Initial D - Everything You Need To Know | Up to Speed

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“Initial D” is the world’s most beloved racing anime for good reason. Combining killer drifting action, a relatable coming of age storyline, and unmatched attention to technical detail, it was tailor made for young car enthusiasts. “Initial D” massively influenced modern car culture, fueling drifting’s explosion in popularity. For most of us the world of “Initial D” is nothing but a hazy JDM dream, but for some it was reality! Join host James Pumphrey as he investigates the real Japanese street racing scene that inspired Initial D and-maybe-reveals the real drifter Takumi Fujiwara was based on!
Props to Demothy Tien for tackling this edit, and for liking Initial D at least as much as we do. Check him out on Instagram @demothytien
Huge thanks to Candrawana Sukmauliansyah for the incredible manga illustrations. Follow him on Instagram to see more of his work, @costumwhitestudio
High-five to Raghav Arumugam for the animations. Check his KZbin channel for more: / ragsanimations
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[@patchnotesforlife]

I like how Takumi only started to drive faster so he could go home and get more sleep

[@FredoNavajas92]

I know right? That’s an underrated initial d fact

[@self_harem2125]

Necessity propagates ingenuity!

[@H3ntaig33K]

Keisuke was racing at his limit, Takumi driving half-awake. Which is dangerous cause a Fujiwara with his eyes closed is wrecklessly fast on the Akina downhill. (EG: Daddy Bunta Fujiwara)

[@palamecianrider7385]

The bed at home calls him

[@AnotherMotorist]

"There's no way you can drive like that if you don't care for it. Deep in your heart you love racing" Takumi: TCH... *door shuts; peels out leaving takumi in the dust* Not verbatim, have not seen the series in some odd years but I remember this scene. Forgot who said it... Wataru, keisuke, ryosuke? Might have been Keisuke

[@RZN]

Initial D has made it IMPOSSIBLE to get the AE86 in Forza 😂

[@YODA0786]

Sold my first one I got for 20m. Regretted that, but got one again when it came to the festival playlist a second time. Hopefully, they are easier to find in Forza Horizon 5. See you in Mexico!!!

[@JB-sv5pr]

Just reset your date on your console and get the 86 again or market place should have plenty

[@personthing7733]

If you set the date on your device to Feb 9 2020, turn off the wifi, then restart your device when you launch the game you should be able to do the "Is that a Supra?" events and get it. Just did this yesterday on my pc, probably works for xbox too.

[@acropophia8857]

@@YODA0786 Will be a hard to find vehicle, or a prize for 50% completion or something according to the seasonal playlist.

[@Bozar069]

Its also made it impossible to buy a real one.

[@bibbo3167]

Takumi would he 42 years old right now. Meaning he’d be training his own kid the way Bunto trained him

[@DreamcastSoup]

Bunta*

[@d2clips260]

That's the plot of MF Ghost, also created by Shuichi.

[@Hashiriya985]

Have you ever hears bou MF Ghost?

[@arturoporraz6046]

@@d2clips260 MF stands for m0therfuck3r?

[@leos.4723]

The mf ghost anime is airing this season

[@BurpleRX7]

On my last trip to Japan I just had to go and see all the initial d stuff, went to mount Haruna, went to the initial d cafe, it was incredible. We now go every year for auto salon and to explore. Everyone needs to go to Japan at least once

[@forida_man]

Did you visit Yokota museum? The tofu shop’s front wall from the irl initial D is there with the AE86

[@BurpleRX7]

@@forida_man we went to a few museums up that way, is yokota the toy one where your entry ticket is a creepy plastic baby doll, there was a car museum with the tofu shop display and a grounds that looked like abandoned cars in hedges, oh and a Ferrari in a weird glass garage and of course a load of toys… Probably same place

[@forida_man]

@@BurpleRX7 no, I haven’t visited yokota museum but from the sources I saw that they have the tofu shop’s front wall with the initial D’s cars. I’m sure tickets aren’t dolls

[@StagnantMizu]

someday when I am financially capable I definitely will, huge dream of my to travel through Japan for a month or so.

[@SerEnmei]

Out of all the countries in the World, Japan is the one country I really want to go to. love the culture and history there.

[@tykep1009]

As a Japanese, I'd like to thank you all for loving Initial D so much. I don't drive a car myself, nor am I a car enthusiast, but your contents are entertaining and easy to understand, and I always enjoyed them. Please, keep up the excellent work.

[@commieasmr8469]

Arigatou! Initial d to nihon daisuki

[@lEGOBOT2565]

私はすべての外人を代表して話します。 自動車業界へのあなたの文化の献身に感謝します。 グーグル翻訳を許してください

[@tykep1009]

I don't think I deserve your kind words because I'm just Japanese and haven't contributed anything to Initial D or the Japanese car scene, though. I'm glad that you all love Japanese car culture. I was also happy to hear your comments in Japanese :) Thank you! 私自身はいち日本人でイニシャルDや日本のカーシーンになにも貢献はしていないので、その言葉をもらうに値しないとは思いますが、皆さんが日本の自動車文化を愛してくれて嬉しく思います。 日本語でコメントしてくれるのも嬉しかったです☺ ありがとうございます

[@lEGOBOT2565]

@@tykep1009 また; 絵文字ありがとうございます😄

[@thelocaltriangle1476]

I’m not Japanese at all but the influence that initial d had on not just me but thousands of car enthusiasts can’t be more real. With much love from Canada, thank you for everything!❤️

[@DanielRamirez-hq4tf]

Fun fact: Tsuchiya-San actually did most of the stunt driving for the Evo in Tokyo Drift. He is so good at drifting, he was really bad at purposely drifting bad/like a beginner

[@eduardoseitz5125]

Yeah I watched the behind the scenes and it's pretty funny when he nails corners thst he should fail for the movie lol

[@crzyruskie86]

I like how you see him fishing and watching the guy training.

