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Initial D
As of July 2026, Initial D is in its 30th anniversary year, with multiple merchandise collaborations, a new arcade tournament, and ongoing model kit releases. The series' English dub actor for Bunta Fujiwara in the Legend trilogy, Bill Wise, died in May.
Synthesized from 8
Yomimono stories · updated
15h ago
Initial D is marking its 30th serialization anniversary with a wave of merchandise and collaborations. F.B.D. Co., Ltd. announced a collaboration with Chen Mapo Tofu, offering themed menu items and trading cards at 10 stores across Japan from August to October. Aoshima added Daiki Ninomiya's EK9 Civic Type R to its 1/24 plastic model series, set for November release. Avail released apparel and accessories featuring the Fujiwara Tofu Shop and RedSuns logos. A limited edition Zippo lighter with only 50 units was also released.
SEGA FAVE announced the fourth official national tournament for Initial D THE ARCADE, with regional qualifiers from August 2026 to January 2027 and a final in March 2027. The tournament includes a new tag-team format called Double Ace CUP. Amazon held a 50% point-back sale on all 48 manga volumes in late June. On PC, the Initial D-inspired drift game Drift86 was free on Steam for a limited time, and developer RewindApp is working on a new game, Akina.
Voice actor Bill Wise, who voiced Bunta Fujiwara in the Initial D: Legend trilogy English dub, died at age 61. His death was reported in May 2026.
Key facts
- 30th anniversary
- Initial D is celebrating its 30th serialization anniversary in 2026. ↗
- Tofu collaboration
- A collaboration with Chen Mapo Tofu runs from August 1 to October 31, 2026, at 10 stores in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Aichi, and Osaka. ↗
- Limited Zippo lighter
- A limited edition Zippo lighter with 50 units was released at 27,500 yen each. ↗
- New model kit
- Aoshima announced a 1/24 scale plastic model of Daiki Ninomiya's EK9 Civic Type R, releasing November 2026. ↗
- Arcade tournament
- SEGA FAVE announced the fourth official national tournament for Initial D THE ARCADE, with qualifiers from August 2026 to January 2027 and a final in March 2027. ↗
- Manga sale
- Amazon held a 50% point-back sale on all 48 volumes of the manga from June 26 to 28, 2026. ↗
- Voice actor death
- Bill Wise, who voiced Bunta Fujiwara in the Initial D: Legend trilogy English dub, died at age 61. ↗
Timeline
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself
sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every
fact links the story it came from.
Facts
- Noted
- collaboration with Chen Mapo Tofu for 30th anniversary · 2026-07-13
- Noted
- Initial D Gets 50% Point-Back Sale on All 48 Volumes at Amazon · 2026-06-27
- Release
- manga · 2026-07-12 · JP · 2026-07-12
Connections
Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/initial-d.
CC BY 4.0.
All coverage
17h ago
F.B.D. Co., Ltd. announced a collaboration between Initial D, celebrating its 30th serialization anniversary, and Chen Mapo Tofu, the originator of mapo tofu. From August 1 to October 31, 10 stores in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Aichi, and Osaka will serve three limited menu items-Takumi 86 Black Mapo, Keisuke FD Yellow Mapo, and Red Suns Red Mapo-each priced at 1,680 yen. Customers ordering a menu item receive a random trading card from 10 types. Limited goods include a Mapo Tofu Mix, T-shirts, and keychains.
1d ago
A limited edition Zippo lighter inspired by the manga "Initial D" has been released through the goods brand CAMSHOP.JP. Only 50 units are available at 27,500 yen each. The lighter features a black nickel finish with laser-engraved mountain pass battle scenes and a serial number.
Jun 27
Aoshima announced the Daiki Ninomiya EK9 Civic Type R as the next entry in its 1/24 Initial D plastic model series. The kit, based on the late-model car from the series, includes new molds for the body, hood, and headlights, plus dedicated aero parts and wheels. It is a snap-fit, glue-and-paint-free assembly. Release is set for November 2026 at 4,840 yen.
Jun 27
SEGA FAVE will hold the official national tournament "Public Road Strongest Deciding Battle 4th" for "Initial D THE ARCADE." The tournament includes three categories: KING OF DRIVER 4th (2-car battle), Toge Battle Royale 4th (4-car battle), and MASTER ATTACKER 4th (time trial). Regional qualifiers run from August 2026 to January 2027 at seven locations across Japan, with a final tournament in March 2027. A first tag tournament, Double Ace CUP, is scheduled for November 2026. Lifeguard sponsors the event.
Jun 27
Amazon's Manga Weekend Sale offers a 50% point-back on all 48 volumes of Shuichi Shigeno's car manga Initial D, limited to June 26-28, 2026. The sale brings the effective price to roughly half the 38,016 yen list price. The article also notes the AE86's appearance in Forza Horizon 6 with a water-cup Easter egg.
Jun 5
Avail will release a line of Initial D merchandise at its nationwide stores and online from June 6. The lineup includes a 3-piece set with a T-shirt, leisure bag, and waist cushion, plus key cases, pouches, and sunglasses. Items feature the Fujiwara Tofu Shop (Private Use) and RedSuns logos.
May 29
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.
May 18
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.