Initial D

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Initial D
InitialD vol1 Cover.jpg
The cover of the first tankōbon volume, released in Japan on November 6, 1995.
頭文字D
(Inisharu Dī)
Genre Drama, Racing
Manga
Written by Shuichi Shigeno
Published by Kodansha
English publisher
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Young Magazine
Original run 1995 – ongoing
Volumes 46 (List of volumes)
Anime television series
Directed by Noboru Mitsusawa
Studio Studio Comet, Studio Gallop
Licensed by
Network Fuji TV, Animax
English network
Cartoon Network (Adult Swim)
Original run April 18, 1998 – December 5, 1998
Episodes 26 (List of episodes)
Anime television series
Initial D Second Stage
Directed by Shin-ichi Masaki
Studio Pastel
Licensed by
Network Fuji TV, Animax
English network
Original run October 14, 1999 – January 6, 2000
Episodes 13 (List of episodes)
Original video animation
Initial D Extra Stage
Directed by Shishi Yamaguchi
Studio Pastel
Released February 22, 2000 – February 29, 2000
Runtime 25 minutes (each)
Episodes 2 (List of episodes)
Anime film
Initial D Third Stage
Directed by Noboru Mitsusawa
Studio Studio Deen
Licensed by
Released January 13, 2001
Runtime 105 minutes
Original video animation
Initial D Battle Stage 1
Directed by Shishi Yamaguchi
Released May 15, 2002
Runtime 45 minutes
Anime television series
Initial D Fourth Stage
Directed by Tsuneo Tominaga
Studio A.C.G.T
Licensed by
Network Animax PPV
Original run April 17, 2004 – February 18, 2006
Episodes 24 (List of episodes)
Original video animation
Initial D Battle Stage 2
Directed by Tsuneo Tominaga
Released May 30, 2007
Runtime 45 minutes
Original video animation
Initial D Extra Stage 2
Directed by Tsuneo Tominaga
Studio A.C.G.T
Released October 3, 2008
Runtime 55 minutes
Anime television series
Initial D Fifth Stage
Directed by Mitsuo Hashimoto
Studio Synergy SP
Network Animax PPV (Perfect Choice Premier 1)
Original run November 9, 2012 – June, 2013
Episodes 14 (List of episodes)
Film
Portal icon Anime and Manga portal

Initial D (頭文字Ｄ（イニシャル・ディー） Inisharu Dī?) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Shuichi Shigeno. It has been serialized in Kodansha's Young Magazine since 1995, with the chapters collected into 45 tankōbon volumes to date. The story focuses on the world of illegal Japanese street racing, where all the action is concentrated in the mountain passes and rarely in cities nor urban areas, and with the drift racing style emphasized in particular. Professional race car driver and pioneer of drifting Keiichi Tsuchiya helps with editorial supervision. The story is centered on the prefecture of Gunma, more specifically on several mountains in the Kantō region and in their surrounding cities and towns. Although some of the names of the locations the characters race in have been fictionalized, all of the locations in the series are based on actual locations in Japan.

It has been adapted into several television anime and original video animations series by OB Planning, Studio Comet, Studio Gallop, Pastel, A.C.G.T and Synergy SP. A live action film by Avex and Media Asia was released in 2005. Both the manga and anime series were initially licensed for English-language distribution in North America by Tokyopop (2002–2009),[1] though the anime license has since been picked up by Funimation Entertainment, while the manga is no longer available in English.

Contents

Synopsis[edit]

See also: List of Initial D chapters
The first battle of the series, Keisuke Takahashi (RX-7) vs Takumi Fujiwara (Trueno), as seen in the anime.

High school student Takumi Fujiwara works as a gas station attendant by day and a delivery boy for his father's tofu shop early in the morning. He never knew that those nights delivering in his father's modified Toyota Sprinter AE86 Trueno (colloquially known as the "Eight-Six") had given him precise driving skills to make him a formidable driver and prodigy.

