Initial D, Volume 5

At last, Takumi faces off against Ryosuke Takahashi and his RX-7. The race is exciting, intense, and completely epic. Even more so than the other races so far, it is as much a mental battle as it is a physical one. The writer/artist Shigeno does a great job in choreographing it and really digs into Takumi and Ryosuke's personalities and thought processes, especially Ryosuke. In Book 1 he seems like an arrogant rich snot but by Books 4 and 5 you understand that he is all about being the best, in racing and in everything else. He is the ultimate competitor. This is one of the best showdowns in Initial D.

Initial D is possibly the most addictive manga I have ever read. The pace is fast moving, and as the story moves along, all you want is to see the next race!! The art work is gritty and unique; not quite the bubbly norm of other mangas.It's also pretty educational.. My brother has absolutely no knowledge of cars whatsoever, and now he stops me in the middle of the street to point out what cars he recognises.. what is tuned, what isn't etc!!!and if you are up to vol.5, the suspence must be killing you.. it's the famous 'Hachi Rocku' VS the Akagi 'White Comet'!! I'm not giving anything away (^_^)y

This is a really great series and I enjoy reading it. My guy friends didn't know I read it until I told them and they told me it was asupposed to be a guy's manga, but I told them, it has chicks in it too! The first part in the first book was kinda disturbing but that's the only part like that that happens...that is, except for Iketani's mindless babbling about the girl of his dreams. I would recommend this book to everyone I know, especially people who like cars, such as myself, and people who want to learn about cars. This manga has taught me somethings I never knew about downhill racing.Anyway, when I read this book, I can't wait to see what happens next in the series and I'm always mad when I get to the end of the book and the interesting part is about to happen. I always have to go back to the book store and get the next book when it comes out, but I have to say, it's definitely worth it!!