List of Initial D characters

This is a list of characters from the anime, manga and arcade game series Initial D .

Main characters

Takumi Fujiwara

Car: Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT-APEX (AE86) ^{[1] [2]}

Takumi Fujiwara (藤原 拓海, Fujiwara Takumi, "Tak") is the central character in the Initial D series. Although he appears to be just a high school senior with no remarkable traits, he had been subtly groomed by his father into becoming one of the best street racers in the area. This is due to his job of delivering tofu over the mountain roads to Lake Akina every morning for five years while driving a 1983 Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86. He works part-time at a gas station with his best friend Itsuki Takeuchi, and the leader of the Akina Speedstars, Iketani. ^{[3] Ch. 1} Although he is totally disinterested in racing, ^[3] when his friends were discussing drift techniques and Takumi's suggestion of a technique is dismissed as amateur, his boss Yuichi Tachibana realizes Takumi's technique is a much more advanced. ^{S1 ep 2 Ch. 3} After passing Keisuke Takahashi on the roads, he begins to find himself involved in challenges to race, which he initially agrees to do for petty rewards from his father such as getting to use the car for pleasure and having a full tank of gas. ^{Ch. 7} He initially disregards comments about him being a street racer and loving to drive, but slowly he accepts the idea that he enjoys the thrill of street racing. Although he is not a member of the Akina Speed Stars, he soon races all sorts of challengers from teams over the region and nearby. In the Fourth Stage storyline, he joins Ryosuke Takahashi's Project D, which aims to conquer street racing teams in other prefectures.

Although Takumi appears docile and weak-minded in the series, he occasionally shows stubbornness and strong will, as he was once coaxed into a fight in junior high. ^{Ch. 1, 19} He attracts the affections of classmate Natsuki Mogi, but their relationship sours when he discovers the latter has been doing enjo kosai (subsidized dating / teenage prostitution). In the Fifth Stage storylines, he begins a friendship with Mika Uehara, a high school senior who is a golfer.

Takumi is voiced by Shin-ichiro Miki in the Japanese anime series, ^{S1 ep 1} and by Mamoru Miyano in the 2014 film. ^{[2014 film]} He is nicknamed Tak in the Tokyopop version, and is voiced by Dave Wittenberg in its English dub. ^{S1 ep 1} In Funimation's English dub of the anime, he is voiced by Joel McDonald. ^{S1 ep 1} In the Hong Kong live-action film, Takumi is portrayed by actor Jay Chou. ^{[4] [LA]}

Bunta Fujiwara

Car: Subaru Impreza WRX type R STi ^[5]

Bunta Fujiwara (藤原 文太, Fujiwara Bunta) is the owner of the Fujiwara Tofu Shop. The former top downhill racer on Mt. Akina, ^[3] he passively guides his son Takumi's racing development by making him deliver tofu to Lake Akina using his finely-tuned AE86. ^{Ch. 38} When the AE86's engine 4-AGE engine blew out during Takumi's race with Team Emperor, he secretly has the vehicle retrofitted with a much more powerful engine. He later acquires his own vehicle, a 1998 Subaru Impreza WRX STi Type-R Version V, where he has bested Takumi in a casual race, but also makes Takumi drive it on occasion so that the latter can learn how to be a better racer on other cars. Bunta is voiced by Unshō Ishizuka in the Japanese anime dubs, by Kerrigan Mahan in the Tokyopop English dub, and by Kent Williams in the Funimation English dub. In the Hong Kong live-action film, he is portrayed by Anthony Wong. In the 2014 film, he is voiced by Hiroaki Hirata.

Keisuke Takahashi

Car: Mazda RX-7 (FD3S) ^[6]

Keisuke Takahashi (高橋 啓介, Takahashi Keisuke, "K.T.") is introduced as the member of the Akagi Red Suns, one of the top street racing teams in Gunma Prefecture. He drives a 1992 Mazda RX-7 FD3S. ^{[6] Ch. 2, 11} He is rather hot-headed and does not like losing. ^[6] In the opening chapters and episode of First Stage, he is surprised when he loses a spontaneous race to the Eight-Six that he makes the latter his rival. ^{Vol. 1} Prior to street racing, he was a leader of a Bōsōzoku gang. He improves his skills and joins his brother Ryosuke as the uphill driving specialist in Project D (which also recruits Takumi as the downhill part) starting in the storyline's Fourth Stage. Although he has turned down offers to become a professional racer while in Project D, he eventually accepts one at the end of the series.

