Initial D Trueno project questions...

[tonioseven]

I just bought the first 3 available DVDs of the show and am now hooked on it .

1. Does the comic version differ from the anime version?
2. Theoretically, couldn't I just use a regular Fujimi Trueno kit instead of paying the high price wanted for the specific tie-in version? (I have the Fujiwara Tofu shop side decal already; thanks Lau Bak! )


Thank you.

[Buddah]

like any movie/show vs. printed version question, the book is usually always more indepth and better and the same is true for this series as well. I liked the cartoon, but i love the manga. Some things in the manga didnt happen in the cartoon or happen diferently, so get them both if you can. I reccomend the fan-translated mangas over the U.S. released ones because they cut out alot of stuff that shoulda been left in.

[tonioseven]

Thanks man!! I appreciate the help!

[malsheem]

Tonio, I watched the series over the Christmas break, and I got hooked as well. I bought the Fujimi Initial D Trueno. It wasn't that much. I think I paid 1600 yen for it. Check the pic. The kit does come with a nice set of aftermarket decals (TRD, BRIDE, Endless, etc), and some cardboard cutouts of various characters.

They do have a version with Takumi and Natsuki figures included. I think that one is pricey, 2800 yen.

If you like the music from the cartoon, they do have 5 disc set of the songs from there. Great stuff. I listen to it while I build.

[tonioseven]

Thanks Joe! I ordered it earlier after I made this thread.

[ywwong]

i have whole set comic in jpg format.

[t.vo408]

initial d is the best! but the DVD's butchered it! i suggest watching the original japanese ones with subtitles if possible. well, later in the manga he gets a carbon hood when he joins..... something. lol dont wanna mess it up for ya.

[Layla's Keeper]

Don't listen to Buddah on this one, Tonio. The "cut" portions of Initial D weren't racing related at all, but instead were altered scenes dealing with the lead character's girlfriend working as a prostitute to an older guy. The story wasn't even altered in such a way as to eliminate the relationship, but to portray it less graphically. Basically, Tokyopop, the US distributor, didn't want this property to be an 18+ age restricted series.

If not being able to see a 17 year old prostitute's breasts is that much of a concern to you, then by all means purchase or download bootlegs. But if you're actually mature enough to see the logic behind the decision and realize how 100% unimportant it is, then purchase the Tokyopop release so that Shuichi Shigeno continues to be compensated for his work and will continue creating more Initial D manga. After all, Tokyopop has his approval to make the necessary alterations.

[t.vo408]

well, there is no nudity. but i feel that the gf/prostitute thing is a huge part of the story. what will they do about the ending? well, come to think of it they can bs that pretty easily... but still!!

[ADVANFAN]

I never seen the bootleg mangas? I never knew they exist. Anyways, the tokyopop version does have a reference to she having sex with an older man from what i read.

[hirofkd]

Originally Posted by t.vo408

initial d is the best! but the DVD's butchered it! i suggest watching the original japanese ones with subtitles if possible.

If possible/ No one can stand the dub, or you'll laugh too much and suffocate you.
While the Eurobeat may sound cheesy (I still like it, leave me alone!), they replaced precious real sound effects with some generic sound. My friend owns an AE86, and it sounds just like you hear in the show or vice varsa. Later in the show, the supervisor Tuchiya (the drift king) advised the proper use of sound effects for the shifting and proper gear setting for each corner, but that efffrot is totally wasted in the dub audio track. Just forget the dub, or you'll miss almost a half of the enjoyment. (and find my name in the cedit, too. )

well, later in the manga he gets a carbon hood when he joins..... something. lol dont wanna mess it up for ya.

Project D.
That part of the story is over in manga, so the producer can finaly make the 4th Stage, and it's coming this spring! This time, they sampled the sound of Tsuchiya's super 86, as well as video taped his hand and foot movement for reference.

[Buddah]

Originally Posted by Layla's Keeper

Don't listen to Buddah on this one, Tonio. The "cut" portions of Initial D weren't racing related at all, but instead were altered scenes dealing with the lead character's girlfriend working as a prostitute to an older guy. The story wasn't even altered in such a way as to eliminate the relationship, but to portray it less graphically. Basically, Tokyopop, the US distributor, didn't want this property to be an 18+ age restricted series.

I really dont like to argue over petty things, but this guy or girl is a MORON. The whole "prostitute" thing is VERY integral to the story in both the manga AND the animated series. It plays a big part in the development of Natsuki and Takumi's relationship in the manga and in the animated serie's 2nd stage. Aside from this being edited, the books also "dumb down" alot of the technical speak which is a letdown because this a manga about cars and racing which is very technical and precise. TP's books also cut out a few of the little omake's and "drift lessons" found in at the end of the japanese volumes which is a shame too.

If not being able to see a 17 year old prostitute's breasts is that much of a concern to you, then by all means purchase or download bootlegs. But if you're actually mature enough to see the logic behind the decision and realize how 100% unimportant it is, then purchase the Tokyopop release so that Shuichi Shigeno continues to be compensated for his work and will continue creating more Initial D manga. After all, Tokyopop has his approval to make the necessary alterations.

I dont know about you, but I like my works, written and film, to be unaltered in any fashion. To alter a work no matter how small is to lose sight of the creator's vision, period. I'm glad tokyopop has brought this series to the U.S. officially, but for people who've read and seen the original version(saw the 1st stage in '99,read the scans later on), its rather craptastic how they skirt around the tech details and situations that were tough to deal with. I love tokyopop, heck I remember when they started as MIXXZINE (who here remebers that huh?) and were publishing compilations of ICEBLADE,PARASYTE, and MAGIC KNIGHT RAYEARTH in low-grade paper volumes. Those were great, but they really dropped the ball on this one. ID is a mature story, and dumbing it down for the average reader to cash in is just not acceptable. Alot of people are quick to say the things ive said about thier version of Initial D and have not read their manga or seen thier anime, but I own both and the difference between the original and the TP version is like night and day. If you want the original, search for it on google or ebay and your bound to find the english-subbed original version box set.

just my

[hypertek]

where can I get the fansubed mangas?? any sites?

[ozstrider]

The only diff cars from the anime and the manga are the RX-7's. They have fake tuner decals on there doors in the anime and the manga ones have real brands. But if u buy the Initial D FD and FC, then u get the manga decals, so its all ok.
Hypertek, my friend has most of the series and he gets them from MIRC and some FTP channels.

And yes...if u have the decal, its all fine. But u dont get all the free crap. Which is always good. =D

[Layla's Keeper]

I'm a guy, I do recall when Stuart Levy headed up Mixx (back when the shoujo-mangazine Smile was their chief publication) and I'm not trivializing the Papa-Natsuki relationship. It is one of the key points in establishing Natsuki Mogi's character and drives Second Stage's most interesting story.

I was very disappointed in the way Tokyopop handlied Initial D as well, but it's not "butchered" and it's not "unwatchable". The uncut sub is still on the DVD's, and the manga still does a good job of conveying the story.

And, quite frankly, I have personal assurance from Stuart Levy that Shigeno approved all alterations to Initial D for the U.S market release. I don't see alterations that the creator approved of as losing sight of the artistic vision. Shuichi Shigeno, when he created Initial D, wanted to tell a story about boys growing up, and how cars helped them grow up. He wanted to tell a story about these characters, sleepy non-commital Takumi, enthusiastic but naive Itsuki, proud and aggressive Keisuke, and all the rest. So long as those characters are complete, and that story is complete, the manga and the anime is complete.

Maybe I'm just out-growing idealism, but I honestly see this as an acceptable and logical reality.