This story is fiction. The names of people, places and groups are imaginary. Obey traffic rules and drive safely.
Initial
Raise up your hands takaku
(Everybody now te wo agero saa)
Tsukame brand new tomorrow
(You don't stop)
Kaze no naka de jibun wo shiru
Zutto zekkei no dream darou
(Let's go)
Oh
Oh (Let's go)
Oh, raise up your hands now.
Ikiteru dake de marumouke nara ganbarouze marugoto ittennbari
Onaji mission, onaji isshou
Dondake yume atsuika ga shobu darou
Escalator nashi no eien
Ashi koshi kitae reruze yeah, yeah
Douse noboru kaidan
Kokoro kocchi ni customize shichaeba ii
Kezurarete sugiru mainichi
Kezurarete sugiru mainichi (But you know ?)
Semegai no aru game to warai tobashite
Let's see how fast you can do it.
Raise up your hands zutto
(Everybody now te wo agero saa)
Hashire sleepless challenger
(You don't stop)
Ima ni ikiru riyuu sagasu
Yume tsukinai quest
(Let's go)
Oh
Oh (Let's go)
Oh, raise up your hands now.
Has it begun ?
I don't know why, but I've got goose bumps.
The Supra is a grand touring car, after all.
Generally speaking, it gives off a race-oriented feel...
...but its design approach is different from a hardcore sports car like the FD.
Its weakness is its weight.
What you're trying to say is...
...when the FD and the Supra go head to head in a mountain pass, the Supra will be inadequate.
So if the drivers' skills are very close, it's possible for an amateur to embarrass a pro.
That's the highlight of this battle.
He isn't falling behind, but isn't gaining on me, either.
I don't like that. It really pisses me off.
Keisuke's Pride
Their pace is much faster than expected. I didn't expect them to be that fast.
Since the race so far has been a high speed match...
...the physical condition of the tires will determine the outcome.
The driver of the lead FD must feel pressured...
...but Minagawa is the one who's actually hard-pressed.
I don't think he expected the pace to be this fast.
The current deadlock must be Minagawa's psychological attack for turning the situation around.
At the same time, it's the last card Minagawa can deal.
Dammit.
Victory hinges on whether the lead driver can endure it or not.
It's not my imagination, he's slowly gaining on me.
The advantage I created is narrowing bit by bit.
The guy behind me is pretty frightening, Brother.
I feel like he's got one more gear left to use.
Race car drivers are so incredible and scary, that they give me the chills.
I'm counting on you, FD. Your remaining strength is all I've got.
The goal is so close.
Don't get in a hurry, Keisuke.
Your opponent will put incredible pressure on you.
Emotions mess up one's driving, which can easily reverse the situation.
Believe in your car, and the experience you've gained.
Show the proof of your growth.
Step on the gas harder.
What's wrong ? Push harder.
Try to get away...more desperately.
Harder ! Try harder to pull away !
Do it !
If you don't...
...I'll lose this battle.
I used up all the potential of my tires. I can't fight another round.
The FD's superbly balanced lightweight body and front-mid engine can reduce its tire wear.
That'll decide the winner and loser.
Knowing that, Minagawa still put up a fight for his pride as a man who lives in the world of speed.
The high-speed race that resulted broke the course record by a big margin.
Brother, pros are really incredible.
You just realized something so obvious ?
More or less.
I have mixed feelings of joy and frustration.
I'm satisfied with myself for racing so well.
I've done everything I can for now.
But I can't explain how I lost my advantage right near the end.
At least, I did my best to pull away, and I was able to manage that pace.
Both of us were struggling with worn tires, so how did he pick up the pace in that situation ?
I was scared to death. Do you know why, Brother ?
Your opponent was a pro.
Racing drivers know everything about speed at the limit.
Each driver has his own unique technique they've learned from experience.
They know how to raise the bar even higher when the situation calls for it.
Every driver is different, so I can't explain what Minagawa did...
...but it probably has more to do with his spirit than skills.
That's the territory of pros.
For now, you only need to remember that it can happen.
Alright, let's head back to Gunma.
Kenta !
You drive car #2.
Alright ! Let's get going !
Sheesh, I can't drive the way I imagined.
The tires are wearing out differently lately.
You must be trying something new.
Yeah.
I tried to copy this thing called one-hand steering that I saw in a battle the other day.
That must be it.
What's that ?
You only steer with the right hand, with your left hand on the gearshift.
I had a race called a duct-tape death match last year...
...and the technique seems similar.
It's easy to do that with the Imp, because it's got power-steering and 4WD...
