First Stage - Act 4

First Stage - Act 4
Stage	First Stage
Act	4
Air Date	May 9, 1998
Chapters Adapted	Volume 1 Chapter 10 Volume 2 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 (Partially) Chapter 13 (Partially)
Episode Guide
Previous Episode	First Stage - Act 3
Next Episode	First Stage - Act 5

The Battle Begins (交流戦突入!, Kōryū-sen totsunyū!, known as Into the Battle! in the Tokyopop version) is the fourth Act of Initial D First Stage.

The episode is the first half of Takumi Fujiwara's battle with Keisuke Takahashi, as well as Takumi's first official race.

Synopsis 

The match between the SpeedStars and the RedSuns is set to begin. Just as Iketani makes the desperate decision to put Kenji up against Keisuke, the Eight-Six appears - with Takumi behind the wheel.

Plot 

Keisuke continues his practice runs on Akina in his FD, still pondering the whereabouts of the mysterious 86. After completing the practice run, The Red Suns Mechanics tinker with the FD, adjusting its boost controller and giving it a new set of tyres. The Akina Speedstars marvel at the resources that the Red Suns and how they are similar to a professional team. After the FD has been adjusted, Keisuke asks for the time, to which the mechanic replies its 9:40. Just as more cars head down the pass to mark certain points of the pass, Keisuke, irritated, walks up to Ryosuke, still questioning the whereabouts of the 86 and remarks that hes going to make the Speedstars look like losers. Its almost 10, a team member tells Iketani that its almost time. Iketani confirms. Then suddenly headlights appear slowly from a distance-Itsuki got fed up of waiting for Takumi and arrived on Akina on his Scooter. Iketani sighs in disappointment, just as Itsuki stops in front of them. Initially worrying about missing the race, but curious as to who is representing Akina. Iketani asks Kenji to get himself prepared, to which Itsuki comments that he'll be rooting for him. Fumihiro, after receiving confirmation that the roads are clear, tells Iketani they're ready.

Kenji in his 180SX, and Keisuke both roll towards the start position. Keisuke ridicules at is competition, as Kenji sweats profusely. Iketani and Itsuki try to psych him up to no use. As Fumihiro is just about to start the count-down, a radio from the finish line tells them that a regular traffic car has just passed them and heading straight up mount Akina, worrying that it could get in the way of the race. Keisuke, impatiently, shouts that its a public road, people are going to use it and to start the race. Iketani rushes in and tells Fumihiro to ask what the make of the car was. Much to the Speedstars and Keisukes relief, it was a Panda Trueno 86. Keisuke, tells the Speedstars that he will wait for the 86 and Kenji doesn't have to race. Iketani tells Kenji hes off the hook. Kenji, relieved, almost starts crying. Iketani, thinking its Bunta behind the wheel, is relieved that he showed up and almost doesn't care about what happens as long as the race is a good one.

Takumi, drives up Mount Akina and is weirded out by people crowding at every turn, but is only focused on winning the race so he can get fuel to head to the beach with Mogi. As Takumi makes his way through the consecutive hairpins, Nakazato stares intently at the 86, remarking that hes got good technique. And comparing the auras given off to the likes of the Takahashi brothers, also pointing out that the winner is a mystery, if the 86 represents Akina. At the top, Iketani is prepared to show the Red Suns what Akina is made of. Keisuke is excited for the race. And Ryosuke, assuming the 86s late-ness to be a tactic, has his eyes on him. The 86 appears in the distance, and everyone moves to give the 86 room, the 86 does a 3 point turn and stops next to the FD. Takumi gets out, much to the Speedstars surprise and dismay. Takumi is faced with a barrage of questions, with Kenji worrying that he may have to race, and tells the Speedstars that his dad sent him to beat Keisuke, reveals himself as the guy that beat him and that he will get a full tank of gas if he wins. Takumi ends up being hit in the face and choked by Itsuki for not picking him up and embarrassing him. Iketani asks Takumi if he helps his dad on deliveries, to which he replies hes been doing it for 5 years. Having a sudden glimmer of faith in his friend, unlike Itsuki, tells Takumi to give it his best.

