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"Initial D" is a Japanese street racing manga series written and illustrated by Shuichi Shigeno. It was serialized in Kodansha's seinen manga magazine Weekly Young Magazine from 1995 to 2013, with the chapters collected into 48 tankÅbon volumes. The series has also been adapted into several anime television series, original video animations (OVAs), and live-action films.
Plot:
The story centers around Takumi Fujiwara, a high school student who helps his father deliver tofu by driving a Toyota AE86 every morning. Unbeknownst to his friends, Takumi has become an incredibly skilled street racer due to his daily deliveries. The plot kicks off when the Red Suns, a highly experienced racing team from Mount Akagi, challenge the local Akina Speed Stars team to a set of races on Mount Akina. Dispirited after watching the Red Suns' superior performance, the Speed Stars expect to lose until Takumi steps in and surprises everyone with his exceptional driving skills.
Gameplay and Features:
Street Racing: The series emphasizes illegal street racing on mountain passes, with a focus on the drifting technique.
Character Development: The story follows Takumi's journey from an ordinary high school student to a legendary street racer, as well as his interactions with other racers and teams.
Real-World Locations: Although some names are fictionalized, all locations in the series are based on actual places in Japan.
Adaptations:
Anime: The manga has been adapted into several anime series, including "Initial D: First Stage," "Initial D: Second Stage," "Initial D: Third Stage," and "Initial D: Fourth Stage."
Live Action: A live-action film adaptation was released in 2005.
Video Games: The series has also inspired several video games, including arcade games by Sega.
Legacy:
"Initial D" has become a cultural phenomenon, known for its realistic depiction of street racing and its influence on the drifting style of driving. It has sold over 55 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling manga series in history.