More indications on the end of Fifth Stage

For the fans that have been following Initial D Radio Stage, you know it is a bi-monthly radio broadcast hosted by Chiho Oda and Takumi Fujiwara's voice actor Shinichiro Miki. They release a new segment twice a month on the... 10th and 26th every month since Fifth Stage has started airing last November.

They usually invite voice actors from Fifth Stage and talk about their experiencing on voice acting and the latest related news on Initial D. On May 10th, which was coincidentally the air date for Fifth Stage ACT. 13 & 14, they announced that Initial D Radio Stage will come to an end. On this segment, they invited Ryousuke Takahashi's voice actor Takehito Koyasu (子安 武人) and they shared some of the experiences voice acting for Fifth Stage.

For those of you who are still hopeful that there will be two more episodes next month, this is probably going to burst your bubbles. For what it's worth, Fifth Stage is over for now. Until we have official words on more episodes, there is no need to be asking about 15 & 16. We'll keep you posted when the news come.

To listen to the last Initial D Radio Stage (Round 13) segment, click here: http://hibiki-radio.jp/?radio_id=295

| Sources |
» 2013年05月10日のブログ｜★ちほブロ★ | http://ameblo.jp/chihoda/day-20130510.html
» HiBiKi Radio Station -「頭文字Ｄ　Radio Stage」番組詳細 | http://hibiki-radio.jp/description/initial_D


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Takumi Car Wash Scene

After the rain battle with Kenta's orange S14, Takumi realizes the 86 looks very dirty. By his own will, he wanted to clean the 86. I think that's where the author tried to show how much Takumi loves the car. Small... things like smiling while staring at it; gently rubbing it when it was dented; showing the desire to keep it clean.. etc show that Takumi not only has the techniques, he also appreciate the car from a humble perspective.

I guess now that you've seen the screencaps of the car washing scene, that song probably resonate in your mind now. What good are we to leave you hanging like that? Watch the video and grab the song below and re-live those memories!

Washing my car makes me smile, does it for you?

| Video Clip |
» Carwash scene from Initial D First Stage ACT.23 | http://facebook.com/photo.php?v=274120252688806

| Soundcloud Audio |
» m.o.v.e - past days~追憶 | https://soundcloud.com/go2id/m-o-v-e-past-days

| Image Source |
» AE86 Bonito | http://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/280715
» Screenshots from Initial D First Stage ACT.23


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Initial D manga in color

For many Initial D fans that read the manga or just manga in general will notice one obvious thing, there are no colors. Of course, the majority of manga are drawn in black and white even to this day. Even though it devoid of... any colors, it somehow can still vividly depict the story effectively, sometimes even better than if it were drawn in colors.

The reason for that is because there are no better painter in this world than our imagination. The manga may be colorless, but our mind constantly fill them with colors as we read them. To me, even full panel color manga can't replace what our mind can do.

Zach McElroy (kyonpalm), an avid Initial D fan, started a thread on the forums a few years back dedicated to coloring Initial D manga. He claims to have hundreds of these! Check out his thread at: https://idforums.net/index.php?showtopic=36651

Have you done anything similar before? Share them with us here!


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Not sure if...

Not sure if Nakazato looks like Bunta with the eyes OPEN, or the animation studio trying to troll us.

Source Images: Initial D Fifth Stage ACT.11 終止符。そして…… ("Full... Stop, Continued...")


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Initial D to keep on going?

Remember Initial D's very first ending theme "Rage your dream"? At the very last scene, we see a pair of racing gloves being placed on the driver's seat of what seems like the interior of an AE86.

I know... we have we talked about the possibilities of Takumi going professional after Project D. Perhaps this is the author's way of foreshadowing his vision. Or it could be just made to look cool. Regardless of that scene, Takumi has shown interests in being a professional racer on numerous occasions throughout the series. He even accepted the challenge from Mika, to see who will become professional first.

If Initial D does go on after the Project D arc, and goes beyond street racing, how likely will you continue to watch Initial D? Keep in mind that even though we get some professionals from the track every so often in the series, the stage is still the mountain pass, and that's where the possibilities are endless as Ryousuke so eloquently put it. If the stage changes to circuit racing, will Initial D still be the same? Or will it lose its appeal?

