Initial D is a 2005 Hong Kong-Chinese action film directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak. It is a film adaptation of the Japanese Initial D manga series, with elements combined from the first, second, and third stages. The main character, Takumi Fujiwara, is portrayed by Jay Chou in his film acting debut.[3]

Initial D
Theatrical release poster
Traditional Chinese頭文字D
Simplified Chinese头文字D
Hanyu PinyinTóu Wén Zì D
JyutpingTau4 Man4 Zi6 D
Directed byAndrew Lau
Alan Mak
Screenplay byFelix Chong
Story byJay Chou
Produced byAndrew Lau
Starring
CinematographyLai Yiu-fai
Andrew Lau
Edited byWong Hoi
Music byChan Kwong-wing
Production
companies
Distributed byMedia Asia Distribution
Release date
  • 23 June 2005 (2005-06-23)
Running time
110 minutes
CountriesHong Kong
China
Languages
BudgetUS$12 million[1]
Box officeUS$10.8 million[2]

Plot

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Takumi Fujiwara is a high school student who has been delivering tofu to the resorts in Mount Akina in his father Bunta's Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86. He also works part-time at a gas station where his friend Itsuki, the owner's son and a high school dropout, aspires to be a street racer. Natsuki Mogi, an attractive classmate, smiles as she walks by Takumi, but she's an escort, who has been secretly going on dates with a sugar daddy who drives a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Street racers Takeshi Nakazato of the NightKids, who drives a Nissan Skyline GT-R VSpec II R32, and Ryosuke Takahashi of the RedSuns, who drives a Mazda Savanna RX-7 Type-R FC, talk about racing each other after they defeat the competition at Akina. When Takeshi visits the gas station to issue a challenge to the racing god of Mt. Akina, Itsuki (with Takumi riding along) arrives to defend that title, but in the ensuing race, Itsuki is embarrassed thoroughly and damages his Nissan Silvia. However, Takeshi is later beaten in an unofficial race by the AE86. Takeshi returns to the gas station to ask who owns the AE86. Yuichi asks Bunta if he has been racing again; he learns that Takumi has been driving the AE86 for the past five years and has been steadily improving his racing skills. Natsuki wants to go on a beach date with Takumi, so Bunta agrees to loan him the car and fill the gas tank provided that he wins the race at Akina.

Takumi defeats Takeshi in the downhill race in front of Ryosuke, Itsuki, and the other RedSuns and NightKids. Natsuki and Takumi enjoy a beach date. Takumi teaches Itsuki how to race a Trueno he has purchased. Halfway down the mountain, Seiji Iwaki of the Emperor Team in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR, taunts them and angers Takumi to the point that he races and defeats Seiji, causing the latter to spin out and damage the side of his Evo.

Takumi discovers that Itsuki's car does not perform like his father's car, which Ryosuke tells him it has been custom-tuned and modified. Takumi agrees to race Ryosuke in three weeks, but on the way downhill, Emperor team leader Kyoichi Sudo in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III RS overtakes Takumi; in the ensuing race, the AE86's engine breaks down. Ryosuke tells Takumi that he will challenge Kyoichi, and offers to lend him one of his cars, but Takumi declines. Bunta tells Takumi that Natsuki is visiting her hometown for two weeks. Bunta and Yuichi have the AE86 outfitted with a new Twin Cam 20-valve SilverTop AE101 racing engine. Takumi struggles with the modified car well until Bunta shows him how to take advantage of its new mechanics.

After seeing Natsuki with the Mercedes driver coming from a love hotel, Itsuki tells Takumi that Natsuki is a prostitute, which angers Takumi and they fight. The afternoon before the race he thinks he sees Natsuki in the Mercedes at a railroad crossing but is unable to catch up to them. He later calls Natsuki, who tells him she is coming back tonight but is with the Mercedes driver whom she tells they cannot see each other anymore.

At the showdown, Ryosuke offers to team with Takumi on defeating Kyoichi, but Takumi declines. During the race, Ryosuke lets Kyoichi pass him and then follows closely. Ryosuke and Takumi use the gutter trick to overtake Kyoichi. Despite the warning messages of a driver going up the hill, Kyoichi's Evo III tries to overtake the two but is forced to swerve off the road from the oncoming car and flips off the cliffside, totaling his Evo III. Ryosuke overtakes Takumi at the five hairpin turns. Bunta explains to the watchers that the FC's tires are losing their grip and that it is up to Takumi to compete against himself and not his opponent. Takumi undertakes Ryosuke on the last hairpin turn to win the race.