In the Japanese versions, Keisuke is voiced by Tomokazu Seki in the anime, ^{S1 ep 1} and by Yuichi Nakamura in the 2014 film. ^{[2014 film]} In the Tokyopop version, he is nicknamed "K.T." and is voiced by Steven Blum. In the Funimation dub, he is voiced by Todd Haberkorn. ^{S1 ep 1} He does not appear in the Hong Kong live-action film as his traits were put onto the other characters. ^[LA]

Ryosuke Takahashi

Car: Mazda RX-7 (FC3S) ^[6]

Ryosuke Takahashi (高橋 涼介, Takahashi Ryōsuke, "Ry") is the leader of the Akagi Red Suns. He and his younger brother Keisuke have been featured in racing magazines and are regarded highly by other drivers. He drives a 1990 second-generation Mazda RX-7 FC3S. ^{Ch. 2, 18, 44} Outside of racing, he is studying medicine at university, and eventually plans on working at his father's clinic. ^{Ch. 8, 39} Ryosuke is modeled after the "Drift King" Keiichi Tsuchiya's mentor, retired race car driver Kunimitsu Takahashi.^{[ citation needed ]}

Ryosuke is a very cerebral driver who frequently pours over technical data on his laptop. ^{Ch. 7, 30} He is able to tell what kind of modifications have been made to a car just by hearing it, and what a driver is capable of just by watching the car drift. ^{Ch. 7} Prior to forming the Red Suns, he was nicknamed "Akagi's White Comet" (赤城の白い彗星, Akagi no Shiroi Suisei), and has been undefeated prior to his race with Takumi. ^{Ch. 39, 43} His closest rival would be Kyoichi Sudo of Team Emperor, with whom they have argued over racing theories. After facing Takumi in First Stage, he decides to retire from actively racing and manage behind the scenes. ^{Ch. 65} He founds and assembles a new team called Project D, whose goal is to conquer the street racing scene throughout Japan. ^{Ch. 65} For most of Fourth Stage and Fifth Stage, he is the leader and primary coach for Project D and does not personally race, leaving the driving to Takumi and Keisuke. In Fifth Stage, he is involved in a storyline with medical school classmate Rin "Shinigami" Hojo where Ryosuke comes out of retirement to race him. After the disbanding of Project D, he continues to look out for new gifted racers.

Ryosuke is voiced by Takehito Koyasu in the Japanese anime, and by Daisuke Ono in the 2014 film. In the Tokyopop English version, he is nicknamed Ry, and is voiced by Lex Lang. In the Funimation English version, he is voiced by J. Michael Tatum. In the Hong Kong live-action film, he is portrayed by Edison Chen. ^[4]

Racing teams and groups

These are the teams from their respective cities or regions, as well as their key members.

Akina Speedstars

The Akina Speedstars (秋名スピードスターズ, Akina Supīdosutāzu) is a team made up from a bunch of friends who like to race in their leisure time. Based in Gunma, their home course is Akina. ^{Ch. 2} Takumi unofficially drives with the team in the First Stage and Second Stage storylines prior to being recruited for Project D.

Koichiro Iketani

Car: Nissan Silvia K's (S13) ^[6]

Koichiro Iketani (池谷 浩一郎, Iketani Kōichirō, "Cole") is the leader of the Akina Speedstars. He works at a local gas station with both Takumi and Itsuki. He drives a Nissan Silvia K's (S13). ^[6] He is described by Brendan McCleer of Autotrader.ca as having a journeyman approach to the night-racing culture. ^[6] He gets Itsuki and Takumi involved in the street racing scene. ^{S1 ep 1 Ch. 1, 16} One of the stories has him involved with meeting and falling in love with driver Mako Sato of Impact Blue, ^{Ch. 51} but when he learns she liked Ryosuke, he misses his chance to be with her; ^{Ch. 63} in Extra Stage 2 he has another chance but the circumstances still do not work out. ^{[ES 2]} Koichiro is voiced by Kazuki Yao in the Japanese anime, and by Hiroshi Tsuchida in the 2014 film. ^{[2014 film]} In the English Tokyopop version, he is named Cole and is voiced by Crispin Freeman. In Funimation's dub of the series, he is voiced by Eric Vale. ^{S1 ep 1} In the Hong Kong live-action film, he is portrayed by actor Kiyohiko Ueki, but assumes a supporting role as just a member of the Speedstars, with the leadership role being done by Itsuki. ^[LA]