[@crisnmaryfam7344]

@@crzyruskie86 and yet so SO many had no idea that was him lol

[@yourmommashouse]

@@crisnmaryfam7344 maybe cause NOBODY knows who the hell he is!?

[@yeanah2571]

In the behind the scenes, he even says he can't do this, I can't drift this shitty. Lol

[@TRC_MEDIA]

i love how from stage one to final stage theres a HUGE improvment in the animation and quality

[@peanutbutterisgood911]

And the movies are cherry on top

[@TRC_MEDIA]

@@peanutbutterisgood911 yeah, but you would only watch the movies after finishing everything, because their not Canon, but they do look amazing

[@tmmylczrn]

Except for Ryosuke's hair. Sh was colored brown in the second stage and he looks much more hideous in the fifth stage.

[@peanutbutterisgood911]

@@tmmylczrn they looked better in the fourth stage but in fifth...... Meh

[@mattmisanthropy.]

I actually bought my first car, an AE86, before I'd even heard of Initial D. It was a one owner, mint condition example. This was back when they were cheap. I absolutely loved that thing, and the anime. I ended up blowing the engine and selling it for 1k. Worst mistake of my life. PS: Why THE FUCK aren't there any more street racing/car focused anime anymore!? I mean, are the current anime producers unaware of the massive success of Initial D and Wangan Midnight and the potential to make huge monies?

[@MegamanEXEv2]

MF Ghost is coming soon

[@nerraD27]

Well, you can get your hopes up for MF Ghost which will debut in 2023. Basically the sequel to Initial D which is also created by the same dude.

[@husk6667]

yeah but initial D brought drifting/street racing to america but since that has already happenend i dont think it will have that much on an impact but car animes will still do good for sure

[@justkev1044]

not much racing manga

[@jordanrobshaw1406]

@@nerraD27 according to the update that said 202x meaning some time in the 2020s

[@herobrain8889]

I wonder all the time how Bunta is keeping a Tofu shop when all of its income goes 70% into Tires, 25% into Gas and 5% into Cigaretes

[@denudenovsky]

He was able to find a rally engine for the AE86 just like that, i doubt he's all that poor. ;)

[@maxpiatetsky3513]

@@denudenovsky i thought it was a honda f1 motor, no?

[@bitchplease01]

@@maxpiatetsky3513 no is a 4age 20v formula atlantic is a formula car but no a f1

[@209Fightclub]

He’s got ties with the Sinaloa cartel

[@maxpiatetsky3513]

@@bitchplease01 so its a rally block?

[@WindFireAllThatKindOfThing]

*Every underdog racing plot, ever* : A young, hungry unknown embarks on a mission to prove he is the best *Initial D* plot : Takumi just wants to borrow the car with a full tank of gas for a date to the beach

[@hlaw2830]

In fairness, unlike those other shows, Initial D is actually about cars, while the coming of age story plays second fiddle.

[@uncletrashero]

Initial D plot was: "USELESS SON, GET TO WORK, DELIVER THIS SOUP!!!!"

[@nobudgetmiata]

Best comment

[@WindFireAllThatKindOfThing]

@@hlaw2830 Ah, Doctor Killjoy, I presume. Right on time to euthanize another joke. Stage 2 plot: Girlfriend turns out to be a Loli hooker, Tak blows engine in angry response, Dad illegally raids college fund to replace it. Literally everyone still doesn't get laid.

[@hlaw2830]

@@WindFireAllThatKindOfThing I don't think you know what a joke is, that's just a list of facts.

[@fabriceshindano9506]

I stared watching Initial D because of this episode... now I'm addicted Love you Donut

[@black_n5492]

Same!

[@Sbzmike]

I always find myself rewatching the whole series at least two or three times a year. Rewatching the 4th stage rn

[@AustinSRT]

Where can u watch ott

[@AustinSRT]

It

[@ramsnation196]

@@AustinSRTsoap2day

[@backroads_gb]

came here after finishing final stage.. still have that end of an anime empty feeling... Initial D was so good!

[@Abeldoes]

Watch Capeta!

[@backroads_gb]

@@Abeldoes found Wangan Midnight currently watching that.. its not very long so ill check that out next! thanks!

[@trashcuber7654]

Hey, do you know where I can watch stages 5 and final? I have like 4 episodes left of stage 4 and that’s it on funimation

[@kaikai312]

@@backroads_gb another good car anime is roary the racing car

[@korus230]

@@trashcuber7654 9 anime

[@DirtyDeli]

I never thought I'd want an Initial D audiobook narrated by James until I heard the intro

[@bluespinningdotinspace4315]

Ill pay for that

[@michaellovell8820]

Is this a project for Donut Media?

