Initial D - 21 Years Later, Still A Must-Watch Anime

Gather round, young weebs, as I tell you a tale of fast cars and faster songs. Of battles fought, egos bruised, and Eurobeat intensified. This is the legend of Initial D.
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In the depths of his Mother's Basement, Geoff Thew creates videos analyzing the storytelling techniques of anime and video games. He has been named the number one Worst KZbin Anime Reviewer by The Top Tens.

[@Canwegettosubscribers-nk8nn]

Deja Vu: Singer: Italian Show: Japanese Name: French Lyrics: Engrish

[@Jonathan-hd3hg]

Eurobeat = english songs made by europeans for the japanese market

[@lucalamanna-vg2bz]

What?? Didn’t know he was italian holy shit

[@JonVonBasslake]

All this equals a deliciously hammy and upbeat track

[@yaboiakira929]

ohhhhhh

[@yaelcarrasquillo1675]

Yeah! Greatest ost ever

[@fj7509]

Nothing will ever beat Takumi's 2D rendered face staring blankly out of a 3D rendered 80s toyota lmao

[@amaansiddiqui2030]

Ayo I watch you every video related to Initial D

[@AmmyWulf]

Wait what episode was that?

[@immonke1106]

@@AmmyWulf in every episode with cgi, but just barely

[@krspykreame1]

I always liked the manga more, the anime is cool but it's a lot of recuts and drawwn out races

[@f-bodygarage]

@@AmmyWulf the First stage is where it looks the funkiest, the later stages look less goofy it’s just the first one however they animated the cars it looks like gran turismo on Ps2

[@Nekrubbobby]

Hold up hold up hold up. Did this man say that this was his girlfriend's favorite anime. This man got a good one

[@HugoRBMarques]

Wife her now!

[@sooryan_1018]

Hol up That's illegal! LONELY DRIVERS FOREVER!

[@JMDrives]

I failed to let my GF watch Donut Media's videos of Jeep and Wrangler, since it's her SUV. She got bored and uninterested, I failed my fellow comrades.. I failed.. To OP though, you the man!

[@tropik5724]

lucky son of a bitch

[@wolfwoodphreak]

I was thinking the same. of all the anime a girl xan love above others... INITIAL D?! that's a winner right there

[@JuliusBriggs]

it makes me sad that more people know initial d only through memes and have never actually gotten into this wonderful show

[@itsdogwoofwoof]

without memes i never get to watch this masterpiece

[@JuliusBriggs]

@@itsdogwoofwoof true I guess I was only talking about those however, who watch a meme about it and go oh lol veri funi but then never get around to checking out the show itself good on you that you did im sure you didn't regret it

[@craymerventura725]

@@JuliusBriggs the show also got me into to the car culture

[@typezman]

JMacCookie 100% Fruchtfleisch it makes me more sad that people only know Eurobeat from the memes and not this show OR Dance Dance Revolution.

[@android927]

To be fair, the memes are pretty good as far as memes go. Densha de D in particular is absolutely hilarious.

[@BladedAngel]

As long as car guys exist, this anime will never become irrelevant. Also EIGHT UH SIX UH

[@HTK256]

fxck yeah i found bladed boisss

[@rcnumbers3562]

We found him boys!

[@RyosukeTakahashiRX7]

I think you misspelled Hachiroku there

[@lordautozam1121]

If it was anyone else going EIGHT UH SIX UH I Would be annoyed but when so say it it’s quite funny

[@clangswordsman4968]

Don't you mean HACHI-ROKU? ;)

[@sykeraid4944]

Just from my personal experience. Don't ever play Eurobeat while driving on the open road. You will be tempted.

[@NihongoWakannai]

I've been much more than tempted. The initial D soundtrack is the only music I have downloaded to my phone, and my rear tires hate it.

[@sgtwisky]

IKR. Was driving a big truck/trailer while helping a friend get his mom moved. Going up hill and trying to pass a simi truck. then the song "Speedy Speed Boy" starts playing on my phone. Had to floor it to pass the truck (only a 5mph diff or so on the uphill). Couldn't stop smiling or laughing the entire time. Sucks for the 1 car behind me though.

[@crimsonrosetta7796]

Ahahah More than tempted

[@SharicTH]

I got my first (and so far only) speeding ticket three years ago while driving to 'Beat of the Rising Sun.'

[@lordscolipede7092]

Can confirm. Somebody To Love caused me to speed up on the highway, and when an officer tried to pull me over, I drifted away at impossible speeds in my Honda Fit, despite it being wrong wheel drive.

[@sakshamsharma4759]

Reasons not to watch the Legends Movies:- 1. No Eurobeat 2. No Eurobeat 3. No Eurobeat

[@CRRNCRW]

I only watched them because well It was tempting.

[@notjohnedgell]

Agreed Eurobeat makes the races faster I swear.

[@MrGuardrail]

Only watched bc Ryosuke had the same voice actor as Jotaro Kujo

[@notjohnedgell]

Gādorēru Man That hurts me so much :(

[@user-mf8oy4xd8i]

good thing there’s a Eurobeat fan-edit available online

[@FerrowTheFox]

I can not overstate how Initial D has impacted my life. Although I was always interested in cars as a boy it was more along the lines of "oh look, a cool sports car!" or playing NFS with friends. Also, when I got my license I alredy loved to go driving in warm summer nights with my first car (an old Mitsubishi Colt). However when I watched Initial D in my late teens it was like fanning the embers of my fledgeling car enthusiasm. I sucked it up like a sponge, started to read about driving dynamics, mechanical systems, engine and suspension setups and all that. I began working on my cars, bought aftermarket parts and worked on learning things like heel-toe, left foot braking and stuff. Also, while I liked my cheap japanese cars before, now I began to love them for their character, nimble cornering and ease of working on them. I learned that it's not just horsepower that matters but feedback from your car and first and foremost that it's fun while driving. And today, a decade after watching Initial D for the first time, I've owned multiple 80s and 90s JDM cars, modified them, driven thousands of kilometers for fun, been to so many car meets I can't count them anymore and found friends I've been though thick and thin with. All that because I'm a weeb who took a late 90s anime a bit too serious :P But I'm damn glad I did...

