Table of Contents
Introduction
I wanted to talk about MF Ghost for a while now, but I needed time to process it. This anime was a big deal for me, something I had been anticipating since the first teaser dropped two years ago. It was special to me mainly because it is a sequel to the legendary drifting anime, Initial D.
The Decline of Car Anime
Car anime is almost non-existent today. Unlike in the 90s, no one seems to care about cars in anime anymore.
Anime and Car Culture
While mainstream audiences are more into things like the Formula 1 Netflix show Drive to Survive or Mario Kart, the deep connection between anime and cars is undeniable. One prime example of this bond is Itasha cars.
Who is an Itasha?
If you don’t know, an Itasha is a car wrapped with anime characters. The word itself is not exactly flattering, as it roughly translates to “cringe car.” However, despite the stigma, these cars represent the unique relationship between anime and car culture. Unfortunately, this bond is not as strong as it was in the 90s.
The Cultural Impact of Initial D
The Rise of Drifting Culture
One single manga made drifting popular in both fiction and real life—Initial D. It is arguably the most influential car-related media since Cars (the Pixar movie). The cultural significance of Initial D is undeniable.
The Passion Behind the Manga
Created by Shuichi Shigeno, Initial D became a worldwide phenomenon, showcasing the beauty of Japanese cars. The series made even non-car enthusiasts take their mom’s Toyota Corolla for an impromptu drifting session.
The AE86 – An Iconic Car
The white and black Toyota Corolla AE86 with the Fujiwara Tofu Shop text on the side is instantly recognizable. Thanks to Initial D, the AE86’s price skyrocketed, making it nearly impossible to find at a reasonable price today.
Keiichi Tsuchiya – The Drift King
The involvement of Keiichi Tsuchiya, the legendary Drift King, brought realism to Initial D. His expertise made the manga and anime detailed in their depiction of drifting techniques, even if some aspects remained fictional.
The Next Chapter Takumi
What is MF Ghost About?
MF Ghost takes place in the 2020s, a future where gas-powered cars are nearly extinct, and self-driving electric cars dominate the roads.
The MFG Racing League
In response to the disappearance of gas cars, the Takahashi brothers (from Initial D) created MFG, a sanctioned street racing competition.
Race Format and Rules
- Any gas-powered car can participate (no hybrids allowed).
- A unique power-to-grip ratio system ensures fair racing between different types of cars.
- MFG emulates street racing legally by using closed-off public roads.
The Main Characters
Kanata Katagiri (Rivington) – The Protagonist
Kanata is half-Japanese, half-British, searching for his father, who abandoned him and his mother.
Character Flaws
- Lacks personality.
- Overpowered from the start.
- A chick magnet with no real reason.
Ren Sionji – The Female Lead
Ren is the daughter of the family Kanata lives with.
Character Strengths and Issues
- She supports Kanata’s quest.
- However, she is unnecessarily sexualized despite being only 17 years old.
Ogata – The Mechanic
One of the best characters, Ogata is Kanata’s mechanic and the owner of his GT86.
Why Ogata Stands Out
- A chill and supportive figure.
- Has an old relationship with the Sionji family.
- Fair in his financial dealings with Kanata.
Other Notable Characters
- Aiba Shun – A seasonal racer who drives a Nissan GT-R.
- The Takahashi Brothers – Organizers of MFG, with little explanation given about them in MF Ghost.
- Michael Beckenbauer – The top-ranked driver in MFG, driving a Porsche Cayman.
- Koki Savatori – A creepy and problematic character whose entire personality revolves around liking 17-year-olds.
The Racing in MF Ghost
Qualifying System
- A 7-day time attack format held only in dry conditions.
- The top 30 qualify, but only the top 15 (Divine 15) can enter the final race.
The Finals
- The final race is held in any weather condition.
- Only the top 15 compete, similar to F1’s Q2 grid getting exclusive racing rights.
Comparing MF Ghost to Initial D
Strengths of MF Ghost
- Fun to watch due to the excitement of racing.
- Music is a major highlight, featuring Eurobeat and other high-energy tracks.
- More variety of cars compared to Initial D, which focused only on Japanese vehicles.
Weaknesses
- Boring when not racing – lacks the interesting character-building moments of Initial D.
- Unrealistic premise – the idea that everyone switched to self-driving electric cars is hard to believe.
- Over-sexualization of characters, particularly Ren.
Takumi Fujiwara – Where is He?
Since MF Ghost is a sequel, does Takumi Fujiwara appear? Yes, but not in the way you would expect. I won’t spoil this part—you’ll have to watch to find out.
Visuals and Cars
Animation and Car Models
- The visuals are impressive, especially for a racing anime.
- The car models and track designs are well-detailed.
Variety of Cars
- Unlike Initial D, which only showcased Japanese cars, features vehicles from all over the world.
- The protagonist drives a Toyota GT86, which serves as a modern successor to the AE86.
Final Thoughts
Pros
- Great racing action.
- Excellent soundtrack.
- Diverse selection of cars.
Cons
- Weak character development.
- Questionable story decisions.
- Boring non-racing segments.
If you’re only in it for the racing. However, if you’re expecting something as iconic as Initial D, you might be disappointed.
Conclusion
Overall, MF Ghost tries to live up to Initial D but falls short in many areas. It shines during races but struggles outside of them. The fact that Initial D feels more progressive than MF Ghost, despite being older, is disappointing.
