"Initial D: Fourth Stage" (2004) TV series

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Creator:

Shuichi Shigeno

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

April 2004 (Japan)

Genre:

Action | Animation

Plot:

Takumi Fujiwara continues his undefeated racing streak, touring the mountain passes of Japan with rival driver Keisuke Takahashi as a part of ex-racer Ryosuke Takahashi's racing team: "Project D".

Plot Keywords:

Japan | Based On Comic | Manga | Anime

Cast

Unshô Ishizuka

...

Bunta Fujiwara (unknown episodes)

Also Known As:

"Initial D: Fourth Stage - Project D" (Japan) (working title)

Runtime:

30 min (24 episodes)

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color

Trivia:

In episode 10, Takumi races against a Suzuki Cappuccino, a small car that falls into the Japanese keijidousa, or 'K-Class'. K-Class cars can be built no longer than 4.4m (14.4 feet), no wider than 1.5m (4.9 feet) and equipped with an engine no larger than 660cc that has to produce less than 64bhp (although superchargers or turbochargers may be added). K-Class have lower taxes, cheaper maintenance, comparatively simple registration and are very popular in Japan. Surprisingly, the Cappuccino is the first use of a K-Class car in the series.

Goofs:

Continuity: After Takumi replaces his old white hood with a black fiber hood, a scene at the tofu shop comes up and the car is seen in the alley beside it, and the hood is still white.

Movie Connections:

Follows "Initial D: Second Stage" (1999)

Soundtrack:

Midnight Lover

A bit disappointed

Just bought and saw the 1st and 2nd episodes for the 4th stage today. I was expecting more than that. First of all, the visual wasn't much improved since 3rd stage. This time the faces of the previous characters had changed a bit. But you still can tell who they are if you had follow the series. The car chasing scene wasn't enhanced with any special CGI or staff. Second of all, the music. Almost the same trait like before but not as excited as before also. Another thing I noticed was that they had cut short of the story and altered it from the comic book, in a not so complete story. So, If you had the access to the comic book, read them. You'll see what I mean. The story still runs smoothly, but you'll feel it wasn't complete if you had seen the comic book. Overall rating I will give it 7/10. Anyhow, it is still worth your time to watch how Takumi improves his skills and knowledge by challenging all the other great down hill and even up hill drivers overtime.