Personally, I believe Initial D belongs to the mountain pass no matter what. It's just very hard to picture Takumi racing on the circuit. It may be cool to see him does a lap or two, but to build a whole season/arc based on that? It just won't be Initial D anymore.

What do you think? What direction do you want the series to go if it were up to you?


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FamilyS restaurant in Initial D First Stage

Some of you have probably wonder about how real the FamilyS restaurant is back in First Stage. Not many English speaking fans were able to pin down the location of this mysterious cafe. For that, we did some background research... and found out its actual location. Die-hard Initial D fans, mark this post as one of the future locations to visit when you travel abroad. (smile)

The "FamilyS" restaurant that appears constantly in both manga and First Stage anime was a restaurant chain that goes by the name of すかいらーく「SKYLARK」The first SKYLARK restaurant was opened in Fuchū, Tokyo in 1970. The one depicted in Initial D is located in Shibukawa, Gunma.（渋川市，群馬県）It's conveniently located between Mt. Haruna (Akina) and Mt. Akagi. It was shown as a popular gathering spot for the RedSuns, NightKids and the Gas Station gang to hang out.

By the year 2009, SKYLARK GROUP renamed this particular Shibukawa store and many of its chain store to Café レストラン ・ ガスト「Café Restaurant Gusto」The name “Gusto” means "taste" in Spanish and Italian. The Gusto chain restaurants are known for its dining sense of home and good food.

| Location |
» Address: 〒377-0007　群馬県渋川市石原２０４－１２
» Phone: +81 0279-20-1104
» Direction: http://sp.chizumaru.com/dbh/skylark/detail...lark&bid=018622
» Webpage: http://www.skylark.co.jp/gusto/

| Additional Photo(s) |
» http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~hamatani/DSC00391.JPG
» http://stat.ameba.jp/user_images/20110406/...11148591769.jpg

| Sources |
» Google Maps - 群馬県ガスト渋川店 | http://goo.gl/maps/3mUSF
» Google Street View | http://goo.gl/maps/zPHG5
» すかいらーく - Wikipedia | http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/す{...#12540;く
» ガスト渋川店｜Recommended Spots | http://minkara.carview.co.jp/en/userid/1519978/spot/671791/
» ガスト｜つうふうだけど。| http://ameblo.jp/tuufuu-dakedo/entry-10852861108.html
» 頭文字Ｄツアーレポート | http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~hamatani/
» Screenshots from Initial D First Stage Episode 6 & 11


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How will you remember Initial D after it ends?

Today's topic is "how will you be remembering Initial D after it ends?" Let's face it, all good things come to an end. Initial D is no exception. And if those recent news about the manga ending is true, then... the series is really wrapping up.

Some fans have went above and beyond to show their love and passion for the show. They have bought and modified cars to make them identical to the ones in the show. That's probably the most extreme way to show your support. Of course, most people can't afford and don't have the knowledge to achieve that, myself included. Most of us will remember Initial D by purchasing the DVDs, CD albums, and maybe some model cars and other Initial D merchandise.

Maybe many years later, one might happen to clean their room and it just so happen that a AE86 keychain will fall out from their piles of books and that's when they remember they once loved a great series that is Initial D. I hope you'll smile at the thought and may the exhilarating racing scenes flashes through your mind. You might even chuckle at the thought that a old man like you still gets excited thinking about Initial D.

It doesn't matter which way you decide to remember Initial D. As long as you continue to share the same passion for driving, the spirit of Initial D never ends.

Share your thoughts on the possible end of Initial D either by commenting this post or discuss it on the forums: https://idforums.net/index.php?showtopic=45734

(Photo source: AE86カツオ | http://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/280715)


