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Initial D - Second Stage
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Animation - 7.9 |
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Sound - 8.5 |
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Story - 7.6 |
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Character - 7.7 |
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Value - 8.3 |
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Enjoyment - 8.7 |
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Average - 8.1 |
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| Average |
7.2 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| Compared to the first stage, the 2nd stage has better cg animation for cars, more realistic racing physics and better drawings of characters. Soundtrack is good especially the ending theme because it really fits the depressing theme of the 2nd stage. The story is more serious compared to the first because it somehow involves personal feelings and losing something important. I really enjoy initial d as a whole from 1st to 4th, however, the series is just not realistic enough, I mean who would want to do a racing battle on the mountain roads with your life on the line and without any prize money right? Just imagining how much gas their using for single race and tires arent cheap either. Anyway, whether realistic or fantastic, I still enjoyed it and its probably one of my favorites.
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Summoner |
(2006-12-17 13:38:30) 2006-10-12 09:05:04 |
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| Average |
6.2 |
| Animation |
5 |
| Sound |
6 |
| Story |
6 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
6 |
| Second installement of Initial D series. After conquering everybody in his home course Takumi decided to never race there again. So basically story remains the same except for the fact that races are carried out in different environments.
Even though Initial D's sequel refined some of its parts, particularly, animation and story telling, it gave away something what made me like the first segment so much - loud, firing up music.
Unfortunately, story telling didn't improve so much to make bigger impact on the anime, as well as old characters are getting a little bit boring, while most of the new ones are not particularly interesting.
I don't think recommendation is particularly necessary here, I mean it's a direct continuation of the Initial D First Stage, so if by any chance you are reading this review without having watched the first part, go and check it out. There's no point in watching this before completing the first stage, it would be something equivalent to starting any random anime from its 27th episode. Finally, in my opinion the first stage was superior to its sequel, it succeeded in firing me up, while this didn't.
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| Average |
7.0 |
| Animation |
4 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| Initial D: Second Stage is a worthy continuation of the franchise. I had fears that this would be much the same as the First Stage, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the overall formula for the show had changed considerably.
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| Average |
5.5 |
| Animation |
6 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
5 |
| Character |
6 |
| Value |
4 |
| Enjoyment |
5 |
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More fast cars and ugly women. The second season of Initial D is mainly just 13 more episodes of the same car racing we saw in the First Stage. Luckily, though, a few subtle changes have been made to significantly improve the series.
(Please read my review for Initial D First Stage for better overall description of the series. In this review I will concentrate only on the differences between the stages.)
The first and most obvious improvement is the different visual look: the artwork is more detailed and the designs have changed. This, however, is only superficial. The actual animation remains almost the same as before with plenty of jagged movements. The CGI race-scenes have been improved by the bigger budget (or better equipment), but the regular animation is rather weak for its age. And the characters look still ugly, despite the new designs.
The other thing that is vastly improved is the script: Even though the main content of the series is still just mindless car-racing, this time the creators have really invested on the short drama-parts inbetween the races. For the first time, the main character Takumi shows signs of personality and emotions! The way his relationship with his girlfriend changes is portrayed realistically and interestingly. Even the comic relief Itsuki developes as a character. The other characters remain pretty much the same as before, and the new opponents are very one-dimensional, but that was to be expected.
It's really too bad that the fundamental weaknesses of the series - the formulaic story and endless racing - keep Initial D from rising much above hundreds of similar fighting/sport-series. Nevertheless, this second season is miles above the first one in almost every aspect. Only the music is used less effectively than before, and even this flaw is countered by the improved voice-acting. There's more content in these thirteen episodes than there was in the whole double-length First Stage.
If the series keeps improving like this, the next stage might actually be good. Until then, Initial D is just another average series aimed at teenage boys.
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taiki |
2005-09-21 20:42:03 |
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| Average |
8.2 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| exactly the same as the 1st stage but its the sequel of the first.
even though the animation increased and the sound is better then the previous the enjoyment fall short for me. even though that the case, this anime made me interested into playing the arcade game. which i think was a bad thing since i blew $800 on it XD
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| Average |
9.0 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
9 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| I was impresssed with how the CG and animation of the series improved greatly. I think when the series gained much popularity, more budget took place. I found the 2nd series more entertaining and interesting than the first.