[@user-gt6pd4qk4v]

I couldn't imagine the show would have such a positive impact on someone to this degree. Maybe other people felt the same way as you! I'm really happy to hear how important the show was in inspiring you about cars, you go my man! On a side note, one thing i respect the show for is how at every start of an episode they would put a warning about how you should drive safe and obey the rules and regulations. They could have easily not bother but they did it anyway so mad respect to them.

[@leeminchung9]

Same here, dude. When I was a kid I was interested in cars but in the "Oh wow that's a cool looking Lambo" and nothing else I started watching Initial D last year when I was 17 and it was when I was taking my driver's test. After watching Initial D I started to become a lot more interested in cars. And after I got my license I actually kept borrowing my mom's Nissan Sentra to sharpen my skills and I realized that just because you have a cool sports car doesn't mean you're gonna be a good driver. What's important is actually your skills. Now I'm preparing to go to university and I'm trying to find a part time job to save up some cash to buy myself a second hand car before university starts. I'm thinking of buying a second hand Proton Satria(a Malaysian rebadged Mitsubishi Mirage Cyborg).

[@Eeter26]

FerrowTheFox hell yeah bro!

[@Tubercollosal]

While I'm not as technically minded nor gifted as you, after I watched Initial D, I began my passion for Japanese classics. Sport cars were (still are) massively expensive and I was just in college back then with zero income. Two university degrees and a country move later, I finally bought a 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STI (blobeye) to realise my JDM dream. I treasure this car very much and it's been with me through difficult times in my life. Japanese cars of the 80s to mid 2000s are the golden era, I think.

[@Canalbiruta]

@@Tubercollosal so... i found a vape naish here?!

[@fila1445]

STOP DON'T DO IT ! Prices of ae86 are inflated enough!

[@ArbitraryOutcome]

Drift tax is real. Also plagues Silvias and S2000s too.

[@ShloopieDoo]

@@ArbitraryOutcome S2000s are kinda deserving of their prices though tbf. Super reliable high revving VTEC engine in a chassis that gives Porsche a run for its money

[@Pwndaz]

I wouldn't say the S2000 is hiked because of Initial D. I think that's more cause its one of only 2 proper sportscars Honda ever made that were RWD platforms. A more accurate price hike would be the FC RX7, since they're usually considered to be pretty unloved compared to the ultra popular FD.

[@rocksteadyska6933]

You guys even tried looking at a supra recently? I damn near died looking at those prices

[@ArbitraryOutcome]

The Suzuki Cappuccino also seems to be affected by the price hike. They sell for about double nowadays compared to the rivalling Honda Beat and Mazda AZ-1.

[@trash.justtrash177]

Initial d has the greatest soundtrack. this is not an opinion, it’s a fact Edit: usually I’m open to opinions. But for eurobeat I’m willing to bend my morals

[@gionotreal]

Ida rage your dream dum de dum bun de den de boom de be RAGE-U MAI DRUHEAM

[@newttrz]

*[ c o o l v i b r a t i o n s]*

[@holschermarc]

Indeed, Initial-Ds Soundtrack is free of the Laws of Nature and Physic and transcendet to a God of Music!

[@jarrish2040]

It couldn’t compliment the series better. The perfect genre to use in this show.

[@PrOtaku123]

Haikyuu is up there

[@mongoosexxXXXXXXX]

What’s funny is most people only know Deja vu but in the show it played for like 20 sec

[@sooryan_1018]

ikr lol stage 2

[@menotu7997]

I actually started watching it a few years ago in search of where the meme was in the series. Expected it to be fairly early but then I ended up watching it all cause it was just that good.

[@mongoosexxXXXXXXX]

Yeah

[@bunnyhopd7315]

Lol yeah it’s in the last episode of stage 2 for about a minute

[@Amuneh]

💀💀💀 yes

[@mrguest3749]

Then he gets trolled by his own father, who is driving a impreza

[@JMDrives]

And smoking while sideways! I know a batchmate who drifted his Tom's turbo Yaris accidentally on a highway exit (on opposite lock), yet finished the whole curve cleanly - and he even quickly adjusted his dashcam while sideways. I fucking remembered Bunta! The smoking drift scene may had happened in real life too, maybe that's how they got the idea of it.

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

Initial D - an anime of great ost's.

[@kurozunakabuto9682]

Initial D - a very meme ost's

[@hiphopheaven]

Fct I downloaded M.O.V.E whole discography

[@evanbates3062]

you again

[@shithead1029384756]

I miss the old arcade game

[@ivan5896]

Dude I swear I saw ur multiple other comments on some weight lifting videos

[@raycearcher5794]

I haven't watched Initial D since it was... *Running in the '90s*

[@AylosDN]

...

[@AugmentedGravity]

EYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

[@slejszer6640]

bruhhhhhhhhhhhh but good one

[@pal9897]

you're so funny that i hate you

[@zivbartal4160]

Most underrated comment

[@timothygooding9544]

Fun fact: the movie's portrayal of the "inertia drift" completely biffs the whole move with its cuts, while the original shows the move properly The technique is when you chain a drift on one side of the car to the other without having to break or clutch kick at all, just turning the wheel in the direction of the next turn hard enough to whip the car around (which is made difficult in needing the front wheels to maintain traction AND not whip the car too hard or else you'll spin out) The original clearly shows you the move from behind while the movie just cuts from the car aimed in one direction to forcing it to the other without any indication of how it actually happened

[@chinwyian]

One of the reasons the original is better than the Legend movies

[@tales-of-fossegrim]

hi normie anime fans: welcome to the initial d fandom

[@evilassjitnem]

Normies = initial d fans

[@pureheartx3576]

@@evilassjitnem normies = one piece, naruto, dragon ball fans

[@kttouchdownf2w]

Taniford I’m a normie but I also like a lot of unknown anime I don’t think it matters just watch what you enjoy even if you’re a shounentard, people should just watch what they want

[@somebodythatsomeones]

I always like to poke fun at Anime watchers because we Initial D weebs have an album with Dio singing.

[@sooryan_1018]

I too used to watch other normal shonen animes.............. and after watching intial d....... my favourite waifu is FC Rx-7 and husbando is Ryosuke sama UwU

[@Rain-me8fd]

I never found the CG to be a huge problem tbh.

[@m.hstudioproductions6642]

First

[@Rain-me8fd]

I've only watched first and second

[@ArbitraryOutcome]

The cel shading of Fourth Stage onwards is honestly just straight up better than modern anime CG tbh.

