This 2014 anime is the first part of a trilogy re-booting the original Initial D TV series from the 1990s and early 2000s. Based on an iconic manga that helped make car "drifting" an international phenomenon, Awakening retells the story of an aging car unexpectedly appearing out of nowhere on a mountain road and unofficially defeating a much more powerful vehicle driven by popular racer Keisuke. The latter embarks on a quest to find the unseen driver who bested him. That driver turns out to be high school nobody Takumi, who delivers tofu for his father every morning and drifts around corners to speed up his schedule. Takumi has no interest in racing, but his request to borrow his dad's car to use on a date comes with a price: Takumi must race Keisuke once again. Takumi is a likable hero—backed by supporting characters who add dimension and humor—in this new Initial D that shuffles some scenes from the original series. But one thing is clear: the animation here reveals how far the anime genre has evolved from the era of the first manga adaptations, offering sharper, bolder images and 2D that pops and sometimes looks like 3D. Presented in a dual-language Blu-ray/DVD Combo edition, rated TV-14, extras include a preview of Initial D Legend 2: Racer (slated for release on Mar. 13). Recommended. (T. Keogh)
Initial D Legend 1: Awakening
(2014) 60 min. Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $39.98. Sentai Filmworks (avail. from most distributors). Volume 33, Issue 2
Initial D Legend 1: Awakening
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