Initial D

Initial D
Initial D franchise Logo
頭文字 (イニシャル)D (Inisharu Dī)
Genre	Action, Racing, Drama
Manga
Author	Shuichi Shigeno
Publisher	Kodansha
English publisher	Tokyopop Madman Entertainment
Other publishers: Haksan Publishing
Demographic	Seinen
Magazine	Young Magazine
Original run	1995 – ongoing
Volumes	37
TV anime: Initial D First Stage
Director	Noboru Mitsusawa
Studio	Studio Gallop, Pastel
Network	Fuji Television, Animax TV3 Indosiar Animax, GMA NT1 Animax
Original run	April 18 1998 – November 28 1998
Episodes	26
TV anime: Initial D Second Stage
Director	Shin-ichi Masaki
Studio	Pastel
Network	Fuji TV, Animax 8TV Animax Indosiar NT1 Animax, GMA Animax
Original run	October 14 1999 – January 6 2000
Episodes	13
OVA: Initial D Extra Stage
Director	Shishi Yamaguchi
Studio	Pastel
Episodes	2
Released	February 22 2000
Runtime	56 minutes
Animated film: Initial D Third Stage
Director	Noboru Mitsusawa
Studio	Pastel
Released	January 13 2001
Runtime	104 minutes
OVA: Initial D Battle Stage
Studio	Pastel
Episodes	1
Released	May 15 2002
Runtime	45 minutes
TV anime: Initial D Fourth Stage
Director	Tsuneo Tominaga
Studio	Frontline, Gainax
Network	Animax, SKY PerfecTV! (Pay Per View) Animax, GMA
Original run	April 17 2004 – February 18 2006
Episodes	24
OVA: Initial D Battle Stage 2
Director	Tsuneo Tominaga
Studio	Frontline, OB Planning
Episodes	1
Released	May 30 2007
Anime and Manga Portal

Initial D (頭文字(イニシャル)D, Inisharu Dī^?) is a manga by Shuichi Shigeno which has been serialized in Kodansha's Young Magazine since 1995. It has been adapted into a long-running anime series by Pastel, Studio Gallop, and OB Planning, which premiered in Japan on Fuji TV and Animax, and a live action film by Avex and Media Asia. Both the manga and anime series were licensed for distribution in North America by Tokyopop.

The anime and manga focus on the world of illegal Japanese street racing, where all the action is concentrated in the mountain passes and never in cities nor urban areas, and the drift racing style is emphasized in particular. Keiichi Tsuchiya helps with editorial supervision. The story is centered around the Japanese prefecture of Gunma, (mostly Shibukawa where Takumi's home is) more specifically on several mountains in the kanto area and in and 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 Gunma Prefecture.

Contents 1 American licensing and alterations 2 Synopsis 2.1 First Stage 2.2 Second Stage 2.3 Extra Stage 2.4 Third Stage 2.5 Battle Stage 2.6 Fourth Stage: Project.D 2.7 Battle Stage 2 2.8 Extra Stage 2 3 Characters 4 List of releases 4.1 Manga 4.2 Anime 4.3 Games 4.4 Feature film 5 See also 6 Differences between the manga and anime version 7 References 8 External links

American licensing and alterations

The manga and anime have also been licensed by Tokyopop for an English release. Many fans questioned Tokyopop's intent when it changed some characters' names and gave others Americanized nicknames. For instance, the main character, Takumi, became Tak (a nickname many Japanese-Americans change their names to), and his best friend Itsuki became Iggy. Some characters, such as Takumi's father, Bunta, retained their original names. These name changes were to reflect the name changes that Sega implemented into the western releases of the Initial D Arcade Stage video games {see below} due to name length limits. Viewers are able to view the episodes with the original Japanese 5.1 track should they wish. In addition, Tokyopop cut out a character's enjo kōsai relationship with another character and edited sex scenes, appearing in volumes 1 and 9 in the original tankōbon manga. In addition, "street slang" has been interlaced in translations (a drift is described as "slammin'", for example), and there have been accusations that Tokyopop has put out incorrect spec sheets on the characters' cars in the manga. The company also changed the music from the series' staple eurobeat tracks to originally developed tracks of rap and hip-hop via an in-house DJ called DJ Milky. ^[1] (Complete Initial D Eurobeat Song Selection.) The massive editing has been attributed to rumors that Tokyopop was hoping to cash in on the growing Import Scene brought about by The Fast and the Furious with edits that would conform to American broadcasting standards (Americanization) on TV. The anime airs on Adult Swim in Australia.

