The Initial D franchise is not currently in active production, but its legacy continues through a free Steam distribution of the drift racing game Drift86 and the upcoming arcade racer Akina. Voice actor Bill Wise, who voiced Bunta Fujiwara in the Initial D: Legend trilogy's English dub, has died.
The Initial D franchise has no new anime or manga announced, but two recent stories show its influence persists in gaming and voice acting. The drift racing game Drift86, released in 2019 by RewindApp, became free on Steam until June 4. It includes over 30 maps, over 40 car models including an Initial D-style 86, and multiplayer. RewindApp is also developing a new arcade drift game, Akina, scheduled for 2026 with over 80,000 wishlists as of March. These games draw directly on the drifting culture and car culture that Initial D popularized.
Voice actor Bill Wise died at age 61. His English dub roles included Bunta Fujiwara in the Initial D: Legend trilogy. His death was reported by the Austin Chronicle on May 5, with his agency and a friend confirming the news earlier that week. Wise also voiced Hayato Jin in Getter Robo: Armageddon and Knuckles in the 1996 Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie OVA.
No other Initial D projects are mentioned in these stories. The franchise's current status is defined by these two unrelated developments: a game giveaway and an actor's passing.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.
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The drift racing game Drift86, released in 2019 by RewindApp, is free on Steam until June 4. It features over 30 maps, over 40 car models including an Initial D-style 86, and multiplayer. RewindApp is also developing a new arcade drift game, Akina, scheduled for 2026 with over 80,000 wishlists as of March.
Bill Wise, known for English dub roles including Bunta Fujiwara in the Initial D: Legend trilogy, Hayato Jin in Getter Robo: Armageddon, and Knuckles in the 1996 Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie OVA, has died at age 61. His death was reported by the Austin Chronicle on May 5, with his agency and a friend confirming the news earlier that week.