Itsuki Takeuchi

Car: Toyota Corolla Levin SR (AE85)

Itsuki Takeuchi (武内 樹, Takeuchi Itsuki, "Iggy") is Takumi's best friend. He serves as comic relief in the series, acting loud and obnoxious but having little to back it up. ^{S1 ep 1 Ch. 19} He works part-time at a gas station with Takumi and Iketani, ^{Ch. 1} and hopes to buy an AE86 Corolla Levin to compete with Takumi's Trueno and join the Speedstars. When he mistakenly buys an inferior AE85, he gets upset until Takumi takes him for a drive and a spontaneous race, showing that the driver's skill can make up the difference. ^{Ch. 27} He eventually puts a Speedstars sticker on his Eight Five. ^{Ch. 37} He later installs a turbo onto his 85 to produce more power. Some of the side stories in the series have him trying to start a relationship with some girls. Itsuki is voiced by Mitsuo Iwata in the Japanese anime, and by Minoru Shiraishi in the 2014 film. In the Tokyopop English version, he is named Iggy, and is voiced by Robbie Rist. In the Funimation English dub, he is voiced by Josh Grelle. ^{S1 ep 1} In the Hong Kong live-action film, Itsuki Tachibana, portrayed by Chapman To, is the son of the garage owner Yuuichi Tachibana and leads the Akina SpeedStars. He is described by Automoblog reviewer Tony Borroz as a "overall nut ball and walking annoyance" and a "goofy fat guy". ^{[4] [LA]}

Kenji

Car: Nissan 180SX Type II (RPS13)

Kenji (健二) is the number-two driver in the Akina Speedstars. He drives a Nissan 180SX. ^{Ch. 8} He frequently hangs out at the gas station where Iketani, Takumi and Itsuki work from time to time, usually discussing cars and driving techniques with Iketani and Yuichi. ^{Vol. 1} He and Iketani have been friends since high school. ^{Ch. 52} A running gag is that he, along with the other Speedstars, does not have a girlfriend. In the Japanese anime, Kenji is voiced by Wataru Takagi, and by Anri Katsui in the 2014 film. In the English dubs, he is voiced by Jason Spisak in the Tokyopop version, and by Christopher Bevins in the Funimation dub. He is portrayed by Tsuyoshi Abe in the Hong Kong live-action film.

Myogi Night Kids

The NightKids are a team hailing from Myogi in the Gunma Prefecture. They challenge the Akagi Red Suns and also Takumi and the Eight-Six. They have also unsuccessfully faced Team Emperor. Its most notable members are Takeshi Nakazato and Shingo Shoji.

Takeshi Nakazato

Car: Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32) ^[6]

Takeshi Nakazato (中里 毅, Nakazato Takeshi, "Zack") is the leader of the Myogi Night Kids. He first appears at the race between Keisuke and Takumi. ^{Ch. 10} After seeing the outcome, he challenges Takumi with his black 1994 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II (BNR32). ^{Ch. 18, 22} He originally raced with a Nissan Silvia S13 where he used drift techniques, however, after losing to a racer with an R-32, he favors grip driving. ^{[6] Ch. 21}

Takeshi is voiced by Nobuyuki Hiyama in the Japanese dub, and by Junichi Suwabe in the 2014 film. ^{[2014 film]} In the Tokyopop version, he's named "Zack" and is voiced by Wally Wingert in the anime's English dub. In the Funimation dub, he is voiced by Chris Burnett for First Stage and Second Stage, and by John Burgmeier in the Third Stage film. In the Hong Kong live-action film, he is portrayed by Shawn Yue. ^{[4] [LA]}

Shingo Shoji

Car: Honda Civic SiR-II (EG6)

Shingo Shoji (庄司 真吾, Shōji Shingo) is a member of the Night Kids who races aggressively and often nudges his opponent's car to make it lose control. He favors and specializes in a race called the "duct tape deathmatch"(Gamu Tapu Deathumatche), in which each of the drivers in the race have a hand duct-taped to the steering wheel. He thinks he should lead the Night Kids. He drives a red 1995 Honda Civic SiR-II (EG6). ^{Ch. 31} Sometimes he and Takeshi watch the races between the other teams together, but try to keep their distance from each other so as if they are strangers. ^{Ch. 45} In Extra Stage 1 it is revealed he and Sayuki are childhood friends.

