Legendary
mangaka Shuuichi Shigeno hasn't slowed down. Kodansha has officially announced
that the new manga "Subaru and Subaru" (Subaru to Subaru) will debut
in Weekly Young Magazine in July, serving as a direct sequel to both Initial D
and MF Ghost.
This new
story will connect the universes of both franchises through two new
protagonists who share the name Subaru, although they are written with
different kanji. Both inherit the spirit of those who once ruled Japanese
public roads.
Two Subarus, two paths... one shared destiny
In the new
manga, we follow Subaru Satō, a young racer whose life takes a radical turn
after meeting Bunta Fujiwara, the enigmatic father of Initial D's protagonist.
The story also introduces Subaru Kudō, a mysterious young man who appears
before Ogata and Aiba, characters previously seen in MF Ghost.
The panels
revealed in the official announcement hint at a possible connection between
Subaru Satō and Mako Satō, one of Initial D's most memorable characters. This
relationship could bring important revelations for longtime fans of the
franchise.
The legacy
of Initial D and MF Ghost
Initial D
debuted in 1995 and ended in July 2013 after marking a milestone in racing
manga and anime. The series inspired multiple animated adaptations, films,
OVAs, a live-action film, and even video games, becoming a cultural phenomenon.
For its
part, MF Ghost began in September 2017 and concluded this past February 2025.
The 23rd and final volume was released in Japan on May 31. Set in a future
where electric cars dominate the market, the series tells the story of Kanata
Rivington, a young man who competes in the ultimate combustion-engine vehicle
races while searching for his father in Japan.
The anime
is still ongoing
The
animated adaptation of MF Ghost premiered its first season in October 2023 with
simultaneous streaming on Crunchyroll. The second season premiered on October 6
of the same year, and a third season is already confirmed for 2025.
With the
announcement of Subaru and Subaru, it's clear that the legacy of speed created
by Shuuichi Shigeno still has a long way to go. The asphalt is ready and the
engines are roaring again
