Fourth Stage - Act 24

Fourth Stage - Act 24
Stage	Fourth Stage
Act	24
Air Date	February 17, 2006
Chapters Adapted	Volume 29 Chapter 388 Chapter 389 Volume 30 Chapter 390 Chapter 391 Chapter 392 Chapter 393 Chapter 394 Volume 32 Chapter 422 Chapter 423 Chapter 424
Episode Guide
Previous Episode	Fourth Stage - Act 23
Next Episode	Initial D Extra Stage 2

The Never-ending Challenge (終わらない挑戦, Owaranai chōsen) is the twenty-fourth and final Act of Initial D Fourth Stage.

This episode features the last third of the battle between Takumi Fujiwara and Dr. Toshiya Joshima.

Synopsis

Takumi and God Arm speed toward the finish line. After the race ends, the rising star looks to the legend for a lesson in technique - and Project D looks into the future where new challengers wait for their shot.

Plot

The race continues from where Takumi overtakes God Arm with the blind attack and his modified gutter run. Another round begins as the two take off. Fumihiro reveals that they are at their 8th round much to his shock that it overextended for some time. Shuichi expressed that he wished he saw God Arm's reaction when Takumi used the blind attack and gutter run combination against him with Fumihiro agreeing. Fumihiro is confused why couldn't have Takumi do that move earlier on in the past rounds and can assume the race had gotten more difficult for their downhill ace. Ryosuke confirmed he couldn't have done it even if he wanted to as he was under God Arm's trap before then he lacked the fortitude to do it on his own and lost the grip on his tyres to the point he was pushed to the edge of defeat. From that point on he was able to get himself back up and act quickly after desperation and Fumihiro then understood. Ryosuke then states it's going to get rougher on him during progression. Joshima wouldn't be fooled again if Takumi used that move again according to Ryosuke.

The race continues on and the spectators stated the race is getting worse between the two. Kozo stated an endurance won't go well for them and if it continues on like this they will lose. But they said Joshima can't lose. Kozo said Joshima is a perfectionist and uses intellect on his victories and had been sticking on it ever since. Also hopes that the strain Takumi is putting on him won't discourage his focus. It then shifts to the race and Joshima is getting fatigued and begins to lose focus from the strain he had after overextending the race. He will now floor it as much as he can and keep the distance to beat Takumi before he wears himself out. Joshima decides to do the time attack run before it's over. Takumi too is becoming strenuous and loses focus as he lost count of how many rounds they've raced. He nonetheless vows to win as he believes God Arm is just as tired as he is. Fumihiro is then concerned after how much rounds they've raced the mechanical problems of the Eight-Six mechanical problems would soon surface adding to the fact he's driving a very old model car. Shuichi is unfazed by such fact as the car is very strong with good maintenance and that it can run with over 20 downhill races without any problems. Fumihiro feels somewhat relieved but Shuichi is at the same time concerned on him using the modified gutter run that uses the curve which are different to the ones in Akina. Whereas the gutters in Tsukuba in there goes through the suspension and it can get damaged if used extensively but believes in Takumi's instinct to prevent it from happening. Fumihiro then has his doubts but that be the only way for Takumi to win and it be a risk worth taking.

Meanwhile at Akina, Bunta cruises in his Impreza with Yuichi behind the wheel and is impressed with how smooth it runs, the power it has and the stability explaining why Takumi is down unable to understand the 4WD complex. He would have felt the same as Takumi if he had to differentiate between the Impreza and the Eight-Six. Bunta states that Takumi had been complaining about a slump and believes he's right. At the same time states he has lot of ways to go. A pass like Akina is a good solid home course and between Akina and the Eight-Six he should develop a grounded outlook on racing that will give him the chance to lock out on his technique and is the perfect training ground. Yuichi knew how well it worked and mastered things quickly within a year than what an ordinary racer can ever accomplish with Bunta agreeing with him. Bunta then states they are at the point of where he needs to take him seriously on his technique without any specifics. But teaching him to think broader and tougher and find the well-rounded racer he know is inside him and in a battle there is no such thing as an absolute standard such as when you pick a line your driving there might be a perfect one written down but when you are out there racing there can be various lines to take depending on a hundred different things. Yuichi agrees. Despite not wanting to explain in full detail he states that a dogfight is a battle of who can be able to take away most lines from their opponent. If they can kick out their opponent's line while holding your own then they'd be busy trying to fix their position to pass you but Yuichi realises that is a clear point of view. Bunta then concludes that a true driver can choose whatever line he wants. All he is doing right now is opening Takumi's mind of adaptability knowing it's the best way for him to get started on newer techniques in future races. It took time but there is no denying that there had been results and is not the racer he once was back when he won his races in Akina earlier on. Yuichi confirms that Takumi's style of racing has evolved quickly beyond belief but despite this Bunta still sees Takumi has a long way to go.

