Initial D : Episode 34

High school kid Takumi works at a gas station with his buddy Itsuki. When the guys join their co-worker Iketani for a night of street racing action on Mt. Akina, Takumi’s life will never be the same.

When his boss reveals that the Eight-Six driver from Mt. Akina owns a tofu shop, Iketani begins to wonder if the legendary racer might have an intimate connection to Takumi.

Iketani’s out of commission for the race against the RedSuns, so he tries to convince Bunta to take his place. Takumi’s working on a deal of his own - he need’s his dad’s car for a date with Natsuki.

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.

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.

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.

Takumi and Iketani are having very different days: Takumi’s hand is taped to the Eight-Six’s steering wheel as Shingo bumps into him at high speeds. Iketani’s hanging out with a pretty girl.

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.

Kenta, a member of the RedSuns, challenges Takumi to a downhill race in the pouring rain. With the increasingly wet course conditions, neither driver is guaranteed victory.

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.

Veteran racer Ryosuke’s a mastermind behind the wheel, and he’ll be pulling no punches in the match against rising rookie Takumi. The drivers are ready and only one can be the best.

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.

Emperor, a team of Lan Evos from the Tochigi prefecture has arrived with the goal to crush every team in Gunma. Soon they realize the fastest car in Gunma isn’t just Akagi’s White Comet, but also a new downhill legend known as Akina’s Eight-Six.

What would happen if the Eight-Six gets a new upgrade? That’s exactly what Iketani and Itsuki has been thinking about to increase the performance of Takumi’s vehicle. But would Bunta allow it? Elsewhere, team Emperor’s winning streak isn’t slowing down as they continue to sweep across Gunma, defeating every race team with ease. Their next target, Akina’s Eight-Six.

Kyoiichi senses an uncanny fighting spirit within the Eight-Six’s driver, as he gives Seiji strict rules against the race. Seiji however decides to ignore these rules and launches his Evo IV into full power. Takumi is outclassed in almost every category as the Evo IV’s power is truly amazing. The battle risk escalates when the race reaches it’s second half point of the coarse.

In his heart, Takumi couldn’t accept his victory over the Evo IV and decides to make a vow. To add to his already uneasy thoughts … anonymous messages are being sent to Takumi concerning his relationship with Natsuki.

Takumi soon discovers Natsuki’s secret that leads him to vent his anger in an egotistic battle against Kyoiichi at Akagi, thinking little of the huge disadvantage he has.

Kyoiichi is realizing just how incredible Akina’s downhill is, yet he has full confidence in his rally tuned Evo III. Takumi soon realizes the difference between the Eight-Six and the loud banging horsepower of the Evo III. It seems that Bunta instinctively knows of the race taking place as a major turning point is about to happen in the series.

With the Eight-Six out of the picture, the RedSuns has become the main representatives of Gunma, as every local racer within the prefecture are in favor of Emperor’s defeat. Ryosuke has returned on the street to defeat the revenge-seeking Kyoiichi, who plans to use his theories of motorsports against the White Comet. Also, Iketani and Kenji spot another racer from a neighbouring prefecture.

The Eight-Six has returned undergoing a major change. Takumi soon test-drives the new performance much to his mixed satisfactions and disappointments, but what he doesn’t understand is what Bunta knows what’s within that car. Also, the relationship between Takumi and Natsuki is falling apart, but Itsuki’s heart is shaken with the appearance of Kazumi.

After Wataru issues a short-lived battle against Keisuke, his sister Kazumi introduces him to Itsuki leading to a chance meeting with another Eight-Six driver. At first everything seems right with the meeting, but because of Takumi’s naïve reaction to his car’s new downhill weapon, Wataru rubs it the wrong way as his bad side emerges.

Fujiwara takes up the challenge and decides where the battle would take place. But before he can accept Wataru’s challenge, he’ll have to learn the most basic essentials of what it means to be a streetracer. Also, Itsuki’s relationship with Kazumi is teaching him the value of having a girlfriend.

Fujiwara is about to experience a completely different type of racer within Wataru’s own Eight-Six, in a treacherous mountain pass consisted of mixed elevations, rusting guardrails, unexpected traps and aging rough pavements. As Takumi presses down the accelerator, the true nature of the Eight-Six’s new hidden weapon emerges in it’s monstrous raw performance.

The battle between the two Eight-Sixes have met Wataru’s satisfaction much higher than he expected, but he plans to decide the outcome of this battle with the judgement of the human body’s limitations. Takumi soon realizes he is losing grip of his pace. After the battle, a series of revelations take place among all the characters in preparation to what’s coming next.