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Fifth Stage D SELECTION Vol.2 Pre-Order

avex had released the track list and the album art for the latest album SUPER EUROBEAT presents Initial D Fifth Stage D SELECTION Vol.2. It is slated to be released on June 14th, 2013 for ￥3,150 ($32.32 USD) The... album contains 15 full size Eurobeat tracks with some that were featured in the second half of Fifth Stage. Here's the track list:

| Track Listing |
01. ★ THE RACE OF THE NIGHT / DAVE RODGERS（episode 9）
02. DANCE EUROPE EXPRESS / KING & QUEEN
03. I'M LIVING IN THE NIGHT / MEGA NRG MAN ←ＣＤ初収録
04. ★ CRAZY ON EMOTION / ACE（episode 6）
05. ★ A PERFECT HERO / CHRIS STANTON（episode 10）
06. DREAM OF LOVE / ANNALISE ←未発表曲
07. HOOLIGANS / P.STONE
08. NONSENSE SENSATION / PAUL HARRIS
09. ★ I WON'T FALL APART / JAGER（episode 8）
10. ★ SPEEDY RUNNER / KING & QUEEN（episode 7）
11. WHEELPOWER & GO! / DEJO & BON
12. 7LAPS TO GO / POWERFUL T.
13. CITY OF ANGELS / ACE ←ＣＤ初収録
14. FUNKY TOWN / P.STONE ←ＣＤ初収録
15. RED HOT PLANET / MEGA NRG MAN

★ TRACKS USED SO FAR (FIFTH STAGE ACT.6 - 10)

| Speculation |
It is believed that there will be another D SELECTION Vol.3. However, if Fifth Stage were to end with 14 episodes, that leaves only two episodes to fill a new album. That seems rather impractical and undesirable. Perhaps, Vol.3 will contains music from the finale episodes and anything extra that comes after it, be it a movie or an OVA. Only time will tell.

| Official Discussion Thread |
» https://idforums.net/index.php?showtopic=45582

| Pre-Order |
» http://cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=AVCA-62379 (Ships to USA and other countries worldwide.)
» http://amazon.co.jp/dp/B00BPRNWA2 (Ships to Japan only.)


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Jonathan's Coffee & Restaurant (Jonny's)

The hangout spot that Takumi and Mika always go to is a real place in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. The animation studio slightly changed the name of the restaurant so that they don't get in trouble with product placement. In... reality, they just don't want to advertise a real life business for free. (laugh)

The place is called ジョナサン浦和田島店 (Jonathan's Coffee & Restaurant) In the anime, they've changed it to "Jonny's Coffee & Restaurant" and retained the exterior color schemes. Like the name suggests, this diner is just like a coffee shop with variety of breakfast and brunch. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Jonathan's is actually a restaurant chain owned by Skylark Group, which is a corporation that own and operate many restaurant chains besides Jonathan's. The dishes they serve range from ¥1,000 ($10) to ¥2,500 ($25) in price. The prices are actually very reasonable in Japan. Granted, it's not high end, but it's definitely not some low-end fast food restaurant either.

| Address |
» Address: 〒338-0837　埼玉県さいたま市桜区田島１丁目１３－３
» Phone:+81 48-836-1455
» Direction: http://sp.chizumaru.com/dbh/skylark/detail...1106&bid=020047
» Webpage: http://www.skylark.co.jp/jonathan/index.html

| Image Sources |
» 偽者騒動　Ｖｏｌ．４３１　ハチロク復活（後編）| http://jef-minato.com/d32431.htm
» 頭文字D雑考 - 埼玉県 さいたま市 | http://echizenya.biz/initiald/?page_id=221
» Google マップ - 地図検索 | http://goo.gl/maps/u6gFq
» Screenshots from Initial D Fifth Stage Episode 2 & 10


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椿ライン Tsubaki Line analysis

As you know, the last battle in Kanagawa Prefecture takes place in 椿ライン (Tsubaki Line). For some of you Arcade Stage goers, this course will not be uncommon to you. That's right, this is the same... Tsubaki Line that appears in Arcade Stage 6AA and 7AAX. What some of you don't know is, the Tsubaki Line in Arcade Stage only consists of four sections. The one in the anime consists of five sections.

Every section has one major hairpin. The first three sections are very winding and has lots of corners. Starting in the Fourth Section, the road starts to straighten out. That's why Keisuke said to himself, the burden on the tire will not be so great starting here. And that's where the real battle begins. The last section has even more straightaways and it is a showdown of raw uphill power here.

| Editor's Note |
Due to some Initial D pages taking our "Anime vs Real Life Comparisons" without citing the source, we had to put our URL on all of our posts from now on. (frown)

| Sources |
» 椿ライン/県道75号線 - Google Maps | http://goo.gl/maps/eY8C1
» 神奈川県道75号湯河原箱根仙石原線 - Wikipedia | http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/神ä...#21407;線


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