[@Stratos1988]

@@ArbitraryOutcome Honestly it's in part due to it looking good on items, not so much characters. I personaly don't like how dragonball games look.

[@turkeyguy0]

Great, you probably watched it back then and or are a car person.

[@ZoBeeWitched]

He says clunky old CGI, but half the studios today can't composite to save their lives, lmao. Like, Initial-D is still better than the CGI in some modern day anime.

[@ArbitraryOutcome]

Hell the CG fron Fourth Stage onwards is honestly better than most modern anime tbh.

[@ZoBeeWitched]

@@ArbitraryOutcome I feel, especially when we have golden stories like ZombiLand Saga, only to be interrupted by the CG. Straight up, I did watch all of ZombieLand and tots didn't really have an issue with it after the first time I saw it, but I understand why people hated it.

[@ITSMRFOXY]

You'll tell me which episode you are talking about because the cgi evolved a lot in the series

[@hamsterwolf]

The cgi isn't as advanced as today but it is choreographed well and very detailed the cars have body role and suspension flex they are not just bricks moving around on a road.

[@bandi642]

Berserk xd

[@mzaversnik2655]

Imo, the "bad graphics and animations" are an essential part of initial d. It wouldnt be the same without it. Also, lots of initial d fans consider the 1st stage to be their favorite. It certainly is mine as well

[@magnusmungo7163]

Akina Incel Stars is absolutely accurate.

[@AugmentedGravity]

That's my new racing team.

[@kiawilliamson5417]

The akina speedstars don’t go around hating women for getting rejected.itsuki got fucked in the 4th season

[@idiotamerica6422]

Someone start an F1 team called the Akina Incel Stars

[@chidori7234]

@@idiotamerica6422 They would make Williams look like Mercedes lol

[@dinkarfowkar999]

lmao yes

[@juanmanuelpenaloza9264]

Initial D: The reason we have Tokyo Drift, the Subaru BRZ, Formula Drift and half of America's modern tuner culture...

[@shingosshojiopoulos6608]

I think you mean gt86

[@nefarium]

@@shingosshojiopoulos6608 they are the same. BRZ and 86

[@shingosshojiopoulos6608]

@@nefarium well yes but actually no

[@HKSFangirl]

@@shingosshojiopoulos6608 well yes but actually yes

[@idiotamerica6422]

@@shingosshojiopoulos6608 Toyota came up with the idea. Subaru actually builds the car.

[@jude6334]

Do you mean rewatch right!??? *deja vu* ........

[@cezarmlboni]

I've been in this place before

[@idkwhattoputhere4695]

Higher on the street

[@jude6334]

And i know its my time to go..

[@redxzed6094]

calling you

[@brianblevins7111]

and the search is a mystery

[@chasduran4160]

"Tofu Shop" was a money laundering front. Takumi was a drug runner. The more you think about the low profit in tofu vs. operating the Trueno, and the clandestine middle of the night high-speed deliveries; the more sense it makes.

[@user-gt6pd4qk4v]

That would be such a cool twist but i'm afraid this will change the tone of the show drastically. Still cool to think about it.

[@haydenhills3592]

I don't like that at all besides we legit saw Iketani buy tofu from him in the first stage fried and everything. Really just kicks the vibes out of the show man.

[@Eeter26]

Chas Duran PLOT TWIST

[@MrRourk]

Plus just 1 cup

[@villian99918]

No one seemed to visit the tofu shop directly only deliveries. Holy shit they were money laundering

[@arizakmal5600]

What I always found impressive about Initial D were the distinct car sounds. It’s just that more satisfying to watch

[@akumati86]

This is the anime version of "Graphics aren't everything". This show is amazing and you guys shouldn't pass it up because the art and CGI are crazy old.

[@moisesezequielgutierrez]

The CGI on the Fifth and Final Season isn't that really old, I mean they're just released on 2012 & 2013.

[@RyosukeTakahashiRX7]

@@moisesezequielgutierrez Very sure he meant the first two stages. After stage 3 it's already good enough imo.

[@eurobeatintensifies5840]

Surpisingly the older races do a better job at showing the climaxing adrenaline moments with cars than teh newer stages do. Even though the cg is old the racing feels awesome. The animators knew what they were doing.

[@6clix331]

also initial d proves story isn't everything because if you gave initial d a go just for the story you wouldn't really enjoy it

[@jjpark98]

If anything else, the newer ones with the good animation/CGI makes it a worse show. For some reason, Initial D's got it backwards and it's bad CGI is what makes the show what it is.

[@Mike23443]

If your girlfriend's favorite anime is Initial D, chances are, you probably don't deserve her. Whatever you do, don't let go.

[@Rikorage]

Possibly her favorite because the romance subplots are some of the best written in any medium? Maybe the fact that the emotional moments from the show are actually emotional and impactful, God I can gush about this show all day.

[@AmbiambiSinistrous]

@@Rikorage The romance subplots aren't all that compelling after the first stage - I think it's more likely that, just like boys, girls can appreciate a well-executed shounen anime??

[@chrisdroste3296]

He's got a smokin' hot cosplayer GF, whose favorite anime is THIS. In a nutshell, this means i completely screwed myself while the self-proclaimed shitbag wins the lotto. I agree, TOTALLY undeserving; but i ain't mad :cries: *cue forever young*

[@NihongoWakannai]

@@Rikorage lmao, the romance subplots are shallow as fuck. But like geoff said, they work really well as a side course to the high intensity action.

[@bigmaxcc]

Mike234 ha jokes on you my girl loves dbz

[@Bload72productions]

Honestly the old cgi made the series so much cooler, it was so advanced in that era

[@WakanaGojoAE86]

There should be a spin-off pre-qual. Telling the story of Bunta that how he became a racer, how he was like when was young, who he raced, how he met Takumi's mother and what actually happened to her, a special scene of him buying the AE86 from the showroom and some scenes showcasing how he and Takumi modified the ride over the years.

[@willhornsby206]

well there is a short manga about it.

[@mateuszwodarczyk2293]

@@willhornsby206 where?

[@gameadventures1]

WHERE AND WHAT NAME?

