The Initial D Thread - Blu-ray Forum

vertigop1ayer · 01-09-2022, 05:09 AM

I looked all over and unless I missed it, there's no real thread for this franchise.

Released Content
Initial D (series)
Initial D Legend 1: Awakening
Initial D Legend 2: Racer
Initial D Legend 3: Dream
Initial D (live-action film)

Upcoming Content
MF Ghost

The announcement of the new MF Ghost series was what caused me to search for an Initial D thread. Exciting news. I don't know if there are HD materials for the original anime though, and if that could raise interest in getting it on Blu-ray.

BigOnAnime · 01-09-2022, 08:17 AM

First Stage is cel-animated and was sadly upscaled rather than remastered.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zhou

In case anyone was wondering, while First Stage got a very ugly, Blue Seed-level upscale from a composite source, the Third Stage movie actually got a new HD telecine from the original 35mm film. They DNR'd the hell out of it (you can see green and red halos around the outlines), but it's still the best-looking version of the movie I've ever seen, not to mention it's anamorphic unlike all previous DVD releases.

https://fandompost.vbulletin.net/for...ge2#post423131

What they mean when they say "Blue Seed-level upscale"...
https://web.archive.org/web/20111108...4D16C5E12BC854

There's a good amount of content that hasn't been released here. Who knows if we'll get it, the series seemed to have underperformed for FUNimation and Sentai went after the Legend movies but nothing else. Fourth Stage is currently OOP.
https://myanimelist.net/anime/821/In...D_Battle_Stage
https://myanimelist.net/anime/3931/I...Battle_Stage_2
https://myanimelist.net/anime/47410/...Battle_Stage_3
https://myanimelist.net/anime/5228/I..._Extra_Stage_2
https://myanimelist.net/anime/15059/..._D_Fifth_Stage
https://myanimelist.net/anime/22507/..._D_Final_Stage
https://myanimelist.net/anime/12725/...ect_D_e_Mukete

TThomas · 01-09-2022, 03:10 PM

Honestly: First Stage used a lot of CGI elements. So even a remaster wouldn't look really good for most scenes.

CuppaKofe · 01-09-2022, 05:31 PM

I would have figured there'd be interest in bringing Initial D back to the physical realm after the Eurobeat memes got viral a few years ago, but nothing.

TBF if the Japanese releases of most of them look that bad, it's probably the reason why it'll be stuck in streaming hell. Funimation doesn't do SD-on-BD either. What a shame.

BigOnAnime · 01-09-2022, 06:26 PM

FUNimation has released bad upscales on Blu-ray before (*Cough*Haibane Renmei and Shakugan no Shana*Cough*), so that's not why it's stuck streaming. FUNimation for whatever reason won't go after Blu-ray rights for various shows, it's quite the list.

[Show spoiler]

Zhou · 01-09-2022, 10:08 PM

From my very first post on this board:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zhou

I own all 3 Initial D BD-boxes, and the remastering quality of each series/movie/OVA varies.

First Stage is the one that looks the worst. Even though its non-racing scenes were done in traditional cel animation, the whole show was upscaled from composite video masters, and they turned up the DNR and sharpening filters so much that the video looks like a smeary mess.

Second Stage was done in SD digital animation, so upscaling was the only way to go, and it doesn't look that bad to my eyes. Honestly, I'm just glad to own a version of this season with unmolested ending credits on episode 13, which Tokyopop and Funimation found different ways to mangle. The Extra Stage and Battle Stage upscales have just about the same quality as this.

Third Stage was a pleasant surprise, because they actually did a new HD telecine from the original film. There's some chroma leakage and the picture looks softer than I'd like, but it's still the best the movie's ever looked by far.

Fourth Stage is a disappointment, because it turns out the show is natively letterboxed, which means it was actually rendered in 360p if you discount the black horizontal bars. The HD remaster is anamorphic, but it doesn't look any better than if you pop in the DVD and zoom in on the 16x9 frame. Never thought this show would look worse than Second Stage in HD, even though it had a higher budget and much better CG. The same goes for Battle Stage 2 and Extra Stage 2: Tabidachi no Green, which were made by the same staff.

And finally, Fifth Stage an Final Stage are the best-looking of the bunch, simply because they were natively rendered in high definition. The video is 1080i because the openings feature some CG effects done at a higher frame rate than 24 fps, but the encode is still great.

