Initial D and MF Ghost Manga Confirm Subaru Characters and Sequel Launch This July
Dive into Shuuichi Shigeno’s thrilling new tale as two racers, connected to iconic past characters, ignite the legacy of speed.
Shuuichi Shigeno Launches New Manga "Subaru and Subaru" This July
Two new drivers with ties to the iconic Initial D universe take the spotlight
Introduction
Manga creator Shuuichi Shigeno, renowned for his racing-themed stories, is set to debut his next series. Titled Subaru and Subaru (Subaru to Subaru), the new manga will appear in Kodansha's Weekly Young Magazine this July. The series will further expand the worlds of Shigeno's hit works Initial D and MF Ghost, now featuring two protagonists both named Subaru.
About the New Manga
Subaru and Subaru introduces two characters destined to carry on the legacy of being "the fastest on public roads"—a central theme in Shigeno's past works:
- Subaru Satō: A talented young female driver whose story kicks off after a fateful meeting with Initial D's Bunta.
- Subaru Kudō: A young man who crosses paths with MF Ghost characters Ogata and Aiba.
Though their names sound the same, they are written with different kanji. Early preview panels hint at a deeper connection between Subaru Satō and Initial D's Mako Satō.
Shigeno's Racing Manga Legacy
Initial D
- Launched in Young Magazine in 1995.
- Ended in July 2013. (Final Chapter News)
- Published in North America by Tokyopop.
- Kodansha Comics and Comixology released the entire manga in English.
- Inspired several anime series, a live-action film, OVA projects, video games, a 2001 anime film, and an anime film trilogy (the final movie premiered in February 2016).
MF Ghost
- Debuted in Young Magazine in September 2017.
- Concluded in February 2024 with 23 volumes.
- Kodansha USA Publishing offers the English release.
MF Ghost Story Premise:
In a near future where cars have gone green, the MFG stands as one of the last major races for combustion engines. Kanata Rivington, half-Japanese, returns to Japan to race and to search for his long-lost father. Can he achieve it all?
MF Ghost Anime Adaptation
- The first anime season premiered in October 2023.
- Crunchyroll streamed the season globally as it aired.
- The second season began on October 6, with Crunchyroll offering both English-subtitled and dubbed versions.
- A third season is slated to premiere in 2026.
Sources
For fans of racing manga, July promises an exciting new journey into the speed-fueled world of Shuuichi Shigeno.