[@storg7642]

It’s a fanfic many people consider canon, it’s called the spirit of Akina or something

[@A.T.R138]

@@storg7642 ye, it's called dreaming of akina by a person named sanae

[@shingosshojiopoulos6608]

Friend:There arent any good christmas movies Me:Excuse me have you ever seen initial d third stage

[@bryce2432]

Yes

[@josemartin3630]

MAX POWER MAX POWER

[@ferdinandpurczeld234]

Yes!

[@nezutoch.1175]

STRIKE ON STRIKE ON

[@ranearia]

That's an easy answer: "Hell yeah, you should check out Initial D!" The anime is amazing and the soundtrack is a classic banger.

[@thedeliveryman26]

Iketani and Mako left a pit in my stomach.

[@AdrielBGaming]

One of the saddest moments.

[@boltz4live281]

Dude. I watched it rn and i literally cant sleep bcs of it. Like just let him get his girl. Why does he has to be fucking scared and a HOUR to late. Man....

[@junkiexl86]

@@boltz4live281 Even then, just tell her you got stuck in traffic and missed her by an hour. Its not that far fetched for Tokyo.

[@_Zekken]

Initial D is my favourite anime of all time. The dated animation and CG of the first season are a non issue. It doesn't matter. The CG just adds to the experience in my opinion. And it gets WAY better every season. The legend movies, while having gorgeous animation, having different (japanese) voice actors for the characters, and the lack of Eurobeat is just the dealbreaker. I actually convinced two friends, neither of whom have any interest in cars, to watch season 1 with me. They were both completely hooked by episode 5. Its just a masterpiece in anime.

[@yaphong-weijonathan2683]

It was my brother who got me hooked to Initial D. I started on the manga back in 1998. I saw him reading it everyday and i picked up the 1st episode of the manga and read it and within the 3rd book, i was totally hooked to the series.

[@chidori7234]

I did like how Legend was reimagined as a more shounen kind of Initial D with it's rock music, but even then it could've been done better. It's a decent remake but that being said, First Stage was better.

[@michielknops4429]

I actually liked the disconnect between the normal anime and the janky cgi. I don't know why exactly. It just added a bit of uniqueness.

[@spiritchaser7763]

Yeah. Video author spent too much time crying about the cgi. For me it was cool and executed well in each stage.

[@JMDrives]

3d was cool as hell back then, like Beast Wars.

[@lag00n54]

@@JMDrives it was though let's be honest the only reason why people loved till now is because of nostalgia though it's stil fine since it's a car, inanimate objects are fine CGI since it's easier and it's not as janky and ugly as CGI people or living things

[@CptSourcebird]

This anime singlehandedly got me back to what my childhood loved the most: Racing. I can't thank the franchise enough for it.

[@simonersie]

i stopped playing video games because of this anime but instead of cars i got unto motorcycles.

[@PikaTwoB]

Cpt. Sourcebird Same for me! I was always good at racing games and as a younger boi (I’m still young lol) I liked cars because of hot wheels and Disney’s cars, initial d re sparked my interest

[@Ex0ticbr4d.KR7]

Goddamn me too

[@sooryan_1018]

Other anime fans - I bought my fav anime merches and cosplays from my fav anime Initial D fans - I bought and built my fav car from Initial D

[@agitatedtofu2511]

Other anime fans - my anime merch is really expensive! no my anime merch is expensive! Initial D fans - *sweats nervously*

[@sooryan_1018]

@@agitatedtofu2511 **sweats in 120k R34 GTR V Spec II Nur edition**

[@snoote533]

​@@agitatedtofu2511 Not gonna lie, this got me XD

[@antiseth3964]

Every few months I get the urge to watch that first racing arc of Initial D. The 3D animation and compositing of the first stage may be antiquated, but it has a certain charm to it only helped by the fantastic sound and music work. Additionally, that first race arc is a masterclass in dramatic irony, with the audience, Bunta, and his close friend being the only ones aware of Takumi’s potential and what the whole arc is building up to. Even Takumi himself is ignorant of the skill he possesses, and as a result his friends take him for some kind of moron. They don’t even realize that his disinterest comes from unwittingly being so far above their level. All of the setups for the other people he would later race really give you the feeling of being at the tip of the iceberg. Watching the whole thing unfold over those first six episodes is a joy every time I sit down for it again.

[@gilly_the_fish]

Couldn't agree more. When I first watched Initial D, the PS1 graphics made it difficult to watch. After so many viewings, I wouldn't have it any other way.

[@bb_lou]

I just finished Initial D a month ago and now my life feels empty... It is really special and nothing is quite like it. Also planning to visit mount Haruna, on which mount Akina is based, this summer.

[@BlackHawk2b]

The end of a neverending summer

[@aznericxD]

Bébé Lou I’ll take your word for it and watch a couple more episodes

[@Fr00stee]

but did you watch Hunter x hunter

[@bb_lou]

@Undefined Logic it'll probably be a family van sadly ;-; but hey, better that than not going at all.

[@bb_lou]

@@aznericxD I strongly suggest it! The show gets increasingly better, especially starting around Stage 4. Honestly, it's one of my favorite animes.

[@irondragon1683]

The downhill battles dont rival shounen fights ... They're straight up better

[@sooryan_1018]

You're goddamn right it is

[@SlapStyleAnims]

Absolutely

[@krspykreame1]

I came across this as a youngin, from the arcade game. So many quarters spent, so many high stakes races on a Friday night. Fights, close friends the whole thing. Literally life changing, got me into cars and appreciation for motorsport. Before Tokyo drift was even thought of.

[@krspykreame1]

Plus I was sick on the downhill, never got the fastest time but I got 2nd on a few of the courses that game was hard as fuck

[@jonmartin43]

For me, I was hooked from the very first scene. A little context: for most of my life, I've mainly listened to classic rock. Eagles, Aerosmith, Led Zeplin, my parents passed down their music tastes to me pretty hard. So the show opens with cricket chirps and a quiet, forest-surrounded mountain road. As a few angles are shown to you, distant tire squealing is heard. As you see a hairpin corner, a guitar riff plays, the opening beat of Dave Rodgers' Space Boy. Drums kick in as you are shown more of that iconic pass. The bass begins to pick up as the images cycle faster. Then, as you see the AE86 for the first time, the song changes, losing the guitar in favor of an upbeat keyboard. As one of the best Eurobeat songs ever crafted plays, you see Takumi's skills first hand as he effortlessly flies through the corners, racing home from his early morning delivery. The moment the music changed, was the moment my taste in music changed. The opening riff is indicative of 70s classic rock. A simple, catchy guitar accompanied by a nice drum beat. It could have easily been straight out of a Fleetwood Mac song. That shift though, it hooked me. I was instantly engaged, and loving every minute of it, outdated visuals be damned. It sparked a new interest in me. An interest in the show, in JDM cars, in Japanese night culture, and in Eurobeat. While I'm still a huge fan of classic rock, that opening montage has forever imprinted my choice in song, and whenever I go driving in my 1990 FC3S, you bet some 90's dance music is coming with me.

