AE86 Car Accident

It's Friday! It's the weekend! That means it's wild party times for some of us. It's time to celebrate! At the same time, we here at Initial D World wants to extend a gentle reminder to everyone that... accidents do happen. Always be cautious and alert when you are on the road. Hope everyone have a wonderful weekend!

This picture shows an Initial D fans (AE86 owner) getting into a car accident with a motorcycle. According to him, the motorcycle was riding beyond the middle dividing lane and hit the 86 head-on. You can see the fog light is damaged and bent backwards due to the impact. The front bumper is also visibly dented. Ouch! Luckily, both the motorcycle rider and the AE86 owner are OK aside from a few bruises.

| Sources |
» 交通事故 AE86リュウジ | http://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/410872/blog/c718117


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Handmade 3D AE86 Plush Toy Keychain

We are constantly amazed by what Initial D fans are capable to do. Take this Initial D fans from Hebei, China for example, she made this 3D AE86 plush toy keychain from scratch for her boyfriend who is also an avid Initial D... fans. According to her, she has made several 2D (flat) AE86 keychain like the one that Natsuki made for Takumi. Eventually, she did her own research and came up with this 3D plush toy.

This is completely made by hand, even the wording 藤原とうふ店 "Fujiwara Tofu Shop" are sewed on manually. The plush toy is only 5 cm (2 in.) in size, so it's very difficult and require a ton of patience to sew the words on the side. She said there are three places for improvement. First, if she ever does it again, she needs to sew the wording even smaller to fit the (自家用) "Private Vehicle" in there. Second, headlights needed to be added in the front of the plush toy. And third, a license plate with the correct numbers.

Once she posted about this on the Initial D 百度贴吧 (Baidu Tieba) the responses are overwhelming. We reached out to her and asked her if she would sell something like that for 50 Chinese Yuan (~8 USD), she seems shocked by how much we were offering. To us, this is worth way more than 8 USD. Similar plush toy are for sale on eBay for around $20 USD. But they are not as cute and they are too big in size to use as keychain. (eBay: http://goo.gl/3f7mJq)

Our question for you is, how much would you pay for a plush toy keychain like this? If the response is good here, she might consider taking orders. Personally, I would buy this for $10 in a heartbeat. (laugh)

| Sources |
» 今天终于把立体的小86缝好了 • 头文字d吧 • 百度贴吧 | http://tieba.baidu.com/p/2715984754


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Happogahara Anime vs Real Life

八方ヶ原 (Happogahara) is one of the home course for 東堂塾 (Todo Juku) The professional driver Tomoyuki who graduated from the racing school challenged the Project.D on this mountain... pass.

Happogahara is located in 栃木県矢板市 (Yaita, Tochigi Prefecture) It is a plateau with elevation ranging from 1,000 ~ 1,200 meters. The course itself is part of the 栃木県道56号線 (Tochigi prefectural road No.56) which stretches from 那須塩原市 (Nasushiobara) to 矢板市 (Yaita)

Happogahara Pass is approximately 6.0 km (3.75 mi) in length. It is half going uphill and half going downhill. The course starts very narrow with no line in the center; it then gets wider half way through. Corners here can be taken in many ways. It is best to overtake here.

Be sure to check the Street View link below to explore the course!

| Sources |
» Happogahara Pass - Google Maps | http://goo.gl/maps/qiHj9
» Happogahara Tunnel - Street View | http://goo.gl/maps/zfnJq
» 八方ヶ原 Initial D Arcade Stage | http://am.sega.jp/utop/closeup/inid3/happou_560.gif
» 八方ヶ原 - Wikipedia | http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/八Ą...#12534;原
» 頭文字D 聖地巡礼ツアー 2009 秋 八方ヶ原 | http://ainotane.blog97.fc2.com/blog-entry-1506.html
» イニＤの世界！（県道５６号・下塩原・矢板線）| http://www4.ocn.ne.jp/~katakata/IniD-World.html
» Screenshots from Initial D Fourth Stage ACT.6「ブラインド·アタック」"Blind Attack"


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Catkumi, The Final Boss

It is said that after the disbanding of Project.D, Keisuke accepted the invitation to be part of a professional team. With his superior techniques and racing instinct, Keisuke is never defeated and holds the longest winning... streak in record. Many years later, Keisuke decides to settle down, so he does one last race before he retreats from the frontline. Catkumi, a formidable opponent that even Keisuke has a small chance of beating, flaunt his trademarked "deer-in-headlights" stance before attacking Keisuke with his FD3S.

