Report on "Initial D" and MEGA WEB collaboration event!　Director: "My favorite character is Ikeya-senpai

Here is a report from the collaboration event held at MEGA WEB from the animated movie "Initial D".

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 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, "Legend 3: Yumegensen," will be released on February 6, and as previously reported, a collaboration project with MEGA WEB, a car theme park at Tokyo Joypolis in Odaiba, has been underway since January 13, The event included a screening of past films, a talk show, a test ride in a wrapping car, and a live performance. The following is the report.

Legend1 Screening & Talk Show
First, "Initial D Legend 1: Awakening" was screened at the main venue, "MEGA Stage," followed by a talk show featuring director Tomohito Naka, musician Yasukio Tsuchihashi, and sound director Hiroshi Shimizu. Since there were many car enthusiasts and Initial D fans in attendance, they gave in-depth explanations of the driving scenes and sounds, which are the highlights of the film. Mr. Shimizu, the sound director, said, "Not only the powerful driving scenes, but also the sounds of parking the car, closing the doors, opening the fuel cap, stepping on the gas pedal and clutch, and even the 'tic-tic-tic' sound when the engine is turned off. I record from each car." He also showed his passion for this film, which is the final chapter of the series. Director Naka also commented on the final chapter of the film, "It is a story of a boy named Takumi, who is a nobody, growing up to become a somebody through cars. I think everyone can relate to this experience, so please watch Legend 3! He appealed the highlights of the new film to the car fans in the audience.

--What do you like about the new "Initial D" movie?
Director Naka
Takumi becomes interested in cars, wakes up, and meets people who love cars. I thought that was great, and I was conscious of the expression as well. Of course, I like all the characters, but my favorite character is Ikeya. The people who hang out at that gas station are very relatable.
Mr. Dobashi
I like the way the sounds are mixed with the sounds recorded from the actual car, which is something only a car movie can do. I really want people to see this in the theater. It will thrill you with all your senses."
Mr. Shimizu
This trilogy is the story of one summer, and you can feel the passion of youth as a young man meets people and grows as a driver through cars.
--Listen here to the new theatrical version of "Initial D!
Mr. Dobashi
Mr. Dobashi said, "Normally I would say, 'I can't hear the music,' but this movie is different! I told Mr. Shimizu that he could make sounds with the vigor of turning off the music. Actually, I play the role of "DJ-D" in this film. I created a scene where the sound is coming from an in-vehicle radio, but no matter how much I processed it, it just sounded like normal music playing. It was because there was no radio DJ! (laughs) Please try to find one. (laugh)"
Mr. Shimizu
The various car models in the video were recorded from actual cars from that time period. Since these cars have been in production for quite a few years, we collected them from dealers all over the country and recorded them over a period of three days. The powerful running sound, of course, but also the sounds of parking, closing doors, opening fuel lids, stepping on the gas pedal and clutch, and even the "tic-tic-tic-tic" when the engine is turned off. These sounds were recorded from each of the cars. I hope everyone will enjoy these sounds."
--What are the highlights of " Initial D Legend 3: Yumegen"?
Director Naka
There are rivals from "Legend 1" and "Legend 2," and Takumi defeats them, and I think one of the themes of the film is that the rivals become friends through the cars. The rivals who lost the game start to feel for Takumi. With everyone's feelings on his shoulders, he fights against Ryosuke, his biggest rival in the original story. The battle is the highlight of the show.
Mr. Dobashi
The most important part of the original "Initial D" is that it depicts a high school student becoming an adult.
Mr. Shimizu
I wonder how the trilogy will end. Takumi goes through one summer, meets his friends and rivals, and has conflicts with his father. I was quite worried about how to end it. Please look forward to the ending we arrived at. Also, although the studio was full of guys, I had great feelings for Natsuki, and remembering our distant youth, I was conscious of being the girl that boys long for."
-- " One Last Word
Director Naka
It is also a story of a boy named Takumi who is a nobody, but who becomes a somebody through cars and grows up to be somebody. It is also a story about an ordinary boy named Takumi who becomes someone else through cars. Please come to the theater and experience it for yourself."
Mr. Dobashi
I just want you to experience the power of the film, so please see it in the theater first."
Mr. Shimizu
Initials has a long history. The sound and the power that is not found in everyday life was created for the theater, so we hope you will experience it in the theater."

Ride along in a wrapped rally car sports car
At the end of the talk show, a raffle was held to select the winners of the "Wrapping Rally Vehicle Sports Ride". The lucky audience members were not only able to ride in the special Legend3 wrapped car, but also experience a sports car ride with a professional racer in the passenger seat! The spectacular driving technique was just like the world of "Initial D." The winners were so excited! The winners were very excited!

Special Live Performance
The final event of the "Initial D Legend 3: Yumegen" commemoration was a special live performance on the main "MEGA Stage"! Tatsuyuki Kobayashi, who sang the theme song for the new "Initial D" Legend3-Yumegen, and Masaru Arakawa, vocalist of BACKDRAFT SMITHS, who sang an insert song for the new "Initial D" series of theatrical versions, performed live. Their powerful voices and performances raised expectations for the upcoming release of the film!
Comment by Tatsuyuki Kobayashi
The song "Change for dream" fits the world view of "Initial D" and the song and lyrics, so I hope you will listen to it.