Chapter 491

Chapter 491
Kanji	ミッドシップスペシャリスト
Romaji	Middoshippu Supesharisuto
English	The Mid-Engine Specialist
French	Le Spécialiste De Minuit
Release Date	May 21st 2007
Volume	36
Length	14 pages
Anime Episodes	Fifth Stage - Act 4
Chapter Guide
Previous Chapter	Chapter 490
Next Chapter	Chapter 492

The Mid-Engine Specialist (ミッドシップスペシャリスト, Middoshippu Supesharisuto, "Midship Specialist") is the four hundred and ninety-first chapter of Initial D.

Plot

The tuner reminds Kai that Takumi already managed to beat Omiya, a veteran, and that he shouldn't underestimate him. Kai says that the reason Project D did so well against Omiya is because he has circuit experience and they don't. He explains that if a racer is accustomed to the safety of the circuit then the mountain passes can become scary, and they won't push themselves to the limit. The tuner tells Kai he should do the same, but he says that this race will likely be one of his last, and that in a year or so he'll be just as scared of the mountain passes as he should be. He admits that he doesn't care about Kanagawa's pride, he just wants to wrap up his unfinished business with Takumi.

A few days later, in Gunma, Takumi returns home from his deliveries. He reminds Bunta that he has races in Kanagawa coming up, and tells him not to go wild drinking just because he isn't there. Bunta feigns disinterest, but is secretly happy that Takumi cares.

At 8PM, at the gas station, Iketani and Itsuki discuss Project D's upcoming races. Itsuki wonders if the racers will really be better than their previous opponents, but Iketani imagines that they would be.

In Kanagawa, several spectators discuss Minagawa and Kai being a part of the professional racing team Katagiri. They are excited to see professionals in action. Project D arrive on Nagao.

Stats

Release Dates

Japan

• May 21st 2007 (Weekly Young Magazine, 2007 Volume 23)
• October 5th 2007 (Tankōbon, Volume 36)
• April 6th 2021 (Shinsōban Omnibus, Volume 18)

Korean

• November 15th 2007 (Tankōbon, Volume 36, Haksan Munhwasa)
• July 29th 2022 (Shinsōban Omnibus, Volume 18, Haksan Munhwasa)

Chinese

• December 18th 2007 (Tankōbon, Volume 36, Sharp Point Press)

English

• April 17th 2019 (Digital release, Volume 36, Kodansha USA)

French

• February 14th 2018 (Tankōbon, Volume 36, Kazé)

Characters (in order of appearance)

• Kai Kogashiwa
• Takumi Fujiwara
• Bunta Fujiwara
• Itsuki Takeuchi
• Koichiro Iketani

Cars (in order of appearance)

• Toyota MR-S S-Edition (ZZW30)
• Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type R (FD3S)
• Mazda Bongo
• Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86)