Initial D Second Stage

Though this series is much shorter than the previous season, it does cover a lot of ground. What I really liked about 2nd Stage is that it focuses more on character development and the relationships of the characters. Specifically the main ones like Itsuki and Takumi. Iketani and Kenji are still around, but they play their uses, but they aren’t really that central or given the same screen time like in season 1. You get to see more of how emotional and passionate Takumi can really be at times, and I like how Itsuki is not just really a comic relief character and has hisgood side to him. Once again, the technical jargon is still present. If you did not see my review of season 1, I will once again state it may be difficult to understand, but once everything is applied, you’ll understand it better. I feel it needs to be present so it can educate the viewer. Plus, I still stand by regardless of being able to fully understand, I feel that the tech speak is what help makes it more distinctive and aims to be realistic. Sadly, as a Keisuke fan, though he is used, he’s not useful in the way that I want him to be, but with Ryosuke being my number one favorite character, well, check out the series to find out what I mean because it’d only be a spoiler with what his character does. Not only do the characters and the relationships develop, the art and animation tremendously improve from season 1 as well. The coloring is more shiny and glossy, there is more detail to the hair, the proportions are more even, and the cg is much better rendered. There aren’t much races in this season, but what’s good is that the races aren’t exclusive to Akina anymore and only one race happens there so it prevents itself from getting repetitive. You finally get to see the Red Suns’ home turf of Akagi, and we also get a brand new course of Shomaru as well. However, the outcome of the final race in this anime does differ significantly from the manga version which may either disappoint you, or something you can embrace since it is something different and it’d be boring just to watch something when you already know the outcome. Anyway, new factors such as a combination of psychological and environmental come into play still, but in a whole new approach in comparison to season 1 in ways you wouldn’t expect. Once again, the cast from season 1 that return are still present. I really love how Itsuki is portrayed as more sensitive and emotional and Iwata does a great job of that. I also love Tanaka Masahiko, who I recall as the voices of the Kazekage from Naruto and Mashiba Ryo from Hajime no Ippo as Kyoichi. He’s a total asshole you want to see get his ass handed to him. And the best addition to this season is Wataru’s seiyuu, Matsumoto Yasunori, the voice of Gourry from Slayers, Jacky Bryant from Virtua Fighter, and many others. He does a great job of playing someone who is distant and has a short temper and it makes him oblivious, so I like that portrayal. Nothing really to complain with voice acting. And the music only gets better, the perfect example, the ending theme Kimi Ga Iru by Galla. It’s so beautiful, well toned and pitched, and excellently paced. It really captures you and reflects the character relationship nature of this show on my impression. And you can’t have Initial D without the good ol’ Eurobeat. We got 100 by Dave Rodgers and we also got Burning Desire, also from the Para Para Paradise games. So pretty much everything I could say about music and voice acting from season 1 can be said here. Well, to watch this season, I strongly recommend season 1 first. Yes, I still also say that Initial D isn’t an anime for everyone, but this season has more traits that most anime fans would want in an anime, but to understand the characters and how they developed to that point and how they further develop, you have to watch season 1 first and to get a better understanding of the cars as well. Granted it does have some significant changes if you are at all familiar with the manga, but the changes are done for all the right reasons and is still an enjoyable anime.

Second Stage was half as long as First Stage. Although it was shorter it still packed just as much a punch as the first stage did. The race scenes in this one were awesome! The artwork was much cleaner and flowed WAY SMOOTHER than the first. You can tell that the storytelling and character development was the main focus of Second Stage. Overall it is an excellent series and I would watch it again without a doubt. I kind of feel sorry for Itsuki though. Poor Guy can't catch a break with ANY WOMAN! haha 9 out of 10

Spoiling bits of the story, but not too important ones. At first I thought Initial D was about racing, cars and kind of like a coming of age story featuring Takumi, but it's just so much more than that. While Season 1 was a near perfect introduction to the whole story, Season 2 was a 100% perfect continuation to it. And here are my reasons for that:First of all, the antagonists: They started off very weak with Iwakii Seiji who just was like any other antagonist. Mean, kind off stubborn and overall a prejudging idiot. Just the kind of antagonist you are supposed to hate. Don't get me wrong here, I hate it when an anime obviously wants to influence your opinion on a character, but the other antagonists made this part of the story completely enjoyable. Akiyama Wataru and Sudou Kyouichi were the creme de la creme of antagonists to me. Kyouichi with his kind of badass appearance but at the same time he was so kind and truly wanted Takumi to change for the better. And Wataru which wasn't a good antagonist, because of how he behaved, but because of the fact that he was there to lead Takumi into something greater. They both showed Takumi big weaknesess he has to lose in order for him to win his races. Truly important and well written characters. Another thing that made this anime season a 10 for me was the romance/feelings part: First of all let's talk about Itsuki X Kazumi and Takumi X Mogi. The almost GODLIKE behavior Takumi brought towards Mogi was just so satisfying to watch. And Mogi reacted just like a normal person would. She realized she did something wrong and now she would have to change for the better in order to get back to Takumi. It was obviously not his fault and she should make that clear to him so that they can maybe reunite. I don't know yet if I would be a fan of that though. Itsuki X Kazumi was also so good. I personally didn't like Itsuki in Season 1 at all, because he was always the guy that talked nonsense and cried, screamed and laughed like the biggest idiot ever, BUT in Season 2 this guy was just a whole different person. A more reasonable and better person in my opinion. He spitted facts all over the place. I could spent a whole day just listening to Itsuki's sad life and romance experience, and why is that? It's because I can completely understand his feelings. I felt the same way. I guess everyone felt the same way when they got their heart crushed the first time for their life. I just could relate perfectly. Talking about feelings I was so happy to see Takumi showing off his feelings FINALLY. The moment he cried because of the race with Kyoichi I CRIED TOO. I loved it. He finally opened up to his father and I for the first time felt like they had a father son connection. Before that they always seemed so far apart. Never talking to each other much and only about cars, but now they were talking about how they feel and they tried to solve a problem together. I just loved seeing them so close together. I mean his father is probably one of the best written characters as well since he just helps his son develop so much but not by telling him what to do, but by pushing him to his limits and letting himself discover how to get better. Loved it. Also the use of soundtracks, especially Deja Vu was just amazing. I loved the art and the soundtracks all along! Hope anyone can relate that this Season was extraordinary and one of the most important steps to take for Takumi.

Tadgh: This series was always one I never thought I'd like. We draw our anime from a list out of a hat, so when the first Initial D came up I was skeptical. After the first series, I couldn't wait for more. Sad part is, we draw our anime out of a hat, so I had to wait. I was stoked when this series came up and it didn't disappoint. The characters were really fleshed out here and everyone seemed to grow. The races are still exciting. The others in my group might disagree, but I really like the CG cars. Everything about this animebesides the 90's music makes me excited for more. Laohoam- I really enjoyed the story this time. The character development really stepped up and all though it was shorter in episodes I feel that this season gave more overall. Though I did not like the new art style as much the rest easily compensates for that. I am very excited to move on to the next stage. Rasanaph- Enjoyed it as much as Stage 1 and looking forward to Stage 3. Dr R. Dash- okay when we all finished Initial D first stage, WE all loved it! so very much and after we pulled Second stage out the hat we all got very serious. So going into this series we knew Takumi needs to grow more than in first stage, and we guessed right , so many elements of real life and hardship come into play that it felt to short but we are happy and pumped for stage 3. My opinion I wish the voice actors wouldn't have changed but we got used to it and I personally dont see any way they can revert to non CG animation for the races I think its just going to keep getting better.:)

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