Initial D - Battle 1 - Akina's Downhill Specialist
In a flyspeck town north of Tokyo, the teenagers' only thrill is street  racing on Mt. Akina. Nerdy Takumi "Tak" Fujiwara isn't exited by racing like  his friends Iggy and Cole. He doesn't realize that his ex-champion father has  taught him all the racing tricks, making him deliver tofu up and down Mt. Akina  without spilling a cup of water. Cole is injured when he tries to prepare to  lead the local Speed Stars club against the arrogant Red Suns. He appeals to  Mr. Fujiwara--who finagles Tak into racing. This 1998 broadcast series scored a  bit hit in Japan, although in America, it plays like a tamer, animatedFast and the Furious. The CG cars, rock soundtrack, rapid-fire editing, and  flashy camera work heighten the excitement--and make the disclaimer, "Follow the  traffic rules and drive safely" sound insincere. (Rated 13 and older: tobacco  use, minor profanity, street racing)--Charles Solomon