Initial D

"Takumi Fujiwara (character)" redirects here. For sports manga character, see Dear Boys § Characters . Takumi Fujiwara is a high school student working part-time at a gas station in Gunma Prefecture alongside his friend Itsuki Takeuchi and their supervisor, Koichiro Iketani, leader of the local Akina Speed Stars racing team. Unbeknownst to them, Takumi has spent years honing his driving skills while making early morning tofu deliveries for his father Bunta in their aging Toyota Sprinter Trueno (AE86).

The racing scene in Gunma is disrupted when the Red Suns, a formidable team from Mount Akagi led by Ryosuke Takahashi, challenge the Speed Stars to a downhill race on Mount Akina . After witnessing the Red Suns' superior performance, the Speed Stars grow demoralized. Later that night, Keisuke Takahashi, the team's second-in-command driving a high-powered Mazda RX-7 , is unexpectedly defeated by a mysterious Sprinter Trueno. Investigations point to Bunta as the driver, but when Iketani crashes during practice and begs for his help, Bunta declines before secretly arranging for Takumi to race in his place.

Utilizing an unorthodox "gutter run" technique—placing the car's wheels in the road's drainage channels to maintain speed through hairpin corners —Takumi soundly defeats Keisuke. The victory establishes Takumi as the "Legendary Eight-Six of Akina", attracting challengers from across the region. Though initially indifferent, Takumi gradually develops a passion for racing. His skills are tested when he faces the Emperors, a team specializing in Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions .

Outmatched by their superior machinery, Takumi loses to their leader, Kyoichi Sudo, and blows his engine in the process. The Red Suns intervene, defeating the Emperors and preserving Gunma's racing reputation. Bunta replaces the AE86's engine, and with guidance from friends, Takumi refines his technique. He later graduates from high school but continues racing, defeating rivals such as Wataru Akiyama in a Toyota Levin and avenging his loss against Kyoichi on the latter's home course, the Nikko Irohazaka.

He also overcomes the son of Bunta's old rival, who drives a Toyota MR2 (SW20) . A personal crisis arises when his girlfriend Natsuki Mogi is kidnapped, leading to a dramatic rescue at Lake Akina during winter, though their relationship eventually ends amicably. Seeking greater challenges, Takumi joins Project D, an expeditionary racing team founded by Ryosuke and Keisuke Takahashi, aiming to prove himself as the fastest driver in Japan. The team faces numerous opponents, including skilled racers from Todo Racing School, the Northern Saitama Alliance, and the underhanded Tsuchisaka Lancer Evolution team.

During this time, Takumi is humbled when his father, driving a Subaru Impreza WRX STI , defeats him, forcing him to adapt to four-wheel-drive dynamics. He also develops a relationship with Mika Uehara, while Ryosuke confronts a bitter rival tied to a past tragedy. Project D's campaign culminates in a climactic race against Shinji Inui of Team Sidewinder. Despite blowing his engine mid-race, Takumi coasts backward across the finish line to secure victory.

He retires the AE86 from competition, opting to restore it gradually. Ryosuke disbands Project D, revealing the meaning behind its name and shifting focus to mentoring new drivers. Keisuke pursues professional racing, while Takumi resumes tofu deliveries in his father's Subaru. Years later, Takumi transitions to rally racing , eventually becoming a world champion; this would lead to the events of MF Ghost , another series by Shigeno.