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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(205 votes)

    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 2 Episode 12 - Eight-Six vs. Eight-Six
    8.8/10(9 votes)

    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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  3. Initial D Season 3 Episode 6 - Blind Attack
    8.8/10(6 votes)

    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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  4. Initial D Season 3 Episode 15 - 4WD Complex
    8.8/10(5 votes)

    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
    8.8/10(5 votes)

    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!
    8.8/10(5 votes)

    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
    8.8/10(5 votes)

    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
    8.8/10(5 votes)

    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 1 Episode 9 - Battle To the Limit
    8.7/10(188 votes)

    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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  10. Initial D Season 5 Episode 4 - Dream
    8.7/10(6 votes)

    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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  11. Initial D Season 2 Episode 13 - Changing Seasons
    8.6/10(8 votes)

    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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  12. Initial D Season 3 Episode 11 - Rainy Downhill Battle
    8.6/10(5 votes)

    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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  13. Initial D Season 1 Episode 4 - The Battle Begins
    8.5/10(204 votes)

    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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  14. Initial D Season 1 Episode 10 - The Five Consecutive Hairpins
    8.5/10(169 votes)

    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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  15. Initial D Season 1 Episode 15 - Takumi's Fury
    8.5/10(162 votes)

    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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  16. Initial D Season 3 Episode 8 - Fateful Battle of FDs
    8.5/10(6 votes)

    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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  17. Initial D Season 4 Episode 14 - Conclusion! Extreme Hill Climb
    8.5/10(6 votes)

    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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  18. Initial D Season 1 Episode 18 - Hot Winds and Furious Driving
    8.4/10(151 votes)

    S1:E18

    Mako and Sayuki are having their way with Takumi and the Eight-Six on Mt. Usui. As Takumi himself questions his ability to pull out a win, the racers approach the course’s toughest curve.

    Director:Masami Hata
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  19. Initial D Season 2 Episode 10 - The Eight-Six Turbo!
    8.4/10(8 votes)

    S2:E10

    After Wataru issues a short-lived battle against Keisuke, his sister Kazumi introduces him to Itsuki leading to a chance meeting with another Eight-Six driver. At first everything seems right with the meeting, but because of Takumi’s naïve reaction to his car’s new downhill weapon, Wataru rubs it the wrong way as his bad side emerges.

    Director:Hiroshi Ishida
    Writer:Hiroshi Toda

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  20. Initial D Season 3 Episode 10 - The Saitama Area's Ultimate Weapon
    8.4/10(5 votes)

    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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  21. Initial D Season 3 Episode 12 - Straightaway of Struggles
    8.4/10(5 votes)

    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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  22. Initial D Season 3 Episode 19 - God Foot and God Arm
    8.4/10(5 votes)

    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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  23. Initial D Season 3 Episode 23 - Endless Battle
    8.4/10(5 votes)

    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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  24. Initial D Season 4 Episode 4 - Revenge Battle of Fate
    8.4/10(5 votes)

    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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  25. Initial D Season 4 Episode 5 - Fujiwara Zone
    8.4/10(5 votes)

    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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Best Episodes Summary

"The New Downhill Legend" is the best rated episode of "Initial D". It scored 9/10 based on 205 votes. Directed by Hiroshi Tsuruta and written by Hiroshi Toda, it aired on 12/5/1998. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Eight-Six vs. Eight-Six".