Initial D, D for... Duckboat?

It has been said that when Takumi is not delivering tofu on Mt. Akina, he's drifting the duck boat on Lake Akina. Hydroplaning Attack, ike!!


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Hand-drawn AE86

There are so many hidden talents among us Initial D fans. Like this Initial D fan here, she drew this AE86 near Lake Haruna by hand with color pencils. The attention to details is on par with the drawings from the original... author Shigeno! She said she will be drawing the other cars from Initial D and the FD will be next. We'll be sure to post it here when she upload the new drawing!

(Image credit: GT_Designer | http://www.baidu.com/p/GT_Designer)


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Initial D Radio Stage promotion

I am sure you have seen people cosplay as Initial D characters. They usually create a cardboard box with the exterior painted like one of the characters' cars and then wear it around. While checking Oda-san's blog today,... we noticed that she also cosplayed as Takumi to promote her Initial D Radio Stage show.

The question of the day is if you were to cosplay as any character from Initial D, who would it be? And do you have any better way to cosplay as that character without making a cardboard box car? Let see what you can come up with. (smile)

Editor's note: I apologize for keep making posts about Oda-san, but she's just too adorable!

(Source images: Chiho Oda's blog | http://ameblo.jp/chihoda/day-20121230.html)


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Kenji, the odd man out.

Kenji is probably the most lonely person in the entire series. The author gave Itsuki two shots at relationship. It was Saori in First Stage and Kazumi in Second Stage. Then Iketani had so many shots at getting together with... Mako. Then there is Kenji, the odd man out. There is practically no side story with him. The man doesn't even have a last name!

Having him say that famous "racers don't need girlfriends" line was probably the most appropriate in Fifth Stage. Sometimes, I just feel bad about Kenji. It's understandable that's what a support cast is for, but it gets pretty sad when you are worse than Itsuki. Hopefully one day the author will write a side story for him, even if it's for fun.


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Fifth Stage D SELECTION Pre-Order

avex has just released the track list for the latest album SUPER EUROBEAT presents Initial D Fifth Stage D SELECTION. It is slated to be released on February 8th, 2013 for ￥3,059 ($35.66 USD) The album contains 15... full size Eurobeat tracks AND several unreleased video footage on the bonus DVD that came with it. Here's the track list:

| Track Listing |
01. DDD INITIAL D (MY CAR IS FANTASY) / MEGA NRG MAN
02. ★ GAS GAS GAS / MANUEL
03. ★ RUNAWAY / LEO RIVER
04. I WANT TO FEEL / DAVE RODGERS
05. BYE BYE GIRL / VIRGINELLE
06. ON YOUR WINGS / RICH HARD
07. ★ I CAN'T STOP LOVIN' YOU / DREAM FIGHTERS
08. ★ FULL METAL CARS / DANIEL
09. ★ WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN / KEN BLAST
10. BREAKIN' OUT / ACE
11. COME ON BABY / FASTWAY
12. EYES OF SKY / VIVI
13. UP & DANCE, UP & GO / LOU MASTER
14. LIMOUSINE / MANUEL
15. ROCKIN' HARDCORE / FASTWAY

★ TRACKS USED SO FAR (FIFTH STAGE ACT.1 - 4)

| Speculation |
It is believed that this album will contains all the songs up to Episode 8 because the air date for Episode 7 ~ 8 also happens to be February 8th, 2013. We believe that's not a coincidence. There is one thing that stands out. According to the description provided by avex mode, the album is supposed to contains all the songs from the first half of Fifth Stage. If this album contains songs up to Episode 8, that means Fifth Stage will only have 16 episodes. Of course, this is just our speculations, we'll have a better idea of how many episodes Fifth Stage has once we know what songs they use in ACT.5 ~ 6.

| Official Discussion Thread |
» https://idforums.net/index.php?showtopic=44963

| Pre-Order |
» http://cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=AVCA-62121 (Ships to USA and other countries worldwide.)
» http://amazon.co.jp/dp/B00A1X7TEG (Ships to Japan only.)


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In Love With AE86

While hunting for new Initial D material to post, I stumbled upon some very nice fan-made AE86 photography by Bernard Yeung. Based in Melbourne, the part time professional photographer specialized in wedding photography and... videography. He also does projecs on function, car and portrait photography. This set of photos were done in 2010 and 2011, location unknown. We are trying to contact him about these images because they are very well taken. He deserve more recognition from the Initial D fans circle.


