Initial D: First Stage
Takumi Fujiwara is an average 18-year old high school student with an average job as a gas station attendant, and a not-so-average hand in the family business. To help his father's tofu shop, Takumi has been delivering tofu in his father's 'Eight-Six' Trueno (known as the Toyota Corolla GT-S in the US) to a hotel at the peak of Mt. Akina (the local mountain), every night at 4 a.m. In doing so, Takumi has been unknowingly training to be the greatest mountain-pass drift-racer in all of Japan. After a freak late-night encounter with Keisuke Takahashi, the number two driver of the infamous RedSuns team, Takumi is quickly, and unwillingly plunged into a high-speed world of white-knuckle contests on the most dangerous mountain passes in the Gunma prefecture. Assisted by the local Akina Speedstars team, his slightly obnoxious friend Itsuki, his somewhat shady girlfriend Natsuke and the sage-like words of his chain-smoking, ex-racer father Bunta, he'll need all the help he can get to outwit and outmaneuver Japan's most talented underground drift-racers.
- 1998-1998
- 1 season
- Tokyopop
- Animation, Action & Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Sports
- TV-PG
Takumi Fujiwara is an average 18-year old high school student with an average job as a gas station attendant, and a not-so-average hand in the family business. To help his father's tofu shop, Takumi has been delivering tofu in his father's 'Eight-Six' Trueno (known as the Toyota Corolla GT-S in the US) to a hotel at the peak of Mt. Akina (the local mountain), every night at 4 a.m. In doing so, Takumi has been unknowingly training to be the greatest mountain-pass drift-racer in all of Japan. After a freak late-night encounter with Keisuke Takahashi, the number two driver of the infamous RedSuns team, Takumi is quickly, and unwillingly plunged into a high-speed world of white-knuckle contests on the most dangerous mountain passes in the Gunma prefecture. Assisted by the local Akina Speedstars team, his slightly obnoxious friend Itsuki, his somewhat shady girlfriend Natsuke and the sage-like words of his chain-smoking, ex-racer father Bunta, he'll need all the help he can get to outwit and outmaneuver Japan's most talented underground drift-racers.
Season 1 Episode Guide
26 Episodes 1998
Episode 1
Ultimate Tofu Guy Drift
Sun, Apr 19, 1998 28 mins
The Akagi Redsuns arrive on Mt. Akina to challenge the less-skilled Akina Speedstars and set a new record for the course. Later, Takumi Fujiwara, a local tofu delivery boy stuns the RedSuns #2 driver Keisuke Takahashi by passing him on the downhill during a delivery run.
Episode 2
Declaration of Revenge!
26 mins
The RedSuns' Keisuke Takahashi begins hunting for the Eight-Six Trueno that passed him on the mountain the previous night, questioning Iketani in the process. Iketani then begins his own search for the ghost Eight-Six, which leads him to Fujiwara tofu shop where he assumes that Takumi's father, the less-than-supportive Bunta Fujiwara, is the mystery racer.
Episode 3
Downhill Specialist Arrives
26 mins
Due to a crash on Akina's downhill, Iketani finds himself injured and without a car to challenge the RedSuns. Iketani begs Bunta Fujiwara to help defend Akina, but Bunta can only offer a 'maybe' in reply. As race time approaches, the Akina Speedstars and the Akagi RedSuns are both shocked as the mysterious Eight-Six approaches- with Takumi driving.
Episode 4
The Battle Begins
25 mins
The match between the SpeedStars and the RedSuns is set to begin. Just as Iketani makes the desperate decision to put Kenji up against Keisuke, the Eight-Six appears - with Takumi behind the wheel.
Episode 5
Dogfight!
28 mins
When Takumi stuns everyone with his skills in the Eight-Six, Iketani and Itsuki start plotting a way to get the new hotshot to join the SpeedStars.
Episode 6
A New Challenger
26 mins
Driving his new Three-Two, Takeshi goes head-to-head against Ryosuke on Mt. Akina. Meanwhile, Takumi offers Iketani a first-hand look at the thrill of riding in the Eight-Six.