Shingo was voiced by Keiji Fujiwara in the Japanese anime dub, and by Shūhei Sakaguchi in the anime film. ^{[2014 film]} In the Tokyopop English dub, he is voiced by Quinton Flynn, and in the Funimation's dub, he is voiced by Vic Mignogna.

Akagi Red Suns

The Akagi RedSuns (赤城レッドサンズ, Akagi Reddosanzu) hail from Mount Akagi in the Gunma Prefecture. They are led by the two Takahashi brothers: Keisuke and Ryosuke. ^{Ch. 2} Their team has made a rule to always race on their opponents' course, ^{Ch. 66} having found their home course boring. In the Fourth Stage storylines, the members formed a new racing team called Project D.

Kenta Nakamura

Car:Nissan Silvia Q's Aero (S14)

Kenta Nakamura (中村 賢太, Nakamura Kenta, "Kent") is one of the youngest members of the Akagi Red Suns, and their best driver after the Takahashi brothers. Kenta absolutely adores Keisuke Takahashi and is eager to prove himself worthy. He drives a Nissan Silvia Q's Aero (S14). ^{Ch. 66} His specialty is driving under wet or rainy conditions as he has often practiced during those times to reduce tire wear. During the First Stage storyline, he challenges Takumi to a wet race, thinking Takumi is not used to that condition, but loses as Takumi has already been used to driving in such weather conditions. He joins Project D in the Fourth Stage storylines where he drives one of the support vans. and does some of the driving for the reconnaissance videos of the courses. Kenta is voiced by Kousuke Okano in the Japanese anime dub and by Yoshiya Naruke in the 2014 film. In the Tokypop version, he is called Kent, and is voiced by David Rasner. In the Funmation dub, he is voiced by Greg Ayres. In the English version of the Initial D arcade games, he is named Danny.

Impact Blue

Impact Blue (インパクトブルー, Inpakuto Burū) is a racing team consisting of two girls who drive a Sileighty, a Nissan 180SX with a Silvia front end. ^[6] Mako Sato operates as the driver, and Sayuki rides shotgun as a navigator. ^{Ch. 53, 58} Their speciality is pursuit racing which is used in narrow roads such as their home course of Usui. ^{Ch. 43} They first get involved in the story when Iketani meets Mako and they later challenge Takumi at Usui. They are the main characters in the Initial D: Extra Stage 2 OVAs. In Initial D Arcade Stage 4, the duo races the player in Myogi, the home of the Myogi NightKids.

Mako Sato

Car: Nissan Sileighty

Mako Sato (佐藤 真子, Satō Mako, "Maya") is the team's driver, relying on technique and rather than mechanical knowledge. She becomes interested in Iketani after having met him under a billboard sign where he helps get her car started. ^{Ch. 50} Upon hearing that Akina is home to the star Eight-Six driver, she coaxes Iketani into setting up a challenge race between Impact Blue and Takumi by offering her virginity. ^{Ch. 55} Although Impact Blue loses the challenge, she plans to rendezvous with Iketani as the billboard sign, but after waiting several hours, she leaves before Iketani arrives, leaving both of them broken hearted. ^{Ch. 64} In the Extra Stage 2 OVA episodes, she and Iketani meet again, but encounter more misunderstandings and another delayed wait. At the end of Extra Stage 2, she disbands Impact Blue and considers going pro, doing so at the end of Final Stage, she becomes a race driver for a professional racing team. Mako is voiced by Michiko Neya in the Japanese dub and by Yumi Hara in the anime film.^{[ citation needed ]} In the Tokyopop English version, she is named Maya and is voiced by Bridget Hoffman. In the Funimation dub, she is voiced by Colleen Clinkenbeard. ^{S1 ep 19}

Sayuki

Sayuki (沙雪, "Simone") is Mako's on-board navigator. She is a cheerful, outgoing girl who regularly searches for good-looking guys like the Takahashi brothers. ^{Ch. 43} She finds Takumi cute and invites him to a pool after his race against them. As the team navigator, she directs Mako on when to brake or drift, and is proficient at the mechanics of racing. ^{Ch. 50} Sayuki is voiced by Yumi Kakazu in the Japanese dub and by Kaya Okuno in the anime film.^{[ citation needed ]} In the Tokyopop English version, she is named Simone, and is voiced by Kate Higgins. In the Funimation dub, she is voiced by Monica Rial. ^{S1 ep 19 credits}

Emperor

Emperor (エンペラー, Enperā) is a highly skilled team that gets involved in the series in the Second Stage. The team's racing vehicles are Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions (or Lancer Evos for short), which they claim are the king of the mountains. Based in Tochigi, their home course is the one-way road of Irohazaka. They are an extremely aggressive team that sports a collection of decals of their defeated opponents' logos slashed in half and mounted upside-down on Seiji Iwaki's car's spoiler. This was often done in reference to what pilots used to do during war.

