History Manga / InitialD

Takumi Fujiwara is an average eighteen-year-old in Gunma Prefecture with an average part-time job as a gas station attendant and a not-so-average hand in his family's tofu business. Ever since he was thirteen -- five years before he was even qualified for a driver's license -- he has been helping out his father Bunta by delivering tofu on the latter's Toyota [=AE86=] ("Sprinter Trueno" in Japan, "Corolla GT-S" in America) to a hotel at the summit of Mt. Akina every morning at 4:00 AM, but with a challenge: he must negotiate the slopes and curves without spilling a drop of water from a cup placed on the dashboard. Otherwise, the tofu would be ruined.

** Contrary to what this series claims, drifting through corners is ''not'' practical. In real life, the only characters who would actually be seen as competent in proper races are Nakazato and the Grim Reaper, who favor grip-style cornering over the series' iconic drifting. Nakazato ''is'' correct when he says that drifting is CoolButInefficient; in real life motorsport, drifting is primarily done as a showmanship technique because it not only wears down tires rapidly but isn't really more effective at cornering than simply just gripping one's way around it. Only exception to this rule is UsefulNotes/{{Rallying}} where lower grip surfaces, such as ice and gravel, are a common sight and drifting through them is often faster. But even in rally, many top-tier rally drivers, such as Tommi Mäkinen and Sébastien Loeb have preferred a grippy driving style.

Early parts of the manga were remade into a three part anime film series called ''New Initial D The Movie'' with an all new cast of voice actors. The first movie ''Legend 1: Awakening'' was released in August 23rd, 2014, the second movie ''Legend 2: Racer'' was relased in may 23rd 2015 and third movie ''Legend 3: Dream'' was released in February 6th 2016.

Takumi Fujiwara is an average eighteen-year-old in Gunma Prefecture with an average part-time job as a gas station attendant and a not-so-average hand in his family's tofu business. Ever since he was thirteen -- five years before he was even qualified for a driver's license -- he has been helping out his father Bunta by delivering tofu on the latter's Toyota [=AE86=] ("Sprinter Trueno" in Japan, "Corolla GT-S" in America) to a hotel at the summit of Mt. Akina every morning at 4:00 AM, but with a challenge: he must negotiate the slopes and curves without spilling a drop of water from a cup placed on the dashboard.

Compare and contrast with ''Manga/WanganMidnight'' and ''Anime/{{REDLINE}}''. Not to be confused with [[Manga/OnePiece the Will of D]].

In North America, both the manga and anime were originally licensed by Creator/{{Tokyopop}}, whose alterations of the source material became controversial among the fans. When Tokypop USA imploded in 2011, Creator/{{Funimation}} picked up the rights to the anime; they carry the first four Stages, as well as the first ''Extra Stage'' OVA set. They also created a more accurate English dub, just as they had with ''Franchise/OnePiece''. [[https://www.funimation.com/shows/initial-d/?qid=5db5ec12f3cfc7a2 You can stream those episodes on their website, dubbed or subbed, for free here]] - [[NoExportForYou if you happen to live in the United States or Canada]]. [[https://www.youtube.com/user/FUNimation/search?query=Initial+D Their YouTube Channel]] also has the ''First'', ''Second'', and ''Fourth Stage'' available for free, although subbed only. You can also watch ''Third Stage'' [[https://www.funimation.com/shows/initial-d/3rd-stage-full-length-feature-film/ on their website for free here.]]