The race continues and Takumi realises the run is not how it usually is. Joshima doesn't focus on his lines during a race due to it being that of a beginner. But instead focuses on the tyre's potential and trying for the best possible time. He also notices when he started practicing his one-handed steering, he realises as long as he did everything he could to save his tyres he always logged the same times regardless of the line. So whenever he was in a challenging street race he can pick which ever line he felt he can use his tyres most efficiently and sees his record line. To him lines aren't his focus but more of a result of an excellent run. Takumi sees something amazing happen at that moment. Ryosuke then states if you want to be fast on a mountain pass then you have to have bravery hold on your own in a corner without hesitation and how well you know the course matters most as how you handle yourself in high pressure. If you were gonna be the faster driver course knowledge is a basic yet big point. Exactly why he makes practice runs prior to races had been constant in their exhibitions. Fumihiro questions if that's why their opponents had been at an advantage ever since they've been racing on their home turf. Ryosuke confirms this exactly especially on technique driven drivers and in that case knowing the course can be advantageous and their opponents can be defenceless. Fumihiro questions what this race is about. Ryosuke says this has become an endurance race and the loser is the first to bow out.

The race continues and Takumi is desperate to keep up and can't shorten shorten the gap as the finish line is getting close. Joshima then starts to pull away hoping to finish the race quickly. However, Toshiya is at the brink of losing fatigue and tries to pull away as far as he can. Takumi is struggling to keep up and is at the verge of losing. Then he tries to get closer using the gutters but then realises the suspension is shattered after rushing. Joshima starts to wonder if he mistimed his speed control upon entering the gutter. The Eight-Six is now limping and knows the battle is lost for him. Despite Joshima being further, he loses fatigue, drifts the last corner and stopped before the finish line to vomit on the side of the bush while Takumi despite broken suspension crosses the line to a technical victory much to his shock. Hoshino is in disbelief on his defeat but Joshima tries to justify his loss on the heatwave contributing to his loss of fatigue and loss of hunger. He then tells him he should finished him off even if it means vomiting in his car but Joshima said of his idea as nonsense and his concentration flashed before his eyes. Hoshino then never realised how bad that would have felt. Joshima wasn't expecting to want to overextend the race and wanted to end it on the previous run but overconfidence to run one more time cost him the race and felt undeserving of his God Arm title and nothing more than a middle-aged loser trying to stay young. On Project D's side, Shuichi realised how bad the suspension is damaged and out to take the Eight-Six back to Gunma for a proper alignment check and repairs. Fumihiro asked if it be possible to drive it back instead which is okay as long as they don't mess the suspension even further. Takumi apologises to Ryosuke for destroying the suspension. Ryosuke too feels himself to blame for why this happened but knew the risk of this race and told him to take the risk anyway and not to discourage himself despite losing his groove on his techniques but nonetheless won the battle at the end. Takumi is unfazed of his victory knowing he would have lost if it weren't for God Hand bowing out. The race served as a good learning experience for Takumi. Ryosuke further consoles with him telling him the point of that race was watching the lines and how it changes constantly. He then tells Takumi to take the experiences he gained in that race although he wouldn't learn them overnight and he is still young and growing. Same with Project D. Ryosuke then tells Takumi to relax as Project D will be on break. While the Eight-Six is getting fixed, Keisuke practices in his FD a time attack on a hillclimb. Kenta cheers Keisuke on in shattering his time and starts practicing.

Ryosuke in his mind states, he tried to think of a theory or formula to explain Takumi's luck when it comes to winning such as when he raced against Todo Juku driver Tomoyuki Tachi or the battle he ran a short while ago. He noticed he's no ordinary racer whom picks up victories in a short period of time beyond miraculous. Even being a mystery to him and to himself. Or he things he was born with something special. Gifted talent is what he believes to have had. Keisuke runs his FD and Joshima recovers from his fatigue and ask if Hoshino is ready for the next round and he is as eager as ever. Hoshino at the same time feels pity on his next opponent and no way he would shatter his record on the person's car and confidently states his GTR can be turned into a pro race and doubts anyone would ever keep up with it. Joshima is happy of his confidence but at the same time it wouldn't be a fair race and if there were any regulations then he'd consider that a violation. Although he couldn't help it, he still keeps his head held high despite losing to Keisuke. He then asked of his opinion of what he thought of his opponent (Takumi) if he were to try break his time record if the suspension didn't break. Joshima honestly states he would put up a great fight. Hoshino wouldn't believe him but he nonetheless was serious if it be possible for him to put up a challenge. Joshima takes his word seriously as his speed and concentration on the downhill had good precision and should not be underestimated. As he raced, he actually caused him to put both hands on the wheel which no ordinary racer never made him do. Hoshino is mindblown from what he heard and Joshima felt scared that someone that young can have such instinct. The FD completes the run but unsuccessfully did not break the record much to Kenta and Tomiguchi's disdain. Fumihiro too shares dissatisfaction of the results. Smiley Sakai then informs Daiki to report the race results soon and agrees not wanting to stand there any longer. Daiki is also eager to race Takumi again. Hoshino then approaches Keisuke despite unsuccessfully beating his time, he expressed his admiration of his skills and offers him to join a professional racing team he can contact him to. Keisuke politely declines as he still has a long way to go. Hoshino understands this and takes leave. Ryosuke and Takumi then approaches Joshima if he can ride in with him to see his technique. As he starts, he warns Takumi his style is original and improvised and might not be seen by other drivers. He then proceeds with no guarantees if he can learn much from it. Fumihiro admits God Arm is generous to let Takumi see his technique and Ryosuke states he almost didn't agree with the idea and at the same time envious that he gets to see it and wanted to be inside Takumi's shoes to see for himself.