FUNimation announced that it would be distributing the DVDs of the series (since Tokyopop's original distributor went bankrupt), but they will not license the Fourth Stage or any upcoming titles due to poor sales of the original seires.^[2]

The manga was also subject to the same name editing as the anime; the street slang was toned down and Tokyopop has been leaning toward the Japanese names in later volumes.

Synopsis

See also: List of Initial D chapters

Set in the late 1990s in Japan's Gunma Prefecture, the series follows the adventures of Takumi Fujiwara, an eighteen year old who helps his father run a tofu shop by making deliveries every morning to a hotel on Akina with his father's Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT-APEX. It is revealed that Takumi has been driving on Mt. Akina every morning to deliver tofu to the summit five years before he even had his license. As a result his skills in mountain racing were honed, and is able to drive under adverse weather conditions.

First Stage

The story begins when street racers called the Red Suns, a team from Mt. Akagi, come to challenge Mt. Akina's local Speed Stars team to a "friendly" race. After seeing how skilled the Red Suns are, the Speed Stars treat it as a race for pride, determined not to be humiliated on their home turf. However, the Speed Stars are left in a bind when their team leader and primary downhill driver Iketani has an accident during a practice run. They were desperate for a replacement, until Iketani learns from Yuuichi, the manager of the petroleum station he is working in, that the fastest car in Akina's downhill was a panda-colored AE86 owned by a tofu maker, and traces the car back to a local tofu shop. He discovers that the shop's owner, Bunta Fujiwara, was a street racer of great repute in his younger days known as the "Ghost of Akina" . Iketani appeals to the older man to take his place in the race against the Red Suns. Iketani is confident that Bunta will come to save the day. But when the race day comes, his son Takumi appears with his Trueno instead. Although at first reluctant to let Takumi race, Ikatani relents after it is revealed that he is actually the "Ghost of Akina," the one who outran Keisuke while on one of his delivery runs. Takumi proceeds to defeat Keisuke Takahashi and his Mazda RX-7 FD3S, causing considerable astonishment in the local racing community and putting an end to the Red Suns winning streak.

Despite him 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 proceeded to defeat drivers in more advanced and more powerful cars. like the Honda Civic EG6 hatchback, the Nissan Sileighty, and the Nissan Skyline R32. He proceded to defeat them in all sorts of conditions (Duct Tape Deathmatch, wet weather race), culminating in the battle between him and Ryosuke Takahashi, the so-called "White Comet of Akagi." Takumi handed Ryosuke his first defeat.

Second Stage

A group of street racers called Team Emperor, all using Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions, appear in the Gunma area, defeating anyone in their path, until one of them, Seiji Iwaki, was defeated by Takumi, breaking their winning streak. Their leader, a professionally-trained driver named Kyouichi Sudo, challenged Takumi to a race to “teach him some things” and as a sort of cover event for his race with Ryosuke, his primary target. This race saw Takumi's AE86 blow its engine. It may have been a defeat, but Kyouichi arrogantly did not consider it a race. Kyouichi went on to race Ryosuke, but lost.

On the other hand, Bunta knows that the engine in the 86 was about to give out. In fact, one of Bunta's tasks to Takumi was "to lose." And he told his friends that he'll never replace the 86's engine until it's destroyed. In anticipation had already bought a new engine [1]- a high revving, race breed variation of the standard Toyota 4A-GE 20 valve twin cam engine, which is used for Group A Division 2 Touring Class races in the Japanese Touring Car Championship. This is insanely unusual, because this type of engine is supplied to race teams only, and is not street legal. The source of the engine was unknown. It should be noted that in addition to being a high-revving engine, the 4AGE in Takumi's car is missing the pulley cover and Individual Runner Throttle Bodies. 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. A fellow AE86 driver named Wataru Akiyama, who was surprised with Takumi's lack of mechanical knowledge, told him that he needs a new tachometer.

Once Takumi has unsealed the power of his new engine, Wataru challenges him to a race anywhere of Takumi's choosing. Takumi won despite the risks, and on Wataru's home course of Shomaru.

