Initial D is a manga series that sparkles the eyes of petrolheads. The anime adaptation of this mange was so influential that it helped popularize the Toyota Corolla GT-S Coupe a.k.a. AE86 in the US. Drifting was also keenly looked upon in the early 2000s because of a humble Tofu guy sliding across mountain roads like a piece of cake.
The series adaptation ran from 1998 to 2014 in six wholesome installations. There was also a live-action movie adapted from it. But after 2016 it went silent and fans have been hoping for a ray of hope ever since. The prayers have finally been answered, and we are getting a sequel with the anime adaptation of MF Ghost.
The main character in this series is guided by none other than Takumi, which begs the question of the lead being Takumi's son. Well, we will have to wait till 2023 for that. This is a spin-off that is set in the future, and just like the underdog Toyota AE86 from Initial D, a current-gen Toyota 86 will be seen racing Ferraris and Porsches.
MF Ghost is an anime series based on a seinen manga written by Shuichi Shegeno, the magician behind Initial D.
Underdog Vibes With A Toyota 86 Racing European Sports Cars
The teaser trailer gives us a hint on what to expect from MF Ghost. And clearly, we won't be disappointed. The main character drives (or more precisely hoons!) around in what looks like a scarcely modified red Toyota 86.
We see winding mountain roads that hint are the same or better downhill and uphill madness. Interestingly, we see a lot of European sports cars in the teaser, including an Alpina A110. But don't worry there will be JDM for sure and we see the R35 GT-R Nismo trailing behind in the official poster.
Takes Place In 202X Where Self-Driving Cars Have Taken Over
The anime is based on the MF Ghost manga that has been running since 2017 in Japan's Weekly Young Magazine. The story is set in the future and is evident with drones flying around the cars in the tease. So we can expect some cool drone shots of drifts.
Also, the public has given in to laziness with the advent of self-driving cars. So, this series also seems to emphasize the love of driving. The animation quality is way complex and inclusive as compared to Initial D. But the essence of hand-drawn animation is still carried over.
Kanata Livington Is The Name You Should Remember
The story puts Kanata Rivington as the main protagonist. He has graduated from a racing school in Britain and returned to Japan. Drifting comes to him naturally, and takes a humble approach with the Toyota 86.
We believe that just like Initial D, skills are the highlight since Kanata in his 86 is seen drifting along with cars like the Nissan GT-R and Lamborghini Huracán. Also, a few characters from Initial D make an appearance in MF Ghost. So, things will get a lot more interesting.
The Tease Hints At A Wide Variety Of Cars
Unlike Initial D that emphasizes more on JDMs, MF Ghost curiously brings Europe into the picture. We see cars like Lamborghini Huracán, Porsche 911, Alfa Romeo 4C, Lotus Exige, and Ferrari 488 battling it out on mountain roads. The anime premiere has been set for 2023, and we hope that it is aired outside Japan. It is high time the current-gen petrolheads got a taste of true automotive anime love.
Sources: Twitter.com/mfg_anime, Youtube.com/avexpictures, mfg-anime.com, Autoevolution.com, Wikipedia.org