Takumi Fujiwara is a typical high school student with an extraordinary secret. By day, he works in his father Bunta's gas station and delivers tofu to resorts nestled in the scenic Mount Akina, driving a Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86. However, beneath his unassuming exterior lies a burgeoning passion for street racing, inspired by his best friend Itsuki, the gas station owner's son, who dreams of becoming a formidable street racer himself. The plot thickens as Takumi is drawn into a world filled with adrenaline, impressive cars, and complicated relationships.
His crush, Natsuki Mogi, brings a twist to his life—a captivating classmate who catches his eye but harbors a hidden life as an escort, romantically intertwined with a wealthy man who drives a luxurious Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Meanwhile, street racing heats up as notable racers like the skilled Takeshi Nakazato from the NightKids, navigating a powerful Nissan Skyline GT-R VSpec II R32, and the strategic Ryousuke Takahashi of the RedSuns in his Mazda Savanna RX-7 Type-R FC, prepare to showcase their talents on the famed Akina circuit.
An encounter at the gas station turns competitive when Takeshi issues a challenge to the streets of Akina. Although Takumi rides alongside Itsuki on this thrilling venture to protect the title of the racing god, things take a turn when Itsuki suffers an embarrassing defeat, wrecking his car in the process. To everyone's surprise, Takumi steps up and shows his hidden talent by defeating Takeshi in an unofficial match. This sparks curiosity among the racers about who truly owns the AE86, eventually leading them to discover that Takumi has been quietly honing his racing skills for five years under the watchful eye of his father, Anthony Wong.
Bunta, recognizing his son's potential, agrees to let Takumi take the AE86 out for a beach date with Natsuki, provided he wins the racing showdown at Akina. Takumi triumphs over Takeshi in a thrilling downhill race, celebrating a successful day with Natsuki. Under his guidance, he begins to teach Itsuki how to race in the AE86, but when Kenji Iwaki from the Emperor team provokes them, Takumi's temper flares, leading to another victory against Seiji and a damaged Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR.
Throughout this racing journey, Takumi learns that his father's AE86 is custom-tuned compared to Itsuki's outdated car. He agrees to challenge Ryousuke in three weeks, but their rivals from the Emperor team don't make things easy. After a dramatic encounter where the AE86 suffers engine troubles, Ryousuke wisely offers to lend Takumi one of his superior cars, but Takumi remains resolute in facing his own issues. With plans from Bunta to modify the AE86, Takumi pushes himself to adapt to the stronger vehicle despite feeling the pressure of Natsuki's absence.
The emotional turmoil escalates when Itsuki reveals Natsuki's relationship with the Mercedes driver, leading to a heated confrontation between the friends. Shortly before the major race, Takumi becomes distraught upon seeing Natsuki accompanied by the affluent driver after presumably spending time at a hotel; their relationship becomes a test of loyalty and self-worth.
During the climactic race, Ryousuke proposes a temporary partnership to take down Kyoichi, yet Takumi's independence leads him to decline. In an intense showdown filled with strategy, technique, and miscalculation, Ryousuke allows Kyoichi to pass, setting the stage to exploit weaknesses during the run. As tension peaks and racing skills are pushed to the limit, Kyoichi's attempts to reclaim his title sadly end in disaster as he loses control of his Evo III, leading to a devastating crash.
In a nail-biting finish, Takumi manages to overtake Ryousuke during the final hairpin turn, showcasing not only his growth as a racer but allowing him to carve his path ahead. Despite the victory, Takumi feels the weight of his personal life, and upon confronting Natsuki one last time, the two are left stranded in heartache when their paths diverge over unresolved feelings and societal expectations.
In an ironic twist, Takumi’s acceptance of Ryousuke’s invitation to join his new racing project (Project D), signifies not just his commitment to racing but the bittersweet realization of leaving behind the relationship that might have defined him beyond the race.