» Photography: Bernard Yeung ( flickr.com/people/bernardyeung )
» Model: Gigi Chan
» Date taken: 2010~2011
» Location: Unknown


All images are copyrighted by Bernard Yeung Photography.
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Initial D Themed:
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<td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/iyChCTuYUvUlS.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/ibqeA6WrUn0Khj.jpg" border=0></a></td></tr>

<tr><td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/ioYQr7dp7Wkd9.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/iiZUlDvqERgdz.jpg" border=0></a></td><td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/ibqRnvpM58rbjR.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/iWBIslG9IMJFS.jpg" border=0></a></td><td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/iIhhyFUOqT6S.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/i8jaznRlenJ5G.jpg" border=0></a></td>
<td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/izwzKGSAZsUsu.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/ibwmRkDA0KogUL.jpg" border=0></a></td></tr>

<tr><td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/ioJwUn4HOdSBr.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/iPPHRG6VH18so.jpg" border=0></a></td><td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/iRON0Ewz4TaBF.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/iExZejGwE4k5L.jpg" border=0></a></td><td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/iVsjNuV5v3Dvv.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/iuapT9OWbyIII.jpg" border=0></a></td>
<td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/ibvpbpfXOC6O86.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/ix8C41uWZa9Oa.jpg" border=0></a></td></tr>

<tr><td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/ibxzm02gQbjzb5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/iLHbBJRy8wAi.jpg" border=0></a></td><td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/iLTeJZ51ar2hO.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/i3i39ylgmVxnE.jpg" border=0></a></td><td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/ikxnT60pvjH3X.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/iQv2OMO7j3ZIe.jpg" border=0></a></td>
<td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/ifDS66Rel3pUK.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/i9vGJKyYH6DEF.jpg" border=0></a></td></tr>

<tr><td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/il1527i39qnuw.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/i62vtxAdO5VfK.jpg" border=0></a></td><td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/ixkfVIdh8KWnp.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/inG9ifWbnbwc7.jpg" border=0></a></td><td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/igwqIZMVr6HwF.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/iMiOELW3GTyWj.jpg" border=0></a></td></tr>

<tr><td><br /><br />Non-Initial D Themed:</td></tr>

<tr><td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/iDmzvImY8nk7Z.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/ibpHpy3Xe2EKAo.jpg" border=0></a></td><td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/ivM53EuQh07IV.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/ibjq1cJi5OoqJp.jpg" border=0></a></td></tr>

<tr><td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/ibvJuxxl8KsTnV.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/iO7hz33rro72y.jpg" border=0></a></td><td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/iYIHVs40dYZey.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/ibbf3c8auoVwh2.jpg" border=0></a></td><td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/i8UaeALaHmPVi.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/ibtYCYIG6XXgS5.jpg" border=0></a></td>
<td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/iPUbYB1knixUB.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/i0PgJOOn5mpBy.jpg" border=0></a></td></tr>

<tr><td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/iLpiQ3WkFwOC1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/ibplAw2kHVaZEO.jpg" border=0></a></td><td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/iJj0DeiHAls2j.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/iEojxX6oLhL43.jpg" border=0></a></td><td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/ibi8Ml2cNah6yX.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/ibneSpfV5vuFTH.jpg" border=0></a></td>
<td align="middle" width="25%"><a href="http://i.minus.com/iX6pc1hg8AKXk.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.minus.com/ixSTGvxqe0rAn.jpg" border=0></a></td></tr>

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Initial D Anime vs Manga Storyline

If you have read the manga beyond Volume 32, then you'll know the anime has cut out considerable portion of the storyline. We don't know why the animation production team decides to do that. Is it because of production... cost? Or is it because they think they are cutting out the "trivial" things? If it's the latter, then they are very much mistaken.

We Initial D fans love those little details. It's a shame they had to cut out so much in order to fit one race in each episode. Watching Fifth Stage almost feels like watching an extended version of Battle Stage... And for that reason, it's strongly recommended to read the manga after watching the anime. That way, you don't miss all the details from the original storyline.

Fifth Stage episode 1 starts at precisely Chapter 424 in the manga. Start reading here if you want to know what they cut out in the anime: http://mangafox.me/manga/initial_d/v32/c424/1.html Fifth Stage episode 4 ends at Chapter 499 in the manga. So don't read beyond that if you don't want to spoil yourself! 'html/emoticons/happy.gif'

(Source image: Chiho Oda's Initial D manga collection from Vol.1 all the way to Vol.45 - what a huge fan!!)

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Manga Update: Alignment

---------- WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILER, NAVIGATE AWAY NOW IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE SPOILERS ----------


Chapter 693 wraps up the last update of 2012 for the Initial D manga. It seems that it's still... undecided who would win this match. I suppose that's the beauty of it. I imagine the author would go out when he's having a writer's block and watch serene scenery, trying to decide who will win. Or.. he has already decided and he's just trying to decide how to wrap it out. This battle has been going on since early June this year, so it's a little over six months. If I were to predict when the author decides to finish it, I would put it somewhere in February or early March 2013. Then after that, the author can either wrap up the whole series in a month or two. Or he can start another arc. For me, I can never get enough of Initial D. I really hope Shigeno doesn't end the series yet. Though, a lot of signs are pointing to a possible end of Initial D after this race.