Kyoichi Sudo

Car: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III GSR (CE9A)

Kyoichi Sudo (須藤 京一, Sudō Kyōichi, "Kyle") is the team leader and driving ace of Emperor. He wears a bandana and drives a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III GSR (CE9A) powered up to 350PS equipped with a WRC style misfiring system. In his philosophy, a car must have "high power turbo plus 4WD". He is a calm and composed driver who believes in the ultimate superiority of his race circuit techniques. In Second Stage, he becomes the first racer to have beaten Takumi but didn't consider it a real race, when the latter had spontaneously challenged him and then blew out his engine at Akagi. However, in a subsequent race in Third Stage held at Irohazaka, he declares Takumi the winner, when Takumi managed to resist being overtaken in the last bridge of his turf. In Fourth Stage, it is revealed he was a graduate of the Todo School. He is voiced by Masahiko Tanaka in the Japanese anime. In the Tokyopop English version, he is named Kyle, and is voiced by Richard Cansino. In the Funimation dub, he is voiced by Christopher Sabat. In the live-action film, he is portrayed by Jordan Chan.

Seiji Iwaki

Car: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV ^[6]

Seiji Iwaki (岩城 清次, Iwaki Seiji, "Hawk") is the number-two driver in the Lancer Evolution-only Emperor team, therefore he drives the Lancer Evolution IV RS (CN9A). He has good racing skills, but is rather arrogant and overconfident and occasionally imprudent. He is also responsible for the stickers being slashed in half placed upside down onto his car's rear spoiler. He is voiced by Kazuhisa Kawahara in the Japanese anime. In the Tokyopop English version, he is named Hawk, and is voiced by Grant George. In the Funimation dub, he is voiced by Jason Douglas. In the live-action film, he is portrayed by Will Liu. ^[4]

Project D

Project D (プロジェクトD, Purojekuto Dī, Stylized as Project.D) is a racing team created by Ryosuke. Its purpose is to take the best drivers in the Gunma area (Takumi and Keisuke), and travel to challenge other teams in various prefectures. During his recruitment of Takumi, Ryosuke noted that the project would last about a year before he would transition to another job.

Supporting the team are Kenta Nakamura from the Red Suns, and the following crew members:

• Fumihiro (史浩), Toyota MR2 GT-S (SW20) or Mazda Roadster (NA6C), who talks with the other teams to set up the races, scouts the prospective courses, and drives a support van for Project D. He is voiced by Osamu Hosoi in the Japanese, and by Chris Cason in English. He also appears in MF Ghost as Fumihiro Joyu (上有 史浩 Jōyū Fumihiro).
• Shuichi Matsumoto (松本 修一 Matsumoto Shūichi), Nissan 180SX Type S (RPS13) ^{[ citation needed ]}, who serves as Takumi's mechanic. He is voiced by Rintarō Nishi in Japanese, and by Mike McFarland in English.
• Miyaguchi (宮口), who serves as Keisuke's mechanic. He is voiced by Ryoukichi Takahashi.

Seven Star Leaf

One of the first teams that Project D faces at the beginning of Fourth Stage.

• Toru Suetsugu, Eunos Roadster NA Package (NA6C); voiced by Daiki Nakamura; English voice actor Chris Patton
• Atsuro Kawai, Nissan Skyline 25GT Turbo Coupe (ER34); voiced by Seiji Sasaki; English voice actor Scott Freeman

Todo School

A professional racing school specializing in front-wheel-drive Hondas. ^[6]

• Daiki Ninomiya, Honda Civic Type R (EK9); ^[6] voiced by Toshiyuki Morikawa; English voice actor Ian Sinclair
• Smiley Sakai, Honda Integra Type R (DC2); voiced by Akimitsu Takase; English voice actor Anthony Bowling
• Tomoyuki Tachi, Todo School Spoon Civic Type R Demo Car (EK9); voiced by Kazuhiro Nakata (Special Stage, Street Stage, Extreme Stage, pre-Final Stage & Arcade Stage games up from Arcade Stage 5 to Arcade Stage 7 AAX), Daichi Endo (Final Stage and Arcade Stage 8 Infinity); English voice actor Jeff Johnson

Northern Saitama Alliance

An alliance between several racing teams from Saitama Prefecture.