Ryosuke offers Takumi to join his new racing team, but Takumi goes to see Natsuki. However, he sees the Mercedes driver drop off Natsuki with a hug. Takumi and Natsuki see each other but Takumi runs away, while Natsuki falls to the ground crying. Takumi tearfully drives away. Takumi calls Itsuki to apologize and then calls Ryosuke to accept his offer to join Ryosuke’s new expedition team (Project D).

Cast

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Jay Chou making his acting debut in Initial D
  • Jay Chou as Takumi Fujiwara
  • Anne Suzuki as Natsuki Mogi, Takumi's classmate and love interest
  • Edison Chen as Ryosuke Takahashi, leader of the RedSuns
  • Anthony Wong as Bunta Fujiwara, Takumi's father, a former racer who now runs a tofu shop
  • Shawn Yue as Takeshi Nakazato, leader of the NightKids
  • Chapman To as Itsuki Tachibana, Takumi's friend and the leader of the Akina SpeedStars. His father owns the gas station.
  • Jordan Chan as Kyoichi Sudou, leader of Team Emperor
  • Kenny Bee as Yuuichi Tachibana, the gas station owner and Bunta's friend
  • Tsuyoshi Abe as Kenji, one of the gas station attendants who is a member of Akina SpeedStars
  • Liu Keng Hung, as Seiji Iwaki, member of Team Emperor
  • Chie Tanaka as Miya, a female gas station attendant that Itsuki dates
  • Kazuyuki Tsumura as Mr. X, Natsuki's sugar daddy

Production

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Fujino Store Tofu Shop in Gunma, which was renamed and modeled to Fujiwara Tofu Shop for the live-action film.[4][5]

The Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japanese, American and British versions each have different soundtracks.

Release

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Initial D was released on 23 June 2005 in several Asian markets including Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and mainland China. In the Philippines, the film was released on 12 July 2006.[6] In North America, the film screened at the Chicago International Film Festival on 15 October 2005[7] and had a limited run at the Imaginasian Theater in New York City on 30 December 2005.[8][9][10]

Home media

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Initial D was released as a direct to video DVD in Australia on 21 October 2005. It was released in the United Kingdom on 28 April, and the Philippines on 12 July 2006. Tai Seng Entertainment, the distributor of Initial D in the United States, released Initial D on Blu-ray on 22 January 2008. This is an exclusive release for the Blu-ray format which included an English dub.[citation needed]

In Japan, the DVD release sold 250,000 units, grossing approximately ¥998 million ($13 million) in video sales revenue.[11]

Soundtrack

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The AAA song "Blood on Fire" (2005), the film's main theme song, sold 58,052 single units, grossing approximately ¥29.03 million.[citation needed] The Mink insert song "Beautiful" sold 2,786 units, grossing ¥2.93 million.[citation needed]

The U.K. release of the film features an entirely different soundtrack composed and compiled by Richie Warren of Fuel. [citation needed]

Critical reception

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On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film received an approval rating of 33% based on 6 reviews, with an average rating of 4.1/10.[12]

Accolades

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Initial D won six awards out of 15 nominations from the 42nd Golden Horse Awards in 2005 and 25th Hong Kong Film Awards in 2006.

42nd Golden Horse Awards

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Category Nomination Result Ref
Best Supporting Actor Anthony Wong Chau-Sang Won [13]
Best New Performer Jay Chou Won
Best Adapted Screenplay Felix Chong Man-Keung Nominated
Best Original Song "飄移" (Drifting) by Jay Chou from November's Chopin Nominated
Best Visual Effects Victor Wong, Eddy Wong, Bryan Cheung Nominated
Best Sound Effects Kinson Tsang King-Cheung Nominated

