Shin Misawa
Director
Initial D (1998)
First Stage
The story begins when street racers called the RedSuns, a team from Mt. Akagi, come to challenge Mt. Akina's local SpeedStars team to a "friendly" race. After seeing how skilled the RedSuns are, the SpeedStars treat it as a race for pride, determined not to be humiliated on their home turf. However, the SpeedStars are left in a bind when their team leader and primary downhill driver Iketani has an accident during a practice run.
Released April 18, 1998
Episode 26 min
14+
Genres: Action, Animation, Anime, Anime: Seinen, Comedy, Drama
Keywords: tmdb.car-race, tmdb.anime, imdb.driving, imdb.drift-racing, imdb.based-on-comic-book, imdb.multiple-english-dubs, imdb.motor + 34 more, imdb.street-racing, tmdb.drifting, imdb.car, imdb.teenage-boy, imdb.based-on-manga, mdblist.ext.2k-blu-ray, tmdb.delivery-boy, tmdb.japan-car-culture, imdb.anime-animation, tmdb.motorsport, tmdb.mountain-road, tmdb.street-race, imdb.racing, tmdb.prodigy, imdb.seinen-anime-animation, imdb.coming-of-age, imdb.motorsports-sport, imdb.coming-of-age-drama, imdb.seinen, imdb.race, imdb.street-race, imdb.delivery-boy, imdb.male-protagonist, imdb.urban-adventure, imdb.high-school-student, imdb.competing, imdb.car-action, tmdb.based-on-manga, tmdb.racing, tmdb.seinen, imdb.meme, tmdb.gunma-japan, mdblist.anime-dub, imdb.hand-drawn-animation
Production Companies: OB Planning, Avex Entertainment, Fuji Television Network, Studio Comet, Pastel + 3 more, ACGT, Studio Gallop, SynergySP
Network: Fuji TV
8.5
S1E1 - The Ultimate Tofu Store Drift
High school kid Takumi works at a gas station with his buddy Itsuki. When the guys join their co-worker Iketani for a night of street racing action on Mt. Akina, Takumi’s life will never be the same.
April 18, 1998, midnight
8.0
S1E2 - Revenge! The Rumbling Turbo
When his boss reveals that the Eight-Six driver from Mt. Akina owns a tofu shop, Iketani begins to wonder if the legendary racer might have an intimate connection to Takumi.
April 25, 1998, midnight
8.1
S1E3 - Downhill Specialist Arrives
Iketani’s out of commission for the race against the RedSuns, so he tries to convince Bunta to take his place. Takumi’s working on a deal of his own - he need’s his dad’s car for a date with Natsuki.
May 2, 1998, midnight
8.9
S1E4 - The Battle Begins
The match between the SpeedStars and the RedSuns is set to begin. Just as Iketani makes the desperate decision to put Kenji up against Keisuke, the Eight-Six appears - with Takumi behind the wheel.
May 9, 1998, midnight
8.7
S1E5 - Dogfight!
When Takumi stuns everyone with his skills in the Eight-Six, Iketani and Itsuki start plotting a way to get the new hotshot to join the SpeedStars.
May 16, 1998, midnight
8.0
S1E6 - A New Challenger
Driving his new Three-Two, Takeshi goes head-to-head against Ryosuke on Mt. Akina. Meanwhile, Takumi offers Iketani a first-hand look at the thrill of riding in the Eight-Six.
May 23, 1998, midnight
7.8
S1E7 - Pride of a Racer
Takeshi is ready to take on the Eight-Six and he has every reason to believe that the car’s driver is game. When Takumi catches wind of the situation, he’s got to decide if the challenge is worth accepting.
June 13, 1998, midnight
7.7
S1E8 - Time's Almost Up!
There’s a crowd waiting for a race to start on Mt. Akina, but the Eight-Six is nowhere to be seen. Itsuki’s in a tough spot - and Takumi’s the only one who can get him out of it.
June 20, 1998, midnight
8.9
S1E9 - Battle To the Limit
The race is underway with Takumi behind the wheel of the Eight-Six. His competition, Takeshi, drives the Three-Two with undeniable skill - but he can’t seem to pull away from Takumi!
June 27, 1998, midnight
8.8
S1E10 - The Five Consecutive Hairpins
Takeshi and Takumi speed toward the finish line! Victory is at hand for the driver who can conquer the final challenges of the course - five treacherous hairpin curves.