In 2017, Shuichi Shigeno began working on a new racing manga called ''Manga/MFGhost'', the first chapter of which being released on September 4th, 2017. It is eventually revealed to be set in the same universe, with Ryosuke Takahashi being the founder of the MFG League and describing it as the next step in Project D, while Takumi was the main character's teacher. It is effectively the sequel for Initial D.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Many races early on are conducted in the conventional "point A to point B" format, but starting in ''Fourth Stage'', races adapted the "cat and mouse" format where the two drivers go back and forth across the route until the current leader wins by pulling away or the current chaser wins by overtaking the leader. (One race in ''First Stage'' uses this as well, but it's sandwiched between a number of races that use the former format. ''Second Stage'' does cat-and-mouse for its finale, before going back to two last point-to-point races in ''Third Stage'') This allows for later arcs to better justify why a single race takes two entire episodes when most of the courses can be done in about 5 minutes going one way.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Many races early on are conducted in the conventional "point A to point B" format, but starting in ''Fourth Stage'', races adapted the "cat and mouse" format where the two drivers go back and forth across the route until the current leader wins by pulling away or the current chaser wins by overtaking the leader. (One race in ''First Stage'' uses this as well, but it's sandwiched between a number of races that use the former format. ''Second Stage'' does cat-and-mouse for its finale, before going back to one final point-to-point race in ''Third Stage''.) This allows for later arcs to better justify why a single race takes two entire episodes when most of the courses can be done in about 5 minutes going one way.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Many races early on are conducted in the conventional "point A to point B" format, but starting in ''Fourth Stage'', races adopted the "cat and mouse" format where the two drivers go back and forth across the route until the current leader wins by pulling away or the current chaser wins by overtaking the leader. (One race in ''First Stage'' uses this as well, but it's sandwiched between a number of races that use the former format. ''Second Stage'' does cat-and-mouse for its finale, before going back to one final point-to-point race in ''Third Stage''.) This allows for later arcs to better justify why a single race takes two entire episodes when most of the courses can be done in about 5 minutes going one way.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Many races early on are conducted in the conventional "point A to point B" format, but starting in ''Fourth Stage'', races started widely using the "cat and mouse" format where the two drivers go back and forth across the route until the current leader wins by pulling away or the current chaser wins by overtaking the leader. (One race in ''First Stage'' uses this as well, but it's sandwiched between a number of races that use the former format. ''Second Stage'' does cat-and-mouse for its finale, before going back to one final point-to-point race in ''Third Stage''.) This allows for later arcs to better justify why a single race takes two entire episodes when most of the courses can be done in about 5 minutes going one way.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Many races early on are conducted in the conventional "point A to point B" format, but starting in ''Fourth Stage'', races started being done in the "cat and mouse" format where the two drivers go back and forth across the route until the current leader wins by pulling away or the current chaser wins by overtaking the leader. (One race in ''First Stage'' uses this as well, but it's sandwiched between a number of races that use the former format. ''Second Stage'' does cat-and-mouse for its finale, before going back to one final point-to-point race in ''Third Stage''.) This allows for later arcs to better justify why a single race takes two entire episodes when most of the courses can be done in about 5 minutes going one way.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Many races early on are conducted in the conventional "point A to point B" format, but starting with the final race of ''Second Stage'', races started being done in the "cat and mouse" format where the two drivers go back and forth across the route until the current leader wins by pulling away or the current chaser wins by overtaking the leader. (One race in ''First Stage'' uses this as well, but it's sandwiched between a number of races that use the former format.) This allows for later arcs to better justify why a single race takes two entire episodes when most of the courses can be done in about 5 minutes going one way.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Many races early on are conducted in the conventional "point A to point B" format, but starting with the final race of ''Second Stage'' (one race in ''First Stage'' did do it as well, but it was sandwiched between races that use the former format), races started being done in the "cat and mouse" format (where the two drivers go back and forth across the route until the current leader wins by pulling away or the current chaser wins by overtaking the leader), allowing for later arcs to better justify why a single race takes two entire episodes when most of the courses can be done in about 5 minutes going one way.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Many races early on are conducted in the conventional "point A to point B" format, but starting with the final race of ''Second Stage'', races started being done in the "cat and mouse" format (where the two drivers go back and forth across the route until the current leader wins by pulling away or the current chaser wins by overtaking the leader), allowing for later arcs to better justify why a single race takes two entire episodes when most of the courses can be done in about 5 minutes going one way.

''Initial D'' is a long-running manga series (1995-2013) created by Shuichi Shigeno, with a series of {{Animated Adaptation}}s called "Stages." The focus is on [[UsefulNotes/SubculturesInJapan the Japanese drift-racing underground]], and as such, has acted as an anime GatewaySeries for western car enthusiasts, and vice-versa. The anime is also famous for its blatant use of [[ThreeDEffectsTwoDCartoon CG]] during its racing scenes, making for a fountain of [[ShoutOut references]] in several other anime.