Since then, they also released a third Battle Stage compilation OVA, which features all races from Fifth and Final Stage. I didn't bother buying it because it doesn't include any exclusive footage, unlike the previous Battle Stages. Also, they simply replaced all of the audio from the races with new eurobeat songs instead of mixing them with the original voice performances and sound effects, which is just plain lazy.

Also, they just released a new compilation OVA titled Shin Gekijouban Initial D Battle Digest, featuring all racing scenes from the Legend movies, but with a new Eurobeat soundtrack. This time, according to the product description, they didn't get rid of the voice performances.

Footlong Shoe · 01-09-2022, 11:38 PM

I've been praying for some other licensor to get ahold of Initial D (however long it may take), release the rest, and put out better releases of Stages 1-4. The First Stage and Second Stage + Extra Stage DVDs are acceptable (though the finale credits on both are painful to watch), but the Third and Fourth Stage DVDs are hard for me to tolerate watching since they're non-anamorphic widescreen (and trying to bypass this with the "zoom button" means cropping out the subtitles).

Hopefully MF Ghost is going to bring with it a new wave of relevance and get Initial D back into licensors' minds.

vertigop1ayer · 01-20-2022, 02:04 AM

Not really on topic, but for those interested in racing-themed animation:

Acura has announced an "anime series", which apparently premiers on the 20th (tomorrow). There really aren't any other details from what I've seen so we'll see what happens (how long the series is, if it'd actually be 20-25 minute episodes like most animated shows, etc).

I wanna say (don't quote me) Crunchyroll's Twitter posted about this so maybe it'll be streaming there?

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/acu...-reasons?amp=1

Update: Seems like Acura posted them to acura.com/type-s and on their YouTube channel. Four episodes running about a minute each.

Yuukaa_Sa · 01-28-2022, 02:32 PM

Initial D is one of my favorite Anime's of all time since I'm a car enthusiast. That being said though....the series has had such a mess that I don't even know what to expect from it anymore.

For Stage 1, 2 & Extra Stage.
I'm in the minority, but I think Tokyo Pop did the best english dub, because they had actual good voice actors unlike Funimation. The music was horrible in Tokyo Pop...so I would of loved the origina soundtrack with the Tokyo Dub.
Funimation Dub is just horrible....especially some of the translations....they sound wack. Yes, the music is original which is great...but that's it.

Now, 3rd stage, since there was no tokyo pop dub, I'm fine with Funimation Dub since it beats watching it in Japanese.
4th stage same thing, but had that horrible cropping issue which ruins the experience.

I've always wanted a Bluray edition, but I know if they do that, than the Tokyo Pop version wouldn't be used...which sucks. I personally watch Stage 1,2 & extra stage often and love it.

Future
Now 5th stage would be nice...but in all honesty...they need to fix 4th stage before they move onto 5th stage and lastly final stage. (My opinion final stage sucked)

Oh right..Extra Stage 2 needs to come out also...that was a great side story!

BlaizeV · 02-02-2022, 11:56 AM

It pains me that so little of the show is left to release. Just 18 episodes and we'd have it all. I don't even need a dub at this point I just want to own the whole series. Really frustrating that not a single company has managed or tried to get this last chunk.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOnAnime

FUNimation has released bad upscales on Blu-ray before (*Cough*Haibane Renmei and Shakugan no Shana*Cough*), so that's not why it's stuck streaming. FUNimation for whatever reason won't go after Blu-ray rights for various shows, it's quite the list.

Last Exile

Still surprised Last Exile on BD hasn't happened. The show is really good and the BD while being an upscale is solid. I've been waiting on a BD for this for far too long now.

BigOnAnime · 02-02-2022, 07:26 PM

A Blu-ray for Last Exile was solicited over a decade ago but nothing ever happened in the end. Hopefully it finally happens in the near future.
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/enc...s.php?id=17669

GeoffOliver · 02-02-2022, 08:33 PM

I always heard the Last Exile upscale wasn’t much of an upgrade at all.

BigOnAnime · 02-02-2022, 08:53 PM

That was because the DVDs were done well (authored by SpeeDVD who supposedly was the best at DVDs back then) and it's also an early digipaint show.
https://fandompost.vbulletin.net/for...ge2#post129309

Zeether · 03-13-2022, 05:29 AM

I think maybe MF Ghost's anime might give some licensors thoughts of getting Fifth/Final Stage, but who knows at this point. I bought all of the DVD releases from Funimation and was kinda disappointed when it underperformed.

