MF Ghost explained

Ja Kanji:MFゴースト
Ja Romaji:MF Gōsuto
Type:manga
Author:Shuichi Shigeno
Publisher:Kodansha
Imprint:Young Magazine KC
Magazine:Weekly Young Magazine
First:September 4, 2017
Volumes:21
Type:tv series
Director:Tomohito Naka
Music:Akio Dobashi
Studio:Felix Film
Network:Tokyo MX, BS11, RKB, ytv, TV Aichi, Animax
First:October 2, 2023
Episodes:17
Preceded by
Content:
Portal:on

is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Shuichi Shigeno. It is a sequel to Initial D, and is also focused on the Japanese street racing scene. The series has been serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Young Magazine since September 2017, with its chapters collected in 21 volumes as of October 2024. An anime television series adaptation by Felix Film aired in October to December 2023, with a second season premiering in October 2024.

Plot

The series takes place in 202X, where self-driving electric cars have replaced internal combustion ones. However, in Japan, there is a large organization called MFG, founded by Ryosuke Takahashi (from the Initial D series), who does street racing with internal combustion cars. A new rookie, who is competing with the pseudonym, a 19-year-old Japanese-British young man, has showed up on the scene driving a Toyota 86, and beating European top-tier cars, such as the Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4, Ferrari 488 GTB, Lotus Exige, Alfa Romeo 4C and Porsche 911 Carrera (991). Kanata has been trained by legendary downhill and rally racer Takumi Fujiwara (protagonist from the Initial D series) at the Royal Donington Racing School in the UK and is a Formula 4 world champion. He has only one motive: to find his long-lost father.

Media

Manga

MF Ghost is written and illustrated by Shuichi Shigeno. The manga began in Kodansha's manga magazine Weekly Young Magazine on September 4, 2017.[1] [2] [3] The series is connected to Shigeno's previous work Initial D.[4] [5] In October 2018, Shigeno stated that the manga is 1/5 finished.[6] In November 2022, it was announced that the manga would enter on indefinite hiatus due to the author's poor health;[7] it resumed publication on February 20, 2023,[8] and entered on hiatus again on April 18 of the same year; on the same date, it was announced that the manga had entered its "final battle".[9] The series resumed on June 19, 2023.[10] Kodansha has collected its chapters into individual volumes. The first volume was published on January 5, 2018.[11] As of October 4, 2024, 21 volumes have been released.

Kodansha USA and Comixology announced that they would publish the manga digitally starting on January 11, 2022.[12] The series was added to Kodansha's K Manga online platform in May 2023.[13]

Volumes

Anime

An anime television series adaptation was announced on January 4, 2022.[14] It is produced by Felix Film and directed by Tomohito Naka, with Kenichi Yamashita supervising the scripts co-written by Akihiko Inari, Naoyuki Onda designing the characters, and Akio Dobashi composing the music.[15] The series aired from October 2 to December 18, 2023, on Tokyo MX and other networks.[16] The opening theme song is "Jungle Fire feat. Motsu" by Yū Serizawa, while the ending theme song is "Stereo Sunset" by Himika Akaneya.[17]

Following the ending of the twelfth episode, a second season was announced,[18] [19] which premiered on October 7, 2024.[20] The opening theme song is "Rock Me Kiss Me feat. Motsu" by Yū Serizawa,[21] while the ending theme song is "Side U (Prod. AmPm)" by Himika Akaneya.[22]

Crunchyroll is streaming the series.[23] Medialink licensed the series in Asia-Pacific, streaming it on its Ani-One Asia YouTube channel.[24] [25] [26]

Episodes

Season 2 (2024)

Reception

By January 2019, the manga had over 1 million copies in circulation;[27] over 3.2 million copies in circulation by January 2022;[28] and over 4 million copies in circulation by January 2023.[29]

