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Initial D - Battle 1 - Akina's Downhill

Initial D - Battle 1 - Akina's Downhill

List Price: $19.99
Your Price: $17.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: good all around
Review: although i didnt purchase any of the initial D dvd's i did see all of the episodes they feature and from what i saw they dont leave much to be desired. the animators really went all out for the racing scenes and it was worth it. it was all around a good series and there are only two minor complaints i have about it, the subtitles were a little fast, either that or im a slow reader, and secondly the show falls into the same trap that every other good anime has and that is the occasional corny line here and there but otherwise this series was mesmerising,and one of my favorite things about it was that it was one of the more realstic ones that I've seen unlike those childish shows like dragon ball or pokemon.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Intialiiiiiiize!! For rapping car nuts only.
Review: Nothing much happens in this anime; no giant robots, swords and/or sorcery, just goofballs eating up the scenery and yakking about car parts. The story centers around a group of street racers (also known as time wasting punks) and one mope who drives a really hot car really well (Wow, look how he makes those turns on this hill! - hoo-boy). The first thing that hit me was the music in the opening credits: Blaring guitars accompanied by something screaming "INITIIIIIALIZE-INITIALLLLIIZE!!!" followed by an annoying rap diatribe. Uh-oh.

The "hot car" in question looks like an old egg-beater that my dad used to drive but what do I know? You put in the gas, turn the key and drive - thats my "Initial D" experience. Characters walk around spouting dialog like "Man, thats a Doogiehowser 9000! I did'nt think they made those anymore, If only my minimum wage jogb could get me enough money to get that car and some Minihousen XJ4 brakepads and a Nakamichi X200 exhaust system then I'd be really cool."

Whatever. At this point I begin reaching for the fast-forward button on my remote. To top things off, the animation is so-so. One volume of this ode to slackers is enough for me.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: English version 0/5 Stars - Japanese version 4/5 Stars
Review: English version 0/5 Stars -
I'm sorry. They really should have left the background music and sound effects alone. Whoever they payed to make the new music needs to be shot. Then there are the engine sounds. None of them even match up with the type of car. What is even worse is that they change for the same car. Also, what is with Itsuki acting like a wanna-be thug? It sounds stupid. Tokyopop should have either found somebody who knows about cars before making audio changes, or just left the own damn audio alone.

Japanese side 4/5 Stars
Not much to say about the Japanese side. Engine sound doesn't change for the same car. Original soundtrack. Subtitles are ok.

NOTE: I am biased. I watched Initial D when it was originally aired on TV in Japan.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: If you like cars and anime, this is for you
Review: Good story, good cars. Decent animation. Overall I just like this series.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Get the inport subbed version
Review: I am a HUGE fan of Initial D and I was very disappointed to hear that the music was changed and names were changed. I haven't seen the American version but to hear these changes were made is appalling. The music is a major part of the series, the whole Japanese culture is a huge part of this show. It cannot be compared to Fast and Furious. Get the subbed version, reading isn't as bad as you would think, you get used to it very quickly. As to the Japanese version I cannot recommend it enough.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: BUY JAPANESE VERSION ON EBAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I can sum up my review of Initial-D in three words, DUBBING SUCKS ASS!!!!! Buy the Japanese version on Ebay. I'm a huge Initial-D fan and I can say that America has ruined Initial-D. With all this new hype about American drifting will have us seeing people doin half-assed drifts with P.O.S. civics and crap like that. The days of Initial-D and drifting underground are over, and it sucks.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Pure Garbage
Review: I did rated this one star because it couldn't go any lower than one star. I've been a fan of Initial D since it's fan sub days. I was so excited that it A) got picked up. B Got picked up by Tokyopop. Tokyopop has such a wonderful reputation that I was positive that this would be good. Unfortunately, I should have known there were going to be problems. First of all, they had it for between one to two years. It took forever to release. You'd think it was because they were working hard to do a good job, but no. Secondly, when the manga was released we all noticed that the names were changed. We were all worried. Turns out, we had a reason to be. I have never seen such utter garbage in my life. I've seen terrible dubs before but this hurt. Even David Lucas couldn't save it, not that it sounds like he tried. And the music. Oh My God The Music. Why mess with success? Why change a soundtrack that has created god knows how many well selling albums?? Why Why Why??? The music is part of what made the series wonderful. My advice don't buy it. My advice if you do buy it, only watch the subtitled verion. Why, because the "classic" version is the orignal version. And it is beautiful. The series is wonderful. I love Initial D. What Tokyopop put out was so bad it was pathetic.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: great seried
Review: I imported the whole 9 disc series from Japan and let me tell you I'm not disappointed what-so-ever. You don't have to be a car fan to enjoy this series. The drawing style resembled the older form of anime but the CG cars look almost life like. I'd definately give this series a peek, it's well worth the money.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Awesome Show
Review: I love both Japanese and English version. I read all the reviews here and it seems like some of the reviews are personal attack and imature. I don't think any anime fan will write that kind of review. If you don't like the English version, watch the Japanese version. I thought the English version was very well done, maybe a few little things, but no big deal.
If you love drama and cars, watch it, buy it, rent it, whatever....

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Dont buy this DVD!
Review: I love Initial D, I've been a fan for a couple of years now & I was somewhat excited about the "new updated CG scenes". I'll say the "update" is a welcome advantage, that's about all thats good about the DVD. The Dub is awful, I mean really awful, I know dubs are rarely done well, but still. The new music is crap, totally changes the mood of the races, the euro beats are better, & I dont even listen to that kind of music. Please listen to me, get the import version it's way way better & cheaper too, you can find all 5 stages on ebay for like $60. Thats season 1 & 2, the movie, an extra side story movie and the battle stage(just the racing).


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