* ThreeDEffectsTwoDCartoon: Well known for it, and usually turns up in parodies through blatant ArtShift. The effect is most severe on earlier stages, as CGI technology was less developed and more expensive in [[TheNineties the late '90s]] and [[TurnOfTheMillennium early 2000s]].

In North America, both the manga and anime were originally licensed by Creator/{{Tokyopop}}, whose alterations of the source material became controversial among the fans. When Tokypop USA imploded in 2011, Creator/{{Funimation}} picked up the rights to the anime; they carry the first four Stages, as well as the first ''Extra Stage'' OVA set. They also created a more accurate English dub, just as they had with ''Franchise/OnePiece''. [[https://www.funimation.com/shows/initial-d/?qid=5db5ec12f3cfc7a2 You can stream those episodes on their website, dubbed or subbed, for free here]] - [[NoExportForYou if you happen to live in the United States or Canada]]. [[https://www.youtube.com/user/FUNimation/search?query=Initial+D Their YouTube Channel]] also has the ''First'', ''Second'', and ''Fourth Stage'' available for free, although subbed only. You can also watch ''Third Stage'' on their website for free [[https://www.funimation.com/shows/initial-d/3rd-stage-full-length-feature-film/ here]].

''Initial D'' is a long-running manga series (1995-2013) created by Shuichi Shigeno, with a series of {{Animated Adaptation}}s called "Stages." The focus is on [[UsefulNotes/SubculturesInJapan the Japanese drift-racing underground]], and as such, has acted as an anime GatewaySeries for western car enthusiasts, and vice-versa. The anime is also famous for its blatant use of ConspicuousCG during its racing scenes, making for a fountain of [[ShoutOut references]] in several other anime.

* [[AdaptationDyeJob Adaptation Paint Job]]: [[spoiler:Bunta Fujiwara]]'s Subaru Impreza WRX [=STi=] is supposed to be painted "Cool Gray Metallic", just like Shigeno's own Impreza. It appears as such in the manga, the first 3 versions of ''Arcade Stage'', and the Sony UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 port ''Special Stage''. When the car makes its anime debut in ''Fourth Stage'', the Impreza is wearing the "Sonic Blue Mica" paint, and said color [[RetCon becomes the default paint job for the vehicle]] in subsequent games released from that point on.

* ArtEvolution: The ConspicuousCG gets better with each new Stage. The characters themselves evolve, looking more realistic on-screen, especially with characters such as Itsuki (he originally had constant googley-eyes and a squiggly line for a nose).

* ConspicuousCG: Well known for it, and usually turns up in parodies through blatant ArtShift. The effect is most severe on earlier stages, as CGI technology was less developed and more expensive in [[TheNineties the late '90s]] and [[TurnOfTheMillennium early 2000s]].

* EstablishingSeriesMoment: The first minute or so of the anime does an excellent job of establishing what to expect. It starts with some nighttime shots of a mountain pass and the sound of tires squealing in the distance. What sounds like a typical pop song begins to play. Then the [=AE86=] makes its appearance in all its ConspicuousCG glory, with the speedometer reading almost 130 kph, and the BGM abruptly shifts to the iconic synth tones of Eurobeat. From there, the 86 goes through several tight, high-speed drifts, while another driver remarks on how normal this is.

* OffModel: Prevalent in ''First Stage'', thanks to the poor-quality [[ConspicuousCGI CGI]]. Due to animation mistakes, sometimes cars swap colors: in one particular scene, the Takahashi brothers' [=RX-7s=] change colors. In another scene, [[http://idforums.net/images/initialdglitchmistake.png Takumi's Trueno visibly clips through the guardrail]].

* TricksterMentor:

In North America, both the manga and anime were originally licensed by Creator/{{Tokyopop}}, whose alterations of the source material became controversial among the fans. When Tokypop USA imploded in 2011, Creator/{{Funimation}} picked up the rights to the anime; they carry the first four Stages, as well as the first ''Extra Stage'' OVA set. They also created a more accurate English dub, just as they had with ''Franchise/OnePiece''. [[https://www.funimation.com/shows/initial-d/?qid=5db5ec12f3cfc7a2 You can stream those episodes on their website, dubbed or subbed, for free here]] - [[NoExportForYou if you happen to live in the United States or Canada]]. [[https://www.youtube.com/user/FUNimation/search?query=Initial+D Their YouTube Channel]] also has the ''First'', ''Second'', and ''Fourth Stage'' available for free, although subbed only.

