Product: Initial D: Fourth Stage, Part 1
Rating: 5.0
Fourth Stage is for fans of the D.
Building off the popular reviews so far, Initial D Fourth Stage Part I is a must for any fan of the series. The season begins with a voice narrative from random faceless people talking about the popularity and success of Project D in front of a computer.The first disc of the package is focused primarily an introduction to the series and what Initial D is about. The first few episodes are nothing but non-stop drama racing action. Their first encounter is with an average racing team. This first battle displays how much Project D is above the rest of the 'regular competition.' Takumi goes against an opponent who is on the verge of leaving the sport of street racing because of his feelings for his girlfriend. If he looses his next race against Takumi, he will leave the sport. Ryosuke and Takumi develop a new strategy to tackle a treacherous course, and thus begins the legend of Project D.Project D then goes against a professional racing school. This challenge proves to be much more difficult. The racing action is fast paced.The second disc -- has more character development in it. The second disc of Initial D Stage Four Part I introduces the romance between Kyoko Iwase and Keisuke Takahashi. The romance is left on a cliff hanger, and is concluded in Part II of the Fourth Stage. Keisuke is fleshed out as a character in the second disc, and the fans finally are able to see him face against opponents.Funimation once again does a good job dubbing the series. But I found myself watching the box set halfway through English and half Japanese.The English dubbing displays Keisuke as more of a 'jerk' toward Kyoko, while making her less infatuated with him. The subtitled translation shows more 'kindess' from Keisuke's point of view, and more of Kyoko's passion she has for him. Both do a good job showing displaying the romance, but the Subtitled version shows the cultural differences the Japanese have toward relationships over Americans.----Overall: The soundtrack is above average, but not as good as the Initial D First Stage.-- The first disc shows all of Takumi's races, but none of Keisukes'. Fans are not able to see Keisuke's battles against Seven Star Leaf or the Toudou School unless they purchase the Battle Stage DVD sets which I do not believe are available in the US.-- Second Disc has much more Keisuke. You see his races in addition to watching Takumi drive. Also as stated above, the beginning and mid-way development of the Kyoko/Keisuke romance.-- Iketani, Itsuki, and Kenji make random appearances through out the series but are not really focused on until Part II of the Fourth Stage.-- There is very little Extra Material if any in the package.-- I suggest Initial D Stage I for people who are interested in BECOMING fans of the series. Stage 4 is more for people who are ALREADY Fans.-- Once again the cars are some of the main character's of the series.Purchase Initial D Stage Four Part I. It will not disappoint fans of the series.