The rematch between Takumi Fujiwara and Kai Kogashiwa is the forty-third battle of Initial D.
Prior to the Battle[]
After his defeat in the previous battle, Omiya Satoshi laments over his loss, explaining that he was honored to fight a real battle. After Go Hojo and Eiji Kubo have a quick discussion about furthering their plan with the data collection team, Kogashiwa and Hideo Minagawa meet up near the Daikanzan Observation Deck to talk about their plans for battling against Project D. Meanwhile Takumi returns to the gas station to refuel his car, with Itsuki Takeuchi and the other members of the Akina SpeedStars having waited for him outside. They promptly begin to discuss Project D's second expedition to Kanagawa. After an ominous scene with Ryosuke calling Matsumoto in order to request a "favor" for his FC, Takumi and Mika Uehara are shown at the diner that they frequently meet at. Mika suggests that they go to the beach, which they do after a short scene with the Akina Speed Stars at the gas station.
Takumi avoids accident in the Impreza
As they were returning from the beach, Takumi and Mika in the Impreza avoids a heavy accident in the highway in front of them due to Takumi's skills to avoid the crashing cars. At the same time, Bunta takes a run on Akina in Takumi's AE86, later noting some of the changes from Project D's modifications. Later, Fujiwara drives Mika back to the diner again, and she leaves. The Akina Speed Stars again show up at the gas station, looking inside Takumi's car and noticing the new modifications that were recently made. Kogashiwa meets up with his team's unnamed mechanic, noting the changes that were made by him to his Toyota MR-S. During the conversation, Kogashiwa laments on his last battle with Takumi.
Later the next day after a short scene with Project D looking at Mount Fuji from their temporary cabin's deck, they arrive to the course later on. Bunta soon gets a call from Ken Kogashiwa, with Ken explaining to Bunta how ready Kai is for his rematch. Upon Project D's arrival, Kogashiwa immediately states that he is ready to start, deciding to settle positions via a coin flip. Kai flips a coin from his pocket, which lands on tails, to which he decides to take the chasing position.
During the Battle[]
Takumi does wheel lift gutter technique in front of Kai
As the battle begins, Kai notes how much Takumi's car and his techniques has changed since the last time they battled. He comments on tuning of a vehicle as just a balance for acceleration and handling. Takumi in between uses the wheel-lifting gutter technique to maintain the lead, which is noticed by Kai who praises Takumi for his techniques, but doubts if that will help Fujiwara to increase his pace with him. Meanwhile Keisuke explains to Kenta about the details of the course they are racing on, with him explaining the course has three parts: First part of the downhill having wider roads, which is the fastest section of the course. The middle part being abut narrower and more tight corners in it, making the slower part of the course. The last part being somewhat as narrow as earlier, but can gain more speed. Keisuke comments if he was on Fujiwara's place, he would chose to attack or go all out on that part.
Meanwhile Ryosuke explains to Fumihiro about the "Fujiwara Zone", a supposed technique or special skill which Takumi shows off when he is in a particular rhythm with his AE86. According to Ryosuke and Keisuke, they've seen it occur way before the Project D, with Keisuke saying he's seen Fujiwara pulling away from him during practice runs. As to Ryosuke, he says he's seen a glimpse of it happen when he battled with Fujiwara back then, but says its been 'refined' after Fujiwara's battle with Dr. Toshiya Joshima of the Purple Shadow team. Simply put, the Fujiwara zone is when Takumi controls the acceleration of a car through a corner by using the best parts of the tyres and and proper throttle control and a near zero counter-steer, making use of any unwanted wheel spin, which makes his car accelerate through the corner like an AWD, despite the AE86 being a RWD car.
Kai closes on Takumi on the corner braking attack
Soon, Kai realized Takumi had been pulling away from him, which causes tension in him. Takumi holds a somewhat commanding lead from the onset, as Kai remarks that his clean, professional style of driving is too limited to beat Takumi's riskier, more "childish" approach. Kai decides to abandon his circuit racing techniques and go all out to catch up to Fujiwara. He even goes to an extent that he even hits the guardrails as he exits the corners, which surprises the spectators who were wondering why a pro in circuit racing is going all out for an 'amateur' in an Eight-Six. As a hard corner comes up, Fujiwara brakes hard to corner, while Kai who has gone through a lot of experiences catches up to Takumi with his braking skills, which shocks the latter.
Takumi pulls away from Kai as he spins out
Takumi decides to go all out with the upcoming final corners. He exceeds the speed and pulls away from Kai. Kai tries to copy Takumi, but ends up snap oversteering his ZZW30 and spins out, though gaining control, ultimately loses the battle as Takumi continues to speed away from Kai, leaving the latter defeated once more.
After the Battle[]
After their battle, Kai acknowledges Takumi's sense of racing and admits that even if he is going professional, his style of driving is never suited for the circuit. Takumi acknowledges this and the two have a handshake after the battle. Furthermore, Ken received news about the battle, only to learn that Kai has lost. Bunta tries to give comforting words to Kogashiwa, the latter doesn't understand with his utter frustration at Kai losing.
Music[]
Fifth Stage[]
- When The Sun Goes Down - Ken Blast
- Code:D - Igoda
- Limousine - Manuel
Battle Stage 3[]
Trivia[]
- In the manga Bunta and Ken meet up at Lake Akina to discuss about the battle, meanwhile in the anime Ken calls Bunta on the phone while he's at home and talks about it.
- This was the last time in the series where gutter techniques were used.