Initial D - Battle 2 - Challenge, Red Suns [DVD]

In Battle 01 of the Initial D series, we were introduced to Tak who is a skilled race driver without even knowing it. He drives the classic Eight-Six down Mt. Akina during nighttime delivery runs for his father's tofu shop. During one of these runs, he beats out the second best driver for the rival racing team the Redsuns, KT Takahashi. KT can't get the mysterious Eight-Six out of his mind. Tak is not a fan of street racing that has captivated his best friend, Iggy, and the cool kids in his town, but his father (a racing legend, himself) convinces him to participate in an official race with KT for a tank of gas to use on a date with future girlfriend Natalie. That is where the first DVD leaves off. I didn't think I was that big a fan of the show but, I just had to find out what happens, so I sought out Disc 2 of the 14-disc series.The first of the three episodes builds up the suspense waiting for Tak to arrive. KT wants to race the driver of the Eight-Six again, not another member of the Akina Speed Stars who he could easily smoke. The actual racing in the second episode is surprisingly exciting and interesting. There is a trick that Tak uses to gain the upper hand on one of the corners where he appears to drive faster than his tires' grip that both KT's brother Ry and a top driver for the Miogi Night Kids, Zak Nakasoto, figure out. Don't worry, Ry shares with his brother (and us) what the trick is. Needless to say, Tak gets a free tank of gas to go to the beach with big-eyed Natalie, a boring diversion.Surprisingly, the most interesting episode to me was the third one "A New Challenger." Here, Tak explains how he learned to drive starting at age 13 (yes, that is illegal in Japan, too). He explains the point of the water cup his father made him use while taking the corners. In a restaurant, Ry and KT discuss why the less powerful Eight-Six is best on the downhill, how more power hinders a car with many corners. Zak (the new challenger) changed his vehicle to a Three-Two GT-R with four-wheel drive. KT's turbo is FR transmitting power to the road's surface using only the rear tires. They think Zak's four-wheel drive ride can take full advantage of his horse power. A funny part is when Tak's friend Kol rides with him on his usual downhill run and, Tak gets so close to the guardrail on corner 3, Kol passes out. Tak's friend Iggy is the comedy relief of the show and is way over animated in the typical Japanese anime style. You can watch this with Japanese or English dialogue and in the classic or enhanced video. If you get Battle 01, you will definitely want to see Battle 02. If you haven't seen the first DVD and if any of this review sounds interesting, then check them out.

When I first viewed initial d this wasn't like any type of anime that I've seen before. I'm normally into stuff like inuyasha, tenchi muyo etc, but i decided to give initial d a chance. My first review about the akina downhill specialist will tell you a little bit about what I saw and after that dvd I was kinda hooked on the story line. After Tak was on his way to akina I wanted to see the race even though I already knew the result of the race. It's just kinda funny how a old beat up 86' can beat the latest mazda rx-7 fd. I mean the graphics on the character weren't like all of my other anime choices, but I mainly watch this one because of the story line. I just want to see how far they will take this series. So if you want my opinion If you have seen the first dvd and was kinda interested then this dvd is just right for you!!!

I bought this and the previous Tokyopop DVD. And I must admit the 'American' version on any of these DVDs is horrible and pathetic at very best. But the Japanese version is probably what everyone bought it for. Contrary to any of the naysayers. This Tokyopop version has refined, cleared up quality compared to the original Japanese one. I know, because I bought it (the whole 1st Season). In comparrison to this Tokyopop version, the original Japanese seems grainy, dark, and out of focus. So I do recommend this Tokyopop version. Although it is a real pain and shame to pay so much for only 3 episodes and then wait forever for the next 3 to be available. Thats the only reason it gets 4 stars and not 5.

Three stars come on??? where you get that from if you know anything about racing you know this is the best Animated driving version of drifting available to us in the US. As far as Japans version goes it's on the disc too... So give TokyoPop some props for bringing it here... I know a tight Anime and this one is just that and I know cars as well and they were well drawn to specs in the vids. as well as the driving technique used... So if your into the scene with a ride you'll like it a lot or if you're playing video games still you'll wish to drive one of those rides...

I LIKE INITIAL D SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!! It's so cool watching them race. Although, if you don't know what this is about, I'll tell you. 17 year-old Takumi Fujiwara was tought very good racing skills by his dad so he could deliver tofu at 4:00 a.m. every day on Mt. Akina. But one day one of gunma's fastest drivers, Keisuke Takahashi of the Akagi Red Suns, happened to be driving on Mt. Akina that early. Let's just say Takumi "passed" Keisuke and Keisuke "spun out". Well, Keisuke already challenged the Akina Speed Stars to a race on Mt. Akina. With the top dog of the Speed Stars injured Takumi is the Speed Stars last hope. One of the only reasons Takumi races is because he wants to go to the beach with his girlfriend Natsuki. I'm not telling you who wins but I will tell you this, the race of the Akina Speed Stars and the Akagi Red Suns is on this battle. And Takumi is NOT on the Speed Stars but on a team called Plan D.-_-