the initial D series was responsible for boosting the ae86's resurgence/renaissance (sp). drifters though, both in japan and in the US (when it was still unknown) did like the ae86 way back. of course, modded na yun since the stock suspension spec won't be able to stand up to drifting duties. it was the general drifting scene in japan though, which inspired initial D.

the ae86 came first.