The races this time weren't that long, and there is was a bit more development with Takumi and Mogi's relationship. Itsuki, this time isn't as annoying and thank goodness for that! I've taken a great liking to Initial D's Euro/Techno beat, and MOVE is in there as well, one my favorite groups.
As for re-watch and value. My boyfriend owns all of the Initial D series plus the movies, so I suppose I can't watch this often, but I'd watch this again. And, I think this series has made me take interest into cars now, hehe.
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De Baer |
(2006-05-27 02:31:40) 2005-07-18 18:37:14 |
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| Average |
8.2 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
6 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| Die 2. Stage knüpft nahtlos an die 1. Stage an und es hat sich im Vergleich zum Vorgänger einiges getan. Besonders erfreulich ist die Tatsache das, mit der deutlichen Verbesserung der Animationsqualität, einer der großen Schwachpunkte ausgemerzt wurde und sowohl das Charakterdesign als auch die CG-Animationen um einiges augenfreundlicher ausfallen. Die “Entenschnäbel“ gehören Gott sei Dank der Vergangenheit an und die aufgemotzte CGI-Technik verhilft den Rennen dazu noch realistischer und rasanter zu wirken als es noch beim Vorgänger der Fall war, was für noch mehr Spaß beim Zuschauen sorgt. Was Story und Charaktere angeht bewegt sich die 2nd Stage nach wie vor auf eher transparentem Untergrund aber auch hier sind kleine Besserungen zu erkennen. Die Handlung bietet zwar immer noch keine Überraschungen und alles wird dem Zuschauer praktisch zum “bereits im Voraus selbst zusammen reimen“ auf dem Präsentierteller kredenzt aber die Wartezeit zwischen den Rennen (und das ist nun mal nach wie vor das geilste an Inital D) hat sich stark verkürzt und das sehe ich in diesem Fall als Vorteil. Ebenso willkommen war mir das man dieses mal erstmals kleine tiefere Einblicke in Takumis Charakter gewährt bekommt und auch seine Beziehung zu Natsuki hat mich um einiges mehr interessiert als es noch bei Stage 1 der Fall war. Das einzige was sich in meinen Augen, oder besser gesagt Ohren, etwas zurückentwickelt hat ist die musikalische Untermalung. Die Mucke rockt zwar immer noch derbstens aber ich sah mich deutlich weniger mitwippen als bei Stage 1 und insgesamt gab es keinen einzigen Track der mir großartig in Erinnerung geblieben ist. Trotzdem ist das was Inital D ausmacht nach wie vor die fette Renn-Action und was diese angeht bleibt einmal mehr kein Auge trocken: Neue Gegner, neue Autos und neue Techniken setzen den Asphalt in Brand und bringen das Adrenalin einmal mehr zum kochen. Nachdem die letzte Episode der 2. Stage vorüber war wurde mir eins klar: Ich bin süchtig nach Initial D und dem Kick den mir dieser Serie immer wieder aufs Neue verschafft. Auf zur nächsten Stage!
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m-oyaji |
(2005-02-01 14:12:34) 2005-01-07 15:58:08 |
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| Average |
7.7 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| Second stage. Really the best are the computer generated cars and racing scenes, and the ending where you get into the characters and how their subtle feelings fit together. The best part. Otherwise, the character profile is really not very good. The hypertrance... well... if you like hypertrance. Rather, the end theme was my favorite.
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Takumix |
(2004-04-11 11:14:31) 2004-04-11 10:52:50 |
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| Average |
10.0 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
10 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| I was on my ass with my jaw falling on the ground when I discovered how much the character design, cars CG and animation effects improved from the 1st stage!!! Moreover the eurobeat music was still here, with the story keeping a focus on characters, like when Takumi went in a race against all odds because of his love deception, and when he droped tears after learning from his father why his car "died" in this race...
Even his funny and lousy companion Itsuki gets a love story! And this affair stays complicated and realistic like Takumi's one, by the sad end Itsuki will discover...
