“Initial D” is the world’s most beloved racing anime for good reason. Combining killer drifting action, a relatable coming of age storyline, and unmatched attention to technical detail, it was tailor made for young car enthusiasts. “Initial D” massively influenced modern car culture, fueling drifting’s explosion in popularity. For most of us the world of “Initial D” is nothing but a hazy JDM dream, but for some it was reality! Join host James Pumphrey as he investigates the real Japanese street racing scene that inspired Initial D and—maybe—reveals the real drifter Takumi Fujiwara was based on!