Initial D: First Stage

- Season 1

(1998)

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.

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.

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.

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.

God Foot executes the type of improbable moves that helped him earn his nickname. Unfortunately for the legend, Keisuke thrives when he's pushed to extremes. The race continues - but the battle is just beginning.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.