Meanwhile, a team of street racers called the Akagi RedSuns come to challenge Mt. Akina's local team, the Akina SpeedStars, to a "friendly" race. After watching how skilled the RedSuns are, the SpeedStars become determined not to be humiliated on their home turf. However, the SpeedStars are left in a bind when their leader, Iketani, has an accident during a practice run. They were desperate for a replacement until Iketani learns from his employer that the fastest car in Akina's downhill is an Eight-Six owned by a tofu store owner. He discovers that the store's owner, Bunta Fujiwara, was a street racer of great repute in his younger days. Iketani appeals to the older man to take his place in the race against the RedSuns. When the race day comes, Takumi appears with his Trueno instead. Takumi proceeds to defeat Keisuke Takahashi and puts an end to the RedSun's winning streak.

Despite being originally apathetic about the notion of racing, Takumi begins to grow more interested as he receives other challenges, and begins to understand the concept of a street racer's pride. He then proceeds to defeat drivers in more advanced and more powerful cars. He defeats them in all sorts of conditions culminating in the battle between him and the RedSun's leader, Ryosuke Takahashi. After the race ends, Ryosuke acknowledges Takumi is indeed fast and advises to Takumi "...there's a much bigger world out there."

Sometime afterwards, an all Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution team from neighbouring Tochigi Prefecture, called Team Emperor, starts dominating in the Gunma area. Initially with the RedSuns as their target, they race against Takumi after their leader (and Ryosuke's nemesis), Kyoichi Sudo, discover's his race against Ryosuke. Initially defeated, Sudo issues an impromptu rematch against Takumi. Initially declining, Takumi quickly changes his mind once he sees his girlfriend, Natsuki, with an older man. Enraged, he races against Kyoichi, which sees his Eight-Six blowing-out the engine. Sudo then challenges Ryosuke, who proceeds to defeat Kyoichi after noticing and exploiting Kyoichi's inability to tackle some right-hand corners with full confidence (due to the risk of a head-on collision).

Meanwhile, Bunta knew that the engine in the Eight-Six was about to give out. In anticipation, he had already bought a new engine, Toyota Formula Atlantic Group A 4A-GE 20 valve. Bunta installs the engine without a new tachometer to teach Takumi the importance of learning mechanical knowledge and understanding why the car behaves as it does, though he has an instrument set ready for installation once Takumi knows of it.

By this time Ryosuke approaches Takumi with an offer. Ryosuke has been putting together an expeditionary team featuring the best racers of the Gunma prefecture, and would like Takumi to join. Takumi doesn't want to decide whether or not to accept the proposal until he settles his score with Kyoichi. Takumi proceeds to Irohazaka to challenge Kyoichi and is able to prevent him from passing. Kyoichi, who takes great pride in his knowledge and ability to race on his home course, concedes defeat and also gave praise to the new Eight-Six. Although Takumi still believes it was more of a tie, he was more concerned about Kyoichi finally acknowledging the abilities of the Eight-Six.

Kai Kogashiwa, the son of Bunta's old rival Ken, driving a Toyota MR2 (SW20) later challenges Takumi upon knowing he beat his original target, Kyoichi. He and his father planned to beat Takumi by using a line strategy his father had devised and used against Bunta. Bunta, knowing how Kogashiwa has used the special line factor before, predicted to Takumi that Kai would surely be in front by the later half of the race and proceeds to give Takumi some obscure advice on how to beat Kai. At the last moment before they reach the finish, Takumi realizes the meaning behind the advice given earlier by Bunta when he notices dead leaves piling up on one side of the road. Takumi puts his car past the shrubs and into the gutter to sling shot side-by-side forcing Kai to the side of the road where Takumi guesses the leaves would pile up on. As they pass the second bridge side-by-side airborne, Kai landed on the side of the road where the leaves had piled up, resulting in him losing control and spinning out right before the goal.

Meanwhile, Natsuki tries all she can to repair the damage she caused to Takumi. But this was placed in jeopardy when her ex-boyfriend, Miki, takes Natsuki under duress, even attempting to rape her near Lake Akina. Takumi, after hearing a few words of a call from Natsuki which was cut short, comes to the rescue. After finally reconciling as they graduate from high school, Takumi realises his dream to become a professional driver and joins Ryosuke's team: Project D.

Starting in the Spring, Project D (comprising Takumi, Ryosuke as leader and strategist, Keisuke, and former members of the RedSuns) start travelling all over the Kanto region challenging the best the interstate scenes have to offer while at the same time, develop each of the driver's skills. They defeated local racing teams, professional drivers, a racing school and a Suzuki Cappuccino kei-car amongst other opponents.

