First Stage - Act 11

First Stage - Act 11
Stage	First Stage
Act	11
Air Date	July 11, 1998
Chapters Adapted	Volume 03 Chapter 029 Chapter 030
Episode Guide
Previous Episode	First Stage - Act 10
Next Episode	First Stage - Act 12

Shingo Arrives (デンジャラス慎吾登場!, Denjarasu Shingo tōjō!) is the eleventh Act of Initial D First Stage.

This episode features Takumi Fujiwara's impromptu battle in the AE85 Levin.

It also features the first part of the impromptu battle between Koichiro Iketani and Shingo Shoji.

Synopsis 

Iketani’s putting his S13 to the test now that it’s out of the shop, but a simple practice session turns into a dangerous situation when a reckless member of the NightKids - Shingo, arrives in a red EG6.

Plot 

Thunderfire members realizes its the AE85

Takumi overtakes the Thunderfire member using gutter

Takumi chases after those bullies driving a Nissan 180SX and Nissan Silvia S13 in Itsuki's Eight-Five while Itsuki panics. Both cars clear the first corners effortlessly. As Takumi appears behind the mirrors before them. The drivers then start an impromptu battle. Takumi skillfully keeps up with them while Itsuki pleads him to slow down and stop. After being blown away with the skills, they once again mistaken it as an Eight-Six but they soon recognise they were the ones they picked on earlier. The driver in the S13 bumped the guardrail upon realising. While they tried to pull away, Takumi noticed the Eight-Five's bad acceleration and the tyres are neither bald or even gripping. Itsuki continues to scream. They saw how fast they are able to keep up while Takumi felt the car to be slow. Takumi then does the gutter technique in the upcoming two corners, overtaking both the tormentors respectively much to their shock. The lead driver thought it was a well modified AE86, but after seeing the body roll of the car while cornering, he realized it was actually an AE85.

Takumi and Itsuki at the vending machine

Both cars stopped after being outran and thinks spookily that it was some ghost. Takumi then buys Itsuki some coffee from the vending machine down the hill. Itsuki recalls on Iketani's words about his driving. After what he felt, he finally realised that it's not the car that wins but the skill of the driver that does. He thought such aggressive driving he performed was scary and uncalled for. Takumi apologised to Itsuki for scaring him but he says he actually felt great about it. Itsuki then became ever attached to his car after what Takumi demonstrated. That further sparked optimism in Itsuki.

Itsuki puts Speedstars sticker on his car

The next morning at the gas station, Itsuki's beloved AE85 had just been cleaned at the gas station's car wash. Iketani is ever happy about his S13 after being repaired. Itsuki nearly ran over Yuichi who scolds him for his recklessness. Iketani is excited to train his driving skills and Itsuki counted himself in. He revealed to Iketani he badly placed a SpeedStars sticker on his car much to his and Yuichi's dismay. While Itsuki boasts about his car, they tried to peel off his sticker to fix it behind his back when Itsuki then boasts on what Takumi demonstrated on his car on that night. Iketani and Yuichi are then curious to know what happened. Although he initially refused, Iketani forced it out of him under the threat he will make him drink gasoline. He told them his experiences with Takumi behind the wheel of his car after being picked on by the bullies. Although Iketani expresses doubt, Yuichi starting to see change in Takumi's driving. He is slowly adapting into driving other cars if he was able to drive the Eight-Five skilfully. Yuichi then recalls Bunta's words prior to the R32 battle, "the Eight-Six trains the driver".

Shingo talks to his team member at the restaurant

Later in the night, Kenji and his friend left the family restaurant and saw a red Honda Civic EG6 entering the parking lot with a NightKids sticker. Kenji's friend notices the NightKids had been coming to Akina lately and wonders why. Kenji could only assume after Nakazato's defeat he doubts they would want to rematch the Eight-Six. They then drive off. In the restaurant, the driver heard about the recent defeat of Nakazato by the hands of the Eight-Six. He boasts that he can beat him easily and it would mean he should be the true leader of the NightKids as well as a better driver than Takeshi. His friend told him to not take him lightly due to his instincts are far beyond any racer. He revealed his name to be Shingo Shoji.

Keisuke talks with Fumihiro

The following morning at a parking lot Keisuke meets up with Fumihiro. He asks Keisuke where Ryosuke went to which he tells him that he is still studying Akina and the Eight-Six on his computer hoping to come up with a plan to beat him. Fumihiro asked who would win between Ryosuke and Takumi. Keisuke believes it could go either way due to how he witnessed his instincts in the past 2 races causing him to be torn on who would really win. At a restaurant while on a date, Natsuki nearly spilled her drink on Takumi. They both revealed to be on Summer break and hope to make it memorable. Natsuki then plans for another drive after being infatuated with his Eight-Six. Takumi recalls on the promise he made with Itsuki and asked if Itsuki can come with them and hook him up with a date. Natsuki happily agrees and will ask few of her friends if they want to go.

Shingo bumps Iketani from behind

In Akina pass that evening, Iketani practices sliding the rear of his car. Itsuki is amazed but tells his experience that Takumi doesn't even use the handbrake when sliding the car. He then explains his differences in shifting the weight of his car. While Iketani rips the handbrake, Takumi uses the foot-brake like most drivers do. Kenji and Itsuki are then excited to try that move sometime. Iketani then drives off to practice. During his run, the red EG6 pulls up and bumped him from behind. Iketani was aware he did that intentionally and then attempts to outrun him. Shingo sent him into a 360 degree spin and nearly crashed. As Iketani tries to catch breathe, Shingo stopped and ridicules Iketani's car.

Stats 

Airdates

• Fuji TV: July 11, 1998

Characters

1. Itsuki Takeuchi
2. Takumi Fujiwara
3. Koichiro Iketani
4. Yuichi Tachibana
5. Kenji
6. Shingo Shoji
7. Fumihiro
8. Keisuke Takahashi
9. Ryosuke Takahashi
10. Natsuki Mogi

Cars

1. Toyota Corolla Levin SR (AE85)
2. Nissan Silvia K's (S13) (Thunder Fire's)
3. Nissan 180SX (Thunder Fire's)
4. Nissan Silvia K's (S13)
5. Honda Civic SiR-II (EG6)
6. Nissan 180SX Type II (RPS13)
7. Toyota MR2 GT-S (SW20)
8. Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type R (FD3S)

Music 

1. Around the world - m.o.v.e
2. Night Fever - Dave Rodgers & Mega NRG Man 
3. Dancing - Vicky Vale 
4. Rage Your Dream - m.o.v.e

Quotes 

• "An Eight-Six trains the driver." - Yuichi Tachibana quoting Bunta Fujiwara.
• "What in the hell has just happened?!" - one of the Thunderfire member after getting beaten by Itsuki's AE85.

Differences from the Manga

• Fumihiro's Toyota MR-2, as seen in his meeting with Keisuke is an anime exclusive car.
• Takumi and Natsuki's date, as well as the double date plotline, are anime exclusive.

Notes & Trivia 

• This is one of the six episodes to lack Takumi Fujiwara's Toyota AE86.