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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!

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Initial D Season 1 Episode 26 - The New Downhill Legend
    9.0/10(206 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 1 Episode 9 - Battle To the Limit
    8.7/10(189 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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  3. Initial D Season 1 Episode 4 - The Battle Begins
    8.5/10(205 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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  4. Initial D Season 1 Episode 10 - The Five Consecutive Hairpins
    8.5/10(170 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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  5. Initial D Season 1 Episode 15 - Takumi's Fury
    8.5/10(164 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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  6. Initial D Season 1 Episode 18 - Hot Winds and Furious Driving
    8.4/10(153 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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  7. Initial D Season 1 Episode 14 - Evolving Drift
    8.3/10(162 votes)

    S1:E14

    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

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  8. Initial D Season 1 Episode 25 - Last Great Battle
    8.3/10(153 votes)

    S1:E25

    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

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  9. Initial D Season 1 Episode 5 - Dogfight!
    8.1/10(190 votes)

    S1:E5

    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

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  10. Initial D Season 1 Episode 19 - Super Drift!
    8.1/10(156 votes)

    S1:E19

    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 Kudo
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  11. Initial D Season 1 Episode 24 - Akagi's White Comet
    8.0/10(148 votes)

    S1:E24

    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

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  12. Initial D Season 1 Episode 1 - The Ultimate Tofu Store Drift
    7.8/10(255 votes)

    S1:E1

    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

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  13. Initial D Season 1 Episode 11 - Shingo Arrives
    7.8/10(158 votes)

    S1:E11

    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

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  14. Initial D Season 1 Episode 23 - The Rainy Downhill
    7.8/10(145 votes)

    S1:E23

    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 Kudo
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  15. Initial D Season 1 Episode 2 - Revenge! The Rumbling Turbo
    7.7/10(210 votes)

    S1:E2

    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 Kudo
    Writer:Hiroshi Toda

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  16. Initial D Season 1 Episode 16 - The Angel of Usui
    7.7/10(147 votes)

    S1:E16

    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

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  17. Initial D Season 1 Episode 17 - Sudden-Death Death Match
    7.7/10(148 votes)

    S1:E17

    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

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  18. Initial D Season 1 Episode 22 - Fierce Uphill Battle!
    7.7/10(143 votes)

    S1:E22

    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

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  19. Initial D Season 1 Episode 3 - Downhill Specialist Arrives
    7.6/10(198 votes)

    S1:E3

    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

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  20. Initial D Season 1 Episode 12 - The FR Killer
    7.6/10(153 votes)

    S1:E12

    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

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  21. Initial D Season 1 Episode 20 - The End of Summer
    7.6/10(151 votes)

    S1:E20

    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

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  22. Initial D Season 1 Episode 6 - A New Challenger
    7.5/10(173 votes)

    S1:E6

    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

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  23. Initial D Season 1 Episode 7 - Pride of a Racer
    7.4/10(166 votes)

    S1:E7

    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 Kudo
    Writer:Nobuaki Kishima

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  24. Initial D Season 1 Episode 8 - Time's Almost Up!
    7.4/10(165 votes)

    S1:E8

    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

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  25. Initial D Season 1 Episode 13 - First Date
    7.3/10(153 votes)

    S1:E13

    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

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"The New Downhill Legend" is the best rated episode of Initial D season 1. It scored 9.0/10 from 206 votes. Directed by Hiroshi Tsuruta and written by Hiroshi Toda, it aired on December 5, 1998. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "Battle To the Limit".