Project D's reputation is growing with every race. The team's next match pits Takumi against a downhill racer with technique very similar to his own.

Tohru's promised to quit racing forever if he loses his next match. The course is dangerous, and with Project D's downhill specialist on his tail, one wrong move could spell disaster.

The guys of Project D are great at keeping their cool, but the pressure can't be denied as they prepare to face their next opponents - the students of the Toudou Racing School.

The Toudou School's driver could be the toughest Takumi's ever faced. If Project D is to claim victory, Takumi would be wise to listen to Ryosuke's advice.

The Toudou School brings in a professional driver to face Project D in a rematch. With reputations on the line, Ryosuke must decide who will represent the team.

The Toudou School's driver knows all about exploiting a challenger's blind spot. If Takumi hopes to win, he'll have to find a way to leave his opponent in the dark.

A New nightmarish opponent arrives on Mt. Akina challenging Takumi in a downhill battle. Also, Itsuki gets a new upgrade for his Eight-Five as it is demonstrated on the downhill.

Keisuke meets a girl named Kyoko, who happens to be a fellow FD driver. Their first encounter is pleasant and leaves her weak in the knees. Their second encounter is a race on her turf.

Hoping to keep up with Takumi's growth as a racer, Keisuke's spending most of his spare time driving. He's not interested in distractions - and that could spell heartbreak for Kyoko.

Project D might be in trouble. The leader of the Northern Saitama Alliance has recruited a bold new driver to face Takumi. Ryosuke knows victory isn't a sure thing, and as the race begins, so does a heavy rain.

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.

Takumi is locked in the toughest race of his career! With Ryosuke's odd advice echoing in his mind, and the Cappuccino still leading, his decision in the last straightaway will be the difference in victory or defeat.

Keisuke and Wataru's grueling race continues in the pouring rain. Meanwhile, the Cappuccino driver picks Takumi's brain, trying to better understand his amazing abilities behind the wheel.

After driving the Impreza, Takumi begins to question his abilities behind the wheel of the Eight-Six. Itsuki's got his own emotional turmoil after a date with Kasumi takes an unexpected turn.

Takumi continues wrestling with the differences in his Eight-Six and the Impreza. Later, when Keisuke falls prey to a trap set by Project D's next opponents, the upcoming race could be over before it begins.

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.

The Lan EVO drivers have proven to be Project D's shadiest opponents yet. They've already shown their willingness to cheat - and now they've threatened Takumi's team with physical violence.

Kyoko is delighted to spend a day with Keisuke while his car's in the shop. She likes him more than ever, but with his skills growing, Keisuke's never been more focused on driving.

Project D's next match is against a pair of legendary racers. The veteran drivers of Purple Shadow may be a lot older than Takumi's crew, but they aren't rusty. In fact, their skills are as sharp as polished blades.

Keisuke climbs behind the wheel of his newly modified FD to take on the legendary God Foot's GT-R! The race will be tougher - and longer - than normal. Luckily, Ryosuke's got a plan.

The battle between the FD and GT-R continues, however the real battle has just begun. Now, Hoshino demonstrates his unique driving skills that people call the impossible earning him the name Godfoot. This makes Keisuke’s true racing abilities appear when it’s pushed beyond his limits as both drivers begin to drive recklessly forcing the battle to be settled in more than just one battle.

God Arm's unexpected moves and legendary steering skills have Project D's downhill ace feeling the pressure - and it doesn't help that Takumi's mind keeps drifting back to the Impreza.

Takumi's greatest strength is his greatest weakness in the match with God Arm. The race has become an endurance test, and both drivers are wearing thin. Something's got to give - and soon.

Takumi and God Arm speed toward the finish line. After the race ends, the rising star looks to the legend for a lesson in technique - and Project D looks into the future where new challengers wait for their shot.

Following their narrow victory against Purple Shadow, Project D's reputation is at stake after a pair of imposters parade around Saitama. Initially Takumi seems oblivious to the incident, but takes notice after he is mistakenly blamed for taking advantage of a girl. Meanwhile, the final stage of Project D's expeditions is upon them, and is to be the hardest yet.

The first stage of Project D's Kanagawa expeditions is against Team 246: Satoshi Omiya and Kobayakawa. Although racing for their own pride, 246 are actually part of a grand plan initiated by Team Sidewinder's Go Hojo and Eiji Kubo. As the uphill race begins, Kobayakawa is about to be shown the true ability of Keisuke Takahashi.