Click here to find out the winner of this epic battle: http://imgur.com/cNY8SBV

| Sources |
» Nigo ねこぐるま。 | http://goo.gl/6T0QQj


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Shingo Shoji Cosplay

This is probably the best cosplay for Shingo Shoji we've seen to date. Cosplayer 湊 (Minato) from Tokyo, Japan accurately captured Shingo's frivolous manner. Believe it or not, Minato is a girl. We've seen many... failed attempts at Shingo by male cosplayers. Perhaps by the very nature of Shingo's facial expression, it's hard for a guy to pull it off. Girls tend to have more pointy jaw. That might be one of the reasons.

Either way, we hope you enjoy this cosplay! Check out Minato's profile at Cure!

| Sources |
» Photo taken by 椋 (Ryou) on 2013.09.22
» [湊] 頭文字D: 庄司慎吾 | http://ja.curecos.com/picture/detail?id=19625461
» 湊 - コスプレCure | http://ja.curecos.com/profile/?ch=128367
» Screenshots from Initial D First Stage ACT.12 & 13


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Double Dates

How can you tell when someone is your best friend? Perhaps if you can still remember them when you are out on a date with a girl. Takumi didn't forget about his buddy Itsuki when he's with Natsuki. Takumi asked Natsuki... if she knows anyone that she can introduce to Itsuki because he seems awfully lonely. (laugh)

Friends like that are hard to come by. To put it in slang terms, "bros before hoes" sums it up quite well. Sometimes friendship is tougher to break and more long-lasting compare to relationship, probably because one has more expectations from a relationship than a friendship. But it's Takumi that we are talking about here. He doesn't seem like someone that expect a lot from others.

If you want to be happier in life, set your expectation lower. Best yet, try not to have any expectations. It isn't easy though I must warn.

| Sources |
» Screenshots from Initial D First Stage ACT.12「FR殺しのデスマッチ!」"The FR Killer!"


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AE86 with Maple Leaves

Autumn is about to end and Winter is just right around the corner now (for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere anyways), one can't help but notice all the fall leaves. Some areas in Japan have beautiful maple leaves right... around this time of the year. The maple leaves are so red it seems like the tree branches are on fire.

One Initial D fan from Kyoto, Japan with his beloved hachiroku figured he want to capture the beauty of fall along with the 86 over at 嵐山高雄パークウェイへ (Hankyu Parkway) Even though it's not a location featured in Initial D, we'll still give you the address in case you plan on visiting Kyoto Prefecture. This would be a great place to visit. It's best to visit here during the weekdays according to him, because it's too crowd over the weekend. Be sure to check out the links below!

| Address |
» 〒616-8285 京都府京都市右京区梅ケ畑檜社町１１
» TEL: 0758-71-1221
» Google Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/c3WMN
» Venue Website: http://www.parkway-hankyu.com/facilities

| Sources |
» 紅葉２００８｜SPRINTERTRUENO/TOYOTA | http://goo.gl/wURJDi
» AE86カツオ | http://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/280715


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Sadamine Touge Anime vs Real Life

Driving the same mountain pass all the time can get a little boring. That's why Itsuki would sometimes venture to Saitama Prefecture and practice on their pass there. The touge that he visits from time to time is the... 定峰峠 – Sadamine Touge.

Initial D Fifth Stage Episode 1 showed us how Itsuki and Takumi now hangs out on the Sadamine Touge. And it just so happens they bump into the Project.D imposters here! It's one of the few funny scenes from Fifth Stage. Something worth mentioning is that this is also the pass where Takumi raced Nobuhiko's Altezza and Keisuke raced Kyoko's black FD in Fourth Stage.

The little convenience store shown in the imposters scene actually exist in real life. It is called the 定峰峠 峠の茶屋 (Teahouse of the Touge, Sadamine) Even the coffee dispenser machines are real. Be sure to check out the address of this little teahouse and try out their food if you plan on visiting Saitima Prefecture in the future!

| Address |
» 〒355-0377 埼玉県秩父郡東秩父村白石311
» TEL: 0493-82-0659
» Google Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/wWEnA

| Sources |
» 定峰峠 – Sadamine Toge | http://echizenya.biz/initiald/?page_id=49
» 頭文字Dツアー2012 埼玉編 PART1 東秩父村 | http://goo.gl/iwe3Ky
» 定峰峠 峠の茶屋[食べログ] | http://goo.gl/d1zepg
» Google Maps Street View - Takumi Real Drift Fifth Stage ACT.1 | http://goo.gl/maps/XLprs


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Initial D Final Stage on sale Spring 2014

This post will serve as a reference post of what we know so far with Initial D Final Stage and other developments.

