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HyperSonic | Posted: Sep 30 2014, 07:50 PM |
IDW Regular Member Group: Members Posts: 246 Member No.: 38,471 Joined: Mar 22nd 2012 Location: Quezon City, Philippines | Wataru knows engines better than Takumi does, but that is his only advantage. Who would agree if I say Wataru isn't one of the top tier drivers in the series? The Kamikaze downhiller of Seven Star Leaf and the Todo guys would give him a run for his money if you are to ask me. During the project D exhibitions almost all of Project D's opponents have only one advantage, "the home course advantage" that's what we call it. But Project D still pulls out a win off their asses, either it is a technical win (still a win), or a lucky 'just a hair win' it doesn't matter. If you will look at the Takumi/Wataru battle, Wataru lost even though he has tons of advantage on his side (probably this is the reason why I think Wataru is not a good driver as it looks like.) 1. Home course advantage, as implied in 2nd stage shomaru pass is Wataru's home course. 2. Mixed stage race, Takumi is a born downhiller, he is more dangerous in the downhill than in the uphill (thanks to his underpowered 86). 3. Takumi will drive the pass for the 1st time. During project d exhibitions though their opponents have the advantage because Project D is the 'away' team they usually try to even it out by scouting the course and running it multiple times before the official race but on the Takumi/Wataru race that was his first time. 4. Mechanical know how. Wataru has more knowledge concerning cars than Takumi has. 5. Car + driver familiarity. As clearly seen on that race that was the first time Takumi would be racing with his 86 with the new engines seal taken off, he is not as familiar with this 86 compared to his familiarity with the 86 with the old engine and settings. Even with this multiple advantage Wataru still got his ass whooped by Takumi ON THE UPHILL OF HIS OWN HOME COURSE. What say you? |
Tessou | Posted: Oct 1 2014, 02:25 PM |
More NEGATIVE than a black hole Group: ADMINISTRATOR Posts: 19,345 Member No.: 12,263 Joined: Sep 12th 2005 Location: Update Profile | He's a skilled racer but is missing one or more of the crucial elements to being in the big leagues. - He isn't willing to take risks. - He never seems to take his car to the limit. - He doesn't appear to have much ambition. However, a good quality about him is that he doesn't seem to be too fazed by the knowledge that he's not the best racer out there. He's good enough to have pretty decent races with the best, though, and that gives him some much-needed experience in how to potentially cross over into the big league if he wants to. That he was able to give Takumi and Keisuke some good runs was more than enough for him, it seems. He wasn't a sore loser about either loss once the race was over. Being a good sport is a good quality of his. |
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Seri | Posted: Oct 1 2014, 03:26 PM |
Quirks and Features of IDW Group: FORUM MODERATOR Posts: 1,891 Member No.: 40,610 Joined: Feb 21st 2013 Location: Showroom | Wataru seems to race as a hobby more than anything. |
HyperSonic | Posted: Oct 1 2014, 04:08 PM | ||
IDW Regular Member Group: Members Posts: 246 Member No.: 38,471 Joined: Mar 22nd 2012 Location: Quezon City, Philippines |
I would definitely agree with this one, not being undefeated is not important for him. Racing is important, winning or loosing doesn't matter. But do you think he can make Kyouichi Sudo sweat by racing him? | ||
Tessou | Posted: Oct 1 2014, 04:44 PM |
More NEGATIVE than a black hole Group: ADMINISTRATOR Posts: 19,345 Member No.: 12,263 Joined: Sep 12th 2005 Location: Update Profile | Depends on the course. He'd get murdered anywhere outside of his safe zone. [ Post made via Mobile Device ] |
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BOZZ | Posted: Oct 2 2014, 05:29 PM | ||
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I would also add that he needs to work on his concentration and focus as his inability to remain focused cost him the race against Keisuke and Takumi (more so in the manga where Takumi just ups and passes him with no special technique like in the anime). | ||
Gunma's 34 | Posted: Oct 13 2014, 12:47 PM | ||
The R34's chosen one Group: Advanced Members Posts: 804 Member No.: 27,787 Joined: Dec 13th 2007 Location: Makati, Philippines |
They were running 5 runs straight with no breaks (the stalling prior to switching positions don't count as a break). Who wouldn't get tired after that? With his race against Keisuke, he just has some bad judgement on switching his focus from the road to his windshield switch while on a corner; visibility dropped immensely on the third round where the rain became something like a low pressure area rainfall. | ||
Tessou | Posted: Oct 13 2014, 01:48 PM | ||
More NEGATIVE than a black hole Group: ADMINISTRATOR Posts: 19,345 Member No.: 12,263 Joined: Sep 12th 2005 Location: Update Profile |
Takumi, obviously. | ||
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MonkeyWrenchd | Posted: Oct 13 2014, 03:09 PM | ||
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Stalling ? When was this ? [ Post made via Mobile Device ] | ||
Phantom_R32 | Posted: Oct 13 2014, 04:05 PM |
Trust me, I'm a doctor. Group: Advanced Members Posts: 6,186 Member No.: 1,277 Joined: Feb 14th 2004 Location: Bay City, MI | Wataru's good, but I don't think he was in Takumi's league at all. I can't remember if this was in the manga or anime, but even Nobuhiko said he would've lost a lot sooner if the race was straight downhill and not a combined stage. As for Keisuke... Assuming Keisuke wasn't holding back during their short race on Akagi, I think Wataru had Keisuke beat skill wise. For all we know that was his first serious run on Akagi, and he was keeping up with Keisuke quite easily. During 4th Stage though... I'd say they were about the same. Or at least the rain made it seem that way. He's a good racer, but not top tier. |
Gunma's 34 | Posted: Oct 13 2014, 04:35 PM | ||||
The R34's chosen one Group: Advanced Members Posts: 804 Member No.: 27,787 Joined: Dec 13th 2007 Location: Makati, Philippines |
