Axel (which could be described as a Labrador due to the animation), and his father was a racer. He had to help out his family due to his mom's weakness from illness. He was actually once employed in the Falcon House, but Jack and Clank had to stay home sick since the food was terrible. It was no wonder since he mentioned in Episode 8 that he wasn't much of a cook, though his coffee was an exception. He could also be an only child as well.
- Lap 48 says that Rick's machine number is 00 due to his unlimited potential; even though it's coincidentally the same as Deathborn's.
- For some odd reason, Rick's eyes change color in both the American/Japanese versions; his eyes are mostly brown, but sometimes you can see them in blue as well.
- Rick meaning, abbreviation of Richard meaning strong ruler, powerful. Ryu is Japanese for One Step Ahead. Suzaku is Japanese for phoenix, red bird of the south, vermillion sparrow.
- Rick Wheeler is Ikran's topmost favorite pilot and character in the F-Zero series, next to Pico, Falcon, Leon, and Gomar & Shioh. His machine the Dragon Bird was her favorite machine! And ever since 2004, she began to relate to Rick more, even when they had similar tragic pasts on losing someone.
- Ikran did want to have Rick and Haruka reunited, but after her struggles in the anime, she eventually decided it shall be him and Tinsel since Haruka took too long to return to her senses, and STILL beat him to a bloody pulp!
- In order to solve a pointless debate, on whether his name should be Rick Wheeler/Ryu Suzaku, Ikran decided to make a oneshot, Ryu's Immigration. It was also inspired by the Nostalgia Critic's negative review of Sailor Moon, even the fact that Japan's age of consent is a disturbing 12 yrs of age. Rick had a common ancestor, Ryu Suzaku, who escaped Japan from its imperial rule during WWII, and went to Ellis Island when the war was over. Since then, he changed his surname to Wheeler, and it made sense since Rick's dad was once a racer, and then Rick was bestowed as Ryu Suzaku II!
- He has been chosen as one of Ikran's Video Game Characters she can Relate to; while she does have similar personalities like having a devotion to get things done, maybe OCD, being a hard worker and devoted, and being protective, Ikran is often the opposite in most ways.
Character Themes[]
The Meaning of Truth (English fandub; F-Zero GP Legend) - Rage
Rick's Theme (F-Zero GP Legend)
Track 4 (Top Gear) - from 150 years ago
I Got a Name (Jim Croce) - Rick and Tinsel's theme
Gallery[]
Ikran's Gallery[]
