I understand a lot of people hate the romance aspects of Initial D and you're totally entitled to that opinion. However, I am pretty active the car scene, and romance is also still a massive part of it. We have sad boy culture now and lonely drivers has turned unironic. It is intrinsic to the scene and the people in it, which is why I don't mind and, in some cases, enjoy it. Now to be honest, the majority of this season isn't the greatest, everything up until the grim reaper arc is a little bit of a drag. However, not only is the grimreaper arc my favorite in the series, but it's also my favorite in anime period. Sure, I'm biased because I've had a similar situation happen in my life and handled it similarly (without the deathmatch of course). It is an arc that is so deeply meaningful and powerful to me that it single handedly brings this season from like a 6 to a 9. If you can appreciate knowing how characters ended up like they are as well as development and can enjoy a more serious tone that singular arc makes it worth the watch. Chills. While overall it isn't the strongest season that would have to go to 2nd or 4th stage in my opinion it does hold one of the best if not the best arc in the series.