Anime News Network (ANN) had four editors review the first episode of the anime:[30] Rebecca Silverman was put off by the fan service depiction of Ren and felt disappointed with the racing being relegated to "only about thirty seconds of actual race footage"; Richard Eisenbeis felt betrayed by the lack of "awesome dirfting car races and killer eurobeat music" throughout the episode, but gave it credit for being a "solid introduction" and had decent stories involving Kanata and Ren, saying he will check out the second episode; James Beckett critiqued that "automotive-illiterate viewers" may enjoy the series through Ren and Kanata's potential romance but was unsure of its racing anime appeal based on the brief snippets it shows, saying that fanbase "will have to wait another week to get a real taste of the action." The fourth reviewer, Nicholas Dupree, was unimpressed with the "mild-mannered and matter-of-fact" main cast (outside of Ogata) but felt that viewers will get invested in them during the long run. He added that the visuals were a mixed bag, commending the details to the CG vehicles and the "distinctive character designs", but was critical of the environments being "(barely-)edited reference photos," saying "the make-or-break detail will depend on how well they can capture the speed and intensity of racing in the next episode."[30]

Fellow ANN editor Steve Jones chose MF Ghost as his pick for the Worst Anime of Fall 2023, criticizing the "paper-thin characters, shoddy presentation, and almost nonexistent story" compared to Overtake!, and added that it fails as a continuation to Initial D, saying "Yes, it brings the Eurobeat back, and that's absolutely the best creative decision this sequel makes. But in all other respects—setting, character, stakes, direction, storyboarding—the classic Initial D anime runs laps around this one."[31] Monique Thomas chose the series as her pick for the Worst Anime of 2023, feeling the races lacked storyline stakes and contained "long technical explanations", and felt the overall production away from the tracks was "sterile with very little expression," saying, "It feels like someone took all the worst parts of Initial D and cobbled them together into one vehicle. It's a reminder that we're no longer "running in the 90s" and have left them behind a long time ago."[32] Kennedy, also writing for ANN, reviewed the complete anime series in 2024 and gave it an overall C grade, praising the racing segments but felt it lacked Initial Ds "over-the-top elements" that made it fun and criticized the bland characters throughout the disjointed story, concluding that: "On its own merits, it's (no pun intended) pretty middle of the road—exciting race scenes, which are weighed down by just about everything else. Overall, I wouldn't readily call it a particularly good or bad anime. But, it's the Initial D you have at home: it may also be a racing anime set to a Eurobeat soundtrack, but it lacks the over-the-top fun of Initial D."[33]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. Shuuichi Shigeno's MF Ghost Manga Launches on September 4, Reveals New Visual. Anime News Network. September 8, 2020. August 28, 2017. January 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210125014144/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-08-28/shuuichi-shigeno-mf-ghost-manga-launches-on-september-4-reveals-new-visual/.120632. live.
  2. Web site: ja:週刊ヤングマガジン40号. https://magazine.yanmaga.jp/ym/2017/2017-40.html. magazine.yanmaga.jp. Kodansha. September 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200908231123/https://magazine.yanmaga.jp/ym/2017/2017-40.html. September 8, 2020. live.
  3. Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. Shuuichi Shigeno's MF Ghost Manga's Story, 1st Page Previewed. Anime News Network. September 8, 2020. September 4, 2017. January 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210125235251/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-09-04/shuuichi-shigeno-mf-ghost-manga-story-1st-page-previewed/.120900. live.
  4. Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. MF Ghost Manga Hints Connection to Initial D's Takumi. Anime News Network. September 8, 2020. April 9, 2018. January 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210126065450/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2018-04-09/mf-ghost-manga-hints-connection-to-initial-d-takumi/.130127. live.
  5. Web site: Sherman. Jennifer. Initial D's Keisuke Appears in MF Ghost Manga. Anime News Network. September 8, 2020. September 8, 2018. January 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210126125252/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2018-09-08/initial-d-keisuke-appears-in-mf-ghost-manga/.136342. live.
  6. Web site: Ressler. Karen. MF Ghost Manga by Initial D's Shigeno is 1/5 Finished. Anime News Network. September 8, 2020. October 8, 2018. November 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201109024144/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2018-10-08/mf-ghost-manga-by-initial-d-shigeno-is-1-5-finished/.137883. live.