• Wataru Akiyama, Toyota Corolla Levin GT APEX (AE86); voiced by Yasunori Matsumoto (Japanese), Michael Lindsay (English, Tokyopop), Robert McCollum (English, Funimation)
• Nobuhiko Akiyama, Toyota Altezza RS200 Z-Edition (SXE10); voiced by Jin Horikawa (Japanese), Justin Pate (English)
• Kyoko Iwase, Ẽfini RX-7 Type R (FD3S); voiced by Megumi Toyoguchi (Japanese), Caitlin Glass (English)
• Sakamoto, Suzuki Cappuccino (EA11R); voiced by Hiroyuki Yoshino (Japanese); Orion Pitts (English)

Tsuchisaka Lan Evo Team

A shady team that resorts to dirty methods to win.

• Aikawa, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V GSR (CP9A); voiced by Masuo Amada; English voice actor Bryan Massey
• Ichijo, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI GSR Tommi Makinen Edition (CP9A); voiced by Mitsuaki Madono; English voice actor Jonathan Brooks

Purple Shadow

Two legendary racers nicknamed "Godarm" (or "God Hand") and "Godfoot", referencing respectively their one-handed steering technique and superior accelerator control.

• Toshiya Joshima, Honda S2000 (AP1); ^[6] voiced by Masashi Ebara; English voice actor R. Bruce Elliott; a physician known as "Godarm" (or "God hand") for his steering. ^[6]
• Kozo Hoshino, Nissan Skyline GT-R V-spec II Nür (BNR34); voiced by Ryuzaburo Otomo; English voice actor John Swasey; known as "God foot" for his exceptional accelerator control.

Team 246

First team of Kanagawa's "Four Lines of Defense".

Yabitsu-pass Downhill Start point.
(Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu Bus stop)

• Satoshi Omiya, Mazda Roadster 1.8 RS (NB8C); voiced by Hiroki Tōchi
• Kobayakawa, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII GSR (CT9A); voiced by Kenji Hamada

Racing Team Katagiri Street Version

This is the second team of Kanagawa's "Four Lines of Defense". It is composed of professional racers.

One of their drivers, Kai Kogashiwa, is the son of Bunta's old rival, Ken Kogashiwa. It was Ken who introduced Kai to the racing world from a young age, participating in karting competitions which made him a specialist in midships mid engine, rear wheel drive cars. Before his transition to street racing, Kai was the fastest motorcyclist on Irohazaka.^{[ volume & issue needed ]}

• Kai Kogashiwa, Toyota MR2 G-Limited (SW20) later switched to a Toyota MR-S S Edition (ZZW30);^{[ volume & issue needed ]} voiced by Nobutoshi Canna; English voice actor Will Short^{[ citation needed ]}
• Hideo Minagawa, Toyota Supra RZ (JZA80); voiced by Katsuyuki Konishi ^{[ citation needed ]}

Team Spiral

Third team of Kanagawa's "Four Lines of Defense".

• Ryuji Ikeda, Nissan Fairlady Z Version ST (Z33); voiced by Kazuya Nakai. Ryuji Ikeda, also named "Zero" by his team, is known for his "Zero Theory", in which he believes the driver and the car become one to form the ultimate driver. ^{S5 ep 7}
• Hiroya Okuyama, Nissan Silvia Spec R Aero (S15); voiced by Shūhei Sakaguchi
• Junichi Sakamoto, voiced by Kōsuke Okano

Sidewinder

Final team, and masterminds, of Kanagawa's "Four Lines of Defense". Each member of Project D has a connection with each member of this team.

