Takumi Fujiwara
Takumi works part-time at a gas station with Itsuki, along with Iketani, who is a member of the local racing team, the Akina Speed Stars. In the first few episodes, both Itsuki and Iketani think that Takumi is totally ignorant about cars and racing, judging by Takumi's statements on his lack of interest on the subject. 
The only one who suspects that Takumi has a great deal of knowledge on
cars and racing techniques is the proprieter of the gas station, Yuuichi,
as seen in the episode where Takumi discusses the drifting technique
with Iketani and Itsuki. In fact, Takumi has far more experience with
downhill racing than Iketani and Itsuki, as Takumi has been driving his
father's AE86 Trueno since 5 years ago (in his first year of junior high
school, mind you!), delivering tofu to a hotel at 4 a.m. every day.
Takumi's father, Bunta Fujiwara, is in fact the original legendary driver
of an AE86 who holds the record of the fastest time of downhill racing
at Akina. Bunta has a unique way of training his son to drive; every morning
when Takumi has to go on his tofu delivery route, Bunta will give Takumi
a cup of water. The cup of water is placed in the drink holder; Takumi
must not spill even a drop of it while he is driving.Takumi's driving technique is regarded among the best in Akina; the very fact that he has managed to win races against more powerful cars with his AE86 Trueno is testament to his driving skills. The AE86 is under-powered compared to the other cars in Initial D, e.g. the Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 and the Mazda RX-7. (Yes, he actually beat a Skyline GT-R. A SKYLINE GT-R!!) |
