Initial D: First Stage

Motherless nonchalant delivery driver is fast and gets b*****; I think he might like cars.

On a serious note, I got into the show because my local arcade recently got Initial D Stage 8. I was hooked on the game and remembered it being based on the show so I decided to check it out. I can't get enough!

If you are a fan of cars, this is definitely for you. You get to see the progression of someone being drawn into a culture that surrounds them. If you are a fan of anime, you also might like it. The animation can be wonky at times, but the race and action sequences more than make up for that. If you are a fan of plots and good writing, I find it very unlikely you will enjoy the series. Tropes are extremely recurring, quite a few running gags, minimum change and development of characters, not much substance to them either besides racing and being teenagers. If there is one thing the writing does get right, it's the car details.

I started this series years ago with my brothers and I mean all of them. My oldest brother would come by the house every time a new DVD would be available. We all started this show like right when it hit the American market. So glad we did!! I remember waiting in sun coast videos waiting for my pre order when these dropped.

The story is great, at the character are interesting and the story evolves. Any anime fan should give this a chance if you haven't yet. It is definitely worth a watch and you will rewatch it so many times as well.

It's the story of a high school student, Takumi Fujiwara who works as a delivery boy in his father's Tofu Shop. Every morning he makes his deliveries, in his father's Ae86 ( Toyota Corolla ) passing through Mt. Akina's full of hairpins track. In the process of making his deliveries, he becomes a skilled driver and Mt. Akina his turf. Those who see him call him the ghost of Akina. When racers from other regions make an expedition to Mt. Akina, they come to know about this ghost. The Racers start to challenge Takumi and how he deals with each challenge and in the process becomes a legend is what Initial D is about.

Visuals/Graphics: 10/10

Apart from the races it's just like what you'd expect an anime to be. The races have been done in 3D which really adds to the thrill. With each and every season the graphics have gotten better, stage Four being the best.

Story: 9/10

The story is simply about the journey of Takumi from an ordinary High school kid to a legendary street racer and how he meets other racers who help him achieve it in the process.

Screenplay: 9/10

There are a few flashbacks but apart from that the anime proceeds in one direction only. Nothing unnecessary has been done, making it an easy to watch experience.

Initial D is a must watch, even if you're not an anime freak. You don't have to be ! It's much better than the Fast 'n Furious movie series, where they pull off stunts defying the laws of physics. This anime actually bothers to explain how the machines are working. Trust me, if you watch this you wouldn't be disappointed. The best thing is it has also been dubbed in English so you won't have to stress reading subtitles.

Overall: It's a 10/10. Watch it !

Yes it is an anime with a lot of cars in it BUT don't get fooled by that (especially if you are a person who doesn't care much about cars, drives Vauxhall or likes) and give this anime a try. If you watched Death Note, Shingeki no Kyojin, Psycho Pass, Silver Spoon and other anime like them you will probably like Initial D. Only connection with before mentioned anime is originality, and that should be enough to give it a try.

Initial D has funny, interesting and original storyline with specific soundtrack that will change your perspective on cars, and make you wanna own some of the cars that are shown in the series. Also series are full of interesting trivia. Most valuable thing about Initial D is that petrol-heads will love it, but it is not exclusive for them, so they can share and watch it with non petrol-heads friends :D

Negative side, part of the animation that is in "3D"

p.s. Just in case you are in dilemma: don't watch English dubbed version, watch original in Japanese language

If you like jdm cars and anime then this is the perfect anime for you