Takumi Side Story

Takumi Side Story (番外編 拓海外伝, Bangai-hen Takumi gaiden, "Extra Edition Takumi Side Story") is an extra chapter of Initial D, as well as the last featured chapter of the series, appearing as the final chapter in Volume 48. It follows a young Takumi Fujiwara as he turns 14.

Plot
Takumi Fujiwara says goodbye to his dad Bunta, before leaving for school. On the way there he bumps into his friend Itsuki Takeuchi. He tells Takumi about a high schooler near him, Koichiro Iketani, who is going to attend a driving school that summer in order to get his drivers license. Takumi asks how old you have to be to get a license, and Itsuki tells him you have to be 18. Takumi thinks to himself that he can't drive for another five years, and that his dad is turning him into a criminal. Itsuki interrupts the thought by asking when Takumi's birthday is, and he tells him that its soon.

At school, Itsuki asks what Takumi's gonna get for his birthday. Takumi tells him that he doesn't get anything, not for Obon or Christmas either, because his family doesnt have any money. Itsuki says that he would have become a delinquent if he never got anything, and suggests he just ask his dad about it.

At home, Takumi goes to ask his dad about his birthday, but overhears him on the phone telling a debt collector to wait a week before collecting, as he doesn't have the money to pay yet. Bunta finishes the call, and asks Takumi what he was about to say, but he decides against asking.

Later, Takumi heads out on a walk, briefly stopping to look at the Eight-Six. He thinks to himself that him not getting anything for his birthday is fine, as his family is poor, and that some kids don't even get anything to eat.

At 4:45 AM, Takumi is out on deliveries on Akina, and is incredibly bored. When he gets back, Bunta checks the car and is amazed by his progress, but notes that he's still rough and needs to keep his cornering speed down. Takumi doesn't understand what he means, but notices that Bunta smells like alcohol. He realises that he must have been out drinking, and gets mad at him for being so dishonest to the debt collector. He storms off to his room, declaring that he will become a delinquent.

Takumi tells Itsuki that he wants to become a delinquent, but that he doesn't have the money to drink or smoke. Itsuki suggests stealing, but Takumi punches him, telling him that it's illegal. Takumi suddenly has an idea, and decides to act on it when he gets home.

Once he gets home, Takumi sneaks around and takes the keys to the Eight-Six. He imagines to himself Bunta being arrested for allowing Takumi to drive without a license. Takumi takes the car out for a drive in his school uniform. He drives for two hours, even near a police station, but wasn't noticed (he drives too well to attract attention).

On Takumi's birthday, Itsuki suggest Takumi just run away from home for a bit, and invites him to sleep over at his house. The two go to Itsuki's house and Itsuki makes his dad let Takumi have some beer. Takumi complains to Itsuki and his parents about how his dad makes him do the deliveries, and says that he must be adopted. Itsuki mother finds that funny, but tells Takumi his dad is probably worried about him, and that he should call him. Takumi says that he's probably out drinking, and that he doesn't worry about him. Saying this makes Takumi feel bad. Soon after they head to bed.

At 5AM the next morning, Bunta shows up to get Takumi, and apologises to Itsuki's mother. He drives Takumi home, and says that its fine to stay over, but that he should call him to let him know. He tells him that he worries about him, and that he was waiting for him because it was his birthday. Takumi is surprised that he remembered, but Bunta tells him that of course he know it. He tells him that he got him cake and a present, and that he should eat some before going to school. Takumi wells up, and apologises for saying mean things about him. Bunta picks up the place, taking Takumi on a proper downhill run on Akina. Takumi notices Bunta glowing, and think's he looks cool.

The next day, Takumi greets his neighbour before heading to school.

Japan

 * June 2008 (Monthly Shonen Rival)
 * November 6th 2013 (Tankōbon, Volume 48)

Chinese

 * December 10th 2013	(Tankōbon, Volume 48, Jade Dynasty)
 * January 16th 2014	(Tankōbon, Volume 48, Sharp Point Press)

English

 * July 20th 2019 (Digital Tankōbon, Volume 48, Kodansha USA)

Characters (in order of appearance)

 * Takumi Fujiwara
 * Bunta Fujiwara
 * Itsuki Takeuchi
 * Koichiro Iketani (mentioned by Itsuki)
 * Sgt. Keisuke Daimon (imagined)
 * Itsuki's Parents



Cars (in order of appearance)

 * Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86)

Kodansha USA version

 * Translates sound effects

Notes & Trivia
"I've worked harder than hardest, Yet I'm no better off; I only look down at my bony hands."
 * This is the last chapter to be featured in an Initial D manga volume.
 * Bunta says "I work and I work, looking at my hands, and stuff". This is an offhand reference to a poem by Takuboku Ishikawa.

- Takuboku Ishikawa


 * Keisuke Daimon Takumi Side Story.pngi imagines Bunta being arrested by Sgt. Keisuke Daimon, who was portrayed by Tetsuya Watari in the TV series Seibu Keisatsu.
 * Takumi imagines Bunta as a boxer while arrested. This is a reference to Ashita no Joe, with Bunta's pose being identical to Joe Yabuki's in one of the final panels of the series.
 * The English release of this version uses two names for the chapter - the romanisation "Takumi Gaiden" (used on the contents page) and the translation "Takumi Side Story" (used on the chapter title page)