However, each of the drivers have problems all on their own. Earlier on, Takumi is beaten by a Subaru Impreza WRX (owned by Bunta) on his delivery run and induces a "4WD Complex" when he is forced to drive it on his deliveries. Meanwhile, Keisuke has to balance his commitments with Project D with the advances of an opponent and fellow FD driver, Kyoko Iwase.

Takumi would face one of their hardest opponents in Ibaraki prefecture, against Toshiya "Godarm" Joshima and his theory of one-handed steering. Although Takumi "lost" the battle after damaging his suspension, Joshima would stop near the end as the rush of fatigue from the battle caused him to vomit. Takumi also learned a lot, even allowed to observe Joshima's technique from the passenger seat. Though he doubted that Takumi would start driving with one hand, he did believe he would master using the infinite lines to his advantage in future races.

Coming into the final expeditions in Kanagawa, many things explored in earlier expeditions finally comes together as Project D faces off against Kanagawa's "Four Lines of Defence".

Characters[edit]

Main article: List of Initial D characters and teams
  • Takumi Fujiwara (藤原 拓海 Fujiwara Takumi?, "Tak")
The main character of the series, Takumi develops his racing skills to be one of the fastest drivers in Kanto while driving an old Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86. This is due to Takumi's job delivering tofu to Lake Akina every morning for 5 years (since 7th grade). Although Takumi believes this to be just a job, he had actually been manipulated subtly by his father into developing driving skills, without being fully aware of Bunta's intent.
Voiced by: Shin-ichiro Miki (Japanese), Dave Wittenberg (Tokyopop)/Joel McDonald (English)
  • Bunta Fujiwara (藤原 文太 Fujiwara Bunta?)
Bunta is the owner of the Fujiwara Tofu Shop and is the father of Takumi. He used to be the No.1 downhill racer in Mt. Akina years ago, but now guides Takumi's racing development. He is the original driver of the mysterious "Ghost of Akina" AE86 Sprinter Trueno that holds the record of the fastest downhill time at Akina. Later in the series, as Takumi used the Trueno more than Bunta, he buys a Subaru Impreza WRX, which Takumi alternates between the Impreza and his Eight-Six for deliveries.
Voiced by: Unshō Ishizuka (Japanese), Kerrigan Mahan(Tokyopop)/Kent Williams (English)
  • Ryosuke Takahashi (高橋 涼介 Takahashi Ryōsuke?, "Ry")
Ryosuke is one of the most skilled drivers in the series as RedSuns/Project D's leader and older brother to Keisuke. He drives a Mazda Savanna RX-7 FC3S. Ryosuke is a very cerebral driver as he pours over technical data just like any professional driver and is able to tell what kind of modifications have been made to a car just by hearing it, and what a driver is capable of just by watching the car drift. He is also referred to as "Akagi's White Comet" (赤城の白い彗星 Akagi no Shiroi Suisei?) in reference to his early racing days.
Voiced by: Takehito Koyasu (Japanese), Lex Lang (Tokyopop)/J. Michael Tatum (English)
  • Keisuke Takahashi (高橋 啓介 Takahashi Keisuke?, "K.T.")
Keisuke is the number two driver for the RedSuns and the hillclimb ace for Project D. Keisuke drives a Ẽfini RX-7 FD3S, and is a skilled driver second only to his brother. Keisuke is a rather hot-headed and does not like losing. He isn't analytical like his older brother, but his ability to think less while he is driving, and to do only what he feels amazes Ryosuke. Because of his initial encounters with Takumi, he is Takumi's main rival.
Voiced by: Tomokazu Seki (Japanese), Steven Jay Blum (Tokyopop)/Todd Haberkorn (English)

Media[edit]

The Initial D franchise logo.

Manga[edit]

  • Initial D Manga Japanese Release — 45 Volumes (1995–ongoing, Vol. 45 released on July 6, 2012)
  • Initial D Manga Tokyopop Release — 33 Volumes (2002–2009, expired license)

The first Initial D volume was released in Japan on November 6, 1995 and has been translated officially into Chinese, French and English over its publication run.[2] As of 2013, 46 volumes have been published.