In North America, both the manga and anime were originally licensed by Creator/{{Tokyopop}}, whose alterations of the source material became controversial among the fans. When Tokypop USA imploded in 2011, Creator/{{Funimation}} picked up the rights to the anime; they carry the first four Stages, as well as the first Extra Stage OVA set. They also created a more accurate English dub, just as they had with ''Franchise/OnePiece''. [[https://www.funimation.com/shows/initial-d/?qid=5db5ec12f3cfc7a2 You can stream those episodes on their website, dubbed or subbed, for free here]] - [[NoExportForYou if you happen to live in the United States or Canada]]. [[https://www.youtube.com/user/FUNimation/search?query=Initial+D Their YouTube Channel also has the First, Third, and Fourth Stages available for free,]] although subbed only.

Early stages of the manga were remade into a three part anime film series called ''New Initial D The Movie'' with an all new cast of voice actors. The first movie ''Legend 1: Awakening'' was released in August 23rd, 2014, the second movie ''Legend 2: Racer'' was relased in may 23rd 2015 and third movie ''Legend 3: Dream'' was released in February 6th 2016.

** Badmouth his friends or abuse his girlfriend, and Takumi will give you hell for it. Be it punching your lights out, or pressuring you until you crash in an impromptu downhill race.

* DarkerAndEdgier: General tone-wise, while the anime and manga can have some dark elements around it, the ''Legend'' anime film series is a darker retelling of the first parts, while retaining general humor as well. The films also feature [[AutobotsRockOut more-serious rock music]] instead of more-upbeat Eurobeat music. (see RealSongThemeTune below)

* RealSongThemeTune:
** Every Eurobeat track used in the anime and games are taken from the label Avex Trax's Super Eurobeat compilation albums.
** The ''Legend'' anime film series uses songs from [[AutobotsRockOut Japanese rock bands]] like Backdraft Smiths and CLUTCHO.

In North America, both the manga and anime were originally licensed by Creator/{{Tokyopop}}, whose alterations of the source material became controversial among the fans. When Tokypop USA imploded in 2011, Creator/{{Funimation}} picked up the rights to the anime; they carry the first four Stages, as well as the first Extra Stage OVA set. They also created a more accurate English dub, just as they had with ''Franchise/OnePiece''. [[http://www.funimation.com/shows/initial-d/videos You can stream those episodes on their website, dubbed or subbed, for free here]] - [[NoExportForYou if you happen to live in the United States or Canada]]. [[https://www.youtube.com/user/FUNimation/search?query=Initial+D Their YouTube Channel also has the First, Third, and Fourth Stages available for free,]] although subbed only.

''Initial D'' is a long-running manga series (1995-2013) created by Shuichi Shigeno, with a series of {{Animated Adaptation}}s called "Stages". The focus is on [[UsefulNotes/SubculturesInJapan the Japanese drift-racing underground]], and as such, has acted as an anime GatewaySeries for western car enthusiasts, and vice-versa. The anime is also famous for its blatant use of ConspicuousCG during its racing scenes, making for a fountain of [[ShoutOut references]] in several other anime.

In North America, both the manga and anime were originally licensed by Creator/{{Tokyopop}}, whose alterations of the source material became controversial among the fans. When Tokypop USA imploded in 2011, Creator/{{Funimation}} picked up the rights to the anime; they carry the first four Stages, as well as the first Extra Stage OVA set. They also created a more accurate English dub, just as they had with ''Franchise/OnePiece''. [[http://www.funimation.com/shows/initial-d/videos You can stream those episodes on their website, dubbed or subbed, for free here]] - [[NoExportForYou if you happen to live in the United States or Canada]]. [[https://www.youtube.com/user/FUNimation/search?query=Initial+D Their YouTube Channel also has the First, Third, and Fourth Stages available for free]], although subbed only.