Chapter 044

Drift vs. Drift (ドリフト対ドリフト, Dorifuto Tai Dorifuto, "Drift vs. Drift") is the forty-fourth chapter of Initial D.

Plot
Takumi arrives at the start line, and greets Ryosuke. Ryosuke tells him that he admires his dedication to mastering the techniques that he has, but Takumi rebuffs him, saying that he's only so good because he's on his home course. Ryosuke says that he'd be interested in sitting down and having a conversation with him at some point, but that he is excited to race him nonetheless.

The two racers get into their cars, and start down the mountain head to head. Keisuke is unsurprised that Ryosuke is trailing behind, noting that the strategy hasn't failed him yet. The two cars drift in tandem, thrilling the onlookers.

Ryosuke realises that Takumi's technique has improved, something he hadn't accounted for.

Japan

 * June 10th 1996 (Weekly Young Magazine, 1996 Volume 25)
 * December 6th 1996 (Tankōbon, Volume 05)

Chinese

 * May 1st 1998 (Tankōbon, Volume 05, Sharp Point Press)

English

 * April 15th 2003 (Tankōbon, Volume 05, Tokyopop)
 * April 17th 2019 (Digital re-release, Volume 05, Kodansha USA)

French

 * October 8th 2009 (Tankōbon, Volume 05, Kazé)

Italian

 * June 27th 2023 (Tankōbon 2-in-1, Volume 03, J-Pop)

Polish

 * July 2023 (Tankōbon 2-in-1, Volume 03, J. P. Fantastica)

Characters (in order of appearance)

 * Takumi Fujiwara
 * Kenji
 * Koichiro Iketani
 * Itsuki Takeuchi
 * Ryosuke Takahashi
 * Keisuke Takahashi

Cars (in order of appearance)

 * Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86)
 * Mazda SAVANNA RX-7 Infini III (FC3S)