[@Mamiya645]

My fave thing about Initial D music is that you know it's Initial D music in under ten seconds. AND I HAVEN'T WATCHED ANYTHING OF IT

[@RinnosukeETQW]

As someone who listens to other eurobeat songs...ok yes I actually can, but I'm not sure others can.

[@Valtsu0]

@@RinnosukeETQW other super eurobeat or other eurobeat?

[@RinnosukeETQW]

@@Valtsu0 Yes

[@Valtsu0]

@@RinnosukeETQW r/InclusiveOr

[@RinnosukeETQW]

@@Valtsu0 more like /r/freakingsmartass :P

[@InkblotHyena]

>Sees Title >Don't do it. Me: "Inisharu D! Doo doo doo.. weeeeeooo!" _GOSH DARN IT._

[@NepZz]

Under appreciated comment

[@jimbo2revengeance]

The best way to do an anime intermission.

[@vinhd1521]

@@jimbo2revengeance i raise you Full Metal Alchemist

[@archmagetyler]

YOU HAD ONE JOB,

[@vinhd1521]

archmagetyler who me

[@draedonlongley2259]

I just finished Initial D, a true masterpiece. I can't recommend it enough.

[@KatherinaBathory]

I just came here to remember the amazing time I had watching this back when I used to watch anime at anime "cycles" (as we used to called them): Weekend screening that showed one chapter of several series every Saturday. This is how I watched initial D. In a theater full of people screaming and reacting to it. No wonder years later (just some years ago) "move", the band that played the score, played a gig at an Otaku event. And we all danced to the initial D OST being played live and LOVED IT!!

[@xiw3stsid3ix37]

That's awesome

[@yaphong-weijonathan2683]

But too bad, M.O.V.E was disbanded after the final stage released. No M.O.V.E, no initial d. Their OSTs also complement this anime very well.

[@WillowEpp]

Thank you for calling out Eurobeat's origin in Italo Disco. Now, talk about Read or Die.

[@earlyman7439]

Only if it's the OVA. ROD the TV sucked.

[@PhantasmPhoton]

Eurobeat is one producer and like 5 performers with 100 aliases.

[@WillowEpp]

@@PhantasmPhoton So true. It's fascinating cruising discogs and finding the connections. Also, I think there are a bunch of songs that sound like female vocals that are the same five guys raised by a couple semitones.

[@chazhartwayne6493]

Initial D is more than just the memes. A LOT MORE in fact.

[@CancelledMcCree]

Chaz Hartwayne amen

[@moisesezequielgutierrez]

Hell yeah! It's sad that many people just came for the memes. They can have a chance to enter the *_F U J I W A R A Z O N E_*

[@daten__]

I think Initial D got really popular just because of deja Vu and running in 90s. However most people haven't seen all 6 seasons of the main series (excluding extra, battle, and legend stages) which in my opinion makes the anime itself underrated... please correct me if I am wrong.

[@JMDrives]

True, cuz every race portrayed there had a lesson to racing. Real lessons like factual situations and how the capabilities of each car have. Even explained the disadvantage of a single turbo to a twin turbo and how weight distribution affects a car during wet conditions. A good show for young car people who're eager to learn more about cars and racing.

[@leeminchung9]

I finished First Stage a week ago and I can say Initial D is one of my favorite Anime now. And thanks to Initial D, I began to show a lot of interest in cars and have an actual topic to talk about with my dad since he's quite knowledgeable about cars

[@sappukei3618]

That feel when you will never be a Japanese street racer.

[@ThatQaz]

86% of comments: Deja Vu memes 13% Casual normies 1% Intellectual hashiriya

[@moskai3232]

Deja Vu and Casual Normies are the same group

[@coldvoid7579]

JDM boi checking in

[@CancelledMcCree]

Amen. Too many meme-tards. It’s sad because the same thing happened with my other favorite series JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure :/

[@moisesezequielgutierrez]

@@CancelledMcCree I feel ya

[@evilassjitnem]

99% casual normies

[@JotaroKujo_JJBA]

*Mother's Basement posts a video about Initial D* Me: (I watched Initial D for 1000 times) ah shit, here we go again.

[@nikhilsharma3563]

Jotaro Kujo same here

[@Slammatoro]

The thing is I can’t find stage 5 anywhere online not even my stand paisley park can help me

[@JotaroKujo_JJBA]

@@Slammatoro 9anime

[@austinkreider4916]

I have seen it a lot too and 5 is hard to find since it hasn’t been dubbed so good luck finding

[@bryce2432]

No it only goes up to final stage which is just extended 5th stage

[@The_D0C70R]

Initial D is an S tier anime and you cannot be considered a true anime fan without watching it. It's one of the classics that all anime fans have to watch

[@jacobparasite]

This is your best video, and potentially the best anime video I’ve seen on KZbin.

[@Misile91]

Initial D-The anime that made JDM cars HELLA EXPENSIVE to buy today

[@PhantasmPhoton]

nah that was Fast and the Furious

[@Misile91]

@@PhantasmPhoton that too

[@turkeyguy0]

Actually Initial-D Was mildly successful... Then the weebs ran out of stuff to watch right around the time they had to start driving. Fast and Furious was responsible for the prices of civics going through the roof.

[@yabukiMMA]

@@turkeyguy0 initial d is the reason why the ae86 is so sought after and why its price is that high

[@turkeyguy0]

@@yabukiMMA No, trust me, I know. Initial-D wasn't popular like it is today until about 2008-2009 though, in 2006 a friend bought one for $6K in great shape. In 2012 he sold it for $23K.

[@riku7744]

Roses are red Violets are blue *"Deja Vu"* *"Deja Vu"* But jokes aside this anime is actually good.