[@RM2JoNeS]

Go and watch the original cover on the up to speed episode on the Toyota 86

[@scorpfpv8647]

Faaaacts 🤣

[@supermonkee8579]

I would definitely pay for that.

[@local_hotpotato]

"Which single handedly" Jackd up the prices of old corollas? "Brought drifting to mainstream" Y.yeah.... that too

[@straightbusta2609]

I saw an abused, shitty way out of order 208k mile AE86 sell for 27,500$. All we can hope for is some miracle to happen or some 3D printing magic to happen, else none of us will justify paying 50,000$ for a ratted out corolla which by the way was mass produced. Hope for the best

[@local_hotpotato]

@@straightbusta2609 most of the 86 in my country have been destroyd in rallying. You just cant find one which is A in good condition or B not a rally car

[@d_maboroshi]

they changed the title for you

[@local_hotpotato]

@@d_maboroshi o damn...

[@waluigigang9998]

Logan bandoli

[@liammoodyfilms]

I just have to say that James is literally the best thing to happen to the car industry since original top gear. I genuinely laugh so hard at your intro’s.

[@krameohotman]

Man Initial D is one of a kind. Pure magic. I still remember when I 1st started watching and man my life was changed. If only I had a time machine to go to Japan in the 90s

[@nelsonspencer2934]

I always Imagined Keiichi Tsuchiya's parallel character to be Bunta, as he became a professional driver and street racer the same era as Tsuchiya. Also their love for the 86 is undeniable, and both make statements that "the 86 is a car that teachers the driver."

[@jorjo1061]

He is a character in the anime his face is just never shown but he’s mentioned a little before takumi’s second engine gets shipped to Bunta, but yeah it would be good if he was Bunta’s parallel character

[@jorjo1061]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zn6xZ5ewiMyWh9U

[@gauravthakur7699]

but Takumi went pro EDIT: You're right, "that monstrous drift" tells that! Maybe James is wrong😅

[@gorydoughnut9789]

There was one in horizon 1

[@Mike1997nfs]

Tsuchiya called bunta on the phone at one time in the anime

[@dfunited1]

Whenever I need to get pumped, the Initial D soundtrack always hits right

[@HYP3M0D368]

Yeup good for bike rides ngl

[@Notilaam]

Shingo’s theme

[@matthew_natividad]

Cuz no one sleeps in Tokyo

[@medleyshift1325]

don't drive to it unless you want a ticket though....

[@vtran1283]

@@medleyshift1325 straight up whenever i play running in the 90's , i look down and im going way faster than i should be lol

[@Slays_Media]

For people who maybe don't know, Takumi's story is loosely based on a real guy named Jun Fujinoki who used to race down Haruna-Fuji on his way back from tofu deliveries. The AE86 and the aggressive driving style is very obviously based on Tsuchiya, which is where the story gets stylized and mythologized into what we see in Initial D. That said, there's even more truth to the story, albeit a very mixed truth. 😅

[@mgtowphilippines8164]

Source please

[@gathel8574]

Fact about Tsuchiya: he not just a street drifter but also racers in GT super and JTCC. they even teammates with his senior Kunimitsu Takahashi (yes the father of drifting) with Taisan team and drive the iconic R32 skylines. Also they join Le Mans with NSX

[@revelare_xvii6269]

*Finally, the Up To Speed we’ve all been waiting for.*

[@yellowhamburger7456]

We just waiting for an up to speed of donut media

[@f-ckmyr0fil788]

And whenever she had 🎂🍪🍩🍨🍤

[@f-ckmyr0fil788]

not have given to the child. 😶🙂😎😃

[@f-ckmyr0fil788]

and do not run off 👹👿😈☻

[@ericmullen14]

Go watch Noriyaro's video on the real Takumi. All donut did is regurgitate the same internet rumors from 15 years ago, but they're not going to reference Noriyaro after using his pictures without permission and then blocking him last year. Noriyaro - "and yes, you're right. I don't like these videos you make. Presentation method aside, they're poorly researched with many mistakes, incorrect information and pictures."

[@TheBulletTrain]

To add on the Tokyo Drift cameo, he was also the driver in the Evo when the main character was learning to drift, and they kept having to reshoot because when he did what he considered "bad driving" for a learner, everyone felt it was still too good.

[@gizmothetrucker7241]

Wow you know how to watch the extras section of the dvd

[@LifeAsAPotato]

the first reply has to be something negative bro lmao

[@californiaactionsports8458]

It’s a reference bro

[@twin_2339]

@@LifeAsAPotato absolutely

[@Wannabe-Pro]

@@LifeAsAPotato you read it as negative and sarcastic, but maybe he was genuinely Wow’ed

[@justagamer182]

Alternative title: anime about guy who wastes his dad's money blowing engines.

[@knightofthenine3121]

His dad is also a Street Racer

[@RoshanShoham]

@@knightofthenine3121 About a guy and his dad then

[@sole_thunder7109]

Takumis dad (bunta) actually teacher him to drift and ditch

[@justagamer182]

@@sole_thunder7109 takumi learned how to.blow engines faster tho

[@sole_thunder7109]

@@justagamer182 bruh even bunta said "don't worry it's not ur fault that the engine blown up, it was gonna anyway *smokes* *cigarette* "

[@ilyafilru]

I lived in Japan in 2001-2004 I caught the very last bit of mountain drifting. It was pretty cool.