Extra Stage

Capitalizing on the popularity of the all-female street racing team known as "Impact Blue" which appeared in First Stage co-driving "rally style" in a Sileighty, this OVA focuses on Impact Blue's dynamic duo of Mako and Sayuki rather than Takumi and the usual main cast. It takes place during Second Stage and through Third Stage, but not spoiling the upcoming story. Impact Blue encounters scout members of the Emperor team just as they begin dominating the Gunma area. It also dealt with Mako's love life and how emotions effect her driving attitude, much like Takumi. Since Shingo Shoji, a member of the Night Kids, is a friend of Mako's partner Sayuki, he is involved by playing discreet matchmaker with Sayuki. The match for Mako is a former Night Kid who drives an MR2 and has decided to quit street racing due to reaching his peak. He hopes that Mako will do the same and settle down with him, however it is still Iketani in her heart.

Third Stage

By this time Ryosuke approaches Takumi with an offer. Ryosuke has been putting together a racing 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 Emperor driver Kyouichi Sudou. Takumi defeats him in his own home course. Then came Kai Kogashiwa, the son of Bunta's old rival, driving a Toyota MR2. He then challenges Takumi upon knowing he beat his original target, Kyouichi. He has a plan to beat Takumi by using a technique he had devised. In-Air hairpin jump. Kai uses this technique to further distance himself from Takumi. Takumi then finds it in himself to try this technique and masters it at the first try, finding himself catching Kai. At the last moment before they reach the finish Takumi puts his car past the shrubs and into the gutter to sling shot side by side. The battle is heated on the finish as it is over a bridge which then turns into a one way road. Takumi and Kai are side by side still where they hit the bridge at such speed that they are airborne. Kai loses control and spins out as there is leaves all over the road. Kai loses.

This stage also saw the appearance of Miki, a former student at the same high school Takumi attended who Takumi once punched over Miki's bragging about his sexual exploits with Natsuki (seen in a flashback from 1st Stage). It was Christmas season, and Natsuki surprises Takumi at his house, and celebrates Christmas with him and Bunta. On New Year's Day, Miki takes Natsuki under duress, even attempting to rape her near Lake Akina. But Takumi, after hearing a few words of a call from Natsuki which was cut short, came to the rescue.

As spring comes, Takumi tells Ryosuke that he wants to request another battle with him, this time on Mt. Akagi, before making his decision regarding the team. It is unclear who actually wins the race, but during the race Keisuke reveals to the other members of the Red Suns that the race is not really about who wins or loses. As they approach the finish, side by side, Takumi decides that it is his desire to remain with Ryosuke and join the team.

Battle Stage

Initial D Battle Stage (special) summarizes the major street races from the two TV series. Rather than simply using clips from the TV series, the new special entirely re-animated all of the original CG car and background footage with new computer graphics rendering. The special also features a battle between the yellow FD3S of Keisuke against the white Evo 4 of Seiji, but no such race took place in the anime (although it does take place in the manga). Music is from an entirely new Super Eurobeat songs and guest commentary from legendary "Drift King" Keiichi Tsuchiya.

Fourth Stage: Project.D

This series focuses on the exploits of the new team founded by Ryosuke, Project.D, which is comprised of Ryosuke (leader and strategist), downhill specialist Takumi, uphill specialist Keisuke, and a staff consisting primarily of members of the Akagi Red Suns. The team travels the region, challenging other teams and posting the results of the battles on their website. Each race is intended by Ryosuke to develop a specific area of his drivers' skills. By this time, Takumi matures slowly into a more confident and knowledgeable street racer, while Keisuke improves on his technical driving skills. Takumi instinctively develops many new techniques through his own ingenuity after some prompting by Ryosuke, such as passing with his headlights off so that his opponent is unable to see him coming and block him, and using weight shifting to execute maneuvers similar to the gutter-hook technique on Akina. Ryosuke also formed the team because in a few months he is headed for medical school, and this is his last chance in a long time to indulge in street racing. Takumi, on the other hand, contends with the "Four-Wheel Drive Complex", when he was overtaken by a Subaru Impreza, a 4WD car, on one of his delivery runs. He knew a bit later that his father drove the car. Bunta then allowed Takumi to deliver tofu, as well as practice, in the Impreza (alternating with the Trueno) to improve his skills as a driver and to get a feel of what modern cars can do.

