Based on a seinen manga by Kusunoki Michiharu serialised in Young Magazine.
The story gets its roots from the actual street racing that occurs on Tokyo's Shuto Expressway, one stretch of which is known as the "Wangan", literally meaning "bay side" (although it is generally used to refer to the freeway), the longest, straightest road in the entire country. Of course, there's also lots of traffic to contend with, including a fair number of heavy trucks. Because of this, the action is inherently hazardous, and wrecks are common. Blown engines are also a frequent hazard, especially with the extreme-high power engines.
One day, Akio Asakura, a third year high school student, is driving his Fairlady Z (Z31) and is challenged by Tatsuya Shima, a doctor, in his black Porsche 964 Turbo (nicknamed the "BlackBird"). With a friend in the passenger seat and two girls in the back, Akio pitifully tries to win, but is defeated. Determined to become faster, he goes to the junkyard to buy parts for his car, when he sees a pristine, unscratched midnight blue Fairlady Z (S30) in the junkyard. Intrigued as to why such a machine is about to be junked, he buys it. He soon finds that the car is unnaturally fast due to a tuned L28 engine, bored and stroked to 3.1 liters combined with twin turbos, which produces 620bhp. He also finds that all of the car's previous owners had unfortunate accidents in it, starting with the first owner's death. The manga follows Akio's various encounters, though the central plot revolves around his constant battle with the BlackBird for superiority.
Wangan Midnight has finished airing and it has 26 Episodes. It is also Known as: 湾岸ミッドナイト, Wangan Midnight
Genres: Sports , Street Racing , Plot Continuity , Motorsport , Action
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Top 7 Anime Like Wangan Midnight [2025 List]
7. Initial D Fifth Stage
Taking place in the sacred land of street running Kanagawa, once more Takumi Fujiwara will show his driving skills in his now legendary Hachi-roku.
Initial D Fifth Stage has finished airing and it has 14 Episodes. It is also Known as: 頭文字 D Fifth Stage, Initial D Fifth Stage
6. Initial D Battle Stage
There are many street races in the Initial D Series. This OVA has no plot other than to collect all the street races into one stage. The dialog during the original races is left in.
Initial D Battle Stage has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: 頭文字〈イニシャル〉D BATTLE STAGE, Initial D Battle Stage
5. eX-Driver
Ex-Driver is set in the future, when all transportation is easily controlled by AI. Though like all machines they tend to break down or lose control or re-programmed. This is where three high schoolers with non AI cars, Subaru WRX, Super 7, Lotus comes in to save the day and make sure the public is safe at all times.
eX-Driver has finished airing and it has 6 Episodes. It is also Known as: エクスドライバー, eX-Driver
4. MF Ghost
Japan adopts self-driving electric automobiles and renders most gas engines obsolete by 202X. The fastest cars find new life in the MFG, a racing circuit held on Japanese motorways. Drivers from around the world race for a shot at the title. Kanata Rivington returns from Britain to Japan for the MFG—and to find his father. Can he win the title and find answers? Buckle up and push it to the limit!
MF Ghost has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: MFゴースト, MF Ghost
3. Initial D Second Stage
Following his victory over RedSuns leader Ryosuke Takahashi, AE86 driver Takumi Fujiwara is challenged by the Lancer EVO-based "Emperor," a group known for taking decals of racing teams they defeat, cutting them up and placing them on their cars like a fighter plane kill board. Takumi's undefeated streak is on the line as his AE86 is virtually no match against the more powerful and more agile four-wheel-drive EVOs of the Emperor team.
Initial D Second Stage has finished airing and it has 13 Episodes. It is also Known as: 頭文字〈イニシャル〉D SECOND STAGE, Initial D Second Stage
2. Initial D Fourth Stage
Takumi Fujiwara and brothers Keisuke and Ryousuke Takahashi have formed "Project D," a racing team aimed at bringing their driving skills to their full potential outside their prefecture. Using the internet, Project D issues challenges to other racing teams and posts results of their races. Managed by Ryousuke, the team has Takumi engaging in downhill battles with his AE86, while Keisuke challenges opponents uphill. Among their rivals are the Seven-Star Leaf (SSR) and Todo-juku.
Initial D Fourth Stage has finished airing and it has 24 Episodes. It is also Known as: 頭文字〈イニシャル〉D FOURTH STAGE, Initial D 4th Stage
1. Initial D First Stage
Takumi Fujiwara is an aloof, spacey high-schooler who does delivery runs in his dad's Toyota AE86 in the dead of night. Despite working at a gas station and having friends who are car nuts, he doesn't know a single thing about cars.
Takumi is introduced into the world of street racing and his natural talent draws attention from all across Gunma. Will Takumi face the challenges or back out from the call of the mountain passes?
Initial D First Stage has finished airing and it has 26 Episodes. It is also Known as: 頭文字〈イニシャル〉D, ID