[@miatau8359]

I remember finding out about initial d in 2003 when I was in college, I borrowed the 3 stage boxset from a friend and binged watched the whole thing in a couple of days. It's still one of my favorite anime.

[@lucianocasanova8924]

My first encounter with Initial D was around 2008 when I discovered one of their arcade games(and the only one so far that I've played as of 2021 still) at a arcade franchise at Laredo TX's only shopping mall(Mall Del Norte) I have however played Initial D Ver 3 already in 3 different establishments, including the Chuck E Cheese Cycraft version, which to be fair didn't really age that well in mind, it is still fun though if you're more into racing games than your average player. And yes I've seen already plenty of media content aside here and there, even watched a Battle Stage movie back in September of 2013.

[@shahhassan3947]

I watched Initial D back in 2005 (I think) and I started marketing like I was gonna get paid for every persons view... And being told by people ‘I don’t watch cartoons’

[@IBenFishin]

bro in 2003 i was 2 years old

[@VIPOdyssey176]

@@IBenFishin are you even old noun to drive

[@miatau8359]

@@lucianocasanova8924 The arcade game was pretty fun to play even though it was very unrealistic but was a good time. I did remember going to a bday party for my nephew at chuck e cheese and they had a whole interactive setup with initial d, it was a cool concept but made me motion sick..haha

[@Wildchildinc]

This show and manga forever changed my life. The direct influence for the Cars N' Anime event I made

[@metallicamaniac318]

SD reppin!!! Fuck yeah!!!

[@fifteen8850]

Ngl we need another one

[@matthew_natividad]

@@fifteen8850 they gotta revive over rev

[@dirkyonkers4274]

Big anime fan, big Donut fan. Just watched the first episode of Initial D and all I gotta say is... It's awesome. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@nastyx5476]

Don't want to spoil anything but u will probably cry on the last episode and remember one song for the entire life.

[@elovaughnelwell8980]

Kinda surprised Best Motoring and Keiichi Tsuchiya's "drift bible" DVD wasn't mentioned.

[@crisnmaryfam7344]

oh it was loosely. When they mentioned "option" and such. Hard to pick out all the details from the cringe happy manner he decided to act in these videos..

[@oscarjimenezmanzanares7038]

Yeah, esp considering the drift bible did a cameo in the anime lol.

[@ReignofStorms]

Best motoring @20:38, multiple clips of Drift Bible in the background 👌. Likely weren't mentioned that much because they were trying to tie in keiichi tsuchiya's racing career into the inspiration for initial d, which those 2 things don't really apply to. I would have preferred they did 2 separate episodes on keiichi and initial d respectively though. And it would have been nice if James could pronounce Touge right, but oh well.

[@brianverrett]

Raise your hand if you have the drift Bible on DVD 🤚🏾

[@pullrequest1481]

I'm still save that "drift bible" full video in japan language.

[@fadhelfarras1175]

FYI, there’s a manga sequel for Initial D called “MF Ghost”, the story is about a boy named Kanata Livingston from UK come to Japan to find his father and join the “MFG competition” organized by Ryousuke Takahashi, in that manga, Kanata Livingston was Takumi Fujiwara’s student back in the UK, the manga said that Takumi is already retired from racing due to his injury from when he was testing his Toyota GR Yaris WRC for the WRC, and the drive shaft was broken, causing him to lose control and fall into a ravine, and eventually he become a teacher in a racing school in the UK and met with Kanata

[@HammerScytheBlacksmith]

Thank you. I was looking for someone to mention MF Ghost

[@BiogreXT]

Don't spoil the story kid. Keep the spoilers to a minimum. I'm eager to read MF Ghost and MF Ghost anime.

[@menumlor9365]

And he dives a very futuristic r35 that can fly.

[@HackFeSt1]

Ima check tht out

[@hydrolifetech7911]

My Toyota Mark X(a JDM sports sedan) developed drive shafts problems a few weeks ago. I thought it was just the just tire issues when the car started shaking on the road as I've driven it hundreds of kilometres on hot asphalt road in a desert. Brought it to a mechanic friend three days ago and he told me the drive shaft would have given up in a few days as the bearings of CV axle joint rings were worn out and swimming in the CV axle boot. Driving is fun but these metal boxes if not properly maintained are very dangerous. Stay safe lads

[@HikiOmo]

Theres also Jun Fujinoki, a street racer that actually worked for a tofu shop his granddad owned, he drove an imprezza and he also went street racing when he wasn't working. There's a lot of inspiration behind Initial D but it's easy to see how Keiichi gets the most credit considering he's literally the Drift God

[@HikiOmo]

Oh amd I also remember hearing that Shuici himself used to drive a blue imprezza and that while he was out on the togue. He got passed and I think dusted by an 86 and so to honor that driver, Shuici replicated his license plate numbers and put them on Takumi's 86. Which only makes me realize how fast Takumi really is

[@bluesrike]

Two things that should be mentioned: -Tsuchiya's personal AE86 (the one with the green carbon fiber hood) was used to source the sound for Takumi's car -The engine in Tsuchiya's AE86 is actually a 7A-FE 1.8-liter block with a 4AGE 20-valve Black Top cylinder head

[@impostor8850]

the creators probably had 10 corollas sitting in their garage and wanted to sell for a profit

[@rep100Luxio]

Wat kind of Corolla :v

[@f-ckmyr0fil788]

and when you are 🤧🤢

[@youkofoxy]

Actually, the guy who made the manga has/had a corolla AE86 and the Saburu the protagonist dad had.