Project.D's opponents grew tougher and tougher, as well as more deceitful and threatening. They defeated local racing teams (like the Seven Star Leaf), students of the Todo-juku racing school (including a professional driver who is a graduate of the school), the combined forces of the Northern Saitama Alliance (who even used a kei-car), thugs in Lan Evos, and the "Godfoot" and "Godhand" tandem of Team Purple Shadow. In the shadows, Wataru Akiyama watches Takumi from a distance and looks for weaknesses, but it ceased when Project.D conquered Saitama, so he began giving Takumi a few pointers, especially with the 4WD problem. There are also glimmers of romance, like Kyoko Iwase, Keisuke's fellow Mazda RX-7 FD driver and uphill ace racing for the Northern Saitama Alliance, falling in love with him, even lending her precious car to Keisuke--but, although he likes her, he rejected her, deciding to focus more on driving.

Takumi also learned a lot, including the theory of infinite lines and Joushima (the "Godhand" of Team Purple Shadow) teaching him the theory of one handed driving. 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. Hoshino, the "Godfoot" of Purple Shadow, offered his racing connections to Keisuke, but refused, saying he has still got a lot to do in street racing.

Battle Stage 2

Initial D Battle Stage 2 summarizes the major street races from the recent Fourth Stage TV series. While the first Battle Stage had every battle re-animated from scratch, the only episodes altered in the second version were the early races in stage 4, to match with the visual style of the latter portion of Stage 4. Additionally, two races that were previously seen only in the manga were animated specially for the feature. The first race is Takahashi Keisuke vs. Smiley Sakai, and the other is Keisuke vs. Kawai Atsuro. Both races are noticeably shorter than the other races in the feature.

Battle Stage 2 was released on DVD on May 30, 2007. The official soundtrack to Battle Stage 2, featuring 24 Eurobeat songs that played during the feature, was released on September 5, 2007.

Extra Stage 2

Announced in chapter 530 of the Initial D manga, Extra Stage 2 will air on pay-per-view on October 3rd, 2008 and will be available on DVD on December 5th.

Characters

Main article: Initial D characters and teams

Initial D contains a myriad of characters, many of whom appear in a very small number of episodes, usually to race one of the main characters or as a teammate of another racer. The most frequently recurring characters are the protagonist Takumi Fujiwara, his love interest Natsuki Mogi, his father Bunta, the members of the Akina Speed Stars, and the members of the Akagi Redsuns (later Project D).

List of releases

Manga

• Initial D Manga Japanese Release - 37 Volumes (1995 - new volume released every 5 months)
• Initial D Manga Tokyopop Release - 32 Volumes (2002 - new volume released every 3 months)

Anime

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 2 hour movie (2001)
• Initial D Battle Stage - a 50 minute movie.(2002)
• Initial D Fourth Stage - 24 episodes (2004—2006)
• Initial D Battle Stage 2 (2007)
• Initial D Extra Stage 2 (2008)

Games

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").

• Initial D Arcade Stage Version 1 (Arcade)
• Initial D Arcade Stage Version 2 (Arcade)
• Initial D Arcade Stage Version 3 (Arcade)
• Initial D Arcade Stage Version 4 (Arcade)
• Initial D (Sega Saturn)
• Initial D (PS1)
• Initial D: Special Stage (PS2)
• Initial D Mountain Vengeance (PC)
• Initial D: Street Stage (PSP)
• Initial D Gaiden (Game Boy)
• Initial D Another Stage (GBA)
• Initial D Collectible Card Game (Collectible Card Game)
• Initial D Extreme Stage (PS3)

Feature film

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 and 1999's The Legend of Speed, a previous street racing melodrama directed by Lau. The movie featured Taiwanese star Jay Chou as Takumi Fujiwara and Edison Chen as Ryosuke Takahashi.

See also

• Initial D Arcade Stage
• List of Initial D episodes
• List of Initial D chapters
• List of Initial D characters and teams
• Initial D: Street Stage

Differences between the manga and anime version

Although Initial D is a hit anime sleeper series, its origins began in the manga. However the decision to alter segments of the story was necessary in terms of pacing as well as a slightly believable story. As a result, the changes made towards the conversions are mostly for the better and sometimes removing unnecessary repetitive parts where the manga had much of its content.
Example: The gallery of audience always have similar comments in every race like "Wow, I can't believe Project D is that fast."
So listed below is the difference between the manga and the anime for both the better and the worst.
Note: The pointers posted here are the major changes from manga to anime and the bulk is consisted still of minor changes are not added here.

