Now Viewing: initial_dTag type: Copyright Sports action drama anime/manga created by Shigeno_Shuichi. It ran from 1995 to 2013. It has received anime and video game adaptations as well as Hong Kong film adaptation that was filmed in Japan but predominantly starred Hong Kong actors. The series is famous for popularizing the drifting subculture and many of the real-life race courses featured in the series. It also re-popularized the Toyota AE86 and the series protagonist, Fujiwara Takumi, uses this seemingly outdated and unimpressive car to win races against opponents who often drive newer vehicles. The anime is also well known for using CG during the races, a technique often parodied by other anime. It also sets the races to a Eurobeat soundtrack. The series was influenced by real life racing/drifting icon Tsuchiya Keiichi who was also a consultant for the series. Tsuchiya was known for driving a Toyota AE86 just like Takumi. Mt. Akina's local racing team Speedstars is challenged by the famous Red Suns led by the Takahashi brothers, Ryosuke and Keisuke. The Speedstars want to win even though their chances of defeating the brothers are small. To make matters worse, the driver they've selected to participate in the race is injured prior to the race. The Speedstars desperately plead with Fujiwara Bunta, tofu delivery man and a legendary street racer, to participate in the race with his Toyota AE86. Fujiwara instead sends his apathetic son Takumi with the Toyota AE86. Takumi wins the race and finds his life changed forever as he becomes increasingly involved with the street racing culture. The Japanese band m.o.v.e has provided the opening and ending themes to the anime. The Lucky Star parody of Initial D also features a song, Gravity, that is a parody of m.o.v.e's style. The series alternates between racing action and character drama. The impact of street racing on the characters' personal lives and relationships is a major focus of the series' narrative. The series has received two English localizations. The first one, by Tokyopop, attempted to Americanize the series and was influenced by The Fast and the Furious film series although Initial D predates said series. This localization changed the characters' names, used more English slang, and replaced the Eurobeat with hip hop music. The second localization, by Funimation, is more faithful to the original, retaining the Eurobeat and character names, but was released out of order. Other Wiki Information Last updated: 06/01/14 1:22 AM by jojosstand This entry is not locked and you can edit it as you see fit. |
     
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