[@f-ckmyr0fil788]

So he walked for a short time🍞🌰🥜🍄🥦🥒🌶

[@f-ckmyr0fil788]

fell asleep and began 🚴‍♂️🏋️‍♀️🏋️‍♂️⛹️‍♀️

[@yeahboi8680]

"Everybody stay calm... Stay f*cking calm!!!" - me a weeb and a petrolhead

[@Chacho-17]

Damn I identified myself with this !!!!!!!

[@milspec4]

"What's the procedure?"

[@ericserpas4421]

I AM F*UCKING CALM!

[@matthewhigashyama3316]

@@milspec4 Save bandit!

[@reventon4547]

"F**king weeb." -Weeb

[@Abeldoes]

This was a great video! Thanks

[@wonchurlyi6367]

Your energy and enthusiasm are top-shelf. Really enjoyed this video. Thanks.

[@captainskyrus]

"What was this intoxicating vehicular ballet our friends to the east performed with such violence and grace?" Well said man, well said

[@pier-lucgaranddion1527]

Right? This sentence is soooo good literary speaking. Bravo, whoever wrote it.

[@mzaversnik2655]

First i heard the song running in the 90's from memes, then i got into eurobeat and then decided to watch initial d. My best decision ever. I've watched it 4 times over and over again and definitely will again multiple times. This anime has a very special place in my heart now for the rest of my life and i will never forget it. Thank you japan for this masterpiece ❤️

[@imperial_crest6809]

I got into Initial D because of a World of Warships KZbinr named Yuro who invented the art of Torpbeats (basically dodging Torpedoes). Thanks to Initial D I got into cars XP

[@SpaceRanger187]

Super late brakingggg

[@darthvader1482]

Hol' up, did you hear running in the 90's from that one Pewdiepie video where the guy was jumping across an opening bridge?

[@internetduck1114]

same except I never watch full episodes

[@sunyun4425]

so true, the Initial D animate series was so well written and realistic, unlike any kind of "cartoons" from the west. i watched over and over also and still have the downloads from well over a decade ago

[@aspookyfox]

I’ve been waiting for this one. Thank you guys

[@martinhogan5970]

Dude!! This was awesome!! Watched Initial D several times over the years; you made this fun!! 💯💯💯

[@TaterFarmer]

That show literally made the 86 double in price year’s ago already.

[@PD-cm6jp]

Not years ago. For the last 15 years.

[@chrishuyler3580]

It's laughable, but then again the boomers overpaid for Dodge Chargers because they went sideways on a TV show. Honestly, if you want to experience low power, low grip, solid rear axle driving on a discount, just buy an SA22C/FB Rx7. It's a better car than the AE86 in every way.

[@Sovereign86]

Now do an Up To Speed on: The Wangan Midnight series!💪🏾😁

[@pastaramen8907]

Ah yes that anime so good and the manga too😂

[@driftah]

*Wangan

[@Zardif]

The start of my affection for the s30.

[@FlyingBeast009]

Tbh I watched Wangan Midnight after Initial D. And it seemed just so dumb in comparison with Initial D.

[@melvynobedmendez8270]

That is my second favorite series

[@Will_Game_For_Silver]

I nearly shed a tear towards the end. Such a great movie... Now for the series. Thank you for sharing!

[@ranggakosala3162]

This episode bring tears to my eyes. Great job James

[@namae6637]

I never knew I needed to see an Up To Speed on Initial D but now that it exists I need to see it

[@f-ckmyr0fil788]

‘To my grandmother’s.’👒👑👢👡👠👟👞

[@f-ckmyr0fil788]

walk nicely and quietly🤓🧐🤭🤫🤥🤡🤠

[@f-ckmyr0fil788]

it occurred to him that the🔮🛢🗿⚱️⚰️🚬

[@samirisaacyuh2248]

Next we need an Everything You Need To Know - Wangan Midnight! Amazing anime that's almost similar to The Midnight Club in real life

[@dannyrocket77]

That is an awesome video game. Wish I still had it.

[@zenkiethan]

@@dannyrocket77 he’s talking about the REAL midnight club. not the video game made by rockstar….

[@dannyrocket77]

@@zenkiethan Ha! Thanks, My bad! 'll have to look into that.

[@-SP.]

The Wangan Anime is no where near as good as Initial D

[@roadsterdream]

@@-SP. Agreed

[@1upGamingandArcade]

I really enjoyed this vid mate. Well done.

[@Jarpolska]

Yo this video made me love so much more Initial D and realize how much of an impact it made. I'm Colombian, I got to see this series as a kid, translated in Spanish. Your channel is great

[@eugenef0zzy]

I’m disappointed James missed the chance to do the line when the 86 pulls up in the rear view “is that a mr2 or a 180?”

[@eaz54]

Love watching James talk about Initial D. Started watching the show cuz of his enthusiasm for it.

