Initial D Lives On: Anime, Drift Culture & The Diecast Legacy You Can Own

If you love JDM cars, drifting, or anime—or all three—you owe it to yourself to discover (or revisit) one of the most influential series in automotive culture: Initial D. This iconic anime introduced millions to mountain pass racing, car tuning, and the thrill of touge battles—and its legacy is only growing.

Now, thanks to Kyosho's beautifully detailed 1:64 scale miniatures, you can bring the magic of Initial D to your diecast collection. And yes—they’re available now at Hanz Driven. 🔥
👉 Shop the 3-car Kyosho set now

🏁 A Quick Intro for the Uninitiated

Created by manga artist Shuichi Shigeno, Initial D first hit the pages in 1995 and quickly grew into a multimedia phenomenon. Set in the mountains of Japan’s Gunma Prefecture, the story centers on high school student Takumi Fujiwara, who unknowingly becomes a drifting prodigy after years of delivering tofu in his father's humble Toyota AE86 Trueno.

What made Initial D special?
It wasn’t about supercars or unrealistic stunts—it was about skill, strategy, and passion. From the yellow Mazda RX-7 FD3S to the thunderous Skyline GT-R R32, Initial D brought real-life cars into the spotlight and helped launch the global JDM craze.

🎬 Coming Soon: Live-Action Initial D Movie

Here’s something fans (and newcomers) should be hyped about: Sung Kang—best known as Han from Fast & Furious—is producing a brand-new Initial D live-action film. As a true car enthusiast, Kang has cited Initial D as one of his earliest inspirations and promises to deliver a version that respects the roots of the series while reintroducing it to modern audiences.

This means:
💥 A fresh wave of new fans
🚗 More appreciation for JDM classics
🔥 And a perfect time to grab your own collectible piece of the legend

🧊 New in Stock: Kyosho 1:64 Initial D Car Set

Whether you're a collector or just love high-quality miniatures, these Kyosho models are an absolute must:

🟡 Mazda RX-7 FD3S (Yellow) – The rotary icon driven by Keisuke Takahashi
⚫ Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 (Black) – Raw AWD power, perfectly captured in 1:64
⚪ Toyota AE86 Trueno (White/Black “Panda”) – Takumi’s mountain slayer and the soul of Initial D

Each car comes with exquisite detailing, true-to-scale proportions, and collector packaging that’s perfect for display.

👉 Click here to grab the 3-car Kyosho Initial D Set

🔍 Did You Know? Initial D Fun Facts

✅ The “AE86” isn’t just a model name—it’s shorthand for the “hachi-roku” (Japanese for 8-6), referring to the chassis code of the legendary Toyota Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno.

✅ Initial D helped spark the Eurobeat craze in Japan and beyond. Many of its iconic racing scenes are set to fast-paced Eurobeat tracks that have become part of internet culture.

✅ The drifting techniques shown in the anime were studied by real-life drivers—and even used in drift schools to teach newcomers.

✅ The fictional Mount Akina is based on Mount Haruna, which fans still visit today to retrace Takumi’s route.

📲 Stay Connected With Hanz Driven

For exclusive drops, JDM-inspired apparel, and real collector energy:

📸 Follow us on Instagram → @hanzdriven
🎥 Watch our diecast drops on TikTok → @hanz.driven

We’re more than a shop—we’re a community fueled by passion.

Final Thoughts

Initial D didn’t just influence anime. It shaped car culture around the world. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just discovering the series, these Kyosho diecasts are a small but powerful tribute to one of the greatest car stories ever told.

🏎️ Grab your 3-car Initial D Kyosho set today and bring the mountain pass home.
👉 Available now at Hanz Driven

🔥 Wear the Drift. Live the Legend.
Our Initial D–inspired apparel captures the heart-pounding energy of touge battles and JDM street culture. Whether you're repping the iconic AE86 or channeling that late-night mountain pass vibe, these pieces are made for true car enthusiasts who live life in the fast lane.