Initial D Fourth Stage
Synopsis
Takumi Fujiwara finally joins Ryousuke and Keisuke Takahashi to create "Project D." Their goal is twofold: Ryousuke wants to develop his "High-Speed Street Racing Theory," while Keisuke and Takumi aim at improving their driving skills by facing powerful opponents on dangerous roads. The idea of Project D is to challenge street racing teams from other prefectures to improve both their uphill and downhill records. In order to attract the attention of the best racing teams, Ryousuke creates a dedicated website to announce the future battles of Project D and post the team's results. The fourth season of Initial D details the hardships and successes of the members of Project D as they try to become the best street racing team outside of Gunma Prefecture. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience reception is mixed, with some praising the improved animation and thrilling races, while others criticize the predictable plot and weak character development. The fast-paced nature and focus on racing are appreciated by some, but others miss the depth and charm of earlier seasons. Despite its flaws, many viewers find it enjoyable, particularly those with an interest in cars and racing.
Strengths
- Improved CGI and animation quality compared to previous seasons.
- Engaging races with strategic elements and character development.
- Strong soundtrack, especially the Eurobeat music (though some reviews note a decline).
- The series focuses heavily more on racing, driving style & technique.
- The story is well written, entertaining and highly recommended.
Weaknesses
- Predictable race outcomes and repetitive plot formula.
- Weak character development outside of racing skills.
- Inconsistent pacing, with some races feeling rushed and underdeveloped.
- Some find the races dull and repetitive with little to no introduction of the mountain passes.
- Decline in Eurobeat music quality for some viewers.
- The story and the races tend to drag as they go along.