[@mulletmadnessmtb550]

Same

[@EddieJorgeDrummer]

Me too! The Up To Speed episode on the AE 86 made me immediately check it out

[@Jfk_Clinic]

Where did you find it? The entire show?

[@Jfk_Clinic]

Hulu has it i found out

[@causticchronicle2754]

Great stuff. Glad I stumbled upon your channel. I have been an initial d fan for a long time and I loved hearing the history of it. Good job

[@knucklestheechidna5718]

Man you just got me pumped up and now I'm going to watch the series for like the seventh time

[@troymathews9362]

can you do an up to speed on Wangan Midnight its everything we love about Initial D but based around straight line speed and highway racing over touge drifting and is every bit as much a love letter to the JDM cars we all love so much

[@jeromeflaherty2069]

Plus Wangan Midnight was based on the real life Midnight Club. I love that story and the arcade games are awesome.

[@joshsuelto]

they have podcast about that in donut podcast

[@ssjneko1]

I spent my freshman year in the college dorms in 2002 downloading just about everything I could get my hands on from Kazaa. Initial D had to have been the thing that left the largest impression on me. That summer, I sold my '93 Camry and bought an '89 Celica that I painted white in my driveway. It was also one of the reasons why I switched my major from Bioengineering to Mechanical Engineering and is the reason why I'm still into cars today. Hell, without Initial D, I probably wouldn't even follow this KZbin channel.

[@fangsabre]

This anime is legitimately one od my favorites of all time. I recently convinced one of my partners to start watching and it is amazing to watch them go from "i know literally nothing about cars" to excitedly talking about the conditions of certain races in the show, even making accurate presictions of the cars mid race. And the soundtrack SLAPS

[@joeswanson733]

if we just go by teh first 2 seasons... it's as tone down as anime can go. they have to at least abide by some rules of physics lol

[@MasterSpaz]

I love this episode and could probably write a whole book on how Initial D changed my life after discovering it at 12 (I’m 30 now). Thanks donut

[@taraishot100]

Initial D was so good it blew me away such a masterpiece

[@Corpsu]

Initial D really started the love for cars for me back in the early 2000's. Can't forget Gran Turismo's big impact too. *wink wink

[@Corpsu]

Called one haha

[@dawrench07]

You forgot to mentioned how he drove the car in Tokyo drift and quote "it was very hard for me to drive so bad" he's so good he has to really force being bad.

[@gromventuretime89]

Love it man. I remember watching initial d 2002.. went to the first d1. It was epic.. the Japanese drivers were insane

[@laomoua1727]

To this day, I still have so much love for this Anime. Ghost MF the sequel of Initial D did not do justice 😢. My favorite car was the FD RX-7 😅

[@Yashuop]

Claim your “here within an hour” ticket right here

[@camtulah]

claimed

[@davidhaddix1044]

Ding ding

[@star-hn1vm]

claimed gotcha

[@apple_3058]

Yes sir

[@samuraiblitz74]

Ding dong

[@bruhnt5063]

The Up To Speed we all waited for, *UP TO SPEED ON INITIAL D!*

[@yeaaaaaaaaaaahff]

Next up: wangan midnight, that z is a legend

[@MimicAura93]

I love donut media and I’ve been a fan from the first video but this just made my respect go through the roof for James and the entire Donut team. Shouting out Manga and Anime this way AND telling us to read or watch the show. That’s legitimate advice from a fan. I love these guys

[@lyall1412]

on my way watching inital D now. Thanks James

[@ipoddish]

Greatest anime of all time. My intro to the love of cars and car culture. Literally impacted my life.

[@TmWastr]

Same. It makes you think about cars other way

[@maxx-er3fj]

@@TmWastr Not just about cars, but about driving, I started driving when I was 13, I am 18 now. I drove between 100 and 300 cars, and I know a lot so naturally I drive good. I can drive fast on regular roads(ofc when there is no people, safety is priority), and to feel slow. I drive suzuki cultus mk1 gti, and even 80kmh feels very slow when I drive. Im sitting there casually driving and passengers are freaking out lol.

[@TmWastr]

@@maxx-er3fj well yeah but in my country it's pretty common that when you get your license you drive pretty fast and like whole day because you have nothing else to do

[@SIPEROTH]

I remember picking that little Toyota in Gran Turismo as my first car because it was easy to buy as an initial car and then i became obsessed of wining even harder races for much stronger cars with it or get close as possible. I spend hundreds of hours driving that little car trying to get every ounce of speed out of it and i was celebrating like crazy when i achieved things with it against much higher powered cars. Other were picking better cars and expanding their garage trying to win all races etc and i was just wasting tons of hours trying to beat at least one car or not lose them in the distance in races with much higher powered cars etc. Then i got into anime and saw that car on it and i was all over it like crazy and it was a damn great show too. After that i got my driving license and now my job involves driving all day and in mountains as well and making it fast because there is time pressure to reach all destinations. I kind of live the Initial D dream because driving all day in fast speeds like that obviously made me quite capable and now at times i mess with guys that feel like reacting to me reaching them with a small little van. I also learned those mountains roads like the back of my hand so i am expert at them, i tried every line and way at taking the turns. The most fun i had was messing with a guy with a tuned Golf. He took it personally when he saw the little van behind him and he starter trying to drive faster like crazy and was getting mad how he couldn't get rid of me until he made a mistake due to pushing and scared himself to shit. I passed him when he did that and drove away and he didn't even dare trying to push to catch me. He probably stayed there thinking i was a ghost like Initial D, lol. I was just smirking from kind of making what i saw as a kid reality. It was a feel good moment.