Haven't touched the Legend movies yet but maybe I'll get that BD set one day when Sentai has a sale.

Member-571539 · 03-13-2022, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeether

Haven't touched the Legend movies yet but maybe I'll get that BD set one day when Sentai has a sale.

It’s literally on sale right now: https://www.sentaifilmworks.com/initial-d-legend-theatrical

El_Fez · 03-09-2023, 05:24 PM

So I saw this in my twitter feed just this morning:

[JP] Initial D Stage Series Complete SD Blu-ray. August 25.

Disc 1:
- 1st Stage (26 eps)
- 2nd Stage (13 eps)
- 3rd Stage (movie)

Disc 2:
- 4th Stage (24 eps)
- 5th Stage (14 eps)
- Final Stage (4 eps)

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0BXDHJWKY

No word (that I can find) about subs - although with that many episodes on that few discs, I suspect that this is more shovelware than anything.

Zhou · 03-09-2023, 06:39 PM

I'll be curious to see some screenshots of this JP SDBD release. First Stage might actually look better than in the regular BD release, unless they downscale the hideous, smeary HD remaster instead of using the same masters as the DVDs.

RevolverOcelScott · 03-09-2023, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gloomranger

It’s literally on sale right now: https://www.sentaifilmworks.com/initial-d-legend-theatrical

22.99 on amazon at the moment too.

Gowho · 03-09-2023, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El_Fez

No word (that I can find) about subs

It's not like it can be imported anyway given it's Avex.

Quote:

although with that many episodes on that few discs, I suspect that this is more shovelware than anything.

It's normal with SD Blu-ray though unfortunately this joins a growing list of shows previously released on Blu-ray in HD (see Cat's Eye, Strike the Blood & season 1 of World Trigger for examples).

Member-571539 · 03-09-2023, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gowho

It's not like it can be imported anyway given it's Avex.

But not impossible. No English subs though.

https://www.yesasia.com/global/initial-d-stage-series-complete-blu-ray-japan-version

01-09-2022, 05:09 AM	#1
vertigop1ayer Power Member Member since:Dec 2019	The Initial D Thread I looked all over and unless I missed it, there's no real thread for this franchise. Released Content Initial D (series) Initial D Legend 1: Awakening Initial D Legend 2: Racer Initial D Legend 3: Dream Initial D (live-action film) Upcoming Content MF Ghost The announcement of the new MF Ghost series was what caused me to search for an Initial D thread. Exciting news. I don't know if there are HD materials for the original anime though, and if that could raise interest in getting it on Blu-ray.

01-20-2022, 02:04 AM	#8
vertigop1ayer Power Member Member since:Dec 2019	Not really on topic, but for those interested in racing-themed animation: Acura has announced an "anime series", which apparently premiers on the 20th (tomorrow). There really aren't any other details from what I've seen so we'll see what happens (how long the series is, if it'd actually be 20-25 minute episodes like most animated shows, etc). I wanna say (don't quote me) Crunchyroll's Twitter posted about this so maybe it'll be streaming there? https://www.topgear.com/car-news/acu...-reasons?amp=1 Update: Seems like Acura posted them to acura.com/type-s and on their YouTube channel. Four episodes running about a minute each. Last edited by vertigop1ayer; 01-20-2022 at 10:21 PM.

01-09-2022, 03:10 PM	#3
TThomas Senior Member Top contributor Member since:Mar 2019	Honestly: First Stage used a lot of CGI elements. So even a remaster wouldn't look really good for most scenes.

01-09-2022, 05:31 PM	#4
CuppaKofe Active Member Member since:Oct 2020 Location:Canada 4K collection:12 Blu-ray collection:373 DVD collection:179	I would have figured there'd be interest in bringing Initial D back to the physical realm after the Eurobeat memes got viral a few years ago, but nothing. TBF if the Japanese releases of most of them look that bad, it's probably the reason why it'll be stuck in streaming hell. Funimation doesn't do SD-on-BD either. What a shame.

