The Initial D manga series, created by Shuichi Shigeno, began serialization in the Young Magazine in 1995, marking the start of the franchise.
The first anime adaptation of Initial D aired, bringing the manga's street racing stories to the television audience and greatly increasing the series' popularity.
The live-action film adaptation of Initial D was released, featuring Jay Chou as Takumi Fujiwara, introducing the franchise to a broader audience beyond manga and anime fans.
The concluding volume of the Initial D manga was published, officially ending the long-running street racing saga begun in 1995.