...so it's stable, and the counter steering is minimized.
Sounds impressive for coming out of your mouth. The practice is actually useful.
You might be able to cut down the waste.
You think so ? I don't know how that'd work, though.
If you can do the same with the Eight-Six, that'll be great.
That's hard. I can't do that, for now.
You hit the top. Your hands hurt, don't they ?
N...not really.
Such a bad liar.
They must hurt. You just won't admit it.
I haven't got a clean hit. I didn't know it was so difficult.
I'll take a break, so can you demonstrate for me ?
I guess I can...
But this iron isn't mine, it's a rental, so...
Mika is incredible.
I can tell, even if I don't know anything about golf.
I saw the aura of a top-class player.
Takumi isn't answering his phone.
I have a hunch that he's with Mika.
He chose a girl over his best friend ?
It's unforgivable !
I'll punish him later.
You thought he wouldn't ?
In any case, Takumi and Mika are suited to each other.
Each has outstanding skills, so they must be mutually attracted or sympathetic.
It must be fate between a dedicated and honest guy and girl.
Speaking of which, I'm also dedicated and honest.
In other words, talent makes the difference.
Did you really have fun playing golf ?
I had a great time.
Just watching your swing made me happy.
Really ?
I thought you were incredible. I can tell.
Thank you.
Although lately I've lost my confidence at times...
Oh, don't. Just believe in yourself.
You'll become a top-notch player.
I hope so. I want to become a pro.
A...actually, I do, too.
My goal is to become a pro.
Really ? That's awesome.
Then we should compete...
...to see who makes their dream come true first.
Team Spiral Leader - Ikeda Ryuji (Zero)
Team Spiral Driver - Okuyama Hiroya (01)
So our turn has come, huh ?
This's almost like a joke.
246 was out of the question, but I thought Katagiri's drivers had a solid chance.
They had too much pride, especially Minagawa.
It can drag you down sometimes.
You think you can win ?
Project D's Eight-Six is fast.
I'll win. I guarantee it.
There aren't any regulations, so we can do anything, right ?
If you try to compete in skills, you could trip over your own naivety.
I had no intention of competing in driving technique from the get-go.
I'll just try to win.
You do understand.
This summer agitation will be over soon. Hakone will quiet down.
As Okuyama said, Minagawa must have lost because he tried to save face as a pro.
There's no need for conditions to be equal.
We can beat our opponents with superior vehicle potential.
When did he get there ?
I don't know what kind of idiot he is, but he's probably not one of the locals.
The locals wouldn't pick a fight with Spiral's Zero.
I'll show you what I've got.
It can keep up with my car's power ?
Wow, what was that ?
They were totally in battle mode.
The red Z in front must be Spiral's Zero, but the rear...?
It was so fast that I couldn't see.
No, I know the car type from its distinctive tail lights.
I have a bad feeling.
You mean it's...?
He isn't falling behind.
It's amazing that he can keep up with me at this pace.
This guy's definitely no ordinary driver.
He doesn't miss the braking zone. That means he knows this course.
If you're a local, who are you ?
This is ridiculous.
What the...?!
God dammit !
That was so close. Someone else would've ended up dead.
As far as I know, there's only one person who plays dirty like that.
No doubt, he's come.
Dark silver R32, the Grim Reaper GT-R.
Apparently, the Grim Reaper has been sighted a few times lately.
So it seems.
He left home long ago, so I don't know what he's been doing.
I'm not interested, either.
But I can tell you one thing for sure.
His true target is Takahashi Ryosuke.
So that's the "bitter fate" ?
He lost his girlfriend two years ago, and he's been acting weird ever since.
He withdrew to his room, quit his job, and stopped talking to the family.
How did Takahashi Ryosuke get involved, then ?
Apparently, Ryosuke had a crush on the same chick.
Her name was...
...Kaori, I think.
You had to do that in this high-speed corner ?!
She was foolish. Her suicide screwed up the lives of the others.
I don't know what happened between them...
...it's been fate ever since they met in med school.
He's not the Grim Reaper himself...
...he's just a pathetic guy who wanders around because he's possessed by the Grim Reaper.
He might be ready to die for real.
Incredible speed. Your speed is lethal.
I'll have to play wildly, or I'll be finished.
It's frustrating, but I have to quit for today.
I'll pay you back later, Grim Reaper.
Project D's third round in Kanagawa finally begins tonight.
The boss didn't give us any days off, so we can't see the race this time.
I guess both Itsuki and I trying to get Saturday and Sunday off is too much to ask.