As the first battle winds down, the downhill between Takumi’s Eight-Six and Omiya’s NB8C Roadster begins. As both cars reach their limits, the control of the drivers will determine the outcome. Against Omiya’s miraculous car control, will Takumi be able to win? Another factor will come into play.

Kanagawa's Second Line will be against RT Katagiri, where Takumi encounters Kai Kogashiwa: a former rival from Irohazaka; graduated from street racing and now a professional racer with his MR-S. However, Takumi is starting to show a "Zone" that had evolved from the Purple Shadow races, a zone that even Ryosuke cannot explain. The winner of this race is up in the air.

As the battle heats up, both Takumi and Kai both use all of their ability, and then some, to battle for the win. In the next battle, Keisuke puts his new accelerator techniques to the test against Minagawa's Supra. But as Ryosuke explains, there is another purpose of this training that would allow him to beat the "super-orthodox" pro racer.

As it appears that the FD vs. Supra battle is giving no quarter, the question is, is it possible for Keisuke to hold off Minagawa's professional pressure? Meanwhile a new racer appears on the slopes of Hakone, and its evident he wants to kill himself, and take anybody with him!

Keisuke's next opponent in Kanagawa's Four Lines of Defense is the leader of Team Spiral, Ryuji "Zero" Ikeda. Ikeda believes in his "Zero Theory", where the driver thinks of nothing except being one with the car to create the ultimate racer. Quite similar to Ryosuke's Fastest Racer Theory, Ryosuke also notices a few flaws in Ikeda's theory. A flaw that would arise as the wet conditions create a fog battle.

The downhill battle between Takumi and Hiroya "Zero 1" Okuyama's S15 starts, with Okuyama waiting to attack until the later section because of the fog. However, he hasn't considered the ability of Takumi's adaptibility skills. Whilst this is on, another battle is in the midst: Ryosuke's inevitable battle with the driver known as 'Shinigami', Rin Hojo.

The destined battle between Ryosuke and Rin 'Shinigami' Hojo has begun, over a girl named Kaori. As the race progresses on, the story of Ryosuke, Hojo and Kaori is revealed. And as Ikeda of Spiral Zero spectates the race from behind, it's obvious that this race of fate has quickly risen well beyond dangerous.

As the battle get more dangerous, several confessions come into play that create the full picture behind the feud between Ryosuke and Rin, and how Rin's actions played a huge part in Kaori's suicide. But as they approach the end of the track, Rin's tires and brakes are completely shot, turning his R32 into an unstoppable weapon.

As the out-of-control FC and R32 hurtles down the mountain, only a miracle can stop these two missiles from spectacularly crashing! Meanwhile, Project D prepares for their last battle of Kanagawa against the secretive Team Sidewinder. That is, until the SpeedStars find out that Takumi’s opponent will be an Eight-Six.

The final battles for Project D are here, and it all starts with the uphill battle between Keisuke's FD and Go Hojo's NSX. But as Rin understands, there is a fundamental difference between his younger brother and Keisuke, one that might determine this race.

The battle between Keisuke and Go Hojo continues. Keisuke's good run behind Go Hojo led to many feeling unbelievable, including Go Hojo himself. Then entering the second round, the match gets more intense. Who will take this uphill climb battle?

The intense hill climb battle between Keisuke and Go Hojo is coming to the end of second round. Keisuke engages in attack mode and Go Hojo starts to get tense. Meanwhile, Shinji Inui has revealed to especially Mako and Sayuki, who has been with him, that he would be the racer of the downhill battle against Takumi.

Takumi and Shinji's match thus kicks off on an instant. Shinji is given the lead. Bunta steps out of the tofu shop and breaks his key pouch after accidentally dropping it. Bunta speculates an unfortunate event that will happen. Shinji starts to show his dormant power, leaving Takumi to be shocked himself.

Takumi and Shinji continue with their match with Takumi, still bewildered by Shinji, starts to focus. But suddenly, Shinji allows Takumi to pass, which disturbs Takumi even more. Even Kubo is utterly disheartened by the turn of events, but both Go and Ryosuke believe this was inevitable, creating a suitable conclusion to Project D's expeditions.

Both drivers are equally strong, towards the middle of the race. They face a battle of gaining the lead.

The intense downhill battle between the two drivers are reaching an end, as Takumi and Shinji race to their absolute limits. As this battle comes to a close, and the reign of Project D finally ends, the true meaning behind the "D" will be revealed. As the characters go on different paths, Takumi's passion to be "the fastest one out there" will never end.