[@bryce2432]

Your sure right, except for the romance in the show

[@sooryan_1018]

@@bryce2432 romance is realistic xD

[@alfredoladino9838]

I like how you played the Remember Me song from the 1st stage :') it's one of my top 3 favorite Eurobeat songs. I got into Initial D and anime as a whole because my mall's arcade used to have the arcade game and that was my favorite song to race to in the game. It was how I learned how the manual transmission works which got me into driving stick-shift and got me into cars... Man, I'll hold this series very close to me forever just because of all the things I got introduced to by getting into this series.

[@regular67]

Track list: 1. Beat of the rising sun - Dave Rodgers 2. Running in the 90s - Max Coveri 3. Crazy on emotion - Ace 4. Stop your self control - Marko Polo 5. Let's go, come on - Manuel 6. Remember me - Leslie Parrish 7. Deja vu - Dave Rodgers 7⅓. No one sleep in Tokyo (from the anime scene) - Edo Boys 7⅔. Deja vu - Dave Rodgers 8. Wait for you - Ace If i missed some please let me know.

[@dusterpl6093]

Initial D is a masterpiece. My fav anime.

[@sooryan_1018]

always had been

[@guardbreak4034]

The moment they played "Forever young" is my favorite moment of the series. Thank you for letting me relive my nostalgia with this video

[@chrisdroste3296]

Ah, a man of culture i see! hell, who could forget the opening to Spaceboy? or what about the Battle Stage with EMOTIONAL FIRE!

[@doabarrellroll69]

@@chrisdroste3296 battle stage is good but it has one big omission: GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD ! _4A-GE noises_

[@owainjoels8561]

Mate, you were so right. I am currently 19 episodes into Initial D first season and I am LOVING it. The adrenaline, the tension it is so real, and the sounds, oh my god, the sound. It is so worth it.

[@Aegishand]

Honestly one of your best videos, very clever how you held onto the euro beat segment. I like inhaled fresh air lmao. Nice

[@geoffdb8118]

Me: are you a virgin? Her: This is my initial D

[@cmm07r]

Every time I read this I bust out laughing. All I can see is some girl saying this with the utmost confidence.

[@Slammatoro]

Hot damn that’s great

[@sebastianw.7254]

If she something like this, she's a keeper

[@TenaciousOther]

Man You just about killed me with the "Akina Incel Stars" line

[@filipprucnal]

Someone needs to make this into a sticker

[@sushivelvet6994]

Thank you! Initial D was my favorite anime and still is. Such a childhood show and it was one of many shows to show me car knowledge. Its old but amazing!!

[@codymyps8813]

I’ve watched initial d almost 13 times and it gives me chills watching it still. It got me interested in cars and now cars are pretty much my life. And the eurobeat never gets old.

[@archivedaccount5990]

This was my childhood anime. It's what got me into cars and Eurobeat.

[@ChaseSBE]

Matthew Cool It also got me into anime

[@archivedaccount5990]

Yeah, that too.

[@ArbitraryOutcome]

I got into cars from Gran Turismo, and found Initial D through GT4 drifting compilations back in 2009 or so.

[@KaoruSF]

My grandma got me into cars, since I know myself me and my grandma would look in every tv channel looking for races, we got ourselves addicted to it, to this day we watch together WRC, Nascar, F1, Indy and sometimes gt racing (mostly V8 Supercars and BTCC), after that I started playing racing games and simulators, it didn't took time for me to discover Initial D, and Initial D got me into Eurobeat

[@sharanpreet5559]

Hello please can you tell me where can I watch this anime. I have watched that in past and now i forgot where i watched it

[@CherriPicking]

Initial D was the anime that got me into anime as a whole, and I continue to stand by it as one of the best out of the anime that I've watched. The only downside is that it's permanently influenced my music tastes, and now all my playlists have at least one eurobeat song XD

[@daltonlong9593]

Same

[@miggycarreon5514]

Other anime's: ILL WIN WITH THE POWER OF FRIENDHSIP Takumi: ill win with tuning my car, and listening to eurobeat

[@yaphong-weijonathan2683]

It was bunta who is tuning the car til Takumi joined Project.D

[@snoote533]

Other anime MCs- "I've gotten stronger by training hard!" "I ate a finger" Takumi- (Simply delivering tofu)

[@ananasupreme]

The animation was very likely processed by Silicon Graphics hardware. Between the 80s and the mid 2000's most animation work stations were made by this company and corporations purchased them for their easier to use interface provided by IRIX.

[@driftshirofc9463]

Initial D is my favorite anime of all time.

[@sooryan_1018]

@༺Nate Téh Higgers༻ SHINGO GONNA DABARU CRASHU U FOR THAT

[@Christian-hs2pq]

same

[@YellowEvoV110]

Yeah still after 200 animes

[@kawkawa_fr]

@@YellowEvoV110 200? Ig u forgot a zero 🗿

[@YellowEvoV110]

@@kawkawa_fr nah I havent watched that many

[@Randomgen77]

*flashbacks to Regular Car Reviews* WEEABOO. WEEABOO WEEABOO WEEABOO.

[@RyanOnTheAir]

YOU DON'T LIKE THIS CAR, YOU NEVER LIKED THIS CAR.

[@KMakoENVtuber]

THE D STANDS FOR DEMEROL

[@DavidELD]

@@RyanOnTheAir YOU LIKE A CARTOOOOON!

[@SanjayThallam]

@@DavidELD A BORINGGGGG CARTOON

[@LegendStormcrow]

Dude, they had a Donut Media video on it. I think one of their guys bought one of those cars. It still had one of the Bride seats.

[@Phantom5611]

18:38 the intensiveness of this scene still gets my blood boiling. Especially after comparing it to the legend movie version of this show. Even after having watched it a million times. Goes to show how good the sound designs of this show is.

[@simonbergman5970]

this is one of the greatest video essay's on this site... thank you sir

[@Johannes-sq4es]

I got no impression This town is made by the imitation Wanting your sensation In this silly simulation I wanna rage my dream

[@redxzed6094]

rage your dream is ending 1 crashing song ending for entires series and something i listen to oin a regular basis

[@nateiwakura1075]

* P I A N O *

[@celestia277]

dreams = raged

[@slice0909]

RAGE YOUR DREAM, DON`T GIVE UP

[@HTK256]

Rip shingo

[@mast3r_waf1z]

I felt so sad when iketani lost mako, I would've loved seeing those two together for the later stages... COOL VIBRATIONS!