• Go Hojo, Honda NSX (NA1); voiced by Hidenobu Kiuchi
• Shinji Inui, Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT-APEX(2 door); voiced by Atsushi Abe. Shinji Inui, the fourth driver in the series to drive an AE86, has a similar driving style to Takumi's. Shinji appears during fifth stage, like the other members, and analyzes the abilities of the drivers of Project D. Shinji, teased by the end of Fifth Stage, is the final opponent of Project D, and appears in Final Stage as Takumi's opponent.^{[ volume & issue needed ]}
• Rin Hojo, Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II (BNR32); voiced by Yuichi Nakamura. Rin is known as "Shinigami" ("The Grim Reaper" translated directly to english) because of his dangerous, aggressive driving style, which is very similar to the style of Shingo Shoji, where he resorts to bumping and taking out his opponents to win.^{[ volume & issue needed ]}
• Eiji Kubo, voiced by Yasuyuki Kase

Supporting characters

Natsuki Mogi

Natsuki Mogi (茂木 なつき, Mogi Natsuki, "Natalie") is an attractive schoolmate who befriends Takumi and becomes his potential love interest. ^[3] Having broken up with her boyfriend Miki in junior high, she has been engaging in enjo kosai (subsidized dating / prostitution) with a middle-aged man she calls "Papa". ^{S1 ep 1 Ch. 1 [4]} In the manga, when Takumi eventually learns about that relationship, he challenges and suffers his first racing loss to Team Emperor, while the live-action movie concludes where Takumi discovers the couple coming out of a love hotel. ^[LA] After the discovery, Natsuki ends her relationship with Papa and tries to reconcile with Takumi; in the manga, she even takes a part-time job at the gas station (in the anime, she takes a part-time job at a fast food restaurant). ^{Vols. 15-17} In volume 17 of the manga, and at the end of Third Stage, she and Takumi part ways for her to find her own dream in Tokyo, and promise to find each other again. ^{Vol. 17}

Natsuki is voiced by Ayako Kawasumi in the Japanese anime, and by Maaya Uchida in the 2014 film. In Tokyopop's English version, she's named Natalie, and she is voiced by Kat Cressida. ^{S1 ep 1} In Funimation's English version, she is voiced by Brina Palencia. ^{S1 ep 1} In the Hong Kong live-action film, she is portrayed by Anne Suzuki. She is ^{[4] [LA]}

Yuichi Tachibana

Yuichi Tachibana (立花 祐一, Tachibana Yūichi, "Boss") is the manager of the gas station where Takumi and friends work. ^{Ch. 1} He and Bunta are old friends, ^{Ch. 2} having raced together in his youth, ^{Ch. 38} and they often converse about Takumi and his involvement in the local races. ^{Vols. 1-2} He acts as a father figure to the guys in the Akina Speed Stars. He is voiced by Tomomichi Nishimura in the Japanese anime. In the Tokyopop version, he is nicknamed Boss by the gas station members, and is voiced by Michael McConnohie. In the Funimation version he is voiced by Chuck Huber. ^{S1 ep 1} In the Hong Kong live-action version, he is portrayed by Kenny Bee. ^[LA]

Kazumi Akiyama

Kazumi Akiyama (秋山 和美, Akiyama Kazumi, "Carrie") is Wataru's younger sister, and was Itsuki's love interest in Second Stage. She came to Gunma from Saitama to work at her aunt's inn, but left after she was framed for some wrongdoing by a senior worker. She spends time with Itsuki during Fourth Stage where she had broken up with a guy, but sees him as just a friend when she listens to Itsuki's advice, eventually making up with her ex, and leaving Itsuki devastated. Kazumi is voiced by Ryoka Yuzuki in the Japanese dub. In the Tokyopop English versions, she is named Carrie, and is voiced by Melissa Fahn. In the Funimation dub, she is voiced by Cherami Leigh.

Miki

Miki (御木) is a member of the soccer club at Takumi's high school. In junior high, when he was in the locker room bragging about his sexual exploits with Natsuki, Takumi was so angry that he punched him. ^{Ch. 1} In Third Stage he reunites with Natsuki but tries to abduct her until Takumi chases him down. Although he is not a racer, he drives a Celica GT-Four (ST205). Miki has been voiced by Wataru Takagi in the anime's First Stage and by Takumi Yamazaki in the Third Stage film as well as the Arcade Stage 8 Infinity arcade game. In the Funimation dub, he is voiced by Christopher Ayres.