God Arm then takes off and Ryosuke is lucky for Takumi to have a once in a lifetime experience and Fumihiro agrees with what he is saying. Ryosuke again in his mind states that both of them are similar than he might think and it might impact Takumi highly. He is astonished with his one-handed technique and tells Takumi he needs to watch how he does it carefully. Takumi is amazed with his technique and Ryosuke states Project D will carry on their goal and he has to absorb everything he learned in his mind until it hits him which is important for him as there are more difficult challenges further on ahead but confidently believes he can figure out how to use them. The run then concludes. The following day at the gas station, the Speed Stars expressed frustration of them being lonely drivers once again and Yuichi mockingly said that if a girl approached any one of them he would die of shock. Iketani wasn't amused with his humour and frustrated to the fact they have none. He told him when he was his age he had 2 girls around him at all time but didn't have a night out out with any of the girls for himself until he was 20. Itsuki wonders if any admitted if they made an anti-female repellent is causing girls to have no interest in them. Iketani then made a joke out of that towards Kenji much to Kenji's annoyance. Takumi then arrives at the gas station to see them. The Speed Stars are then excited to hear how his previous race turned out. Takumi can only tell them to be a tie. Itsuki tells him to not be too modest about that as a victory is still a victory regardless but Takumi tells him if he was out there racing he would make them think differently otherwise. Iketani asks why he took the Impreza instead of the usual Eight-Six. Takumi tells him the suspension broke during his last race and is undergoing repairs. Realising he is free, Itsuki invites Takumi for a drive with the Speed Stars and an excited Kenji hopes for Takumi to show some of his techniques along with Iketani. They all laugh humorously calling it a boy's night. Yuichi sighs in disbelief of them having no girls even at an age where they should have gotten some and hopes they can one day find one. Itsuki asks the secret of his techniques. But he tells him he just drives his heart out. Takumi in his mind states just like what Bunta said, he has ways to go and it's a long road ahead for him to accomplish what he needs.

The Eight-Six is back in one piece and Bunta as usual gives a full cup of water before he starts his delivery run. He states in his mind regardless on what he thinks, Takumi loves the Eight-Six. Takumi recalls Joshima's words to during his ride that despite him being skilled, skill isn't everything and is hard to maintain once you are too good to practice and if you don't look forward constantly where you are headed you can never jump to the next level and that is what it takes to be professional while he is getting old and live life with whatever he has and maintain it as long as possible. Whereas Takumi is still young and has all the time in the world to accomplish his goal. As Joshima states all this, Takumi's past successes in Project D plays through series of flashbacks. Ryosuke's words too touches Takumi and is right about everything he stated after the race with God Hand. Takumi takes these words to heart and despite the obstacles he must face, will eventually overcome them and he will succeed in doing so by driving the Eight-Six and racing with Project D concluding the episode.

Stats

Airdates

• Animax: February 17, 2006

Characters (in order of appearance)

1. Dr. Toshiya Joshima
2. Takumi Fujiwara
3. Fumihiro
4. Shuichi Matsumoto
5. Ryosuke Takahashi
6. Kozo Hoshino
7. Bunta Fujiwara
8. Yuichi Tachibana
9. Kenta Nakamura
10. Keisuke Takahashi
11. Tomiguchi
12. Daiki Ninomiya
13. Smiley Sakai
14. Koichiro Iketani
15. Itsuki Takeuchi
16. Kenji

Cars

1. Honda S2000 (AP1)
2. Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT-APEX (AE86)
3. Nissan Skyline GT-R V-spec II Nür (BNR34)
4. Subaru Impreza WRX STi Coupe Type R Version V (GC8D)
5. Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type R (FD3S)
6. Todo School Honda Civic Type R (EK9) Demo Car (Flashback)
7. Eunos Roadster (NA6CE) (Flashback)
8. Honda Civic Type R (EK9) (Flashback)
9. Suzuki Cappuccino (EA11R) (Flashback)

Music

1. Noizy Tribe - M.o.v.e
2. Lucky Man - Dave Rodgers
3. Takumi - Neo
4. Rage Your Dream - M.o.v.e
5. Nobody Reason ~ノアの方舟 (~Noah No Hakobune) - M.o.v.e

Quotes

Takumi: There are still a lot of obstacles I have to overcome, too many to count… But I will get past them, one at a time. In my Eight Six, and with Project D.

Notes & Trivia

• The end of this episode causes a inconsistency in the chronology of the series. At the end of this episode the Eight-Six is shown fully repaired, however in Fifth Stage the Eight-Six isn't fully repaired until Takumi heads to Saitama to catch the Project D imposters.