To follow the manga update, please join us on the forums: https://idforums.net/index.php?showtopic=26...dpost&p=1258868 We have the latest manga scans usually within 24 hours of its release in Japan.


» Image Credit: kyonpalm
» Source image: Chapter 693 - 同調 "Alignment"
» Editor's Note: this chapter's tag line is 何故! 同じスピードで走れる?! "Why can you run at the same speed?!"


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Resonance

Initial D touches on pretty much all aspects of racing. If you can think about it, it already talked about it. One aspect that I find highly interesting and not many would think about, is "spiritual... nourishment."

What is spiritual nourishment? It basically amounts to having something to look forward to. Have you ever feel that you perform better at things when you have something or someone to look forward to? Even though the author is always harsh on relationships in the story, he does admit that having a healthy relationship aids the driver spiritually.

You may be fast when you have nothing to lose, but compare to say someone with the same skills but with a healthy relationship, you are more likely to make a mistake because you are too reckless and fearless. Of course, I am not saying or implying Takumi is thinking about Mika during a race, but in the back of his mind, subconsciously, she's there supporting him. That sets a man apart from the boys, said so by Iketani from Fifth Stage Episode 4 when conversing with Kenji.


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Initial D view from the sky

Some of you have seen satellite images of the actual course from Initial D. But have you seen aerial photos of the courses? Someone from Tsuyama, Okayama took the time to meticulously stitch aerial photos provided by MLIT... (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) These photos are dated back to 1975 when the bureau was doing survey works. Most of the landscape has stayed the same 'til today.

Interestingly, "Akina" is the only mountain pass that the author decided to change its name from the real one. The actual name of the pass is Mt. Haruna. The rest of the courses we see from Initial D are all factual names and exist in real life. Below is a compilation of the courses we see in Initial D so far:

| Aerial Photos |
» "Mt. Akina" - Home course of Takumi and Speedstars -
http://tsuyama.net/zakki/images/initiald/akina.jpg
» Mt. Akagi - Home course of RedSuns -
http://tsuyama.net/zakki/images/initiald/akagi.jpg
» Mt. Myogi - Home course of NightKids -
http://tsuyama.net/zakki/images/initiald/myogi.jpg
» Usui Pass - Home course of Mako & Sayuki (Impact Blue) -
http://tsuyama.net/zakki/images/initiald/usui.jpg
» Shomaru Pass - Battle with Wataru Akiyama (AE86 Levin) -
http://tsuyama.net/zakki/images/initiald/syomaru.jpg
» Mt. Irohazaka - Home course of Emperor and Kai Kogashiwa -
http://tsuyama.net/zakki/images/initiald/iroha.jpg
» Momiji Line - Home course of Seven Star Leaf -
http://tsuyama.net/zakki/images/initiald/momiji.jpg
» Enna Skyline - Home course of Todou-Juku -
http://tsuyama.net/zakki/images/initiald/siona.jpg
» Happogahara - Battle with Tomoyuki Tachi (EK9 Civic) -
http://tsuyama.net/zakki/images/initiald/happo.jpg
» Sadamine Touge - Battle with Kyoko Iwase (Black FD3S) -
http://tsuyama.net/zakki/images/initiald/sadamine.jpg
» Maze Pass - Battle with Sakamoto (Cappuccino) -
http://tsuyama.net/zakki/images/initiald/mase.jpg
» Mt. Tsuchisaka - Battle with Lan Evo V & VI -
http://tsuyama.net/zakki/images/initiald/tsuchisaka.jpg
» Mt. Tsukuba - Home course of Purple Shadow -
http://tsuyama.net/zakki/images/initiald/tsukuba.jpg
» Yabitsu Pass - Battle with Team 246 (Lan Evo VII & MX-5) -
http://tsuyama.net/zakki/images/initiald/yabitsu.jpg
» Nagao Pass - Battle with Kai Kogashiwa's MR-S -
http://tsuyama.net/zakki/images/initiald/nagao.jpg

And there are more! If you want to see more aerial photos of mountain pass from Initial D, make sure you check out the sources below.

| Sources |
» 空から見る頭文字Ｄ (Initial D view from the sky) - http://tsuyama.net/zakki/031216.html [Google Maps link included]
» 国土交通省ホームページ (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport) - http://w3land.mlit.go.jp/cgi-bin/WebGIS2/W...p.cgi?DT=n&IT=p


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