  7. Web site: Cayanan. Joanna. MF Ghost Manga Goes on Hiatus Due to Author's Poor Health. Anime News Network. November 23, 2022. November 21, 2022. November 23, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221123095206/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-11-21/mf-ghost-manga-goes-on-hiatus-due-to-author-poor-health/.192130. live.
  8. Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. MF Ghost Manga Resumes on February 20. Anime News Network. February 16, 2023. February 16, 2023. February 16, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230216193355/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-02-16/mf-ghost-manga-resumes-on-february-20/.194952. live.
  9. Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. MF Ghost Manga Goes Back on Hiatus. Anime News Network. April 17, 2023. April 17, 2023. April 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230417054905/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-04-17/mf-ghost-manga-goes-back-on-hiatus/.197133. live.
  10. Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. MF Ghost Manga Resumes on June 19. Anime News Network. June 12, 2023. June 12, 2023. September 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230902110057/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-06-12/mf-ghost-manga-resumes-on-june-19/.199062. live.
  11. Web site: ja:「頭文字D」しげの秀一が近未来の新たな公道レース描く「MFゴースト」1巻. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/263996. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. January 13, 2022. ja. January 5, 2018. January 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220113164046/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/263996. live.
  12. Web site: Mateo. Alex. Exclusive: Kodansha Comics, ComiXology Publish Initial D Successor Manga MF Ghost. Anime News Network. January 10, 2022. January 10, 2022. January 10, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220110170637/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-01-10/exclusive-kodansha-comics-comixology-publish-initial-d-successor-manga-mf-ghost/.181253. live.
  13. Web site: Master Blaster. Kodansha's K Manga app launches with 60 English simupubs among 400 titles. SoraNews24. June 18, 2023. May 11, 2023. May 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230510150058/https://soranews24.com/2023/05/11/kodanshas-k-manga-app-launches-with-60-english-simupubs-among-400-titles/. live.
  14. Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. TV Anime of Initial D Successor MF Ghost Confirmed With Teaser. Anime News Network. January 4, 2022. January 4, 2022. April 26, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220426172532/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-01-03/tv-anime-of-initial-d-successor-mf-ghost-confirmed-with-teaser/.181201. live.
  15. Web site: Loo. Egan. Initial D Successor Anime MF Ghost Reveals Staff, Eurobeat Soundtrack With 2nd Video. Anime News Network. May 5, 2022. May 5, 2022. May 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220505112032/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-05-05/initial-d-successor-anime-mf-ghost-reveals-staff-eurobeat-soundtrack-with-2nd-video/.185349. live.
  16. Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. MF Ghost Anime Debuts on October 1. Anime News Network. September 2, 2023. September 2, 2023. September 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230902062234/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2023-09-02/mf-ghost-anime-debuts-on-october-1/.201904. live.
  17. Web site: Cayanan. Joanna. MF Ghost Anime Reveals 4th Video, Theme Songs, October Debut. Anime News Network. July 5, 2023. July 5, 2023. July 5, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230705141738/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-07-05/mf-ghost-anime-reveals-4th-video-theme-songs-october-debut/.200000. live.
  18. Web site: ja:「MFゴースト」2nd Season制作決定！2024年放送、86GTが雨の中疾走するPV. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/553540. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. December 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231217190324/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/553540. December 17, 2023. ja. December 18, 2023. live.
  19. Web site: Tai. Anita. MF Ghost Anime Gets Second Season in 2024. Anime News Network. December 18, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231218001925/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-12-17/mf-ghost-anime-gets-second-season-in-2024/.205639. December 18, 2023. December 17, 2023. live.