Both racers introduce themselves and line up for the race. Speedstars remarks the inferior performance of the 86 compared to the FD, both in the straights and in the corners. Iketani tells them to have faith. At the count of 10, both cars launch off the starting line, Keisuke rocketing ahead of Takumi. The Red Suns further point out the difference in acceleration- comparing the 86 to the likes of standing still, with Iketani worrying. Ryosuke analyzes that despite the 86 shifting fast due to a close ratio transmission, the lack of performance doesn't make it look the monster that Keisuke makes it out to be, and concludes that the monster in the 86 is not the engine, but the driver. Takumi seems unfazed, as the FD gaps ahead of him and dives into the first corner. Keisuke remarks that he hates pulling ahead in races but the race is a timed run and that he will never see the 86 in the back mirror. The FD brakes and drifts around the first corner in second gear, followed far behind by the 86. Takumi brakes late and drifts around, barely clipping the inner wall and the outer guardrail at high speed. The officials are shocked and report back to the start. Takumi races out of the first corner and towards the second. Just as Keisuke makes it on to the straightaway just after the third corner, he notices the 86 headlights appearing in the rear view mirror and getting closer. Keisuke starts to feel pressure and barely avoids braking too late for the next corner.

On top, Iketani tells the speedstars that Bunta was at one point a legendary street racer. Itsuki remarks that in the few encounters he had with Takumis Dad, he looked like a grumpy old man in a Tofu Shop. Iketani remarks that he may have trusted Takumi to come up, but Itsuki is quick to point out that Takumi may not be as good. But Iketani echoes what Takumi said about beating the FD before and everyone is surprised. Back at the race, both cars drift through a sharp left, with the officials wow-ing at the technique of the 86. Corner after corner, Takumi closes the gap and catches up to Keisuke. As a straightaway comes, Keisuke desperately pulling ahead, with Takumi remarking that the difference in the acceleration after third gear means that the FD will pull ahead on a long enough straight away. The officials remark that Takumi is right on Keisukes bumper, and that Keisuke never had anyone caught up as close as him. Itsuki gets excited and Iketani shivers with goosebumps. The officials continue- saying that the second half will have more corners, which might be a problem. Ryosuke admits that he miscalculated and never knew Akina had such a driver.

The officials further comment on the 86s technique, claiming hes got no fear. Keisuke admits that although the FD is faster in the straight, the 86 is catching up by being faster in the corners and is willing to die before he admits that the 86 is faster. Meanwhile Takumi makes his mind about passing and sets the five consecutive hairpins as the place to make his move.

Stats 

Airdates

• Fuji TV: May 9, 1998

Characters

1. Keisuke Takahashi
2. Kenji
3. Koichiro Iketani
4. Ryosuke Takahashi
5. Itsuki Takeuchi
6. Fumihiro
7. Takumi Fujiwara 
8. Takeshi Nakazato

Cars

1. Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type R (FD3S)
2. Nissan 180SX Type II (RPS13)
3. Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT-APEX (AE86)
4. Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II (BNR32)

Music 

Original

1. around the world - m.o.v.e
2. Dance Around The World - Delta Queens 
3. Get Me Power - Mega NRG Man 
4. Running In The 90s - Max Coveri 
5. Rage Your Dream - m.o.v.e

 Tokyopop

1. Initialize - Drop Logic
2. Vertigo - Willknots
3. Initialize (Instrumental) - Drop Logic
4. Machine - Full Frequency
5. The American Dream - The drp
6. Initialize (DJ Milky D-Mix) - DJ Milky & b_nCHANt_d

Differences from the Manga

Chapter 10

• Scene of Keisuke practicing on Akina is added.
• Scene of the RedSuns preparing Keisuke's FD is added.
• Itsuki arriving on his scooter is added.
• The crowd getting hyped is removed.
• Keisuke being angry about having Kenji as his opponent is now said out loud instead of thought.
• Keisuke no longer steps out of his car to say he knowns who is real opponent is.
• Nakazato and the NightKids introductions have been removed.
• The scenes Takumi's reaction to the crowd, and Nakazato's reaction to the Eight-six have been switched.
• Crowds reaction to the wait has been removed.

Chapter 11

• Racing scenes have been extended.
• Crowd reactions have been moved and altered.
• Takumi no longer calls out his first trick: The Machinegun Downshift.

Chapter 12

• Racing scenes have been extended.
• Crowd reactions have been moved and altered.
• Speedstars reactions to the RedSuns radio calls have been cut.
• The scene of Ryosuke's reaction to the start of the race and the Eight-six has been moved.

Notes & Trivia 

• In the credits, Running In The 90s by Max Coveri was credited as "Running In The '90s" by "Max Cover i"