Tofu shop limited preview of "Initial D" and Chapter 3!　Praying for a big hit and a "tofu cut"!

The animated film "Initial D, the New Movie" held a preview event exclusively for tofu shops on January 24, 2012.

Initial D" is an anime film based on the popular manga (author: Shuichi Shigeno), which was serialized in Weekly Young Magazine from 1995 to 2013 and has sold 48.6 million copies in its 48 volumes. The main character, who has the mark of a "young leaf," drives his father's old Hachi Roku (AE86 Sprinter Treno), which is owned by his father who runs a tofu shop, and engages in heated public road battles with other drivers from all over the country with his amazing drift driving skills... The story is told in 4 TV series + 1 movie version + several OVAs from 1998 to 2012. The series was a huge hit, with four TV series, one film version, and several OVAs produced between 1998 and 2012. The new film version is produced by Sanzigen and Raidenfilm, which are known for their CG production techniques, and all the sounds of the cars in the film are reproduced by professional racing drivers. In addition, the cast has been completely renewed and the film depicts the battle between the "Rotary Takahashi Brothers" (Ryosuke: FC3S RX-7 / Keisuke: FD3S RX-7), who claim to be the fastest in the Gunma area, and Takumi Fujiwara, the main character, in a three-part story.

The final chapter, "Legend3-Yumegensen," will be released on February 6, and as previously reported, a preview event was held exclusively for tofu shops. In collaboration with the Zenkoku Tofu Rengokai (Zen Tofu Federation), of which more than 3,000 tofu stores nationwide are members, the member stores will gather at Shochiku headquarters. The preview was accompanied by a "tofu cutting" ceremony, not a cake cutting, performed by representatives of the member stores and the director, and the event was a great success. The following is the report.

Ahead of the film's release, the Zenkoku Tofu Renmei (All Japan Tofu Federation) held a preview event for its member tofu stores to show off the film as a token of their appreciation for their continued support. Tofu shops from all over Japan were able to see the fastest battle of the "Hachi Roku" driven by Takumi Fujiwara in the "Fujiwara Tofu Shop" and also participated in the "Pray for a Big Hit Event" while the excitement was still fresh in their minds.
The event featured Tomohito Naka, director of the film, and Hiroaki Shinohara of Satonoyuki Foods and his wife Maki, representing members of the National Tofu Federation (Zenzouren). Mr. Shinohara, who is the Zenzokuren's biggest fan of "Ini D," spoke enthusiastically in front of Director Naka about the film's power and satisfaction, and also expressed his joy at the realization of this collaboration. Director Naka was also relieved to hear the endorsement of the newly completed film from the real tofu industry.
And today, just before the film's release, "Initial D" and the National Tofu Federation (Zenmouren) collaborated to prepare a special tofu product as a "prayer for a blockbuster hit. Director Naka was thrilled by the giant tofu, which measured 60 cm in width, 40 cm in length, and 4 cm in height! Director Naka blew the "tofu maker's trumpet," which signaled the start of the "tofu cutting" ceremony, in which a tofu knife was used to cut the tofu, instead of cutting a cake. The audience was very satisfied with the taste of the special tofu made from three kinds of domestic soybeans! Director Naka and his staff were also cheered up for the opening of the film! (The special tofu this time was provided by Taiki Bussan Co.)
　) Finally, the special tofu was also served to the media and related parties, who enjoyed the delicious dish.

Director Tokihito Naka commented
I was very happy to collaborate not with a car, but with a tofu shop! （We were worried that the main character Takumi (who is making the animation) would carry the tofu and drift, but from the tofu shop's point of view, that would be a bad idea because the tofu would collapse! I was wondering what would happen if they said that... but I am relieved to hear that they were fine (laughs)!
This is the final chapter of the trilogy. The battle between Takumi Fujiwara's Hachi Roku and Ryosuke Takahashi's FC3S is the biggest highlight. It also depicts the daily life and drama of Takumi, Ryosuke, and their friends leading up to the final battle, and they will face the final battle with the "passionate feelings" of various people. This is also a highlight of the show! We hope you will enjoy watching this part of the show.

Comment from Mr. Hiroaki Shinohara, a member representative of Zenkoku Tofu Renmei (National Tofu Federation)
I have been watching "Initial D" since the anime and am a big fan! Today, I was very excited to be able to see the movie so quickly! The big screen makes it so much more powerful! I also work at a tofu shop, and it feels like a dream come true to have a collaboration between a movie and a tofu shop like this one. I'm glad I joined a tofu shop (laughs)."