Initial D Manga Discussion - SPOILERS
 

So after watching Stage 5 Episode 1 while reading along with the Manga, I kept reading to see what was coming up.

I got to Ch 489 (www.mangapanda.com) where Takumi goes to the beach in Dads Subie and leaves the 86. Bunta took it out for a spin and remarked how well it was set up. Here is the part where my mind wandered.

Bunta asks himself if the 86 would be able to get him to the "end" and then says he will do one more favor for Takumi after some preperation. Fast forward to the current chapters...

Project D is in the final battle of the area and there has been no further mention of Bunta's project that I can remember. I was thinking this is approaching the end of the Manga and I wonder if this story line was dropped or does this mean the story will continue? What other favor could Bunta be planning for the 86?

The author says the story does continue after the Project D Arc, although i cant for the life of me guess what could come after achieving "Fastest In Kanto Project" Maybe going to other prefectures / county mountains and facing other challenges, but as a writer thats a big no no..making the story to familiar will over play the momentum, making the the story dull and killing the tension. The next arc should be a considerably larger evolution than the stage project D is in.

If i were to guess, im going to say I think to keep things interested and improve Takumi's growth, he's is going to be forced to drive with other cars other than his AE86...probably with the WRX or even be forced to do a uphill race with Keisuke's FD.

I think it should end basically after stage 5. Do an ova to cover Ry's last battle and a Stage 6 movie like 3rd stage to wrap everything up (them going pro, etc)

I just hope the story does not drop the Bunta/Last favor idea. One of the things I really like is how Takumi has gotten where he is by the foundation Bunta gave him. If there is one more trick up Bunta's sleeve, I think it would make for a great closing race.

If they take Project D to another region, I can live with it but it really seems they are reaching the end of the Project, with Ryosuke talking about revealing the secret behind the name of Project D. Taking Takumi out of the mountains would make for a great expansion but really would change the whole story as they keep making the same point that the mountain pass and it's challenges are every bit as difficult as Rally/AutoX/Circuit racing.