I admit it, occasionally I look at 2channel, the immense Japanese-language message board. There is a section for threads devoted to individual anime characters, and of course many of the 5D’s characters have their own threads. It takes 1000 messages to fill one page, and the last time I looked Yuusei was up to his 14th page. The series isn’t up to episode 130 yet, so he’s averaging more than 100 messages per episode.
Again, the last time I looked, Jack was up to page 6½, and they had to count in halves because his threads kept dropping off the board for inactivity before they were full. And he’s the co-star! (By the way, Kiryuu is up to page 18.^^)
Jack is tall, blond, handsome, well-built, confident, dramatic, has no fashion sense, yet has more costume changes than any other character, and somehow manages to be loved by the same characters he’s arrogant to -- surely this character is ripe for fans. Where could they be?!
Last night, I found them. Recently 2channel reorganized itself somewhat, and I was refamiliarizing myself with the main menu. I happened to find a section for threads devoted to individual characters in the “over 18 anime” part of the board. I expected that meant anime intended for over 18s, but I took a look anyway. Some of the 5D’s characters are there.
Yuusei is on his 4th page already, starting from back in 2008, so this section itself is not new -- I just discovered it now because of the reorganization. Almost 4000 messages, for a children’s show to hold the interest of the over 18s for so long isn’t bad.