• In the anime version, the 1st Stage battles were presented in the order of FD, R32, EG6, Sil-Eighty, S14, and FC. In the manga, it was done as FD, R32, EG6, FC, Sil-Eighty, and S14 leading to Evo IV. The switching to have the FC as the last race of 1st Stage is to give a more dramatic closure to the anime season.
• The explanation of the races has a lot more narrative in car terms in the manga then there is in the anime, even explaining what specs and custom parts added/modified. But most of these narratives are retained in the anime, through the explanations of either the audiences (usually by key characters like Ryosuke) or through the psychological thinkings of the drivers which is not very often.
• Example) In the battle between Takumi and Shingo, Takumi performs a 4-wheel drift while staying on the outer lane to avoid an incoming car. This was narrated in the manga, but in the anime, this was loosely described by the Takahashi brothers.
• The race battles in the anime are more extreme in camera angle and performance compared to it’s original manga counterparts, more for a shocking dramatic and flashy appearance. When the manga and anime version are seen side by side, the difference becomes obvious. Example) Near the end of episode 03 of 1st Stage, Ryosuke drifting his FC when his rear fender was only a few inches away from the guardrail where in the manga it was by a good couple feet away.
• The audience gallery in the races (mostly in 4th Stage) has a lot more involvement in the manga, but they tend to be too repetitive that most of their conversations have been removed making the anime more fast paced.
• Smoking is also more commonly seen in the manga book and more toned down in the anime.
• The clothing changes every time just like in real-life. In the anime, the clothing changes don’t take place as much in the 1st Stage, but is commonly seen happening in the following Stages ahead. In the manga however, brand name shirts could be seen. Such shirts may include a Toronto Maple Leafs Jersey, a Spiderman? like shirt, or even brand names of famous car part companies like BLITZ, Mugen, NISMO, etc. Plus, the use of the “New Balance” shoes and clothing line is heavily used, especially in the anime.
• The anime does include car company names but they may tend to be mis-spelled in early Stages such as “Trueno” would be called “Toreno”. Though this was due to copyright issues. Once the series hit off and grew in popularity, certain car models featured in Initial D became more desirable, and because of the positive impact on their company, car manufacturers allowed the studios to use proper titles. An easier way to think of this is how other anime swap letters for common products to avoid copyright issues ("Popsi" for "Pepsi", and "Heep" instead of "Jeep"). Brand name clothings may be misspelled as well for the same reason.
• Koichiro Iketani originally had a different hairstyle in the first few chapters, until he gets his S13 into an accident. Afterwards, his next hairstyle has become the standard throughout the whole series. In the anime, his hairstyle remained the same throughout the whole series.
• Clips of Best Motoring Videos can be seen, most noticeable is the "Drift Bible" featuring "Drift King" Keiichi Tsuchiya. "Drift Bible" was also mentioned in the Omake section of Volume 6, complete with the cover for it.
• Natsuki has a nude scenes in the manga in Volumes 01 and 09. In the Tokyopop release, with the exception of first print run editions of Vol. 01, clothing were added into her. In the anime, none of the nude scenes were featured, but the story of her relationship with Papa remains identical.
• Team Thunder-Fire is an anime only racing team.
• The Shingo race had a major difference in the anime comparison to the manga as there was a long 1 1/2 episode filler arc with the appearance of an anime only character named Saori (a blind-date for Itsuki).
• Tsugumi (Tricia in Tokyopop) is Ryosuke and Keisuke’s cousin, and makes her appearances in volumes 04 and 08, but never makes any appearance in the anime.
• A battle between Keisuke and Nakazato takes place on Mt. Akina going hillclimb just before Takumi and Ryosuke's battle. This was a prelude of the Mount Myogi race later on. Only in the manga.
• Kenta’s character design in the anime for 1st Stage, 2nd Stage, and 3rd Stage are completely different to his original character design in the manga. However by 4th Stage, Kenta has been reanimated to look identical to his original manga counterpart.
• Lonely Driver's Club only exists in the anime.
• During the rain race between Takumi and Kenta, the Evo IV of team Emperor makes an appearance trailing from behind. In the end, the Evo IV beats both cars which Takumi never mentioned (nor was he really trying his best during the race). Manga only.