At the end of each round / 180 spin. They turn around; then signal each other if they're good to go for the next round. ---------
He's a special circumstance And a younger level of testosterone running in his veins This post has been edited by Gunma's 34 on Oct 13 2014, 04:36 PM | ||||
BOZZ | Posted: Oct 13 2014, 05:12 PM | ||
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True, but he was the one who decided on doing this kind of race, plus in the manga it's implied that after that last run he was going to go get more gas. I wouldn't say bad judgement as just losing focus on the race for the briefest of moments. | ||
Gunma's 34 | Posted: Oct 13 2014, 05:47 PM | ||
The R34's chosen one Group: Advanced Members Posts: 804 Member No.: 27,787 Joined: Dec 13th 2007 Location: Makati, Philippines |
What I actually meant to say was if he didn't focus in making his wiper wipe faster, he wouldn't have spun out. This post has been edited by Gunma's 34 on Oct 13 2014, 06:47 PM | ||
MonkeyWrenchd | Posted: Oct 13 2014, 06:42 PM | ||
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Oh that part... [ Post made via Mobile Device ] | ||
Tessou | Posted: Oct 13 2014, 06:49 PM | ||
More NEGATIVE than a black hole Group: ADMINISTRATOR Posts: 19,345 Member No.: 12,263 Joined: Sep 12th 2005 Location: Update Profile |
That seems like an easy way out excuse. ADDX: To elaborate, since I was at work and had ten seconds to post anything and don't want this to look like another "me being an asshole for no reason" post: Endurance was a factor in both the manga and the anime versions of this race, but Wataru's testosterone level or age really has no bearing on anything here. There is no such thing as "younger" testosterone anyway, but I'm not going to turn this into a science discussion. What happened was, he simply got careless and inattentive after the constant back and forth without anybody gaining ground. In the anime, they spiced it up by having them create a DIY inside line that Takumi exploited. In the manga, Wataru spaced out and Takumi just breezed by him. Either way, he lost by being careless, not by being older or less "pumped" about it. If testosterone ruled the outcome, why is Bunta still at the top, considering that he should have ancient old man testosterone coming out of his saggy balls? This post has been edited by Tessou on Oct 13 2014, 08:59 PM | ||
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htt36 | Posted: Dec 11 2014, 05:27 PM |
IDW Member Group: Members Posts: 17 Member No.: 40,623 Joined: Feb 23rd 2013 Location: Update Profile | Sorry to bump fairly old thread.. but I JUST got done watching the Wataru and Takumi battle (by coincidence). I think Wataru is considered just below the top tier racers, probably along with Sudo and the Todo school drivers. These are the drivers that are missing that "it" factor that makes Takumi and Keisuke the double aces. I haven't read the manga, but watching the anime reinforces my position on Wataru's skills. Despite HyperSonic's list of reasons, Takumi and Ryosuke and perhaps even Keisuke (if he puts his pride aside) strongly believe Wataru is a strong competitor. First, Keisuke knew he was being followed on his home course really closely and even given pressure after Wataru smoked Kenta. Wataru's ability to control his boom turbo on a tricky course like Shomaru pass also indicates his car control ability which impressed the Red Suns as they watched the battle. Then, when Wataru ran the 3rd round, he changed the rhythm and Ryosuke noticed how "solid" he was compared to the first and second run. At the same time, Takumi also felt pressure because he couldn't keep up---which was also compounded by the fact that he didn't know the course that well and have full control the 86 yet. What I do want to point out the obvious... Takumi has the natural skills to adapt very quickly (Fujiwara Zone) and he will just follow along (like he did vs mako, todo school, shinji). |
AGuywithanAE86 | Posted: Dec 12 2014, 08:17 PM |
IDW Member Group: Members Posts: 19 Member No.: 41,461 Joined: May 12th 2013 Location: Santa Cruz, CA | I'd say Wataru just doesn't have the real desire to win. There's no denying he's really good, I think he's one of the top 5 non-pro drivers in the series. I'm thinking it's his experience that stopped him from beating Takumi and Keisuke. He's been around, he's seen a lot of races and he's wiped out a few times as we know. He's too smart to take the risks Takumi and Keisuke have to do in order to win. I get the feeling he's thinking too logically. This came back to bite him when he raced keisuke. If he just waited until he got to a more favorable time to turn up his wipers he could have hung in there much longer, or maybe won. Same thing with racing Takumi on Shomaru, he just avoided the landslide instead of seeing a potential use for it. Hell, now that I think about it, Wataru's probably one of the most realistic characters in the whole show when it comes to the attitude and behavior of street racers. Aside from the wannabes like Itsuki of course |
htt36 | Posted: Dec 14 2014, 07:53 PM | ||
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I wouldn't agree with that. Every racer in Initial D wants to win, even the Speed Stars. If you take the race against Keisuke, he specifically states he "can't lose" to a guy like this (a rich kid). His refusal to lose because it'll tarnish his pride as a poor man racer (you will notice him and his sister always talking about how poor he is). And Wataru makes multiple comments about how Ryosuke and Keisuke are just rich kids with souped up cars, inferring their skills aren't real because they rely on modding cars to go faster. However, his inference goes out the door during the race as he follows Keisuke and sees he can drive with the half throttle, "a high level move". Wataru as character is set up as a top tier driver that just misses the mark. You can't just have him beat Takumi or Keisuke.. it will just ruin the series. If he raced Todo he prob could take a win or even some of the other racers in the early parts of 4th Stage. It just sucks that the nice drivers can't win... I'd love to see Mako or Kyoko win in a rematch. | ||