July 4, 1998, midnight
8.1
S1E11 - Shingo Arrives
Iketani’s putting his S-13 to the test now that it’s out of the shop, but a simple practice session turns into a dangerous situation when a reckless member of the NightKids - Shingo - arrives in a red EG-6.
July 11, 1998, midnight
8.0
S1E12 - The FR Killer
Shingo arrives with the NightKids and he’s calling Takumi and the gang out. His demands: A Duct Tape Death Match against the Eight-Six.
Aug. 1, 1998, midnight
7.9
S1E13 - First Date
Shingo’s itching to take on the Eight-Six in a dangerous race, but with nobody stepping up to accept the challenge, he takes drastic measures to get his way.
Aug. 8, 1998, midnight
8.4
S1E14 - Evolving Drift
Takumi’s had enough of Shingo’s intimidation tactics. He agrees to take on the pushy NightKid in the most treacherous of races: A Duct Tape Death Match.
Aug. 15, 1998, midnight
8.7
S1E15 - Takumi's Fury
Takumi and Iketani are having very different days: Takumi’s hand is taped to the Eight-Six’s steering wheel as Shingo bumps into him at high speeds. Iketani’s hanging out with a pretty girl.
Aug. 22, 1998, midnight
7.7
S1E16 - The Angel of Usui
When Iketani takes Mako out for a good time, his friends decide to tail the duo and figure out what she’s all about. They soon discover her greatest talent: outdriving them all on Mt. Usui!
Aug. 29, 1998, midnight
8.3
S1E17 - Sudden-Death Death Match
Takumi’s upcoming race at Usui is creating friction among his friends. One reason for the tension: he’s never driven the course. A bigger reason: his opponent is Mako.
Sept. 12, 1998, midnight
8.8
S1E18 - Hot Winds and Furious Driving
Mako and Sayuki are having their way with Takumi and the Eight-Six on Mt. Usui. As Takumi himself questions his ability to pull out a win, the racers approach the course’s toughest curve.
Sept. 19, 1998, midnight
8.7
S1E19 - Super Drift!
The finish line is in sight on Mt. Usui! Mako and Sayuki know the course like the back of their hands; Takumi might need a miracle if he is to claim victory against the girls.
Sept. 26, 1998, midnight
7.9
S1E20 - The End of Summer
When the gang heads out to a water park, Iketani sees signs that it could actually work out with Mako - until he finds photographic proof that her heart might belong to another guy.
Oct. 1, 1998, midnight
8.2
S1E21 - Challenge From the Superstar
Takumi’s growing rep has attracted the attention of Ryosuke, who’s ready to face the Eight-Six on Mt. Akina. Takumi better get his head on straight - this will be his greatest challenge yet.
Oct. 17, 1998, midnight
8.2
S1E22 - Fierce Uphill Battle!
At Itsuki’s behest, Takumi heads out to watch an uphill race between two of his former foes - Takeshi of the NightKids and the RedSuns’ Keisuke.
Oct. 24, 1998, midnight
8.4
S1E23 - The Rainy Downhill
Kenta, a member of the RedSuns, challenges Takumi to a downhill race in the pouring rain. With the increasingly wet course conditions, neither driver is guaranteed victory.
Nov. 7, 1998, midnight
8.4
S1E24 - Akagi's White Comet
Ryosuke may already be a local legend, but he still drives like a man with something to prove. He’s determined to beat the very best racers Mt. Akina has to offer - and Takumi’s next on his list.
Nov. 14, 1998, midnight
8.7
S1E25 - Last Great Battle
Veteran racer Ryosuke’s a mastermind behind the wheel, and he’ll be pulling no punches in the match against rising rookie Takumi. The drivers are ready and only one can be the best.
Nov. 28, 1998, midnight
9.1
S1E26 - The New Downhill Legend
The drivers fly toward the finish line, with only one curve to go. Ryosuke and Takumi have earned their reputations - but the winner of this race will go down in history.
Dec. 5, 1998, midnight
Network: Fuji TV
Episode Runtime: 26 min.
Season Runtime: 2138 min.
Released: April 18, 1998
Last Air Date: June 22, 2014, midnight
Status: Ended
Certification: TV-14 / 14+
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