The manga and anime were originally licensed for English releases in North America by Tokyopop. The company changed the names of the characters in the anime edition, and subsequently changed them in the manga to match.[3] These name changes were to reflect the name changes that Sega implemented into the western releases of the Initial D A Stage video games {see below} due to name length limits. Tokyopop also cut out a character's enjo kōsai relationship with another and edited sex scenes, appearing in volumes 1 and 9 in the original manga. In addition, "street slang" was interlaced in translations (a drift was described as "slammin'", for example).

The manga also had some translation errors. One example was the technical term "Wastegate" (which is a mechanism used to regulate the boost pressure generated by a turbocharger) that was translated as "West Gate". Another was an inaccurate explanation of how an engine's displacement is calculated (the explanation given is how a ship's displacement is calculated, which is totally different). Many of the explanations of automotive design and function, as well as the specification sheets of the various cars, were incorrect.

In August 2009, Kodansha announced that they would not be renewing their licensing agreements with Tokyopop, citing "tense relations" between the two companies. This meant that Tokyopop could no longer release new volumes of Kodansha manga properties, nor re-release Kodansha titles that were already printed. Tokyopop ceased the release of Initial D after volume 33, which was released on December 30, 2008. Volume 34 had a scheduled street date of April 7, 2009, but never released.[4] There have been no announcements as to a new distributor in North America for continuing or restarting the manga.

Anime[edit]

See also: List of Initial D episodes
DVD box art for Initial D Extra Stage

Avex has released the anime in several parts called Stages. One noticeable feature is that it uses Eurobeat music as background music in race scenes.

  • Initial D (referred to retroactively by fans as "First Stage") — 26 episodes (1998)
  • Initial D Second Stage — 13 episodes (1999)
  • Initial D Extra Stage — 2 episode OVA side-story focusing on Impact Blue (2000)
  • Initial D Third Stage — a 100 minute movie (2001)
  • Initial D Battle Stage — a 50 minute movie (2002)
  • Initial D Fourth Stage — 24 episodes (2004–2006)
  • Initial D Battle Stage 2 — a 1 hour movie (2007)
  • Initial D Extra Stage 2 — a 50 minute OVA side-story focusing on Mako and Iketani (2008)
  • Initial D Fifth Stage — 14 episodes (2012–2013)[5]

In 1998, Initial D was adapted into an animated television series produced by OB Planning and Prime Direction. The first episode premièred on Fuji TV on April 8, 1998.[6] The initial series ran for 26 weekly episodes with the finale airing on December 5, 1998.[6]

The second series, named "Second Stage", aired from October 14, 1999 to January 20 2000 with a one week break over the new year period. This was followed by animated feature film in 2001 and an OVA documenting all battles from the previous three stages, with the battles from First Stage being re-animated.

In 2004, Initial D: Fourth Stage aired on SkyPerfecTV's pay-per-view service, airing two episodes back-to-back every two months. 24 episodes were made until the final episodes were aired in February 2006.

Following Second Stage in 2000, Initial D: Extra Stage was aired as a spinoff to the original series. This story focused on the all-female Impact Blue team of Usui Pass and their point-of-view of the recent events of Second Stage and the upcoming Third Stage movie. This was followed by Extra Stage 2 in 2008, which look at the realtionship between Impact Blue's Mako Sato and Iketani of the SpeedStars (following on from the original side-story in the manga).

Initial D: Fifth Stage is the latest instalment in the anime series. Animax has aired the 14 episodes of the series on a pay-per-view basis on SKY PerfecTV!'s Perfect Choice Premier 1 channel.[7] The first two episodes aired on November 9, 2012. The rest of the episodes were broadcasted two per month till May 10, 2013.[7]

Since the anime's original run, Japanese musical group m.o.v.e has performed all of the opening and some ending themes of the series. This followed on from the success of one of their first hits, "Around the World", which was used as the first opening of First Stage. Their latest single to be used in the series is called "Raise Up" and its used as Fifth Stage's opening.[8]

Like in the manga, Tokyopop change elements of the anime to suit Western audiences. As well as changing the names and used western slang, the company also changed the anime's music from the series' staple eurobeat tracks to originally developed tracks of rap and hip-hop via Stu Levy (DJ Milky), the Tokyopop CEO and an in-house musician.[9]

In 2006, Funimation Entertainment announced that it would be distributing the DVDs of the anime (since Tokyopop's original distributor went bankrupt). This new distribution was marked by slightly revised packaging and two box sets corresponding to the licensed seasons Tokyopop had dubbed, although the DVDs themselves were exactly the same as the original Tokyopop release.