25th Hong Kong Film Awards

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Category Nomination Result Ref
Best Supporting Actor Anthony Wong Chau-Sang Won [14]
Best New Performer Jay Chou Won
Best Sound Design Kinson Tsang King-Cheung Won
Best Visual Effects Victor Wong, Eddy Wong, Bryan Cheung Won
Best Film Initial D Nominated
Best Director Andrew Lau Wai-Keung, Alan Mak Siu-Fai Nominated
Best Editing Wong Hoi Nominated
Best Original Score Chan Kwong-Wing Nominated
Best Original Song "飄移" (Drifting) by Jay Chou from November's Chopin Nominated

Potential sequel

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A sequel has been in discussion since the following year after the movie debuted. However, a concrete conclusion could not be reached due to obstacles that include the storyline, filming locations, casts, and safety reasons. In March 2014, director and producer, Andrew Lau, once again reconfirmed in an exclusive interview that a sequel will surely follow but is tight-lipped on the release date. Jay Chou and Edison Chen will reprise their roles.[15] In 2018, Felix Chong, the screenwriter for the first film, stated he and Lau previously had plans to develop the sequel but both have since moved onto other projects, citing production costs being too high due to Lau's insistence on using real cars instead of CGI.[16] In 2020, director Andrew Lau stated that if a sequel is put into production he would likely not be directing it, citing the toll the first film took on his health, licensing issues, and once again budget issues, and also suggesting that Takumi should take on a mentor role similar to his father in the first film.[17] The sequel, as of 2023, is considered to be in development hell.

Changes from the original manga and anime

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The film differs from the manga and anime in several distinct ways.[18] Because of this, the film mostly combines elements from First Stage, Second Stage, and briefly Third Stage as well.

Film Anime/Manga
Itsuki is a spoiled brat and the son of Yuuichi Tachibana, the gas station manager. He is the de facto leader of the Akina Speed Stars.[18] Itsuki Takeuchi is an employee at the gas station, and is not related to Tachibana. Iketani is the leader of the Akina Speed Stars.
Keisuke Takahashi does not appear in the film. Ryosuke assumes some of Keisuke's characteristics Keisuke Takahashi appears at the beginning of the anime and runs the first race with Takumi using his Mazda RX-7 FD.
Bunta Fujiwara is portrayed as an abusive, easily angered, alcoholic womanizer. Bunta is portrayed as a wise and often secretive father, who nurtures Takumi's "gift" of touge racing. He likes to drink but is not an alcoholic.
Team Emperor is portrayed as a bōsōzoku gang. Team Emperor is portrayed as a semi-professional street racing team.
Itsuki tells Takumi that Natsuki Mogi is cheating on him after noticing Mogi in another man's Mercedes-Benz driving out of a hotel. Takumi then sees Mogi in the Mercedes on the highway followed by a second encounter when he goes to Mogi's estate. In the anime, an anonymous phone call following anonymous notes (later turns out to be the daughter of the middle-aged man, also a friend and classmate of Natsuki) informs Takumi that Natsuki is engaging in enjo kōsai. Takumi stakes out a family restaurant and sees Mogi entering the Mercedes together with a middle-aged man. In the manga, Takumi goes to the love hotel parking lot and sees Natsuki riding in a black Mercedes.[19]
Takumi is tailed by Kyoichi Sudo, and is forced to participate in a race that ends when the Trueno breaks down and comes to a stop.[18] After discovering Natsuki has been going to the love hotel,[19] Takumi impulsively accepts Sudo's challenge.Ch. 101 During the race on Mount Akagi, Takumi's car blows out its engine and spins out.Ch. 107[18]
Natsuki realizes Takumi is upset about her affairs when she sees him angrily driving off. Takumi then joins Project D shortly afterwards. Natsuki does not realize Takumi discovered her secret until he acts cold to her at school. She tries to reconcile with him over multiple chapters.Ch. 173 She even visits his dad and works briefly at the gas station. Takumi amicably parts ways with Natsuki, joining Project D when they start up in Spring.
Itsuki drives a Nissan Silvia K's (S13) which he soon crashes and is later seen driving a Toyota Sprinter Trueno (AE86). Itsuki mistakenly obtains a Toyota Corolla Levin SR (AE85), thinking it is a Toyota Corolla Levin (AE86), in contrast with Takumi's Trueno. Koichiro Iketani drives the Nissan Silvia K's (S13).
Both Takumi Fujiwara and Ryosuke Takahashi use the gutter technique to win against Kyoichi. Only Takumi and Bunta are ever seen using the gutter technique in the anime. Ryosuke and Nakazato know of it. (Ryosuke was able to copy Takumi's version of it during their duel in the manga, but he admits that he would not be able to do it on his own.)
The driver's racing bucket seat is missing from the modification list. In addition, the engine, carbon fiber hood, tachometer, and light weight headlamps are installed all at once during the re-tuning after the AE86 breaks down. Each of the modifications are installed separately: first, the 200+ horsepower 4A-GEU engine upgrade and then the tachometer are installed during 2nd Stage. During the 4th stage, a carbon fiber hood and light-weight headlamps are installed.
Bunta gives Takumi a cup of water to put in the cup holder in the AE86 the day after Takumi accidentally destroys the tofu in the AE86's boot. Bunta tells Takumi not to spill even a single drop of it or warns that he will be kicked out of the house for the night. Bunta simply gives Takumi a cup of water right on his second day of his tofu delivery; Bunta fills the cup up a little more every time and tells him not to spill a single drop of it, but does not threaten to kick Takumi out of the house.
Takeshi Nakazato drifts when driving his Skyline, and it is said to have 350 horsepower. Takeshi Nakazato never drifts when driving his Skyline, as he prefers the "grip" style of driving instead, while his Skyline has 380 horsepower.
'Papa' drives a Mercedes S-Class (shown initially as a W220 and then as a W140). 'Papa' drives a Mercedes E-Class (W210) in the anime and a Mercedes-Benz 190E in the manga.

