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The Best Episodes of Initial D

Every episode of Initial D ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Initial D!

Binge this in 1d 11h•Peaking at 9.0/10

Takumi’s job as a tofu delivery boy has turned him into one of the most formidable drivers around. Behind the wheel of his Eight-Six, he’s one with the road—and his life shifts into high gear

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Initial D Season 1 Episode 26 - The New Downhill Legend
    9.0/10(172 votes)

    #1 - The New Downhill Legend

    S1:E26

    The drivers fly toward the finish line, with only one curve to go. Ryosuke and Takumi have earned their reputations - but the winner of this race will go down in history.

    Director:Hiroshi Tsuruta
    Writer:Hiroshi Toda

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  2. Initial D Season 3 Episode 6 - Blind Attack
    9.0/10(5 votes)

    #2 - Blind Attack

    S3:E6

    The Toudou School's driver knows all about exploiting a challenger's blind spot. If Takumi hopes to win, he'll have to find a way to leave his opponent in the dark.

    Director:Hiroshi Kimura
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  3. Initial D Season 3 Episode 11 - Rainy Downhill Battle
    9.0/10(4 votes)

    #3 - Rainy Downhill Battle

    S3:E11

    Takumi struggles to keep up with the Northern Saitama Alliance's Cappuccino. As the rain soaks the course, both teams find their confidence wavering - it seems the race could go either way.

    Director:Hiroshi Kimura
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  4. Initial D Season 3 Episode 15 - 4WD Complex
    9.0/10(4 votes)

    #4 - 4WD Complex

    S3:E15

    Takumi continues wrestling with the differences in his Eight-Six and the Impreza. Later, when Keisuke falls prey to a trap set by Project D's next opponents, the upcoming race could be over before it begins.

    Director:Hiroshi Kimura
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  5. Initial D Season 3 Episode 16 - Hillclimb of Fury
    9.0/10(4 votes)

    #5 - Hillclimb of Fury

    S3:E16

    The damage to Keisuke's car might prevent him from driving in the uphill race. Just as it looks like he's out of options, Kyoko arrives on the scene in her FD.

    Director:Susumu Kudo
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  6. Initial D Season 3 Episode 20 - The Unmatched GT-R!
    9.0/10(4 votes)

    #6 - The Unmatched GT-R!

    S3:E20

    Keisuke climbs behind the wheel of his newly modified FD to take on the legendary God Foot's GT-R! The race will be tougher - and longer - than normal. Luckily, Ryosuke's got a plan.

    Director:Kenichi Kuhara
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Initial D

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  7. Initial D Season 3 Episode 21 - Dogfight
    9.0/10(4 votes)

    #7 - Dogfight

    S3:E21

    The battle between the FD and GT-R continues, however the real battle has just begun. Now, Hoshino demonstrates his unique driving skills that people call the impossible earning him the name Godfoot. This makes Keisuke’s true racing abilities appear when it’s pushed beyond his limits as both drivers begin to drive recklessly forcing the battle to be settled in more than just one battle.

    Director:Hiroshi Kimura
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  8. Initial D Season 3 Episode 24 - The Never-Ending Challenge
    9.0/10(4 votes)

    #8 - The Never-Ending Challenge

    S3:E24

    Takumi and God Arm speed toward the finish line. After the race ends, the rising star looks to the legend for a lesson in technique - and Project D looks into the future where new challengers wait for their shot.

    Director:Kenichi Kuhara
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  9. Initial D Season 2 Episode 12 - Eight-Six vs. Eight-Six
    8.9/10(7 votes)

    #9 - Eight-Six vs. Eight-Six

    S2:E12

    Fujiwara is about to experience a completely different type of racer within Wataru’s own Eight-Six, in a treacherous mountain pass consisted of mixed elevations, rusting guardrails, unexpected traps and aging rough pavements. As Takumi presses down the accelerator, the true nature of the Eight-Six’s new hidden weapon emerges in it’s monstrous raw performance.

    Director:Shinya Hanai
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  10. Initial D Season 1 Episode 9 - Battle To the Limit
    8.6/10(157 votes)

    #10 - Battle To the Limit

    S1:E9

    The race is underway with Takumi behind the wheel of the Eight-Six. His competition, Takeshi, drives the Three-Two with undeniable skill - but he can’t seem to pull away from Takumi!

    Director:Mihiro Yamaguchi
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  11. Initial D Season 3 Episode 8 - Fateful Battle of FDs
    8.6/10(5 votes)

    #11 - Fateful Battle of FDs

    S3:E8

    Keisuke meets a girl named Kyoko, who happens to be a fellow FD driver. Their first encounter is pleasant and leaves her weak in the knees. Their second encounter is a race on her turf.

    Director:Hiroshi Kimura
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  12. Initial D Season 4 Episode 14 - Conclusion! Extreme Hill Climb
    8.6/10(5 votes)

    #12 - Conclusion! Extreme Hill Climb

    S4:E14

    The intense hill climb battle between Keisuke and Go Hojo is coming to the end of second round. Keisuke engages in attack mode and Go Hojo starts to get tense. Meanwhile, Shinji Inui has revealed to especially Mako and Sayuki, who has been with him, that he would be the racer of the downhill battle against Takumi.