Tokyopop had completed an English dubbed version of Third Stage, and reportedly screened it at the Big Apple Anime Fest on August 29, 2003.[10] They briefly mentioned that their version of Third Stage would retain the original Japanese soundtrack, in contrast to their treatment of the anime series. This version of the film was never released on DVD, nor was it ever mentioned by Tokyopop past the original announcement.

At the New York Anime Festival 2009, Funimation Entertainment announced that it would be re-releasing and re-dubbing Initial D: First Stage, Second Stage, Extra Stage, Third Stage, and Fourth Stage. Their release included a brand new English dub and retained the original music from the Japanese in an uncut format. Funimation released the series out of order, with the Third and Fourth Stages releasing before the First and Second Stages.[11] Funimation has not specified whether or not they will dub and release Extra Stage 2 (the first Extra Stage was included in the Second Stage box set) or either of the Battle Stages.

Games[edit]

Main article: Initial D Arcade Stage

Numerous arcade and other platforms video games have been released (note: The U.S. versions of the arcade titles are called simply "Initial D"). In the loading section after you pick the rival, you could see pictures from the Initial D manga. In Ver. 3, it basically has a picture of Natsuki Mogi in a bikini, this is cut in the U.S. version.

Feature film[edit]

Main article: Initial D (film)

A live-action movie based on Initial D was released on June 23, 2005 in Asia. The movie was jointly produced by Japan's Avex Inc. and Hong Kong's Media Asia Group. It was directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak, whose credits include the 2002 Hong Kong Blockbuster Infernal Affairs. The movie featured Taiwanese singer Jay Chou as Takumi Fujiwara and Hong Kong stars Edison Chen as Ryosuke Takahashi and Shawn Yue as Takeshi Nakazato. Despite many changes to the original story, the movie was met with critical acclaim and was nominated for multiple awards, including best picture, at the Hong Kong Film Awards and Golden Horse Awards, winning many of them.

Reception[edit]

Some fans of Initial D reacted negatively to the Tokyopop's extensive editing and changes made in the English language version of the manga. Similar reactions were made towards their English dub's script and voice acting, and the removal of the original music from the anime series. Tokyopop said that it was trying to Americanize the series so it could be aired on television, while at the same time keeping the Japanese spirit of the series.[12]

According to Funimation officials, the re-release of the anime has "done well".[13] Reviews of the series note a marked improvement from the Tokyopop iteration, with most complaints leveled against the lack of anamorphic widescreen on the DVDs.

See also[edit]

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References[edit]

  1. ^ "TOKYOPOP Inc. Out of Print Titles." Tokyopop. 1." Retrieved on September 10, 2009.
  2. ^ [1] Retrieved January 26, 2013
  3. ^ "Editors Note. Name Changes in Initial D, English Language Version." Initial D Volume 2. Tokyopop.
  4. ^ Tokyopop Confirms its Kodansha Manga Licenses Will End. August 31, 2009. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  5. ^ "Initial D Fifth Stage #07 (13 story, 14 Story)". Perfect Choice. Retrieved 2013-04-20. 
  6. ^ a b [2] Retrieved 26 January 2013
  7. ^ a b "「頭文字D」新アニメはアニマックス presents PPVで放送". Comic Natalie. Retrieved 16 August 2012. 
  8. ^ "「頭文字＜イニシャル＞D」最新シリーズアニメ化決定！". Perfect Choice. Retrieved 16 August 2012.  Text " パーフェクト チョイス プレミア ＆ HD" ignored (help)
  9. ^ Open letter from Tokyopop. Retrieved 3 June 2006.
  10. ^ BAAF to Screen Initial D Third Stage March 17, 2003. Retrieved March 27, 2012
  11. ^ 2009 press release. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  12. ^ "Tokyopop Open Letter regarding Initial D." Tokyopop at Anime News Network. July 13, 2002. Retrieved on September 28, 2009.
  13. ^ "Funimation's Live Feed from Otakon 10." July 30, 2010. Retrieved on March 27, 2012.

External links[edit]

Initial D by Shuichi Shigeno
Series
Video games
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