Looks like Initial D will soon return with an all new Dub and the return of the Eurobeat soundtrack. FUNimation rescued Initial D from licensing purgatory recently and is in the process of redoing the English Dub along with retaining the original eurobeat soundtrack. This time around FUNimation is re-releasing the following stages: First Stage, Second Stage, Extra Stage, Third Stage, and Fourth Stage. The only problem is what about the other stages and is there still a demand for Initial D stuff?
What do mean by other stages you ask? Well there is the second Extra Stage, unless that will be included with the extra stage, but I doubt it. There is also the two Special Battle Stages which were re-animated battles from the previous stages with new battles added that were only in the manga. Those I believe were never licensed since they were newer releases that happened after the fist time Initial D was licensed by Tokyopop. It would be nice if all of it was released but hey at least we are getting Initial D again right and with a new dub that will hopefully be more I don't know not nearly as retarded as the original one was. It's been some time since I watched the first and second stage but I remember just how wacked out the dub was so hopefully not only will that be fixed along with maybe some consulting of professional drifters and racers for correct terminology as well. In any case I'm happy to see it getting re-released so that I can finish watching the series as well I'd like the other stuff as well but hey I'll take what I can get.
I just hope that FUNimation realizes that there is a much large audience for this series than just regular anime viewers and markets it accordingly instead of just sticking with ads in Anime and Gaming magazines they should spread out a bit to tuner magazines and websites and what not. At least what I would do along with licensing maybe Wangan Midnight as well that would be a great thing to get to release it after re-releasing Initial D. But that's probably just wishful thinking on my part.
And to kick it all off how about some Initial D battle action to get you the mood...