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| Average |
8.0 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| Much more better than the 1st stage. All the problems that I had with the first season were more or less fixed up. The animation is really much better and even the CGI cars look more real. There is more character development here and I actually started liking the protagonist. And his best friend friend Itsuki is no longer as annoying as he was in the first season. I also liked the subplots and it really was the "driving" (bad pun?) factor for me to move on to the next episode. Oh and the races are fun too (though I liked the 1st season races more).
Conclusively; watch even if you remotely liked Initial D 1st Stage as this one pulls it off better than the first.
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| Average |
7.5 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
5 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| Second Stage picks up from the conclusion of First Stage and improves the animation as well as the CG. This time around, I think the cars actually had license plates.
2nd Stage, though shorter than the 1st, is considerably more character driven than the prior season. The characters are really rounded out here as the story focuses more on their lives between their hobby. Unfortunately the music for 2nd stage is horrible. Some of the lamest eurobeat I've heard since para para paradise.
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| Average |
8.7 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| MOre of the same as the first series, this is one of the better racing shows ever. Main characters are good, but supporting cast is weak, although with mor romance they take more part but still doesnt really add to the show. Sound and music are very good and appropriate, adds a great deal to the action and moments. The graphic quality is ok except for the rendered cgi graphics for the cars on most races, which look even better than before. Will look forward to a possible continuation of this series when Takumi turns pro.
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| Average |
8.8 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
9 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| Initial D is a great show, so i dont want to rate this poorly, but there are alot of things that i really didnt like about second stage.
The cg improved a ton, but the characters have this newer, cleaner look to them that dosent fit right with the show. especialy if you watch back-to-back with first stage. Also, Ryuosuke Takahashi suddenly got red hair...must be some kind of RedSuns promotional thing =\
The stoy got alot more serious, focusing more on failing relationships then racing it seems...not a plus. There are only a few races in the 2nd season and are much shorter. They arent as intence as first stage and dont do nearly as good a job at making you hold on to your chair.
I guess it would have been more effective to make inidial d a 39 episode series then to break it up. Even with all that didnt seen quite right with it, however, it IS initial d and does rock...allbeit some opinionated mistakes =)
Further the story after you've watched first season by watching this!
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| Average |
9.0 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| Just like the first stage a very exciting anime, with the battles being the highlight. The animation, both the CG and the 2D, has been refined and looks splendid now. However, I don't find the music to be as pleasing as in the first stage. It's good, but it doesn't have that little extra.
Overall, an anime I recommend to those of you who've seen and liked Initial D 1st stage.
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Sinai |
(2005-07-15 02:32:35) 2003-02-13 11:59:36 |
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| Average |
7.7 |
| Animation |
6 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
5 |
| Value |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| Same insufferable characters. Same lame eurobeat. Same stupid story.
...same thrills. Same goosebumps on my arms. Same great racing. And better animation. Watch it already, will ya?
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| Average |
9.0 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| Second stage goes something like this:
Take the first stage, improve the animation quality, making it crisper and more fluid. Then put in even more CG into the background of races and the details of cars. Finally introduce new characters with cool cars and race in new areas.
Second stage is everything that the first stage was, only better. The only thing worse off is that it's only 13 episodes which leaves you longing for more.
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| Average |
9.0 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| The sequel to one of my favorite anime series and I still keep screaming for more!
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luc0r |
2002-06-06 17:41:36 |
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| Average |
9.3 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
9 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| The Second Stage builds up on the story from the first stage and gets considerably better... Tougher foes with faster cars etc. Takumi's car even gets an upgrade. The most significant thing here is that the drawing is ALOT better than the First Stage, however i recommend you watch first stage and then second stage.
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zt33l |
2002-04-22 19:26:29 |
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| Average |
8.7 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| Initial D is continued wit ha second stage. Between this and the first, there is obvious improvements, but you can also see a flaw... For the improvements, the animation was well improved. The Car Races are in must more detailed CGs, and everything looks a lot better. Also, the characters are drawn better too. The sound also stays as good. The songs are still catchy, and the sound effects are nice as well. Even thoguh there are many things great about it, there is still some flaws. After watching this, I wonder how much this actually affects the story. It is more of a addition, and does not seem to help. It becomes some what repetitive and adds very little to the formula that made the first series so good. True, this is a welcomed addition to Initial D, but it could have been must better...
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