From the little flyer that came with the Vol.48 manga book, Initial D Final Stage has been confirmed to be... on sale in Spring 2014. That's most likely March 2014. It appears Final Stage will NOT get a PPV release like Fifth Stage did with Animax / Perfect Choice. There is no mention of Pay-Per-View anywhere on the flyer. It will probably be a DVD release at this point. Or maybe avex will just be very generous and broadcast the mini series for free on TV. I know, I know. One can dream though, right? (laugh)

Ultimate Guidebook: Initial D Chronicle is slated for release early 2014, most likely around February. It is confirmed to be in production currently. We don't know what this chronicle is about yet. We are guessing it's some sort of 頭文字D聖地巡礼 (Seichi Junrei, also known as pilgrimage) Maybe it's a book showing real life locations depicted in Initial D. From a commercial stand point, that is very profitable. Imagine those places shown in Initial D will be very popular when they make the locations public and all the Initial D fans can visit them in the future.

As previously mentioned, Initial D Premium Blu-ray BOX is available for pre-ordering now on Amazon Japan. There are two volumes total. Vol.1 will get a 2014.2.28 release and Vol.2 will get a 2014.3.28 release. This Premium Blu-ray BOX set captures Initial D in its glorious 18 years.

Premium Blu-ray BOX Vol.1 contains First Stage (Re-mastered), Second Stage (Re-mastered), Radio Stage Part 1, Extra-Drama CD Vol. 1 & 2, a Special Manual Book, and some special original Initial D goodies, all stored inside a luxury box.

Premium Blu-ray BOX Vol.2 contains Third Stage The Movie (Re-mastered), Fourth Stage (Re-mastered), Extra Stage 1 & 2 (Re-mastered), Battle Stage 1 & 2 (Re-mastered), Prelude to Project D, Radio Stage Part 2, Extra-Drama CD Vol. 3 & 4, a Special Manual Book, and some original Initial D goodies, all stored inside a luxury box.

| Pre-Order Links |
» Initial D Final Volume 48 Manga
— http://cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=NEOBK-1570928
— http://amazon.co.jp/dp/4063823776

» Initial D Premium Blu-ray BOX Pit.1
— http://amazon.co.jp/dp/B00G93OE5Y

» Initial D Premium Blu-ray BOX Pit.2
— http://amazon.co.jp/dp/B00G93OE2W


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Extra content in Vol.48 and announcements

News overload! News overload!! Initial D Manga Vol.48 was released today (11/6) in Japan. Many fans have already gotten their hands on this final Initial D manga book. That means we have lots of news waiting for us.... Let's go through them one by one.

First of all, everyone is concerned about what the "extra content" is all about. The last 90 pages of Vol.48 are dedicated to 番外編 "Extra Edition." There are two chapters of インパクトブルーの彼方に "Beyond the Impact Blue" (50 pages) and a chapter on 拓海外伝 "Takumi Gaiden" (35 pages) Gaiden is a side story that may or may not follow what happened after Project.D's disbanding party. We'll find out soon enough when scans of the chapter becomes available!

Second of all, 頭文字Dクロニクル (Initial D Chronicle) has been confirmed to be in the making and it's to be published early next year. We have very limited information on what this chronicle is about at this point. It's possible that it's a timeline detailing every character's involvement from the beginning 'til the end. Either way, that sounds like something every Initial D fans want.

Last but not least, the Initial D Complete BD-BOX Vol.1 Blu-ray is now available for pre-ordering!!! Vol.1 of the box set includes the entire First Stage (26 episodes) and Second Stage (13 episodes). Check the links below for pre-ordering!

Stay tuned for more updates on Vol.48. We'll cover the final volume extensively to bring you up-to-date information on the latest happenings in the world of Initial D.

| Pre-Order Links for Manga Vol.48 |
» http://cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=NEOBK-1570928 (Ships to USA and other countries worldwide.)
» http://amazon.co.jp/dp/4063823776 (Accept US credit cards, ships worldwide.)

| Pre-Order Links for Blu-ray BOX Vol.1 |
» http://amazon.co.jp/dp/B00G93OE5Y (Accept US credit cards, ships worldwide.)

| Sources |
» 頭文字D.最終巻(48巻)｜ひでぼうのページ | http://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/1490188/blog/31562221


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