Episode 7
Pride of a Racer
26 mins
Takeshi is ready to take on the Eight-Six and he has every reason to believe that the car's driver is game. When Takumi catches wind of the situation, he's got to decide if the challenge is worth accepting.
Episode 8
Time's Almost Up
26 mins
There's a crowd waiting for a race to start on Mt. Akina, but the Eight-Six is nowhere to be seen. Itsuki's in a tough spot - and Takumi's the only one who can get him out of it.
Episode 9
Battle to the Limit
26 mins
The race is underway with Takumi behind the wheel of the Eight-Six. His competition, Takeshi, drives the Three-Two with undeniable skill - but he can't seem to pull away from Takumi!
Episode 10
The Five Consecutive Hairpins
26 mins
Takeshi and Takumi speed toward the finish line! Victory is at hand for the driver who can conquer the final challenges of the course - five treacherous hairpin curves.
Episode 11
Shingo Arrives
26 mins
Iketani's putting his S-13 to the test now that it's out of the shop, but a simple practice session turns into a dangerous situation when a reckless member of the NightKids - Shingo - arrives in a red EG-6.
Episode 12
The FR Killer
26 mins
Shingo arrives with the NightKids and he's calling Takumi and the gang out. His demands: A Duct Tape Death Match against the Eight-Six.
Episode 13
Itsuki's First Date
26 mins
Shingo's itching to take on the Eight-Six in a dangerous race, but with nobody stepping up to accept the challenge, he takes drastic measures to get his way.
Episode 14
Improving Genius of Drift
25 mins
Takumi's had enough of Shingo's intimidation tactics. He agrees to take on the pushy NightKid in the most treacherous of races: A Duct Tape Death Match.
Episode 15
Takumi's Fury
28 mins
The damage to Keisuke's car might prevent him from driving in the uphill race. Just as it looks like he's out of options, Kyoko arrives on the scene in her FD.
Episode 16
The Angel of Usui
26 mins
When Iketani takes Mako out for a good time, his friends decide to tail the duo and figure out what she's all about. They soon discover her greatest talent: outdriving them all on Mt. Usui!
Episode 17
Sudden-Death Deathmatch
26 mins
Takumi's upcoming race at Usui is creating friction among his friends. One reason for the tension: he's never driven the course. A bigger reason: his opponent is Mako.
Episode 18
Hot Winds & Furious Driving
25 mins
Mako and Sayuki are having their way with Takumi and the Eight-Six on Mt. Usui. As Takumi himself questions his ability to pull out a win, the racers approach the course's toughest curve.
Episode 19
Super Drift!
26 mins
The finish line is in sight on Mt. Usui! Mako and Sayuki know the course like the back of their hands; Takumi might need a miracle if he is to claim victory against the girls.
Episode 20
The End of Summer
26 mins
When the gang heads out to a water park, Iketani sees signs that it could actually work out with Mako - until he finds photographic proof that her heart might belong to another guy.
Episode 21
Challenge from a Superstar
28 mins
Takumi's growing rep has attracted the attention of Ryosuke, who's ready to face the Eight-Six on Mt. Akina. Takumi better get his head on straight - this will be his greatest challenge yet.
Episode 22
Severe Uphill Climb
25 mins
At Itsuki's behest, Takumi heads out to watch an uphill race between two of his former foes - Takeshi of the NightKids and the RedSuns' Keisuke.
Episode 23
Downhill Rain Battle
28 mins
Takumi struggles to keep up with the Northern Saitama Alliance's Cappuccino. As the rain soaks the course, both teams find their confidence wavering - it seems the race could go either way.
Episode 24
Akina's Superstar
25 mins
Ryosuke may already be a local legend, but he still drives like a man with something to prove. He's determined to beat the very best racers Mt. Akina has to offer - and Takumi's next on his list.
Episode 25
Last Battle!
28 mins
The match between the SpeedStars and the RedSuns is set to begin. Just as Iketani makes the desperate decision to put Kenji up against Keisuke, the Eight-Six appears - with Takumi behind the wheel.
Episode 26
New Downhill Legend
26 mins
The drivers fly toward the finish line, with only one curve to go. Ryosuke and Takumi have earned their reputations - but the winner of this race will go down in history.