Anaylsis
Initial D is not only a Japanese animated show on cars and drifting, but about relationships. Sure, the storyline is about an 18-year-old teenager in Gunma, Japan who is taught incredible drift driving techniques by his father to help out his family’s store while outclassing street racers who challenge him with overpowered cars, but one must see past this. Relationships are key in one’s life, whether it is between a boy and his father, friends, enemies, or girlfriend.
The first character I would like to discuss is Takumi’s father, Bunta Fujiwara. He is definitely a mysterious, yet lovable character who oversees Takumi and his racing abilities without actually going to the races or even opening his eyes! Bunta is the perfect example of fathers towards their boys. They always seem to be better, and always seem to have done whatever new you have just tried. There is always something about your father that you don’t know about. In this case, Takumi has no idea that Bunta was a professional driver, and not just another tofu shop owner. Takumi and Bunta have short and awkward conversations, resembling that they are both equally shy and conserved. However, the sight of Bunta’s face while he waved at Takumi at Akagi, when the AE86 broke down, displayed a true love and care between a father and his son. Bunta knows all about his son, even when it comes to girls!
Takumi’s best friend and peer, Itsuki, is perhaps the best example of a ‘best friend.’ Even though he is obviously the comic relief on the show, he is an important character, showing true faith between two guys. No matter what the situation was, Itsuki was always on Takumi’s side. In return, Takumi also defends for Itsuki. When Iketani and Kenji laugh their asses off at his AE85, Takumi pursuits Itsuki to tell him that any teenager who owns his own car is amazing. AE85 or not, it is still Itsuki’s car, and he should never look down on it. Another time Takumi shows his care for Itsuki was when he dropped Itsuki off with Kazumi while he raced with Wataru. Takumi and Itsuki are friends at a deeper level than they are with Iketani and Kenji.
Iketani and Kenji are slightly older than Takumi and Itsuki, and that may become a difference in thoughts. Although they are all co-workers and friends, Iketani and Kenji think rationally and do not believe that an AE86 could outrun the many powerful cars that come in Takumi’s way, even though they have seen so many upsets. But there is still an understanding between the four guys who are at the GS gas station. Even though it was not his fault that a girl blurred his vision, Iketani sacrificed Takumi and his AE86 as a commodity. It was Kenji who snapped him out of that thought and reminded him that the AE86 was Akina’s pride and joy. The fact that Takumi helped the Speed Stars time and time again made him a savior. Iketani instantly understood, and knew for a fact that friends are more valuable than girls.
Yuichi is Takumi’s boss at the GS gas station. He is friends with Bunta, and acts as Bunta’s ears and eyes by attending the races. The true care of his man implies that he really cares for his employees, seeing them as his children as well. When Itsuki got into an accident with the EG6, Yuichi instantly orders Takumi and Iketani to visit him at the hospital. Whenever someone needs a day off to do something “important,” Yuichi lets them off the hook since he understands what it felt like to be young. All that while keeping a gas station in good order and business is harder than it looks!
Natsuki Mogi is Takumi’s love interest throughout the show. Takumi has had experiences in the past, where he shows his affection for Mogi. This is exactly what a boy can do when it comes to a girl. He likes her a lot, but it is still hard for him to show it openly because of his suppressive and conservative self. When he finds out that Mogi was having an affair, he became irrational and infuriated. Even so, it did not change his true feelings towards this girl that he had loved for so long. Rescuing her from the GT4, he exposes his feelings after Mogi expresses hers. At that instant, the two were no longer scared of each other. Takumi is finally relieved of suppression.
My favorite relationship in the show is the one between Ryosuke Takahashi and Takumi Fujiwara. Ryosuke is the king of the streets, an undefeated champion with an undefeated team until Takumi and his AE86 showed up. Ryosuke is strangely very omniscient and understands everything and everyone. He wants to impact the street racing world and always shoot for rewriting course records and becoming the fastest all around. I believe that Ryosuke is searching for a replacement for himself. There has always been his skilled little brother, Keisuke, but it is hard for Keisuke to apply theory his driving skills. The discovery of Takumi Fujiwara made Ryosuke interested in another person besides his brother, as Ryosuke is always watching the young Takumi. By watching him and eventually racing and losing to Takumi, he believes that Takumi has the potential to fulfill his dream. By the third stage, he had already decided to recruit both Keisuke and Takumi into Project D. Perhaps Takumi is a younger mirror image of Ryosuke? Perhaps Takumi is the next Ryosuke? The intense feeling when Ryosuke and Takumi converse with each other is eerie. It seems so calm, yet so competitive. Ryosuke sees something very special in Takumi that no one else can.
Keisuke Takahashi is a more childish version of his older brother. He is a more in-your-face type person, who is hotheaded, but still a caring person. Always looking out for his brother’s dream, he strives to aid achieve Ryosuke’s goals and make him happy. Brotherly love and respect is the main theme between the Takahashi brothers. Between Keisuke and Takumi, they seem to be very competitive yet respectful as well. In a sense, they are both competing for Ryosuke even though they are not aware of it. Keisuke likes the companionship of Takumi and asks his to join Project D himself and to both shoot for being professional drivers under Ryosuke’s coaching. Takumi respects both the Takahashi brothers, and ends up joining Project D. “Wow… What incredible people…” Takumi thinks.
Respect is a big topic. Most characters fall into that topic, such as Nakazato, Shingo, and Kyouichi. Even though the leader of the Night Kids, Nakazato, is very skilled, he is also flawed in the fact that his grip driving style does not beat the elite drifters such as the Takahashi’s or Fujiwara. Shingo is the character who lacks respect of everything, including opponents, and his own team leader. However, he does learn respect over time. Kyouichi knows Takumi is skilled. He respects Takumi for the fact that he can keep up with his EVOIII with an outdated AE86. Kyouichi is the key that unlocks Takumi’s view on powerful cars.
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