Initial D

    (Tokyopop, 2002-2009)
™ and © 1996 Shuichi Shigeno
reads right to left; b&w

Judging from the press releases being sent out by Toykopop, they really want this new manga series fresh from Japan to be their answer to The Fast and The Furious or Grand Theft Auto—but anyone looking for cool heroes, hot babes, and even hotter cars in relentless vehicular action will be painfully disappointed.

The minimal plot involves loner–loser “hero” Takumi, who initially just wants a car but ends up taking on the local street–racing team, but the characterization is so uniformly flat, it’s hard to connect with him. It doesn’t help that the scratchy, fuzzy art makes everyone look ugly and slightly smudged (as if all their faces need washing). Takumi also wants supposed “hot girl” Natsuki; she’s not ugly, just dull and indistinguishable from any other bratty, money–obsessed Japanese school girl. This art style is particularly ill–suited at giving the dinky Japanese cars any sense of motion, as they make one hairpin turn after another—they literally look as if they’re standing still.

Importing a manga about car racing—a good idea. Importing this one—not so much.

— S.A. Bennett
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#1

May, 2002
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#2

July, 2002
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#3

August, 2002
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#4

January, 2003
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#5

April, 2003
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#6

June, 2003
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#7

August, 2003
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#8

October, 2003
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#9

December, 2003
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#10

February, 2004
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#11

April, 2004
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#12

June, 2004
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#13

August, 2004
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#14

October, 2004
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#15

December, 2004
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#16

February, 2005
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#17

April, 2005
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#18

June, 2005
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#19

August, 2005
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#20

November, 2005
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#21

February, 2006
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#22

May, 2006
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#23

August, 2006
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#24

October, 2006
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#25

January, 2007
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#26

May, 2007
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#27

August, 2007
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#28

November, 2007
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#29

February, 2008
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#30

May, 2008
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#31

August, 2008
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#32

October, 2008
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#33

December, 2008
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#34


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