Mika Uehara

Mika Uehara (上原 美佳, Uehara Mika) is a high school senior who becomes Takumi's love interest during the Fifth Stage part of the Project D storyline. She first appears where she slaps Takumi for blowing off her best friend Tomoko, but later discovers that a guy was impersonating Takumi and she apologizes. She is a talented golf player, having been raised by her father to play the sport early in life. Because of their similar life goals, she and Takumi get along, and later become a couple. Uehara is voiced by Saori Hayami in the Japanese dub.

Tsugumi

Tsugumi (つぐみ) is Ryosuke's and Keisuke's younger female cousin. She seems to be attending junior high school where she's occasionally picked up by Ryosuke in his FC. He also acts as her personal tutor in studies and often stays over at the Takahashi residence. She cheers up Ryosuke during their conversations together. Her relationship with Keisuke, on the other hand, consists predominantly of mild sibling-like squabbles. ^{Ch. 39, 78}

Kaori

Kaori (香織) was the woman who Ryosuke and Rin Hojo were in conflict over for 3 years which eventually culminated after a downhill high-speed death match in Hakone. Previously, she was set to be the wife of Rin in an arranged marriage decided by their respective fathers. While attending medical school with Rin, she met Ryosuke who was in the year below her and fell in love with him. They both genuinely liked each other. She decided that she couldn't go through with the marriage and ended things with Rin who really did love her from the bottom of his heart. In a fit of rage and sadness, Rin issued a threat towards her father vowing his father will make her father's life at work unbelievably unbearable. Unable to withstand the possibility of her actions affecting her family in a negative way, she committed suicide. Her death led Rin to withdraw from street racing and become a recluse sequestered at home. On the third anniversary of her death, Rin came out of his seclusion and challenged Ryosuke to a race of death on his home ground. Ryosuke accepts seeing as how they both needed some kind of closure over Kaori. At the end of their battle, both men were able to put the past behind them while not forgetting about her at the same time. ^{Ch. 577-605} She is voiced by Aya Endō in the Japanese dub.^{[ citation needed ]}

Works cited

Initial D manga series

^ "Ch." and "Vol." are shortened forms for chapter and volume and refer to the appropriate sections in the Initial D manga:

• Shugeno, Shuichi Initial D. (in Japanese) 45 vols. Tokyo: 1995–2012.
• Shugeno, Shuichi Initial D. (English version) 33 vols. Los Angeles: Tokyopop. 2002–09

Initial D anime series

Main article: List of Initial D episodes

^ "S" and "ep" are shortened forms for season (or stage) and episode, and refer to the appropriate sections in the Initial D anime. For example:

• "S1 ep 1" refers to the first episode or ACT.1 of First Stage
• "S2 ep 27" refers to the first episode or ACT.27 of Second Stage
• "S4 ep 2" refers to the second episode ACT.2 of Fourth Stage
• "S6 ep 3" refers to the third episode ACT.3 of Final Stage

• Initial D (in Japanese). 1998–2014, First Stage, Second Stage, Fourth Stage, Fifth Stage, Final Stage
• Initial D (in English, or Japanese with English subtitles) Tokyopop. 2003–05. First Stage and Second Stage
• Initial D (in English, or Japanese with English subtitles) Funimation. 2010–11. First Stage, Second Stage, and Fourth Stage

Other media

Films

• [LA]: Live-action film: Initial D (film) (in Chinese). Hong Kong. 2005.
• [S3]: Initial D: Third Stage (film). Studio Deen. January 13, 2001.
• [2014 film]: New Initial D the Movie (2014–16 film series)
  • New Initial D the Movie: Legend 1: Awakening. 2014.
  • New Initial D the Movie: Legend 2: Racer. 2015.
  • New Initial D the Movie: Legend 3: Dream. 2016.

Video games

• Initial D arcade game (titles TBD)

References

1. "Tofu Delivery in a Car with Flavor | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website". global.toyota.
2. Krok, Andrew. "Toyota's manga-inspired concept adds new GT86 to old world of Initial D". Roadshow.
3. Camp, Brian; Davis, Julie (2007). Anime Classics Zettai! . Stone Bridge Press. ISBN   9781611725193.
4. Borroz, Tony (2020-01-06). "Initial D Tells Familiar Story But It's Great To Watch!". Automoblog. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
5. Long, Will (March 29, 2019). "The Legendary Initial D Subaru".
6. McAleer, Brian (2015-11-02). "The 10 Best Cars of Initial D". Autotrader.ca .

External links

• Initial D main characters at Fifth Stage at Kodansha (archive) (in Japanese)