[@maxx-er3fj]

@@TmWastr I mean when I drive for daily, 80kmh just became comfortable speed for cruising

[@doomerbelowthewind]

I remembered when James yelled: i am the number two driver of the Akagi Redsuns goddammit!

[@ele9178]

James, you really did Keiichi Tsuchiya and Initial-D justice, great video! Congrats!

[@InsertPandaHeree]

As someone who only recently watching initial d, I can say, You really catch the drift of the series and it's great

[@_mr.boss_1308]

When the intro alone gives you goose bumps and that excited tingle, you know its good. Gonna go rewatch Initial D again.

[@buantum6957]

Do you happen to know where to find the whole series to watch?

[@lorenzogv8810]

@@buantum6957 most of it is on Hulu

[@destituteanddecadent9106]

Damn current streaming service oligopoly having us sign up for all these different services just to watch specific shows, and that's if they even have it. I wish there was more of a market for one thing only rentals.

[@lorenzogv8810]

@@destituteanddecadent9106 ikr stage 3 and 5 aren't even on Hulu that's the problem

[@aryanauti3227]

Honestly, the first time I watched the series, I absolutely fell in love with the night kidz R32.

[@rushaanphukan2913]

It happened with me too, but in my case it was the ae86

[@konohamaru77]

I fall in love with mr2

[@mightywings314]

its not ur fault the r32 was and is amazing especially with that amazing dracula music everytime it appeared like a boss battle

[@Rudi_Mentary723]

@@mightywings314 and lost everytime 🤣🤣

[@mightywings314]

@@Rudi_Mentary723 Maybe the Myogi Night Kids had a curse lol guardrail problems

[@Noodlez_]

Watching initial d for the first time is an experience that will never happen again. ;-;

[@vinnycent007]

It has been a year since this video came out and I still to this day re-watch it.

[@Hedquarters]

The writing for donut is always superb. It’s so underrated. It literally makes me want to go get in my car and start driving. Keep up the great work, gentlemen. I love all your content!

[@benpreston2163]

Yes prize winning writing 9:58

[@rollingdigger19]

This one revived my weeb teenage days and reminds me of when you started Up To Speed. You were serious about researching this peace of nostalgia and Initial D will stay remembered thanks to Keiichi Tsuchiya.

[@01WantedMost]

Man! You guys are amazing!

[@benhufano7795]

I just want to say you guys got me into cars and for that I salute you

[@cradilyz]

feel like everyone ignores the fact that the "just a ae86" was built and tuned by bunta, it was far from stock. and bunta was a professional level driver

[@smashkiller64]

Still had less than 150hp

[@dannyrocket77]

@@smashkiller64 Until Tacumi blew that engine and it got the upgraded engine.

[@smashkiller64]

@@dannyrocket77 Yeah, when he got the upgraded engine I kinda lost interest, because now it basically had the same power as the other cars, making it not as unique.

[@tommycarrizal1656]

Plus he smokes cigs like every 3minutes

[@smashkiller64]

@@tommycarrizal1656 Those are actually the special time stopping cigarettes from the first Metal Mear game on the MSX Computer! That’s the reason why he knows the mountains better than everyone else!

[@garrettweaver9450]

I love the Initial D episodes. Lets goooo. And James finally found the audience member! Best up to speed by far. Bunta was the best character, such a badass

[@commandergeokam2868]

So true dude so true

[@zfalcon44]

I've heard of the music but this is the first video I've seen about Initial D thr background/manga/anime. I really appreciate the information. Thank you for doing this video!

[@wheresmtnzx1115]

I remember watching Initial D when i was 8 enjoy it so much. My mom bought me and 86 for graduating High School

[@craighendricks2994]

Fun fact: KT has raced in many series such as Le Mans, JGTC, and NASCAR

[@TheBulletTrain]

Wait, I knew about JGTC and Le Mans, but when did he race NASCAR? I gotta look this up.

[@PigMCplayer]

@@TheBulletTrain maybe he did it when nascar went to japan for a race

[@chriscovington11]

@@TheBulletTrain it was at the one time nascar race in Japan.

[@craighendricks2994]

@@TheBulletTrain All the Nascar Japan races at Motegi and Suzuka along with one Winston West (K&N pro series west) race at California

[@dannisetioko6538]

The stories are cotinued with a manga called "MF Ghost", still written by the same person Shuichi Shigeno.. it some kind of sequel to Initial D, and directly references Initial D and some of its characters

[@Lenslows]

It’s takumis student takumi started teaching circuit racing his student name is kanata and he drives a toyota 86 trd and he’s pretty much like him also a lot of old character from initial d are back but instead of it being street races it’s long distance circuit racing across Japan it’s pretty good but updates pretty damn slow

[@dannisetioko6538]

Yes, but i just don't want to spoil the interesting quirks since that's the one make "MF-Ghost" interesting 😅... When i first read it, that small things make me goes back to Initial D comic to remember "who is this guy" (not takumi of course)

[@matthew_natividad]

That also needs an anime adaptation

[@TheSakuragihanimichi]

Actually didn't know this. Thanks

[@yeanah2571]

I only saw the first 3 issues, didn't know they turned it into a continuation.