01-09-2022, 06:26 PM	#5
BigOnAnime Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Mar 2015 Location:Minnesota, USA 4K collection:17 Blu-ray collection:671 DVD collection:714	FUNimation has released bad upscales on Blu-ray before (CoughHaibane Renmei and Shakugan no ShanaCough), so that's not why it's stuck streaming. FUNimation for whatever reason won't go after Blu-ray rights for various shows, it's quite the list. [Show spoiler]

01-09-2022, 11:38 PM	#7
Footlong Shoe Senior Member Top contributor Member since:May 2017 Location:Durham, NC 4K collection:191 Blu-ray collection:1096 DVD collection:239 Trading Score:1	I've been praying for some other licensor to get ahold of Initial D (however long it may take), release the rest, and put out better releases of Stages 1-4. The First Stage and Second Stage + Extra Stage DVDs are acceptable (though the finale credits on both are painful to watch), but the Third and Fourth Stage DVDs are hard for me to tolerate watching since they're non-anamorphic widescreen (and trying to bypass this with the "zoom button" means cropping out the subtitles). Hopefully MF Ghost is going to bring with it a new wave of relevance and get Initial D back into licensors' minds.

01-28-2022, 02:32 PM	#9
Yuukaa_Sa Active Member Member since:Aug 2018 Location:Canada, Ontario Blu-ray collection:59 DVD collection:19 Trading Score:7	Initial D is one of my favorite Anime's of all time since I'm a car enthusiast. That being said though....the series has had such a mess that I don't even know what to expect from it anymore. For Stage 1, 2 & Extra Stage. I'm in the minority, but I think Tokyo Pop did the best english dub, because they had actual good voice actors unlike Funimation. The music was horrible in Tokyo Pop...so I would of loved the origina soundtrack with the Tokyo Dub. Funimation Dub is just horrible....especially some of the translations....they sound wack. Yes, the music is original which is great...but that's it. Now, 3rd stage, since there was no tokyo pop dub, I'm fine with Funimation Dub since it beats watching it in Japanese. 4th stage same thing, but had that horrible cropping issue which ruins the experience. I've always wanted a Bluray edition, but I know if they do that, than the Tokyo Pop version wouldn't be used...which sucks. I personally watch Stage 1,2 & extra stage often and love it. Future Now 5th stage would be nice...but in all honesty...they need to fix 4th stage before they move onto 5th stage and lastly final stage. (My opinion final stage sucked) Oh right..Extra Stage 2 needs to come out also...that was a great side story!

02-02-2022, 07:26 PM	#11
BigOnAnime Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Mar 2015 Location:Minnesota, USA 4K collection:17 Blu-ray collection:671 DVD collection:714	A Blu-ray for Last Exile was solicited over a decade ago but nothing ever happened in the end. Hopefully it finally happens in the near future. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/enc...s.php?id=17669

02-02-2022, 08:33 PM	#12
GeoffOliver Blu-ray Knight Member since:Sep 2014 Location:Atlanta GA 4K collection:259 Blu-ray collection:1505 DVD collection:332	I always heard the Last Exile upscale wasn’t much of an upgrade at all.

02-02-2022, 08:53 PM	#13
BigOnAnime Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Mar 2015 Location:Minnesota, USA 4K collection:17 Blu-ray collection:671 DVD collection:714	That was because the DVDs were done well (authored by SpeeDVD who supposedly was the best at DVDs back then) and it's also an early digipaint show. https://fandompost.vbulletin.net/for...ge2#post129309

03-13-2022, 05:29 AM	#14
Zeether Active Member Member since:Apr 2018 Blu-ray collection:15 DVD collection:36	I think maybe MF Ghost's anime might give some licensors thoughts of getting Fifth/Final Stage, but who knows at this point. I bought all of the DVD releases from Funimation and was kinda disappointed when it underperformed. Haven't touched the Legend movies yet but maybe I'll get that BD set one day when Sentai has a sale.

03-09-2023, 05:24 PM	#16
El_Fez Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Oct 2012 Location:Funkytown 4K collection:49 Blu-ray collection:1923 DVD collection:405 Trading Score:9	So I saw this in my twitter feed just this morning: [JP] Initial D Stage Series Complete SD Blu-ray. August 25. Disc 1: - 1st Stage (26 eps) - 2nd Stage (13 eps) - 3rd Stage (movie) Disc 2: - 4th Stage (24 eps) - 5th Stage (14 eps) - Final Stage (4 eps) https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0BXDHJWKY No word (that I can find) about subs - although with that many episodes on that few discs, I suspect that this is more shovelware than anything.

03-09-2023, 06:39 PM	#17
Zhou Active Member Member since:Apr 2019	I'll be curious to see some screenshots of this JP SDBD release. First Stage might actually look better than in the regular BD release, unless they downscale the hideous, smeary HD remaster instead of using the same masters as the DVDs.

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