Shuichi Shigeno (Japanese author profile: しげの秀一) is a manga artist, best known for the manga series Initial D. Shigeno has also created Bari Bari Densetsu, Dopkan, and Tunnel Nuketara Sky Blue ("First Love in Summer") all prior to the manga that would make him famous in 1995. In 1985, he received the Kodansha Manga Award in shōnen for Bari Bari Densetsu.
A fantastic new volume, with new characters like Kazumi injecting a great new perspective to the cast, new challenges and rebirths in the Takumi’s life, and the classic stellar life. This is peak Initial D.
Awwww yeah lets go Itsuki! I’m glad he finally gets some scenes that focus on him haha. Plus his budding romance with Kazumi is so sweet. Praying it stays smooth sailing for them.
Takumi is also becoming more passionate about racing bit by bit, but he’s still a little stoic most of the time to be honest. I don’t mind him as a protagonist though.
The plot threads in this series are moved past very quickly - as soon as the Emperors lost, they stopped getting mentioned almost immediately, and the same for the female driver Iketani could’ve gone out with a couple volumes ago (still sad about that). Would love to see more mentions of the previous arcs or some sort of butteryfly effect from them or even a return of some characters, but so far it’s been all new, which is still fine I suppose.
I continue to find myself moved emotionally by Initial D. The visuals stun when it comes to the cars, the driving. The heart is in the characters and this collection got me. Discussing why the characters drive, what goals they're setting for themselves, what they want out of life. I'm 33 years old, a grown ass man, and it made me want to go for a drive. Haven't driven in maybe 11 years but I want to see the world. To see the world, new cities, new places with the people I care about. Continue to grow and push my boundaries! What a series.
slower arc due to the death of the AE-86 and Takumi needing to figure out how to use the new engine Bunta put in there, turns out, Bunta purposely didnt put in the needed instruments to use the full power of the engine
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
It's definitely a rebuilding arc. That being said, although it takes a whole omnibus to get the 86 back up to working order, the side characters and storylines are what shines.
This installment of Initial D deals with the fallout of the previous crushing roadblock that the main character suffered through. This volume does add some much-needed development for a few side characters, which is a nice change of pace.