This story is fiction. The names of people, places and groups are imaginary. Obey traffic rules and drive safely.
Initial
Raise up your hands high.
(Everybody now raise your hands)
Take hold, there's a brand new tomorrow.
(You don't stop)
It's a beautiful eternal dream...
...where you learn about yourself.
(Let's go)
Oh
Oh (Let's go)
Oh, raise up your hands now.
If you think you're lucky just to be alive go for the highest stake in the gamble.
Same mission creates similar lives.
But your passion for your dream will make a difference.
You can never use the escalator.
But you can build up your strength, yeah yeah.
You must eventually climb the stairs.
Customize them the way you like.
Intense days go by.
Intense days go by. (But you know?)
Just laugh it off, 'cause it's a game worth competing.
Let's see how fast you can do it.
Raise up your hands forever.
(Everybody now raise your hands up)
Run, sleepless challenger.
(You don't stop)
It's a quest of the never-ending dream...
...where you now search for the reason to live.
(Let's go)
Oh
Oh (Let's go)
Oh, raise up your hands now.
It's so hard to maintain control because the two cars are misaligned.
It's an unrecoverable mistake.
I can't get the maximum braking ability.
It's no good, we aren't slowing down.
I can't stop !
I'm not going to let you do all of it by yourself.
I'm so impressed ! Let me help !
Full Stop, And Beyond...
You guys...what are you...?
This...
...isn't my imagination.
She's here.
Kaori is here.
Kaori is...
Kaori was here.
Did you sense it, Ryosuke ?
I did.
It was the scent of the perfume she always wore.
I shouldn't be able to smell it in a place like this...
...but it suddenly entered my car before the toll booth.
I intuitively realized Kaori was there.
Senpai, we must have encountered some kind of miracle.
Today's her anniversary. It must be Kaori who saved you.
Ryosuke, are you stupid ?
I had solid hostile intent as I drove behind you.
You would've been a murder victim if the worst happened.
How can you sound so nonchalant, as if it happened to someone else ?
I don't know what you're talking about.
We just had a "battle."
It would've been easy to kill me if you were serious...
...but it didn't turn out that way...
...because you followed your own rules.
That's why I accepted your challenge.
We threw everything we had into it, and now both of us are standing here.
The fact that you were the opponent for my last street battle means more than anything else to me.
It was you who taught me the joy of driving the mountain pass.
I was able to drive so well with you watching, so I'm satisfied from the bottom of my heart.
That's more than enough for me.
Let's put an end to this.
I couldn't figure out why, no matter how hard I tried. It was just painful.
I blamed myself every day, and spent a countless number of sleepless nights.
Only the negative images filled my mind.
But tonight, after racing with you, I feel like something inside me was finally able to let go.
It was probably because I was able to express my feelings to the fullest.
And you responded.
Your message was loud and clear, and stronger than any words.
I realized so well that you've been suffering from the same pain.
I'm sorry, Ryosuke. Thank you for this.
You could have ignored me, but you came.
I'm satisfied having raced with you.
I can say that from the bottom of my heart.
Your precious car is scratched up so badly.
Sorry, but it was unavoidable.
I can imagine how difficult the situation was just by examining those scratches.
I'm not going to say much. I'm just glad you made it back safely.
That's the Takahashi Ryosuke I know.
Well done.
I feel like I was able to get over a lot of things by racing him.
It was a battle for my own sake, too.
Something's changed.
Ryosuke's facial expression is different.
He looks better, as if he feels refreshed.
As a team leader who sends two drivers into battle...
...I must always know the reality of what it's like to fight on the frontline.
What's most frightening is becoming less sensitive to it.
But I was able to reassure myself about my insight before the final battle.
I've done everything I could for the riskiest stage in Kanagawa.
Our double-aces have already surpassed me.
They should be fine.
One more battle to go. Let's do our best to win.
One week until Project D's final battle in Kanagawa.
I wonder what sort of driver Sidewinder's downhiller is.
I'm also curious about what kind of car he's going to drive.
Well, whoever he is, he'll be no match for Takumi.
That's what I think, too.
But remember Kenji mumbling about something just when the Kanagawa battles started ?
I'm afraid of a driver who's specialized in a particular course.
The kind of driver like Takumi who won race after race on Akina.
That's impossible.
Takumi's one of a kind, because he didn't grow up in an ordinary family.
Parents have to be eccentric for that to happen.
Well that's...
He's a natural racer with a special environment and talent.
You honestly think there's another strange family like them in Kanagawa ?
Probably not.
Here comes that "slightly loud" car.
You're still wearing your uniform, Mika ?
Yep. I didn't have time to go home and change.
It's not that uncommon, right ?
I mean, up until last year you were wearing one, too.
Do I look good in the sailor-style uniform ?
You came to realize your girlfriend is a high school girl, didn't you ?
Well yeah, but you won't be able to play golf that way.
No worries, because I'm your coach today.
To the right again.