[@DanaKishimoto]

This video got me to read the manga recently. Took me around a month or so and it was a fantastic ride

[@prestonhammonds4946]

Never had an interest in any type of racing but.. I threw it on one day a few weeks ago and got hooked. Love the cars and I love that music. Stellar show!

[@ranger8901]

Bring back Car Wars! I want to see James eat more chips.

[@f-ckmyr0fil788]

It is so early in the day that🍣🍢🍠🍝🍜🍛🍚

[@f-ckmyr0fil788]

One day her mother said to her😑☺️😋🤣

[@f-ckmyr0fil788]

and do not run off 👹👿😈☻

[@andretsang7337]

My man literally had a heart attack last time he ate four chips

[@WarriorsPhoto]

I was almost in tears remembering the early 2,000's. I enjoyed the manga and show for a long time. It was one of the reasons I started loving cars. Thank you for making this episode and sharing the story of DoriKen.

[@alphawolf4714]

Dude, by the end I was crying. Can't wait to get my Kiryustang onto a track. Nothing quite like throwing skids.

[@WarriorsPhoto]

@@alphawolf4714 What is a Kiryustang?

[@jayswisher575]

Me and you both buddy.

[@lemonstealinghorsdoeuvre]

Wow. It's good to see I'm not the only woman here. I have some extra tampons if you ladies need them after you get done crying.

[@WarriorsPhoto]

@@lemonstealinghorsdoeuvre LOL 😂 😆 Thank you for your comment. We appreciate you and your input so much. (:

[@SethMarcell]

BRILLIANT episode. Great job.

[@epoc162]

I got into initial D from the arcade game first. I remember hearing about the true story back when 4th stage came out. By that point, we were all into the drifting scene ourselves but being in the northeast in MA, it was more just late night industrial parks and curvy roads in state parks. No mountain passes around here. Then I joined the army, got a little bit into rally racing while down south. Nothing fancy though. That anime did help shape my late teens. Also, in Tokyo Drift…. That’s him drifting in most of the scenes…. Even the bad ones. He said in an interview that it was actually harder to drift bad for the learning scenes.

[@freackedman4153]

"car guys that got into car's through initial d have less chance of rising the living shit out of their car than ones that got through fast & furious "_ *sunumi tzujiwara , art of dorifto*

[@RubenGonzalez-vc7wg]

3 years and I'm still begging for an "Up to speed" on Renault and Hoonigan

[@GF-mf7ml]

Group C Lemans

[@shohamroshan]

What about up to speed on Lemans

[@darcykeddell4930]

Up to speed on Renault in one sentence: we make a bunch of crap cars but the 5 turbo was a masterpiece

[@itslvc5588]

And what about WRC

[@Bijiketapang001]

@@darcykeddell4930 Clio V6?

[@thequestbro]

This video is incredibly well researched. You know this dude is a true fan.

[@tudorbaciu727]

this was so beautiful

[@oliverpanopio9948]

I was at Tokyopop when they got the rights and ‘re-produced’ Inital D. I was appalled and disgusted at the direction they were taking it. Unfortunately, I was in no position to say anything so I just cried in the corner quietly

[@MultiDemension]

I agree, but I probably wouldn't have gotten into it, and eventually cars, without their distribution of the manga.

[@rodolfonoguera3623]

@@MultiDemension facts

[@Sbzmike]

Thank god funimation saved the series. Kept the original music and names in the their dub, Also the dub was way better than the Tokyo pop version

[@douglasferreira7211]

What did tokyopop did or tried to do?

[@oliverpanopio9948]

@@douglasferreira7211 they changed the music and character names. Basically, it changed the whole feel and vibe of the anime; especially the battles!

[@Kangiru_Noah]

Also, noriyaro published a video some weeks ago about the 86 from initial d when he was in a garage in japan, apparently that 86 is the exact spec from the manga/anime, same wheels, same license plate, same interior, etc

[@damilolaakanni]

That's some impressive attention to detail there.👍🏾

[@c0ry36]

This was awesome!

[@maxattacks25]

I loved cars growing up, but life happened and I lost interest for years. Then I watched initial d, and it single-handedly got me back into it. I’m grateful to the tofu delivery boi 🙏

[@MrGuardrail]

Truly underestimating the absolute chad of the Tokyopop dub, Zack Nakazoto

[@inidmusic9101]

hey its you

[@tobyash118]

hey its you

[@stick656]

AYO GUYS ITS THE FUNY INTIAL D MAN

[@titanium_rocket1505]

hey its you

[@yf_NorthernAreas]

I feel sorry for people who haven't this masterpiece of an anime yet😭

[@turbochargerwhine]

I started just two days ago and I am happy that this channel made a video on it

[@SpaceRanger187]

You have to watch the English subtitles or it's not the same

[@bobvance7337]

I want to so much but idk where to watch ot

[@marcofaria6286]

@@turbochargerwhine i need to know where to see it can u help me pls.

[@turbochargerwhine]

@@marcofaria6286 Telegram ✌️

[@jojonokimyonabouken7615]

The intro warmed my heart

[@RogueSamuri7676]

its been slightly over a year since i subed to ur channel and this video is half the reason why