The battle between Takumi Fujiwara and Wataru Akiyama is the twenty-first battle of Initial D and the final battle of Initial D Second Stage. It is the first battle to take place on a course outside of the Gunma Prefecture.
Nearly a week after unable to control his newly reborn Eight-Six, Wataru finally found the reason Takumi was unable to use the full power of his new engine. He suggests him to install a high rev tachometer, water pressure and oil temperature gauges to unlock it's full power. After the installation of those important parts, Takumi is ready to accept Wataru's challenge and chose to race at his home turf at Shomaru Pass. Wataru chooses to run the race as an endurance race where the leader and chaser switches positions each round. If the chaser overtakes the leader then they will win the race as well as ending it. But if the chaser gives up or falls behind then he will lose.
During the Battle[]
Wataru's turbo boost as he chases Takumi
Ditto, Final Stage
Takumi passes Wataru
First 2 rounds, Takumi realises how much power his Trueno has and starts to adapt to the new changes faster. After 5 rounds, Takumi attempts to overtake Wataru by coming alongside him, something that he claims is impossible. In his shock, he pauses, allowing Takumi to pass. In Second Stage this is changed to Takumi driving on a mudslide, sending his car airborne.
After the Battle[]
The Akiyama siblings return to Saitama and Itsuki becomes heartbroken, unable to admit his feelings for Kazumi. Takumi then sees Natsuki working in a part time job. Ryosuke sends an open invite to any racers to be part of his new race team by devising a time trial at Akagi.
In Second Stage, Ryosuke, Keisuke, Kenta, Kenji, and Iketani all witness the race. In the Manga, there are no spectators.
This creates an inconsistency in Third Stage, as these characters react as though they hadn't seen Takumi racing in the newly upgraded Eight-Six like in the Manga.
The song "Deja Vu" played in the very end of this battle is considered to be a viral internet meme used on cars drifting, crashing, or anything fast.
The carbon fiber hood shown on Wataru's car against Takumi in Final Stage Outro
In the outro for Final Stage, Wataru's 86 is incorrectly shown as its Spec II variant (when he upgraded his 86 for Project D's Saitama expedition), instead of its Spec I variant.
As the model was likely reused from Fourth Stage, SynergySP (the animation company for Fifth and Final Stages) may only have had the Spec II model available at the time.
In the original story, Takumi took the opportunity to pull alongside Wataru when he lost concentration due to low stamina and low fuel, and overtook him in a counter attack-like move at a gentle S-shaped corner
