The Best Episodes of Initial D Season 1
Every episode of Initial D Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Initial D Season 1!
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 when the underground street racing world takes notice. Drivers from across the region are lining up for a shot at the new guy. Takumi’s not just focused on winning—he’s out to prove he’s the best.
Season 1 Ratings Summary
The best episode of "Initial D" season 1 is "The Ultimate Tofu Store Drift", rated 7.7/10 from 151 user votes. It was directed by Shin Misawa and written by Hiroshi Toda. "The Ultimate Tofu Store Drift" aired on 4/18/1998 and is rated 0.1 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Revenge! The Rumbling Turbo".
7.7/10 151 votes#1 - The Ultimate Tofu Store Drift
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 4/18/1998
High school kid Takumi works at a gas station with his buddy Itsuki. When the guys join their co-worker Iketani for a night of street racing action on Mt. Akina, Takumi’s life will never be the same.
Director: Shin Misawa
Writer: Hiroshi Toda
7.6/10 122 votes#2 - Revenge! The Rumbling Turbo
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 4/25/1998
When his boss reveals that the Eight-Six driver from Mt. Akina owns a tofu shop, Iketani begins to wonder if the legendary racer might have an intimate connection to Takumi.
Director: Susumu Kudou
Writer: Hiroshi Toda
7.5/10 116 votes#3 - Downhill Specialist Arrives
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 5/2/1998
Iketani’s out of commission for the race against the RedSuns, so he tries to convince Bunta to take his place. Takumi’s working on a deal of his own - he need’s his dad’s car for a date with Natsuki.
Director: Naoyuki Kuzuya
Writer: Hiroshi Toda
8.4/10 114 votes#4 - The Battle Begins
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 5/9/1998
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
8.1/10 109 votes#5 - Dogfight!
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 5/16/1998
When Takumi stuns everyone with his skills in the Eight-Six, Iketani and Itsuki start plotting a way to get the new hotshot to join the SpeedStars.
Director: Mihiro Yamaguchi
Writer: Hiroshi Toda
7.7/10 100 votes#6 - A New Challenger
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 5/23/1998
Driving his new Three-Two, Takeshi goes head-to-head against Ryosuke on Mt. Akina. Meanwhile, Takumi offers Iketani a first-hand look at the thrill of riding in the Eight-Six.
Director: Masami Hata
Writer: Nobuaki Kishima
7.5/10 95 votes#7 - Pride of a Racer
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 6/13/1998
Takeshi is ready to take on the Eight-Six and he has every reason to believe that the car’s driver is game. When Takumi catches wind of the situation, he’s got to decide if the challenge is worth accepting.
Director: Susumu Kudou
Writer: Nobuaki Kishima
7.4/10 94 votes#8 - Time's Almost Up!
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 6/20/1998
There’s a crowd waiting for a race to start on Mt. Akina, but the Eight-Six is nowhere to be seen. Itsuki’s in a tough spot - and Takumi’s the only one who can get him out of it.
Director: Hiroshi Tsuruta
Writer: Nobuaki Kishima
8.8/10 111 votes#9 - Battle To the Limit
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 6/27/1998
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
8.7/10 97 votes#10 - The Five Consecutive Hairpins
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 7/4/1998
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
7.9/10 94 votes#11 - Shingo Arrives
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 7/11/1998
Iketani’s putting his S-13 to the test now that it’s out of the shop, but a simple practice session turns into a dangerous situation when a reckless member of the NightKids - Shingo - arrives in a red EG-6.
Director: Yukio Nishimoto
Writer: Hiroshi Toda
7.7/10 91 votes#12 - The FR Killer
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 8/1/1998
Shingo arrives with the NightKids and he’s calling Takumi and the gang out. His demands: A Duct Tape Death Match against the Eight-Six.
Director: Masami Hata
Writer: Hiroshi Toda
7.5/10 91 votes#13 - First Date
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 8/8/1998
Shingo’s itching to take on the Eight-Six in a dangerous race, but with nobody stepping up to accept the challenge, he takes drastic measures to get his way.
Director: Mihiro Yamaguchi
Writer: Hiroshi Toda
8.4/10 97 votes#14 - Evolving Drift
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 8/15/1998
Takumi’s had enough of Shingo’s intimidation tactics. He agrees to take on the pushy NightKid in the most treacherous of races: A Duct Tape Death Match.
Director: Hiroshi Tsuruta
Writer: Hiroshi Toda
8.5/10 97 votes#15 - Takumi's Fury
Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 8/22/1998
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
7.6/10 86 votes#16 - The Angel of Usui
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 8/29/1998
When Iketani takes Mako out for a good time, his friends decide to tail the duo and figure out what she’s all about. They soon discover her greatest talent: outdriving them all on Mt. Usui!
Director: Hiroshi Kotaki
Writer: Nobuaki Kishima
7.7/10 86 votes#17 - Sudden-Death Death Match
Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 9/12/1998
Takumi’s upcoming race at Usui is creating friction among his friends. One reason for the tension: he’s never driven the course. A bigger reason: his opponent is Mako.
Director: Kazuyoshi Yokota
Writer: Nobuaki Kishima
8.5/10 89 votes#18 - Hot Winds and Furious Driving
Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 9/19/1998
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
8.2/10 90 votes#19 - Super Drift!
Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 9/26/1998
The finish line is in sight on Mt. Usui! Mako and Sayuki know the course like the back of their hands; Takumi might need a miracle if he is to claim victory against the girls.
Director: Susumu Kudou
Writer: Nobuaki Kishima
7.7/10 86 votes#20 - The End of Summer
Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 10/1/1998
When the gang heads out to a water park, Iketani sees signs that it could actually work out with Mako - until he finds photographic proof that her heart might belong to another guy.
Director: Hiroshi Tsuruta
Writer: Nobuaki Kishima
7.3/10 84 votes#21 - Challenge From the Superstar
Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 10/17/1998
Takumi’s growing rep has attracted the attention of Ryosuke, who’s ready to face the Eight-Six on Mt. Akina. Takumi better get his head on straight - this will be his greatest challenge yet.
Director: Kazuyoshi Yokota
Writer: Nobuaki Kishima
7.8/10 84 votes#22 - Fierce Uphill Battle!
Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 10/24/1998
At Itsuki’s behest, Takumi heads out to watch an uphill race between two of his former foes - Takeshi of the NightKids and the RedSuns’ Keisuke.
Director: Hiroshi Kotaki
Writer: Nobuaki Kishima
7.9/10 86 votes#23 - The Rainy Downhill
Season 1 Episode 23 - Aired 11/7/1998
Kenta, a member of the RedSuns, challenges Takumi to a downhill race in the pouring rain. With the increasingly wet course conditions, neither driver is guaranteed victory.
Director: Susumu Kudou
Writer: Nobuaki Kishima
8.2/10 87 votes#24 - Akagi's White Comet
Season 1 Episode 24 - Aired 11/14/1998
Ryosuke may already be a local legend, but he still drives like a man with something to prove. He’s determined to beat the very best racers Mt. Akina has to offer - and Takumi’s next on his list.
Director: Masami Hata
Writer: Hiroshi Toda
8.4/10 87 votes#25 - Last Great Battle
Season 1 Episode 25 - Aired 11/28/1998
Veteran racer Ryosuke’s a mastermind behind the wheel, and he’ll be pulling no punches in the match against rising rookie Takumi. The drivers are ready and only one can be the best.
Director: Kazunori Ikegami
Writer: Hiroshi Toda