[@typezman]

Mast3r_waf1z it was very sad but just shows how dated this story is. They would be together if cell phones existed, most likely.

[@daten__]

Watch Initial D Extra stage 2.

[@Eeter26]

I WANNA DANCE I WANNA DANCE HUHAHAHA

[@diegouy8277]

Haven't seen that part yet RIP

[@bryce2432]

When they didn’t see each other at the last race of the series

[@Mrjcraft00]

I love that I was waiting for the discussion of the soundtrack, and you nailed the fact I was practically shouting at the screen for the discussion.

[@hac3snny]

The thing about me is that I generally LOVE cars. It's just a big thing for me since I was small. I have heard about Initial D a lot, I just never got interested it back then since I don't really like anime. Until this year, Summer 2020, as I got bored, I got hooked up to watch some anime since I was super bored. Surprisingly enough, the first ever anime that I ever watch "full time" is Initial D. I have never regretted it to this day, it both makes me more educated in cars, like their physics, engine differences and specs, and it's just a story that never really intended to be just racing at the same time. The anime showed actual stories, developing interests to anyone besides for car guys. I just don't understand why this is just so underrated, who cares if the CGI was bad, it was old but GREAT. It's only famous through the memes like Deja Vu or Running In The 90s. Although those kept the anime alive, it just doesn't feel like it's the energy that Initial D has. I just hope that the next Initial D sequel MF Ghost can hook up this anime as time goes on, 'cause let's be honest, this anime needs more attention and love.

[@mattiagalantini]

Finally! I was waiting for someone "known" to talk about this great anime (my favourite in fact), thanks for making this video.

[@redxzed6094]

just how i felt

[@theta682pl]

The show is amazing especially some of the races towards the end (mainly godfoot)

[@dotaro3741]

You're pfp gives off a higher favour to an other anime

[@theta682pl]

@@dotaro3741 I feel like the Jojos fan base has a large overlap with that of Initial D and Berserk for some reason

[@lackusshock]

@@theta682pl Can confirm from personal experience.

[@alexraiiiiiii]

*WAIT, THIS ANIME WAS 21 YEARS AGO?!* damn, i feel old...

[@rockststig0663]

Just 3 days ago it turned 21

[@CancelledMcCree]

I never watched a show because of stupid memes. I started on Initial D during the winter of 2001 because of my uncle. While JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure I started with the manga NOT starting with the anime & memes. It’s cool if that’s how you get into it BUT don’t act all high & mighty lol. Anyone else reading the sequel to Initial D aka MF GHOST?

[@alexhammer3254]

yes, still waiting on more chapters and volumes.

[@moisesezequielgutierrez]

I can't wait for MG Ghost to have its Anime adaptation, also they MUST have Eurobeat!

[@yaphong-weijonathan2683]

Same here. I started reading the manga cause i saw my brother was reading it everyday back in 1998. I picked up the 1st episode of the manga and started reading it but it wasn't til 2001 then i started watching the anime prior to the release of 3rd stage. Initial D is my very first manga and anime.

[@Easiermarlin33]

Thank you. This is the most professional review of Initial D I have seen. This highlights the show's pros and cons with a clear, and in my opinion, well judged recommendation to watch the series. Also, thank you for mentioning more than just Eurobeat. Cheers.

[@Ex0ticbr4d.KR7]

Woo boi Takumi tax gonna hit harder this year

[@julianmorales-silva160]

I can already smell the 92'-95' Civic hatchbacks rising in price dramatically.

[@pillsburrydough9931]

Casual 11k for a ae86

[@loficampingguy9664]

@@julianmorales-silva160 Oh, you wanted an nicely kept-up Civic from the early '90s? Too bad, it's all riced out, the engine is blown, and there may or not be frame damage because someone decided to reenact a duct tape death match.

[@wifeslanger8325]

Lol ill sell my ae86 25k right now

[@the27thaxe]

Even car guys who dont watch anime, watch initial D. it is clunky to watch at times, but its just that good

[@evilassjitnem]

Car gays*

[@pureheartx3576]

@@evilassjitnem lmao you again

[@moisesezequielgutierrez]

@@evilassjitnem Nice bait, troll.

[@evilassjitnem]

😎😎

[@loficampingguy9664]

Can confirm, am car nerd who came to watch cars go fast and stayed... to watch more cars go faster.

[@jangarrifin5320]

I just watched initial d this quarantine just amazing everything the hype, the flow of the story, the characters everything is just amazing.

[@romelvlad]

Thank you for bestowing such magnificent knowledge upon us! Keep up the good work! 👌

[@theminiartist4643]

He came up from the bottom, and straight to the top.

[@miquelmilian3001]

for the time he feel alive

[@redxzed6094]

he can fly like an eagle and strike like a hawk

[@garmzai]

do you think you can survayeye the top

[@FF18Cloud]

Oh dear, this anime... Got me into anime... But like... I barely knew cars, my uncles did, cuz, heh, they street raced at the time... The early 2000's with the rise of gangsta rap and xhibit's pimp my ride, man...

[@FF18Cloud]

I am aware this show came out in the 90's Just, my uncles didn't start openly watching this in front of me until I was 8 or 9, like, 2002 or 3

[@MrChopstsicks]

FF18Cloud to this day I don’t even what car it is they’re using. My cousin introduce me to the game then the anime and I still have no idea what car they’re driving. But... *dejavu* *nyan nyan cat*

[@Andy-ih4no]

@@FF18Cloud Takumi used a Toyota sprinter trueno gt apex AE86, roysuke used a Mazda RX7 FCS, and keisuke used a Mazda twin turbo RX7 FD,Bunta, takumi's dad drove a Subaru WRX STI type R that's all I know

[@chidori7234]

Initial D was the first anime I watched. Very special.

[@MunchKing51]

This video got me into Initial D. Thank you , Mother's Basement. Another anime to enjoy.

[@Poketroid]

The only good race was his first race, where he raced for a tank of gas to take a girl out. Absolute Chad move.

[@alexheredia9594]

Poketroid best race was when he raced the two girls with the sileighty aka 180sx with a silvia front.

