Chapter 029

Another Downhill Specialist (もう一人の下り(ダウンヒル)スペシャリスト, Mō Hitori no Daunhiru Supesharisuto, "Another downhill specialist") is the twenty-ninth chapter of Initial D.

Plot
Takumi catches up with the NightKids, who can't believe an Eight-Five is able to be so quick. Takumi is able to perform decently in the corner, but is disappointed with its performance in the straightaways. Takumi uses two consecutive gutter runs to pass both cars, and is easily able to disappear from view.

Itsuki and Takumi pull over at a rest spot, and drink cans of coffee. Itsuki thanks Takumi for showing him that even an Eight-Five can perform well if the driver behind the wheel is skilled enough.

Iketani and Kenji leave the diner, and note the presence of a Honda Civic belonging to one of the NightKids. Iketani is surprised the NightKids are still hanging around the area, as Nakazato, their leader, was already beaten by Takumi.

In the diner, NightKids member Shingo Shoji meets with a friend. He expresses his desire to unseat Nakazato as leader of the team by beating Akina's Eight-Six, claiming to be the fastest downhill racer in Gunma.

Japan

 * May 8th 1996 (Tankōbon, Volume 03)

Chinese

 * March 1st 1998 (Tankōbon, Volume 03, Sharp Point Press)

English

 * October 22nd 2002 (Tankōbon, Volume 03, Tokyopop)
 * April 17th 2019 (Digital re-release, Volume 03, Kodansha USA)

French

 * May 28th 2009 (Tankōbon, Volume 03, Kazé)

Characters (in order of appearance)

 * Natsuki Mogi (Cover only)
 * Itsuki Takeuchi
 * Takumi Fujiwara
 * Hiromichi
 * Shoichi
 * Akio
 * Kenji
 * Koichiro Iketani
 * Shingo Shoji

Cars (in order of appearance)

 * Toyota Corolla Levin SR (AE85)
 * Toyota MR2 (SW20)
 * Nissan Silvia (S13)
 * Honda Civic SiR-II (EG6)
 * Nissan 180SX Type II (RPS13)

Notes & Trivia

 * The three members of the NightKids (Hiromichi, Shoichi and Akio) are left unnamed in the manga, but were later named in the anime.