Initial D First Stage
English title: Initial D First Stage
Japanese title: 頭文字〈イニシャル〉D
Alternative titles: ID
Type: TV
Source: Manga
Episodes: 26
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Apr 19, 1998 to Dec 6, 1998
Broadcast: Tuesdays at 00:00 (JST)
Duration: 25 min per ep
Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
Studios: Gallop, Studio Comet
Producers: OB Planning, Fuji TV
Licensors: Funimation, Tokyopop
Genres: Action, Drama
Themes: Racing
Demographics: Seinen

Unlike his friends, Takumi Fujiwara is not particularly interested in cars, with little to no knowledge about the world of car enthusiasts and street racers. The son of a tofu shop owner, he is tasked to deliver tofu every morning without fail, driving along the mountain of Akina. Thus, conversations regarding cars or driving in general would only remind Takumi of the tiring daily routine forced upon him.

One night, the Akagi Red Suns, an infamous team of street racers, visit the town of Akina to challenge the local mountain pass. Led by their two aces, Ryousuke and Keisuke Takahashi, the Red Suns plan to conquer every racing course in Kanto, establishing themselves as the fastest crew in the region. However, much to their disbelief, one of their aces is overtaken by an old Toyota AE86 during a drive back home from Akina. After the incident, the Takahashi brothers are cautious of a mysterious driver geared with remarkable technique and experience in the local roads—the AE86 of Mount Akina.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Initial D is a popular franchise spawning a sizeable number of racing games released for arcades, home consoles, handhelds, and PC. The series was also adapted into a live-action movie in 2005, co-produced by Japan's Avex Inc. and Hong Kong's Media Group. While the film deviated considerably from the original story, it was nominated for multiple awards and won many of them, at the Hong Kong Film Awards and Golden Horse Awards.