• Tsukamoto is a manga only character with quite a big side story. If he were to appear in the anime, it would only be in Second Stage which he makes a really brief cameo during the Eight-Six vs Evo III at Akagi. Most of his key scenes are replaced by the team Thunder-Fire.
• In Takumi's battle against Wataru at Shomaru, Takumi wins the battle different in the anime by driving over the mudslide compared to manga where he simply passes Wataru at a wider section of the course. Wataru briefly lost concentration because he was low on gas.
• Shiraishi is only seen in the manga as the one calling and writing the letters to Takumi concerning Natsuki's relationship with Papa. She is Papa's daughter. If she were to appear in the anime, it would have been in Third Stage.
• In the anime, Natsuki works at the Fast Hamburger restaurant, while in the manga she applies to work part-time at the Esso Gas Station with Takumi.
• Natsuki makes a handmade Eight-Six keychain for Takumi in the anime. There is no such keychain in the manga.
• In the manga, there is a Valentine's day segment where you can also see a rare scene of Itsuki having a smoke.
• In the manga, Bunta doesn't show up at Takumi's graduation. He does so in the anime, though.
• In the anime only, Third Stage ended with Takumi challenging Ryosuke at Mount Akagi. In the manga only, Takumi shows Natsuki his full driving skills down Mount Akina, setting a new downhill record on Mount Akina in the process, but since no one was there to witness the run, it didn't count. These are all before joining Project D.
• The races between Keisuke Takahashi against Smiley Sakai and Atsurou Kawaii have been removed in the anime series although both races were animated for Initial D Battle Stage 2.
• After the defeat of Toudoh Racing School, Project D’s Eight-Six and FD breaks the time trial records set there. Later when Tomo arrives, he breaks the Eight-Six record without pushing Daiki's EK9 to the limit. Manga only
• In the manga and arcade stage, Bunta’s Impreza is gun metal grey in colour where in the anime, it is blue.
• In the manga only, Fumihiro tells Ryosuke that Kenta got into an accident in trying Takumi’s Blind Attack technique.
• Kyoko’s expressions and personality are more spontaneous in the manga. Because of the more realism presented in the anime, Kyoko’s spontaneous expressions are removed and her personality is toned down to a sweet girl. Such scenes that have been re-edited or removed include her doing a doughnut with her FD, kissing Keisuke's FD, or flapping her hands up and down when she found out Keisuke had no girlfriend.
• Itsuki’s story with Kazumi after Takumi's rain race and before the Tsuchizaka battle is a lot more in depth in the manga then the anime. There is such a great deal of nearly 2/3 of Itsuki's story is missing and only 1/3 was shown in the anime.
• During Itsuki’s date with Kazumi, Iketani and Kenji were on their way to watch another Project D race in Saitama against a minor team. However, in the anime, this Project D race never took place but was just a driving by accident that Iketani and Kenji decide to take a peek at Itsuki’s date.
• Kyoko’s last request to see Keisuke drive the FC at his full 100% driving abilities is never mentioned in the manga, but an anime exclusive. In the manga only, Keisuke tells Kyoko that he use to be a motorcycle gang member.
• The race between Takumi and Godhand was the first race against Purple Shadow in the manga book. However, in the anime, Godfoot requests to be the first battle before the Godhand battle. Keisuke accepts. (This is done intentionally to make Takumi’s race the climax to the nearing end of 4th Stage anime season)
• In the anime only, "m.o.v.e", the musical group responsible for several opening and closing songs for the anime series (consisting of Yuri, Motsu and T-Kimura) are at the peak of the F-Line waiting at the cone.
• In the anime only while Takumi's battle with Godhand is about to begin, his friends are at a family restaurant talking about what it means to have a girlfriend to spend time with.
• To simplify the ending of 4th Stage, Takumi's Eight-Six suspension damage is repaired early on where in the manga it is being upgraded to the next stage as he uses the Impreza for deliveries.

References

1. ↑ Open letter from Tokyopop. Retrieved 3 June 2006.
2. ↑ 2006 press release. Retrieved 5 September 2006.

External links

• Initial D The Movie Info Page
• Avex webpage for Initial D
• North America Premier of the Live Action Initial D
• Real-Life Locations Gallery Stage (Japanese)
• Initial D Arcade Stage Version 3.0