Initial D: The Art of the Drift — How a 90s Street Racing Anime Became a Timeless Cult Classic
When the world sleeps, the mountains come alive — engines roaring, tires screeching, and a lone white AE86 carving through the misty roads of Mount Akina. Initial D is the story of Takumi Fujiwara, a tofu delivery kid turned street-racing legend, whose unmatched drifting skills and quiet determination redefine what it means to chase mastery. Blending raw realism, legendary Eurobeat tracks, and heart-pounding races, the series captures the soul of underground racing and the thrill of obsession — making Initial D not just an anime, but a timeless symbol of passion, speed, and the art of the drift.
What Makes Initial D a Cult Classic
Let’s start with the basics: Initial D isn’t just an anime — it’s a movement. It’s that one show that turned a generation of sleepy teenagers into wannabe drift kings and made every random corner feel like Mount Akina.
Here’s why it hit legendary status:
1. Realistic Street Racing Roots
Forget over-the-top explosions or flying cars — Initial D is grounded in realism. Every drift, every turn, every race feels earned. The focus on technique and physics gave it a sense of authenticity few anime could match. The series basically taught viewers about countersteering, apex control, and tire grip through sheer narrative hype.
2. The God-Tier Eurobeat
“DEJA VU! I’ve just been in this place before…”
The soundtrack is iconic. Eurobeat — that high-energy Italo disco music — became the soul of Initial D. Every race scene turned into a high-octane concert. You can’t think of a downhill race without mentally hearing Running in the 90s. The music alone gave it eternal meme status and fueled car culture worldwide.
3. The Cars Are Characters
It’s not just Takumi who’s the star — it’s the AE86 Trueno. That unassuming tofu-delivery car became the ultimate underdog machine, representing skill over horsepower. And every rival’s car had its own personality, from the RX-7s to the Skylines.
4. Coming-of-Age Meets Competition
At its heart, Initial D isn’t just about cars — it’s about growth. Takumi starts off as a sleepy kid who doesn’t care about racing but gradually evolves into a legend. The blend of youthful rivalry, pride, and personal evolution gives it emotional depth that sneaks up on you.
5. The Vibe — Late Nights & Mountain Passes
It’s that aesthetic. Misty mountains, glowing tail lights, lonely roads, and that deep sense of passion for something you can’t explain. Initial D captures what it means to love a craft. It’s romantic in its own gritty way.
What Might Put Some Viewers Off
Even though Initial D is a legend in its own right, it’s definitely not for everyone. A few quirks might trip up first-time viewers — especially those used to modern anime polish.
1. Early CGI and Animation Quality
Let’s be real — Initial D’s first few seasons didn’t exactly age like fine wine. The early 3D car models look clunky by today’s standards, and the transitions between 2D characters and 3D races can be jarring. So, if you can get past the animation quality of the earlier parts of the series, you are in for a ride of a lifetime.
2. Slow Pacing and Repetitive Formula
Races can stretch across multiple episodes with lots of in-between dialogue or technical explanations. For some, that adds to the realism and tension — for others, it’s a bit of a drag. If you’re expecting Fast & Furious-style action every five minutes, Initial D might feel a little… slow-burn.
3. Minimal Character Expression (Especially Early On)
The character animations are stiff, and the art style is a bit plain compared to today’s anime. You won’t get super expressive faces or flashy emotional breakdowns — Initial D tells its story in a cool, almost detached way. That can make it hard to connect with the cast at first.
4. Old-School Writing and Romance
The dialogue and humor are pure 90s — which means some moments can feel awkward or dated. The romantic subplots (especially in the early arcs) are hit or miss, sometimes even underdeveloped. Don’t expect deep emotional arcs or perfectly written relationships.
5. It’s a Very Specific Vibe
At its core, Initial D is about one thing — street racing. If you’re not into cars, engines, or the culture around them, it might not hook you right away. The technical talk, the gear shifts, the tuning details — it’s heaven for car fans but might sound like white noise to casual viewers.
Watch Order (Chronological by Release Date)
Here’s how to properly watch Initial D without getting lost in the different stages.
Each “Stage” corresponds to a new era in Takumi’s racing career.
1️⃣ Initial D: First Stage (1998, 26 episodes)
The beginning of the legend. Takumi Fujiwara, a tofu delivery boy, unknowingly becomes one of the best downhill racers in Gunma Prefecture. This is where it all starts — the AE86 vs RX-7 battles, the mysterious aura, and the birth of the Drift King.
2️⃣ Initial D: Second Stage (1999, 13 episodes)
Takumi’s fame spreads, and the challenges get tougher. This stage dives deeper into rivalries and teamwork, particularly the RedSuns and Emperor teams. Also, emotional stakes rise — it’s not just about speed anymor
3️⃣ Initial D: Extra Stage (2000, OVA, 2 episodes)
A spinoff focusing on the female duo from the first stage. A cool breather that still delivers solid racing and deeper character insight — totally worth it.
4️⃣ Initial D: Third Stage (2001, Movie)
A full-length movie wrapping up Takumi’s early arc. Expect emotional closure, higher-stakes racing, and the push toward professional-level street battles.
5️⃣ Initial D: Fourth Stage (2004–2006, 24 episodes)
Project D rises! Takumi and Keisuke start traveling to other prefectures, taking on elite racing teams. The animation jumps in quality, and the races feel more intense than ever. This is Initial in full stride.
6️⃣ Initial D: Extra Stage 2 (2008, OVA, 1 episode)
Another side story focusing on Mako again. Less racing, more closure — gives nice depth to side characters.
7️⃣ Initial D: Fifth Stage (2012–2013, 14 episodes)
Project D continues dominating, and Takumi’s journey reaches near-legendary levels. The tone matures, the cars evolve, and the stakes feel more personal. Expect slick CGI racing and refined storytelling
8️⃣ Initial D: Final Stage (2014, 4 episodes)
The grand finale. Takumi faces his ultimate opponent — Keisuke — in a race that defines everything. Emotional, nostalgic, and heart-pounding — a perfect sendoff.
9️⃣ Initial D: Legend Trilogy (2014–2016, Movie Reboot Series)
A modern retelling of the First Stage story arcs, with updated visuals and condensed pacing.
- Legend 1: Awakening (2014)
- Legend 2: Racer (2015)
- Legend 3: Dream (2016)
If you want to re-experience the OG story with cleaner animation, these are gold.
🔟 MF Ghost (2023–ongoing)
The spiritual successor to Initial D, set in the same universe. Follows Kanata Livington, a racer mentored by none other than Takumi himself. New cars, new era — but the same burning spirit.
Final Thoughts
Initial D is a masterpiece of passion — low-budget CGI or not, it captures a vibe no anime has replicated since. It’s about speed, skill, soul, and soundtracks that make you want to speed on an empty highway at 2 a.m. (don’t do that though 😅).
If you’ve ever fallen in love with mastery for its own sake — whether it’s music, art, or driving — Initial D will speak to you.
Image credit SynergySP
