Tomodachi

Race Your Friends!

Initial D Stage 3 Arcade Game
Coming to Tomodachi July 4th!

Since the creation of the manga, written by Shuichi Shigeno in 1995, Initial D has been a mega hit. It has produced an anime series, a live action movie, and of course, several arcade style video games.

The inspiration for the manga came from real street racing and Shigeno’s love for vehicles. Drift racing was supposedly added due to the exploits of Keiichi Tsuchiya, or Japan’s “Drift King”. A street racer himself, Tsuchiya eventually became a professional that was credited with developing techniques that made the sport popular. Now retired, he still acts as editorial supervisor to Initial D. Cool huh?

Generally, readers who are into the sport already have more interest in the cars themselves than the story. Interestingly, much of Initial D’s success comes from its references to real places in Japan because it attracts a new audience that then gains an understanding and passion for cars.

In 1998, Avex released an anime series of Initial D that would continue on for 10 years and include three movies. By 2002, the Initial D arcade game series had begun, with it’s first release titled “Initial D: Arcade Stage” or just “Initial D” in America.

Initial D focuses the world of Japanese street racing with many of its action packed races presented in places based on real locations. Rarely taking place in urban settings, Initial D brings us into the exciting world of drifting around mountain cliffs and zooming down steep passes.

The main protagonist is Takumi Fujiwara, otherwise known as the “Ghost of Akina”. He’s a high school student and expert driver with no taste for racing, until his friends and rivals pressure him into it. Takumi may be a legend but remember, there are a vast amount of characters in Initial D, some of which only appear once, so remember to catch them in Stage 3!

Two seats will be available so you can compete! Enjoy the special card system that allows you to save your progress and your customized car to race again another day.

Tomodachi is honored to have the Initial D Stage 3 arcade machine for the summer.