Works cited

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Initial D manga series

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^ "Ch." and "Vol." are shortened forms for chapter and volume and refer to the appropriate sections in the Initial D manga:

  • Shigeno, Shuichi Initial D. (in Japanese) 45 vols. Tokyo: 1995–2012.
  • Shigeno, Shuichi Initial D. (English version) 33 vols. Los Angeles: Tokyopop. 2002–09

Initial D anime series

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Entire series
  • Initial D (in Japanese). 1998–2014
  • Initial D Tokyopop. 2003–05
  • Initial D Funimation. 2010–11

References

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  1. ^ "Initial D: The Little Comic That Could". YesAsia. 27 July 2005. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  2. ^ "TAU MAN JI D (INITIAL D)". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  3. ^ BWW News Desk. "AdShare Signs 'King of Asian Pop' Jay Chou". broadwayworld.com. Archived from the original on 12 January 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  4. ^ "Initial D World - Discussion Board / Forums – History of Fujiwara Tofu Shop". idforums.net. Archived from the original on 15 February 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  5. ^ "The Real Life Initial D on Display - Speedhunters". Speedhunters. 17 April 2013. Archived from the original on 5 May 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  6. ^ "Opens Today". Philippine Daily Inquirer. The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. 12 July 2006. p. A2-1. Retrieved 27 September 2022. Drifting to Victory
  7. ^ chicagoreader (13 October 2005). "The Reader's Guide to the 41st Chicago International Film Festival". Chicago Reader. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  8. ^ "Asian Rebels With Cars but Not Much of a Cause". The New York Times. 30 December 2005. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  9. ^ Havens, Edward (17 December 2005). "The Early Report for December 18, 2005: Part Two –". Filmjerk.com. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  10. ^ "TWI-NY, This Week In New York". Twi-ny.com. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  11. ^ "19th Annual Business Report". Avex Group. 2006. p. 13. Retrieved 31 December 2018.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ "Initial D (2005)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  13. ^ "42nd Golden Horse Awards winners and nominaees list" (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  14. ^ "Hong Kong Film Awards winner/nomination list" (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  15. ^ "Jay Chou Wants Edison Chen and Shawn Yue Back for "Initial D" Sequel". jaynestars.com. 28 March 2014. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  16. ^ "《頭文字D 2》進度曝光! 編劇揭「導演要用真車」給答案 | ETtoday星光雲 | ETtoday新聞雲". Archived from the original on 19 March 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  17. ^ "經典視角|《頭文字D》續集無望? 導演劉偉強︰再拍係咪想我死". 4 July 2020. Archived from the original on 4 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  18. ^ a b c d "Live Action differences - Hachi-Roku.net". Archived from the original on 15 February 2009. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  19. ^ a b Initial D manga, chapter 100
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