 If you liked
Initial D First Stage
|
 ...then you might like
Hajime no Ippo
|
Similar art style, both about sports, although one is boxing the other is street racing. Follows the story of shy underachiever, with a unexpected talent for their sport. Both have romantic side plots and sprinkles of comedy.
Initial D and Hajime no Ippo explore a competitive atmosphere filled with rivalries, intensity, and respect. Both series explore characters in a concrete way. The main character is an underdog that gets himself involved with powerful adversaries that bring out his natural abilities to test. The two series may appeal to different sports, but they retain the competitive style related to their activities.
Plot-wise, both series are easy to follow and involve some strategy. At the same time, within these plots, there are character developments, dynamics, and relationships that are explored in a realistic format.
Similar in concepts. Both are about sporting and rising to the top against all odds. Hajime No Ippo focuses on Boxing and Initial D on racing. Both involved highly intense action sequences which will get your blood pumping and have you riding on the edge of your seats.
Both Ippo and Takumi are similar in personalities and their rise to the top both involved training and spirit. Initial D is not something to be missed.
Although one is about street racing and the other about boxing, these two pretty much have the same "aura" around them. Both protagonists develop a talent for a certain sport through their daily job. Without any intention of being a pro, they end up climbing up the ladder, battling different opponents and ending up loving the sport. Besides that, there's also small details: both Ippo and Takumi only have one parent, both end up falling in love and have flash backs of violence. Also, the great use of music and the intensity is about the same. If you couldn't stop watching Hajime No Ippo, you'll
read more
Both shows share a really similar artstyle, which isn't a surprise, since Hajime no Ippo's author is Initial D's author's student. Both shows revolve around incredibly and I mean INCREDIBLY dangerous sports, due to the severe danger the intensity whenever there's action is immense. Chills each time. In both shows the main character has their own romance-life with a decent amount of screentime, having their girlfriend relentlessly worry due to their dangerous sport.
While the themes are very different, both shows have the exact same atmosphere.
Both have an enemy of the week formula and with their over-the-top style it's super entertaining.
The protagonists are also similar in a sense. Both are underdogs at the start and become legends after numerous battles.