  20. Web site: ja:「MFゴースト」第2期は10月6日放送開始、PV第2弾で芹澤優とMOTSUによるOP聴ける. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/585993. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. August 9, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809151649/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/585993. August 9, 2024. ja. August 9, 2024. live.
  21. Web site: Mateo. Alex. MF Ghost Season 2 Anime's Promo Video Unveils Opening Theme, October 6 Premiere. Anime News Network. August 9, 2024. August 9, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809153159/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-08-09/mf-ghost-season-2-anime-promo-video-unveils-opening-theme-october-6-premiere/.214144. August 9, 2024. live.
  22. Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. MF Ghost Anime's 2nd Season Previewed in 3rd Promo Video. Anime News Network. September 6, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240906132948/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-09-06/mf-ghost-anime-2nd-season-previewed-in-3rd-promo-video/.215189. September 6, 2024. September 6, 2024. live.
  23. Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. Crunchyroll Licenses Rent-A-Girlfriend Season 3, Horimiya: The Missing Pieces, 5 More Anime. Anime News Network. May 20, 2023. May 20, 2023. May 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230520180624/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-05-20/crunchyroll-licenses-rent-a-girlfriend-season-3-horimiya-the-missing-pieces-5-more-anime/.198238. live.
  24. Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. Ani-One Asia Streams A Girl & Her Guard Dog, MF Ghost, Firefighter Daigo Anime. Anime News Network. August 9, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20231215130949/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-10-02/ani-one-asia-streams-a-girl-and-her-guard-dog-mf-ghost-firefighter-daigo-anime/.203045. December 15, 2023. October 2, 2023. live.
  25. Web site: Mateo. Alex. Crunchyroll Announces Release Schedule for Fall 2024 Season. Anime News Network. September 30, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240928102025/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-09-18/crunchyroll-announces-release-schedule-for-fall-2024-season/.215719. September 28, 2024. September 18, 2024. live.
  26. Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. Ani-One Asia Licenses MF Ghost Anime's 2nd Season. Anime News Network. September 30, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240930102753/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-09-30/ani-one-asia-licenses-mf-ghost-anime-2nd-season/.216164. September 30, 2024. September 30, 2024. live.
  27. Web site: Loveridge. Lynzee. Initial D Creator's MF Ghost Inspires Limited Edition Hachiroku. Anime News Network. September 8, 2020. January 8, 2019. November 25, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201125054510/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2019-01-08/initial-d-creator-mf-ghost-inspires-limited-edition-hachiroku/.141741. live.
  28. Web site: ja:『頭文字D』後継作・しげの秀一氏原作の『MFゴースト』2023年TVアニメ化決定！「TOYOTA 86」が疾走するティザービジュアル＆リアルな走行音が収録された特報PV公開. https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1641262793. Animate Times. January 4, 2022. ja. January 4, 2022. January 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220104030613/https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1641262793. live.
  29. Web site: ja:MFゴースト：内田雄馬が主人公の声優に ヒロインは佐倉綾音 小野大輔、神谷浩史、浪川大輔、諏訪部順一 「頭文字D」キャラも. https://mantan-web.jp/article/20230104dog00m200001000c.html. Mantan Web. January 4, 2023. ja. January 4, 2023. January 4, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230104084008/https://mantan-web.jp/article/20230104dog00m200001000c.html. live.
  30. Web site: MF Ghost - The Fall 2023 Anime Preview Guide. Anime News Network. September 30, 2023. October 5, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20231001214543/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/preview-guide/2023/fall/mf-ghost/.202655. October 1, 2023. live.
  31. Web site: The Best and Worst Anime of Fall 2023. The Anime News Network Editorial Team. Anime News Network. December 22, 2023. October 5, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240120114751/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2023-12-22/the-best-and-worst-anime-of-fall-2023/.205577. January 20, 2024. live.
  32. Web site: The Worst Anime of 2023 + The Mega Poll Results. Loveridge. Lynzee. Anime News Network. January 1, 2024. October 5, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809012755/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2024-01-01/the-worst-anime-of-2023-the-mega-poll-results/.205683. August 9, 2024. live.
  33. Web site: MF Ghost Season 1 Anime Series Review. Kennedy. Anime News Network. September 29, 2024. October 5, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241004011357/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/mf-ghost/season-1/.215990. October 4, 2024. live.

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