Project D is the enemy, from Kanagawa's perspective.
I wish we could send as many people as possible to support the Gunma team.
This time around, I hear lots of guys saying they'd go, despite the distance.
Even so, we fellow Speed Stars members can't go. I don't know what to think of this.
For today, you should just go by yourself.
Well, actually, I'd love to...
...but I'm kind of broke, so I can't pay for the gas.
What the hell ? You're pathetic.
I've decided.
I'll watch the final race no matter what the boss says.
Itsuki...
I bet the best of Kanagawa will appear.
Whether Takumi wins or loses...
...as his best friend, I must see his race of a lifetime.
I don't care if I get fired.
I feel like I have to be there.
But if he loses this time, there won't be another one.
He won't lose. Takumi will never lose.
Okay, I got it, so don't cry, Itsuki. I know how you feel.
Itsuki is right. We've got to see the final race.
We have to see the end, no matter what.
I'm the team leader, Ikeda Ryuji. Thanks for coming all the way here.
Nice to meet you. I'm Takahashi Ryosuke of Project D.
These are our drivers.
I'mTakahashi Keisuke.
I'm Fujiwara Takumi.
So you guys are Project D.
I have a favor, or more like a question to ask.
Just tell me what pops into your head.
What is driving to you ?
Let me hear your answer. Takahashi Keisuke, you go first.
In short, proof of masochism.
That's interesting. How about you, Fujiwara ?
To me, it's a daily activity, like washing my face.
That's interesting, too. And finally, you ?
I'm not a driver here, but should I answer ?
I'd love to hear it.
A dream.
Okuyama didn't show up, after all.
As he puts it, he can't find any reason to greet his opponent.
If that's how he raises his motivation, that's fine.
Besides, Sakamoto, did you sense anything from Project D ?
Their presence gives me chills. It must come from the momentum of continuous wins.
And yet, they aren't desperate, or aggressive toward their opponent.
They're so calm that they look more pro than the real ones.
I think you're right. Those three are top-notch public street racers.
This is the perfect stage to test my Zero theory, which I've been advocating.
The key is to free yourself from destruction before you begin the race.
I believe that the ideal driving style can be achieved through a mental state of zero noise.
The air is moist, so it'll rain from dawn through the day tomorrow, like the weather forecast said.
Wet conditions will probably benefit the locals, because they know the course.
Generally, that would be true...
...but Team Spiral tends to rely on their cars' potential...
...so they probably don't like rain.
I originally thought Project D's Eight-Six driver would have a tough time if it was dry.
Compared to Okuyama's car, the difference in performance is just too big.
But in rain, it will equal out.
Plus, I can think of another condition, besides the rain.
In that case, Okuyama won't be able to defeat Project D's lad.
Fujiwara Takumi: Takahashi Ryosuke: Takahashi Keisuke: Uehara Mika: Hojo Gou: Kubo Eiji: Ikeda Ryuji: Minagawa Hideo: Okuyama Hiroya:
Miki Shinichiro Koyasu Takehito Seki Tomokazu Hayami Saori Kiuchi Hidenobu Kase Yasuyuki Nakai Kazuya Kase Yasuyuki Sakaguchi Shuhei
Takeuchi Itsuki: Iketani Koichiro: Kenji: Fumihiro: Kenta: Fujiwara Bunta:
Iwata Mitsuo Yao Kazuki Takagi Wataru Hosoi Hajime Okano Kosuke Ishizuka Unsho
Following the brake light of the front car.
Kurai michi no saki ni bonyari nijimu akari
It's the silence like a silent film.
A Central Anime Production Translation: Hiro-kun Timing: Todd Perkins Editing: Lillian-Hime Barbara Todd Perkins Brain Dave Mouse Steve S.
Tayori ni naru mono wa sore shika mienakatta
Kono namiki michi wo nukete ikeba kitto
Tsukameru youna ki ga shita
Get up! I just can't understand.
Sokoniwa mada sagashimono wa nani mo nakute
Yeah, it starts at this moment.
Kono basho kara
Please turn over the flyleaf.
I lost my way.
Shiroku kumotta mado to
Mato hazure na navigation
Akaku kawatta shingou de
Side mirror ni utsuru shikai wo saegiru light
Tsumetai kaze ga hairikomanai youni
Mado wo sotto shimetanda
Get up! I just can't understand.
Soko ni hirogaru michi wo erande susumu bokuwa
Yeah, it starts at this moment.
Kimi ga iru nana
Please turn over the flyleaf.