Initial D
Legendary street racing manga and anime series about tofu delivery driver Takumi Fujiwara and his journey in the world of mountain pass racing.
Category
Anime/Manga
Release Year
1995
Origin
Japan
Tags
racingcarssportscoming-of-agedriftstreet racing
Detailed Overview Information
Basic Information
Full Name
Initial D (鬆ｭ譁・ｭ優)
Aliases
鬆ｭ譁・ｭ優, Inisharu D, First Stage, Project D
Type
Manga/Anime Series
Release Year
1995
Status
Complete
Origin
Japan
Region
Japan
Creation Information
Creator
Shuichi Shigeno
Publisher
Kodansha (manga), various (anime)
Original Work
Initial D manga by Shuichi Shigeno
Genre
Racing, Sports, Drama, Coming-of-age, Action
Content Information
Synopsis
Takumi Fujiwara, an 18-year-old high school student, unknowingly becomes a skilled street racer while delivering tofu for his father's business. His natural talent behind the wheel of an aging Toyota AE86 leads him into the underground world of mountain pass racing.
Main Characters
Takumi Fujiwara, Keisuke Takahashi, Ryosuke Takahashi, Itsuki Takeuchi, Natsuki Mogi, Bunta Fujiwara
Setting
Gunma Prefecture, Japan - mountain passes including Mount Akina, Mount Usui, Mount Myogi
Themes
Coming of age, passion for racing, friendship, rivalry, self-discovery, dedication and hard work
Target Audience
Young adults, car enthusiasts, racing fans, anime/manga readers
Media Forms
Comics
Original manga series (48 volumes, 1995-2013)
Animated Series
Multiple anime seasons: First Stage (1998), Second Stage (1999), Third Stage (2001), Fourth Stage (2004-2006), Fifth Stage (2012-2013), Final Stage (2014)
Live Action Films
Initial D (2005) Hong Kong live-action film starring Jay Chou
Video Games
Arcade games, PlayStation games, mobile games, racing simulators
Merchandise
Die-cast cars, model kits, clothing, accessories, soundtracks
Digital Content
Streaming anime, digital manga, mobile apps, online games
Live Events
Car shows, racing events, fan gatherings, mountain pass tours
Commercial Information
Sales
Over 48 million manga copies sold worldwide
Revenue
Hundreds of millions from manga, anime, games, and merchandise
Awards
Kodansha Manga Award nomination, various anime industry recognitions
Critical Reception
Highly praised for realistic racing depictions and character development
Cultural Impact
Revolutionized car culture in Japan and globally, popularized drift racing and AE86
Market Value
One of the most valuable racing-themed franchises in anime/manga
Licensing
Extensive global licensing for games, merchandise, and adaptations
Fan Culture
Fanbase
Global community of car enthusiasts, anime fans, racing gamers, drift culture participants
Communities
Car clubs, online forums, social media groups, racing communities
Events
Touge racing events, car meets, anime conventions, mountain pass tours
Quotes
Cool vibrations, Gutter run, The fastest driver on Mount Akina
Memes
Eurobeat intensifies, AE86 vs supercars, Takumi's sleepy driving, Bunta's cigarette
Fan Art
Car illustrations, character art, racing scene recreations, custom liveries
Fan Projects
Real-life AE86 builds, racing videos, tribute songs, fan animations
Collectibles
Tomica die-cast cars, Kyosho models, racing memorabilia, soundtrack CDs
Historical Development
1995
Initial D manga begins serialization in Weekly Young Magazine
1998
First anime season (First Stage) premieres, introduces iconic Eurobeat soundtrack
2001
Third Stage movie released, focusing on Takumi vs Ryosuke
2005
Hong Kong live-action film adaptation released
2012
Fifth Stage anime uses full CGI for cars, modernizing the series
2013
Manga concludes after 18 years of serialization
2014
Final Stage anime completes the story adaptation
Related Links
initiald-portal.com
www.enjoyip.com