It goes to the right no matter what I do.
It does curve, but you've improved, Takumi.
You're totally different from the first time.
Even a skinny guy has some muscle, after all.
Maybe. I think my arms are strong because of the Eight-Six's steering.
It's so heavy.
It curves like that because you put too much strength in your right arm.
Let me use your club for a sec.
When the club is in this position, the face should look like this.
I don't really understand. Can you show me how ?
Well then, watch me from behind.
Like this...
...and just lift the club naturally...
Mika...
...I'll do it.
You shouldn't.
Iketani, Itsuki !
What's the matter, Kenji ? You look upset.
Did your grandma go missing again ?
Don't go and jinx us like that.
I've got the latest info on this weekend's race in Hakone.
They're so secretive, that I don't know much in detail, except for one thing.
We didn't know anything about Sidewinder's downhill driver, right ?
What do you know about him ?
Actually, I don't know anything about the driver himself...
...but apparently, his car is an Eight-Six.
An Eight-Six ?
Is it a Trueno or Levin ?
I don't know that much yet.
Besides, that's not important, is it ?
You're absolutely correct.
Eight-Six versus Eight-Six, huh ?
It's fortunate because Takumi won't lose, if both cars are Eight-Sixes.
There shouldn't be any other Eight-Six drivers who are better than Takumi.
I was nervous, not knowing what the opponent's car was, but now I feel relieved.
Once Takumi engages in a fight of driving technique, he'll win for sure.
It's too naive to simplify the matter like that, Itsuki.
I feel the same way.
I've a bad feeling because it's so ominous...
...for Sidewinder, which is the best in Kanagawa, to use an Eight-Six.
It's a matter of confidence.
They appear to have a very good strategist.
I don't think he staged a battle between two Eight-Sixes just to make the show more interesting.
They must be doing everything to counter Project D.
Their choice of an Eight-Six as their final weapon to stop Takumi's consecutive wins may be a sign of confidence.
He drives so smoothly that he doesn't leave any strong impression at all.
But if you time him, he drives this downhill faster than any of the Sidewinder members.
Plus, he doesn't drive any other course.
This world is full of strange talents.
I wonder how a kid like him acquired such skill.
It's perplexing.
It's something beyond the common notion of what driving technique should be.
Even Project D will be caught off guard.
He got rid of his R32.
Do you mean Rin ?
Yes.
I don't know what made him change.
The Grim Reaper GT-R will never appear in Hakone again.
I don't know what happened to him...
...but I've heard that he's requested to return his former position at work.
It's good for the Hojo family, isn't it ?
Probably so, but it doesn't mean anything to me.
Little kids maybe, but we're not at the age where we can just up and go back to being friendly siblings just like that.
It's creepy for brothers our age to be so clingy.
Project D, my ass.
I'll defeat you, Takahashi Keisuke.
How is the new setup ?
It feels good on Akagi's roads...
...but I can't say much until we get some data in Hakone.
I want to tackle the final stage real soon.
I'm tired of image training.
I'll circle the dates of my Hakone expeditionary race on the calendar...
...so don't forget your delivery dates, okay ?
Got it.
His tire management is impressive...
But something bothers me...
The control is too perfect.
Keisuke, Fujiwara, come over here.
As you know, this course is long, so it's physically impossible to practice on everything in one day.
So cut it to the bare minimum.
Find what will become the key to victory as you drive, then expand your scope from there.
If you try to do everything, it'll only be half finished.
Imagine tomorrow's dogfight, and take a practical strategy of knowing what to focus on and what not to.
I'm sure both of you can do that.
Then go.
The course is so long that it'll take longer than usual to complete their routine.
I'm going to let them practice thoroughly until dawn, so be prepared.
Got it.
I'll get more food than usual for tonight.
They say you can't fight on an empty stomach.
Thanks, Fumihiro. I'm counting on you.
Hey, Matsumoto, you know something, don't you ?
About what ?
About Ryosuke, of course. He's acting differently.
Well, it must be because this is the final battle.
I'm sure he's focused.
No, that's not what I mean.
It's like he's relaxed, like he's smiling more often.
Matsumoto, if you know something, tell me.
Well...
...I don't know anything, really.
Why don't you ask him yourself ?
What do you think, Kubo ?
That FD is giving off a different feeling from the last battle against Spiral.
It might have been modified a lot for this battle.
I don't know.
The outer appearance is different because of the carbon fiber hood...
...but the insides shouldn't have changed much.
I'm worried. Forget about the Eight-Six.
Instruct everyone to focus their data collection on the FD.
If you say so, I'll do it...
...but are you sure about the Eight-Six ?
Data is meaningless for Shinji's driving.
He won't be able to make use of the data.
Even if he doesn't have it, he'll still win.
Shinji is that kind of driver. Don't you think so too, Kubo ?
You're right.
Focus on the FD.
Obtain as much information on its section times to determine how its fighting potential varies.
Alright, I'll arrange that.
