i just watched the first episode of Initial D

"Frank Grimes" (FrankGrimes)
10/03/2013 at 23:35 • Filed to: None

It was terrible. Super corny overwrought annoying characters crappy animation. The story isnt as terrible and now that my amazon instant video has expired I might be watching all episodes. Also why does the AE86 have such a cult status? Sure its handsome and RWD is pretty cool.

DISCUSSION (26)

ddavidn > Frank Grimes
10/03/2013 at 23:36

Isn't that what all anime is?

TheOnelectronic > Frank Grimes
10/03/2013 at 23:37

I don't know, why does the Miata have such a cult status?

offroadkarter > Frank Grimes
10/03/2013 at 23:38

Oh this can only end well.

I've never watched the show but I know the AE86 is only overly popular because of this show.

-Amateur > Frank Grimes
10/03/2013 at 23:39

We are talking about the 90's at that point, so you have to lower your standards animation wise. The good thing is that the animations get better every season. Here's the newest season 5 intro to look forward to if you stick it out.

GhostZ > Frank Grimes
10/03/2013 at 23:41

The AE86 has cult status because back in the 80s Keiichi Tsuchiya used his to film a video that got his license revoked by Japanese authorities. That video, and the associated mountain drifting that it showcased, both rose him to stardom (which he could carry into his racing career, drifting for show when he was so far ahead of the competition) and made people really start paying attention to the car. Now suddenly everyone had a reason to go buy a new 86 because they saw what it, with an incredible driver and a few modifications, was capable off. By and large, it's a horribly overrated car, since it's primary advantage was that it was a great modification platform for that type of driving. Outside of those contexts, and outside of a particular driver, it wasn't very remarkable. A fun, small coupe, but not the legend that people believe it is.

It has several unique characteristics that make is particularly good at the type of driving in the mountain races like in the show. The show is actually far more realistic than people give it credit for in that respect, since most modern technology and "circuit" speed and modifications do not necessarily translate to a faster pace on a street course in the mountains.

That being said, both Keiichi's and the show's 86 have many, many modifications that make it a proper sports car.

Look at Initial-D as a autobiography of Keichii Tsuchia's life if he hadn't gone professional and was younger when he started racing, and you'll see that there's a lot more to the show than meets the eye. It's bad entertainment, but a good car show.

Frank Grimes > TheOnelectronic
10/03/2013 at 23:44

I have never drove one but i would think from what people say is because its reliable simple roadster that handles decent without electronical crap to interfere. What does a miata have to do with an AE86?

Lets Just Drive > GhostZ
10/03/2013 at 23:45

Great summary and reply, Ghost!

Lets Just Drive > offroadkarter
10/03/2013 at 23:46

Incorrect. Read GhostZ's reply in this thread.

Lets Just Drive > TheOnelectronic
10/03/2013 at 23:47

Well, honestly, there's a bit of a difference there as the MX5 achieved it's status based on its performance numbers and the bonus of being retroactive cool. The AE86 has a bit different of a story.

daender > Frank Grimes
10/03/2013 at 23:47

A lot of shows have a slow start. The animation really picks up around stage 2-3, the beard is fully grown in stage 4, but gets trimmed in 5. If you can stick it out, then you might come around to enjoying it.

Frank Grimes > GhostZ
10/03/2013 at 23:49

Thanks for this great answer very informative I think thats why i will keep watching because the car aspects arent unrealistic and crazy its def a car show and it does capture the passion of lusting after a car and the excitement that reminds me of going to my first street races.

offroadkarter > Lets Just Drive
10/03/2013 at 23:51

I'd like to know how many people know about the AE86, know of anything that GhostZ talked about, cause that was my first time hearing any of that.

I sure as hell only know it exists from that show.

GhostZ > Frank Grimes
10/03/2013 at 23:52

The animation was ground-breaking when it came out because the cars were actually driven by real people on real courses, and then animated over-top-of. It's less present in the early stuff, but gets really obvious in the later episodes. You have to just be patient with it.

My favorite experience watching the show was breaking-down the reasons why the AE86 could be so successful, and when you figure enough of it out (not spoiling it!) it actually makes a lot of sense why that car would be so dominant in these types of races.

Desu-San-Desu > Frank Grimes
10/03/2013 at 23:55

Miata = Reliable simple roadster that handles decent without electronical crap to interfere. Also functions as a prolific modification platform with massive aftermarket support.

AE86 = Reliable simple coupe that handles decent without electronical crap to interfere. Also functions as a prolific modification platform with massive aftermarket support.

Lets Just Drive > offroadkarter
10/03/2013 at 23:56

How many?

All of the people whose opinions I'd value. Initial D was inspired entirely by the mountain drift phenomenon that swept Japan and was kicked off by Keiichi Tsuchiya and there was a lot of buzz around that, back in the day.

Maybe it's generational, and we asked the questions which took us outside of the cartoon but yeah, you're right, there are a shit ton of younger kids these days who think the AE86 is tits because of Initial D without any real comprehension of the greater, larger story.

But now you know and you have the internet at your fingertips. Think of all the shit you could learn!

D > Frank Grimes
10/04/2013 at 00:00

Like Amateur said, it seriously gets better as time passes. Stage 2 marks a big jump forward, 3 and 4 also step up their game.

Boxer_4 > Frank Grimes
10/04/2013 at 00:08

The first stage doesn't really get interesting until episode 4.

offroadkarter > Lets Just Drive
10/04/2013 at 00:11

I harness the power to explore vast words of knowledge and information, all at the tips of my fingers, either on the computer, or on my android....

Instead I just look at memes.

Lets Just Drive > offroadkarter
10/04/2013 at 00:19

Welcome to Generation Meme.

offroadkarter > Lets Just Drive
10/04/2013 at 00:22

Thanks, I'll be here for 70 more years

TheOnelectronic > Lets Just Drive
10/04/2013 at 00:22

I barely know a thing about the car, but I had the impression the 86 was similar; it provided a cheap, fun, simple RWD car, with the bonus of being a bit of a blank canvas in terms of modifications.

Also, I feel like the Miata's performance numbers actually don't give a good idea of the car. Its appeal, as I've understood it, is in the fun factor, even if it's maybe not the fastest car.

Lets Just Drive > offroadkarter
10/04/2013 at 00:30

That is terrifying.

LOL

Lets Just Drive > TheOnelectronic
10/04/2013 at 00:34

Well, when I'm talking about the MX5's numbers, I mean more in terms of real world performance and fun for your buck, in the context of now. That car has fought it's hair-dresser image for years and it's only won acceptance as a "real car" in the enthusiasts eyes as most non-car people wouldn't look twice at a Miata as anything bit a hair-dressers car.

And you're right in the sense that the 86 offered something similar in a more practical package. That's a big part of the allure of the AE86, the package. It's got a roof, a rear seat and a hatch but it's still a fun, RWD car. Also, price.

Curiousplay > -Amateur
10/04/2013 at 00:39

He's right on that. Animation at the start is bad because of its age, but gets better. Music is good too.

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > Frank Grimes
10/04/2013 at 01:43

Just wait. It'll get waay better.

I am at season 1 ep. 16 and it gets much more exiting!

However the story apart from the driving gets pretty lame sometimes..

JasonStern911 > Frank Grimes
10/04/2013 at 01:47

Initial D is great, but it does suffer from that Drag On Ballz syndrome where a 3 minute race somehow takes 60 minutes to act out. Get through the first race, which is like 5 episodes, and if it doesn't appeal to you, don't waste any more time despite what anyone tells you. But, you are leaving prematurely if you quit after one episode.