    Director:Taiki Nishimura
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  13. Initial D Season 5 Episode 4 - Dream
    8.6/10(5 votes)

    #13 - Dream

    S5:E4

    The intense downhill battle between the two drivers are reaching an end, as Takumi and Shinji race to their absolute limits. As this battle comes to a close, and the reign of Project D finally ends, the true meaning behind the "D" will be revealed. As the characters go on different paths, Takumi's passion to be "the fastest one out there" will never end.

    Director:Osamu Sekita
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  14. Initial D Season 2 Episode 13 - Changing Seasons
    8.5/10(6 votes)

    #14 - Changing Seasons

    S2:E13

    The battle between the two Eight-Sixes have met Wataru’s satisfaction much higher than he expected, but he plans to decide the outcome of this battle with the judgement of the human body’s limitations. Takumi soon realizes he is losing grip of his pace. After the battle, a series of revelations take place among all the characters in preparation to what’s coming next.

    Director:Yukihiro Shino
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  15. Initial D Season 3 Episode 10 - The Saitama Area's Ultimate Weapon
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #15 - The Saitama Area's Ultimate Weapon

    S3:E10

    Project D might be in trouble. The leader of the Northern Saitama Alliance has recruited a bold new driver to face Takumi. Ryosuke knows victory isn't a sure thing, and as the race begins, so does a heavy rain.

    Director:Akira Shimizu
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  16. Initial D Season 3 Episode 12 - Straightaway of Struggles
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #16 - Straightaway of Struggles

    S3:E12

    Takumi is locked in the toughest race of his career! With Ryosuke's odd advice echoing in his mind, and the Cappuccino still leading, his decision in the last straightaway will be the difference in victory or defeat.

    Director:Hiroshi Kimura
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  17. Initial D Season 3 Episode 19 - God Foot and God Arm
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #17 - God Foot and God Arm

    S3:E19

    Project D's next match is against a pair of legendary racers. The veteran drivers of Purple Shadow may be a lot older than Takumi's crew, but they aren't rusty. In fact, their skills are as sharp as polished blades.

    Director:Hiroshi Kimura
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  18. Initial D Season 3 Episode 23 - Endless Battle
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #18 - Endless Battle

    S3:E23

    Takumi's greatest strength is his greatest weakness in the match with God Arm. The race has become an endurance test, and both drivers are wearing thin. Something's got to give - and soon.

    Director:Hiroshi Kimura
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  19. Initial D Season 4 Episode 4 - Revenge Battle of Fate
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #19 - Revenge Battle of Fate

    S4:E4

    Kanagawa's Second Line will be against RT Katagiri, where Takumi encounters Kai Kogashiwa: a former rival from Irohazaka; graduated from street racing and now a professional racer with his MR-S. However, Takumi is starting to show a "Zone" that had evolved from the Purple Shadow races, a zone that even Ryosuke cannot explain. The winner of this race is up in the air.

    Director:Osamu Sekita
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  20. Initial D Season 4 Episode 5 - Fujiwara Zone
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #20 - Fujiwara Zone

    S4:E5

    As the battle heats up, both Takumi and Kai both use all of their ability, and then some, to battle for the win. In the next battle, Keisuke puts his new accelerator techniques to the test against Minagawa's Supra. But as Ryosuke explains, there is another purpose of this training that would allow him to beat the "super-orthodox" pro racer.

    Director:Taiji Kawanishi
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  21. Initial D Season 1 Episode 4 - The Battle Begins
    8.4/10(162 votes)

    #21 - The Battle Begins

    S1:E4

    The match between the SpeedStars and the RedSuns is set to begin. Just as Iketani makes the desperate decision to put Kenji up against Keisuke, the Eight-Six appears - with Takumi behind the wheel.

    Director:Hiroshi Kotaki
    Writer:Hiroshi Toda

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  22. Initial D Season 1 Episode 10 - The Five Consecutive Hairpins
    8.4/10(141 votes)

    #22 - The Five Consecutive Hairpins

    S1:E10

    Takeshi and Takumi speed toward the finish line! Victory is at hand for the driver who can conquer the final challenges of the course - five treacherous hairpin curves.

    Director:Hiroshi Kotaki
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  23. Initial D Season 1 Episode 15 - Takumi's Fury
    8.4/10(136 votes)

    #23 - Takumi's Fury

    S1:E15

    Takumi and Iketani are having very different days: Takumi’s hand is taped to the Eight-Six’s steering wheel as Shingo bumps into him at high speeds. Iketani’s hanging out with a pretty girl.

    Director:Yukio Nishimoto
    Writer:Hiroshi Toda

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  24. Initial D Season 3 Episode 2 - Full Speed! Downhill Battle
    8.4/10(5 votes)

    #24 - Full Speed! Downhill Battle

    S3:E2

    Tohru's promised to quit racing forever if he loses his next match. The course is dangerous, and with Project D's downhill specialist on his tail, one wrong move could spell disaster.

    Director:Susumu Kudo
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  25. Initial D Season 3 Episode 17 - The Saitama Area's Final Battle
    8.4/10(5 votes)

    #25 - The Saitama Area's Final Battle

    S3:E17

    The Lan EVO drivers have proven to be Project D's shadiest opponents yet. They've already shown their willingness to cheat - and now they've threatened Takumi's team with physical violence.

    Director:Hiroshi Kimura
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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Best Episodes Summary

"The New Downhill Legend" is the best rated episode of "Initial D". It scored 9/10 based on 172 votes. Directed by Hiroshi Tsuruta and written by Hiroshi Toda, it aired on 12/5/1998. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Blind Attack".