[@Canalbiruta]

Alex Heredia was an entire ep dedicated to the race! Not my fav though. The one i loved most was the race he lost against a lan evo. I feel in love with lancer evolutions after this race.

[@argenys8]

@@Canalbiruta gen 3 evo is so good looking

[@fordgalaxie3695]

My favourite for me was Kai Kogashiwa vs Takumi in the 3rd stage, that jump was a super risky strategy but it looked awesome.

[@nikobellic3830]

Poketroid There were a lot of good races, stick to your Pokémon cards

[@jetfuelcantmeltdankmemes8238]

Everyone: Initial D: multi-track train drifting

[@ExeloMinish]

That was actually a parody manga called Densha de D, but eh

[@LieshaCichol]

There's also Initial D with nuclear reactor (how much kilo watt can they generate?)

[@Nilakor]

damn bro thats kind of cringe

[@gegeji6442]

@@ExeloMinish someone even made a legit game out of it

[@bandi642]

Initial D is similar to jojo: community of memes, and a difficulty to make others watch the show despite how good is it cause "it is really old" or "i dont like cars" In the case of initial D or "I dont like buff man anime" In case of jojos

[@gabriel300010]

Also I dont like kars

[@RockBottom7626]

@@gabriel300010 Understandable. Time to launch them into space. Elon, where are you?

[@dawicked2k8]

I need to watch JoJo but what episodes or seasons u should watch id your new to the series

[@gabriel300010]

@@dawicked2k8 if you want to do it the right way, I suppose you should start from the start, and end at the end. But you could also try watching some of part 3, and then watch parts 1 and 2, and continue from there. Some people say part 1 is meh, but I think it's good, so if it really comes to it I guess you could skip it, although you lose some of the plot

[@gabriel300010]

@@dawicked2k8 oh and just remember, its jojo's bizarre adventure, not jojo's perfectly normal adventure

[@Gr00t]

Started watching yesterday for the first time, this is the first anime I've watched and I'm absolutely hooked.

[@ja4309]

My childhood anime and the very first anime that i've ever watched. It's just nice to know that it still has attention even though my peers wouldn't know what Initial D is. This just helped me become more of a racer addict and I'm thankful for it

[@ThatManitobaGuy]

As a car guy Initial D basically got me into anime in my teen years. But damn that wait between stages 4, 5 and final were long.

[@vteccomplex]

Same. Where can you watch Stage 5 and Final at?

[@jhalkoski]

Season 5 was amazing though

[@celestia277]

@@jhalkoski ehh, fujiwara zone killed it for me. and it seems like keisucc is the only one that's skilled at project D. takumi "blew up my engine 2 times" fujiwara used luck and shit

[@foxy126pl6]

@@celestia277 he got the fujiwara zone thanks to his skills

[@celestia277]

foxy126 PL isnt F.Z really just hihg exit speeds and an illusion?

[@Guangtian2077]

But the most important question is: “D o y o u l i k e m y c a r ?”

[@haris6424]

Henry Guan mmmm *𝘊𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘷𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴*

[@JMDrives]

"This car is small but fast. I like this car." -Natsuki

[@Autobot_Megatron]

I actually went in reverse; I watched the Legend movies first and then discovered the anime. Fell in love with both. It's kind of an easy transition; the anime series fills in all the missing parts the Legend movies left out, and by watching the anime, you get the complete story- and it's a really good one! I love it!

[@reecesmith3199]

I love how I just finished rewatching this gem yesterday to see this video.

[@aiwash2766]

21 years later and I’m still blasting the soundtrack as I speed and drift around the city in my 350z fun af 😜

[@aiibertt]

nice, i plan to own a 350z myself eventually when i get a license

[@vteccomplex]

I can't listen to the ost while driving. I start speeding way too much.

[@jhalkoski]

It's a blast to listen to in all my cars. My fc. My fd. All my ae86. It just gets you in a good mood

[@dastithegamer6335]

@@aiibertt If you are 17 i swear i found my brain twin and, or my long lost lover (no, not gay but do fap to cars a lot more than i should especially the Z all the way from S30Z to Z33 cuz the Z34 is so ugly i go soft)

[@Teirless]

@@aiibertt have fun with paying insurance on a 350z with a new license.

[@L00PdeL00P]

I love initial D, but I especially love the first and second stages more than the later seasons. In project d, it feels like Takumi and Keisuke are punching below their weight, and there are many more defining memorable moments in the first and second stages then there are in the later. Cinematographically speaking, I actually prefer the way the first two were shot, as it highlights the techniques of real driving, and you were able to see the course more, giving the passes more personality and it wasn’t just a speed overload. I kinda like the old animation better than the new animation because it had more weight to it.

[@pooindaloo6049]

I agree for the most part, for the exception of the episodes in season 4 with god-hand and god-foot. I thought those were pretty good.

[@L00PdeL00P]

Same. Their character was refreshing

[@L00PdeL00P]

Need some happy dudes to make the angry pathetic fools more angry and pathetic. Oh Shingo Poor pathetic Shingo I pity him and his pathetic allergies And his foolish hair

[@pooindaloo6049]

@@L00PdeL00P Bakazato. Need I say more?

[@user-gt6pd4qk4v]

I just finished watching the show with all it's seasons and i couldn't agree more with your statement. The fourth season is where the show dropped the ball; project d removed the under dog feeling the first three seasons had and it made the car races feel repetitive and down right boring. one of those thing ware the "Go to place A and defeat object B" routine, that was all they ware doing. Rivals are no longer uniqe and had weight to them. The more Takumi won a race the more you are led to believe he couldn't lose the next race cus the writer made project d basically Takumi's ultimute goal, this has resulted in the absent of any tension and the fear of losing, and it made the show predictable and boring. There are exceptions to the rule but they don't represnt what the show is as a whole.

[@gergoantal1066]

I got into Initial D half a year ago, got into cars as a result, got into racing as a result, and now it's culminated in what you see in my profile picture. First Stage I seriously think changed my life, I became more positive and managed to finally beat anxiety and depression by working on my car, and starting a banger JDM Hot Wheels collection, reading about cars daily, and just generally approaching things optimistically.Eurobeat has helped my cheer up virtually any time, any where. So there must be SOMETHING to this series.

[@Astroman10]

Thank you for this recommendation. You have me and most of my friends hooked now