Initial D Third Stage

Initial D: Third Stage is a 2001 anime movie. It is the fourth instalment in the anime adaptation of the Initial D manga. It covers from chapter 146 to 156 and from 159 to 185 (volumes 14 to 17).

Battles

 * 1) Takumi Fujiwara vs Kyoichi Sudo (Rematch)
 * 2) Takumi Fujiwara vs Kai Kogashiwa
 * 3) Takumi Fujiwara vs Miki (Rescuing Natsuki)
 * 4) Takumi Fujiwara vs Ryosuke Takahashi (Rematch)

Plot
With the final year of High School fastly approaching Takumi and Itsuki recall on how the AE86 undergone changes while Natsuki watches Takumi from a corner wall, overhearing their conversation. Later at work, Iketani, Kenji and others reminisce on Takumi's successes in his past races. Ryosuke Takahashi pulls up for refuelling and invites Takumi to see him after work, much to their surprise. Later that night, Ryosuke invites Takumi to join his new racing team he's building up with Keisuke. After witnessing his races and defeating him, his racing techniques would be of good asset to his team but he too will teach him more on what there is to know about racing. But he also needs to teach him things that he would need to learn on his own as he is relying too much on winning and his technique because one day he will run into a brick wall. The team will run for one year before he retires from the street racing scene. Takumi then drives back home. The next morning at school he told Itsuki about his invitation which excites him but Takumi remained undecided. Itsuki pressures Takumi to join after all the victories he clenched. Meanwhile at lake Akina, bad memories from his unofficial defeat by Team Emperor leader Kyoichi Sudo in Akagi disturbed him. Takumi asks Ryosuke where he can find him for a rematch.

Ryosuke informs Takumi his home course is located in Irohazaka in Nikko but also warns him it won't be easy for him. Takumi later drives to Nikko to challenge Sudo. Various members of Team Emperor were shocked to see him come by and shocked about hearing the monstrous power Eight-Six's new engine. Seiji gets notified that Takumi is on his way to the main base. Takumi pulls up and Kyoichi realised the engine was fixed. He then recalls to Takumi what he told him back in Akagi on rematching him once he gets a better car. Takumi responds that the Eight-Six isn't the same as how he last time raced it and asked if he will finally accept his challenge. Kyoichi agrees to it. In the starting line Kyoichi gives Takumi a handicap that he will lead while he follows him. If Takumi were to maintain his lead after passing 3 bridges then he wins but if he overtakes him then he wins in which he finds unfair. Kyoichi dismisses Takumi's disagreement believing he is insulting him thinking he is holding back on him and he can argue about it after the race. Seiji believes Kyoichi easily has the advantage being the god of his home course. Takumi then starts to lead. Kyoichi realised the power differences is compared to how he raced him last time. But dismisses that regardless and has more horsepower. Takumi is shocked he is tailgating him but he focussed more on efforts in order to win. The first of the 3 bridges has been crossed and Takumi still retains his lead. Kyoichi will make his move at the third bridge believing the optical illusion will cause Takumi to slow down. However Takumi sees through it and pedals his car in full speed shocking Kyoichi he is overspeeding and he's going to kill himself. Takumi confidently turns the Eight-Six effortlessly and Kyoichi slows down failing to counterattack. Kyoichi later discusses with Takumi how he was able to speed through that last bridge. Takumi tells him that is in his ability to see through and going for it. Kyoichi gives praise to the newly reborn Eight-Six admits defeat and drives off. Takumi is glad he won but didn't feel victorious and calls it a tie.

Characters
In order of appearance:
 * 1) Natsuki Mogi
 * 2) Itsuki Takeuchi
 * 3) Takumi Fujiwara
 * 4) Koichiro Iketani
 * 5) Yuichi Tachibana
 * 6) Kenji
 * 7) Keisuke Takahashi
 * 8) Takeshi Nakazato
 * 9) Shingo Shoji
 * 10) Mako Sato
 * 11) Sayuki
 * 12) Ryosuke Takahashi
 * 13) Kyoichi Sudo
 * 14) Seiji Iwaki
 * 15) Bunta Fujiwara
 * 16) Kai Kogashiwa
 * 17) Natsuki Mogi
 * 18) Papa (Flashback)
 * 19) Ken Kogashiwa
 * 20) Miki
 * 21) Kenta Nakamura
 * 22) Hiroshi Fumihiro

Cars
In order of appearance:
 * 1) Nissan Silvia K's (S13)
 * 2) Mazda efini RX-7 Type R (FD3S)
 * 3) Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II (BNR32) (Flashback)
 * 4) Honda Civic SiR-II (EG6) (Flashback)
 * 5) Nissan SilEighty (Flashback)
 * 6) Mazda SAVANNA RX-7 ∞ III (FC3S)
 * 7) Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT-APEX (AE86)
 * 8) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III GSR (CE9A)
 * 9) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV RS (CN9A)
 * 10) Toyota MR2 G-Limited (SW20)
 * 11) W210 Mercedes-Benz E300 (Flashback)
 * 12) Nissan 180SX Type II (RPS13)
 * 13) Toyota Celica GT-Four (ST205)

Music

 * 1) Gamble Rumble - m.o.v.e
 * 2) Fly To Me To The Moon & Black - The Spiders From Mars
 * 3) Speed Lover - Speedman
 * 4) Crazy Night - Boys Band
 * 5) Crazy For Love - Dusty
 * 6) If You Wanna Stay - Norma Sheffield
 * 7) Max Power - Dr.Love Feat. D.Essex
 * 8) Strike On - M.o.v.e
 * 9) Street Of Fire - Dave McLoud
 * 10) Kiss Me Goodbye - Michael Beat
 * 11) Jirenma - Every Little Thing
 * 12) The Race Is Over - Dave Rodgers

Differences between the anime and manga

 * Placeholder

Trivia

 * Like in Second Stage, Takumi once again couldn't accept victory over Team Emperor after defeating Sudo.