Oh man, our boss is nervous.
He fell for our opponent's diversion strategy.
They shouldn't have changed the specs very drastically at this point.
That FD is a completely balanced machine.
I won't be tricked, Takahashi Ryosuke.
This is our match of intelligence. You're worthy of being my opponent.
Hey, Mister Zero.
Well, if it isn't the hot-blooded 246 guy.
It has finally come to the moment of truth, hasn't it ?
I was expecting you to stop them.
Sorry that we weren't good enough.
Takahashi Keisuke...
How do you rate him ?
His accelerator technique on a half-wet road was exceptional.
He managed to control the traction of the rear tires, as if they were a part of his body.
Besides his concentration right at the moment of attack, his ability to switch mindsets quickly is also impressive.
He reaches beyond the scope of Zero Theory, like a fighter jet boosted by an afterburner.
In other words, he's like you.
Like me ?
The type of driver who shows his eagerness for victory, who has skills and understands the theory.
But in the end, what matters most is the spirit.
You and Takahashi Keisuke are alike on that account.
I don't feel bad hearing that.
What kind of driver is Fujiwara Takumi ?
I want to hear your opinion since you witnessed his true potential.
It's difficult to describe him.
It's like a black hole.
Black hole ?
He has a wide margin to be able to absorb a lot.
He appears to have his own concrete policy, but in reality, he has no color. He's transparent and flexible.
He improves race after race, so he's probably different from when he raced against me.
So you think highly of him, almost raving about him.
Then what's your prediction for this battle between Project D and Sidewinder ?
You want to cut to the point, don't you ?
It's unfortunate...
...but Sidewinder will win.
I've come to the same answer. I really admire Takahashi Ryosuke.
As a member of a Kanagawa area team, I can't openly say this, but my emotional side wants Project D to win.
But that's impossible.
Sidewinder had plenty of time to prepare.
As long as they have Kubo Eiji as their strategist, they don't have any weaknesses.
But you can't really tell until they start racing.
It's not like Project D has no chance of winning.
They have a slight chance due to their drivers' improvements.
I say their chance of winning is one-fifth, which is 20%.
This is getting ridiculous.
I've never seen so many guys with stopwatches before.
Don't they have anything else to do ?
Speaking of which, we aren't that different, coming all the way from Gunma only to race in Hakone.
Well, that's true.
They're measuring my section times pretty closely.
I don't like them trying to figure out our strategy.
Should I add another camouflage pattern ?
No, don't. Just do as normal.
I'm afraid that you won't finish practice if you try to do it differently.
At this point, we don't have to modify our style.
I got it.
I'll let them watch and learn the style of Project D, the best of the northern Kanto area.
Yup, that's exactly what I meant.
What should I do then ?
Set the suspension to pattern C, and add 10 liters of gas.
Did you notice a huge number of scouts throughout the course ?
Keisuke told me about them, and tons of stopwatches, too.
Here you go.
There're quite a lot of people out there, but they aren't pushing the buttons.
I noticed those who were keeping time and taking notes from the first round.
I'm sure they're the same people. I remember some of their faces.
But today none of them pressed the button on their stopwatches.
Are you sure, Fujiwara ?
Yes.
He noticed such small details while he was driving...
That's what makes him so great.
But what's the meaning of this, Ryosuke ? It contradicts what Keisuke said.
That's fine. Both of them are telling the truth.
It's going as planned.
And so, the day of the final battle in Kanagawa has arrived...
Fujiwara Takumi: Takahashi Ryosuke: Hojo Rin: Takahashi Keisuke: Hojo Gou: Kubo:
Miki Shinichiro Koyasu Takehito Nakamura Yuichi Seki Tomokazu Kiuchi Hidenobu Kase Yasuyuki
Even when night falls, the scenery remains unchanged.
Takeuchi Itsuki: Iketani Koichiro: Kenji: Uehara Mika: Ikeda Ryuji: Omiya Satoshi: Matsumoto: Fumihiro: Mechanic: Bunta:
Iwata Mitsuo Yao Kazuki Takagi Wataru Hayami Saori Nakai Kazuya Touchi Hiroki Nishi Rintaro Hosoi Hajime Takahashi Ryokichi Ishikuza Unsho
Looking back at the path I've taken.
Sadness, happiness, incurable pains...
Realizing that there are too many to count, as I walk alone.
A Central Anime Production Translation: Hiro-kun Timing: Todd Perkins Editing: Lillian-Hime Barbara Todd Perkins Brain Dave Mouse Steve S. Nomake
Countless number of memorable scenes.
We lived through the hustle and bustle.
Sometimes we argued, sometimes we understood.
It wasn't always pretty, but I keep the truth to myself...
...as I take a new step.
Rosy clouds embellish the city.
I quietly ask about my future.
The sky remains silent.
Only illuminating this path before me.
Feel the translucent scenery.
The setting sun plays a melody.
Feel the translucent scenery.
The setting sun plays a melody.