StoryAs a rookie petrol-head way back in 2000, the only vehicle-based entertainment to have caught my eye was Top Gear and Gran Turismo. A recommendation for Initial D had me a little apprehensive at first, as this was to be my first
experience with subbed animation. Polishing off the first season in two
nights, I was instantly hooked and have ravenously devoured each
addictive addition as soon as it hit the screen. Nine years later, the
life-changing show has influenced my vehicle purchase decisions and
made me well sufficiently well equipped to recommend this series
emphatically to both car and anime fans alike.
Initial D Battle Stage 2 is a summary of the action from Stage 4 of the show, and as such is 24 episodes of plot condensed into just
over an hour of pure frenzied racing. The hillside battles may well be
the most exciting part of the show, but the character interactions and
storylines are what make the series unique in the car genre. As such,
this stage of the show is aimed at devotees who have watched all
previous installments and need a recap of the exhilarating action,
without being bogged down by extraneous story. People new to Initial D may enjoy the car racing, but would be missing out on the fascinating
rise of the underdog explained from the season one get-go.AnimationAs an Initial D veteran, I have seen the show grow from
adolescent animation, through the awkward CG teen years, and finally
mature into its current state. The use of seamless modern graphics is
stunning, and the stop-motion effects in the culmination of the battles
only add fuel to the excitement of the race. The low-budget sketchy
characters have been given a retro upgrade in the latest seasons, with
a simplistic use of single two-dimensional stills that look superb
against a sumptuous backdrop of three-dimensional cars. From the
attention to detail paid to a single raindrop tossed from a rear tyre
onto the windscreen of a chasing vehicle to the burn effect of rear
brake lights, the show deserves great praise for growing so well with
current animation techniques and using them expertly to enhance the
adrenaline-filled scrambles.SoundOwning every single soundtrack from the Initial D franchise, I
have learned to love what I used to abhor. Now smitten by Euro-beat – a
genre designed with the camp in mind – I look forward to the strangely
memorable Engrish cheese and melodic slap to the face delivered by the
funky beats that serve as a backing. The crazy disco songs, which make
their way onto the soundtrack courtesy of the band Move, fit perfectly
with the high octane races. However, dramatic pauses punctuate
exhilarating moments, and your frantic heartbeat will be the only
rhythm playing. Word of warning : do not listen to Initial D soundtracks whilst driving, as it has an adverse effect on fuel
economy, and no matter how hard you try – you cannot drive as well as
Takumi...CharactersA lack of storyline in this abridged OVA result in the main characters
being the AE86, FD3S and a Suzuki Cappuccino – these are cars, for new
inductees. The unassuming Takumi and aggressive Ryosuke serve only as a
running commentary to the action, giving the viewer the sensation of
being sat shotgun. Adding to the thrill of the chase, the technical
explanation of the racing techniques used will have the viewer hooked,
although they give no insight into what happens outside of the
turbo-charged atmosphere. Blossoming romance and character development
are reserved for the main season, with a personality void instead being
filled by adrenaline pumping downhill challenges.OverallAlthough it scores highly from a fan of the genre, new viewers should
ideally start from the beginning to fully appreciate this anime, which
is firmly rooted in the street racing world. Initial D has grown
and progressed well from its premier in 1998, using new animation
techniques to improve the visuals, but maintaining the kick-ass
Euro-beat soundtrack as a reminder of its humble beginnings. Although
not the best in the series, Battle Stage 2 serves as an
intoxicating reminder of the most recent adrenaline-pumping challenges
and will be loved by wannabe Akina Speedstars.
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