The 2005 Initial D live-action movie, directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak, is a Hong Kong–Japanese co-production based on Shuichi Shigeno’s legendary manga series. The film delivers high-octane street racing, drama, and coming-of-age themes, with a grounded, realistic approach that captures the spirit of Japanese drift culture.
Detailed Summary
Introduction: The Streets of Mount Akina
Takumi Fujiwara (Jay Chou), a quiet and seemingly indifferent high schooler, works at a gas station and delivers tofu for his father’s shop every morning. What his friends don’t know is that these dawn deliveries up and down Mount Akina have turned him into a naturally gifted driver with unmatched control on mountain roads.
The Challenge of the Red Suns
One night, a team of elite street racers known as the “Red Suns,” led by Ryosuke Takahashi (Edison Chen) and his brother Keisuke (Shawn Yue), arrives from Mount Akagi to challenge the local Akina Speedstars. When Keisuke is shockingly defeated by a mysterious Toyota AE86 Trueno, the legend of the “Ghost of Akina” spreads quickly. That mysterious driver, of course, is none other than Takumi.
Discovering Takumi’s Talent
Takumi’s father, Bunta (Anthony Wong), a former street racing legend, has been secretly training his son by sending him on tofu delivery runs with a cup of water in the car — to teach perfect control and balance. Without realizing it, Takumi has become one of the best drifters in Japan. When the truth about his identity comes out, Takumi becomes the center of attention in the street racing scene.
The Love Story and Betrayal
Alongside the racing action, Takumi starts a relationship with his classmate Natsuki (Anne Suzuki). Their innocent romance, however, hides a dark secret — Natsuki is seeing an older man, a wealthy “sugar daddy,” who provides her with money and gifts. When Takumi learns the truth, his world shatters. The emotional betrayal pushes him into an identity crisis, forcing him to rethink who he is and what he really wants from life.
The Rivalry Intensifies
Takumi’s racing life continues as he faces off against Keisuke again, as well as other top racers who want to challenge the legendary AE86. Ryosuke, the strategist of the Red Suns, begins to see Takumi as more than an opponent — he sees him as potential. Their relationship shifts from rivals to mutual respect, with Ryosuke becoming a kind of mentor figure.
Final Race: Takumi vs. Ryosuke
In the film’s climax, Takumi challenges Ryosuke himself — a battle between instinct and intelligence, raw talent versus strategy. The race takes place on Mount Akina under the night sky, filled with intense drifts, tire smoke, and tension. Takumi pushes his AE86 beyond its limits, mastering the downhill corners with absolute precision. Despite Ryosuke’s technical perfection, Takumi’s natural instincts and guts give him the edge, earning him a narrow but decisive victory.
Movie Ending
After his victory over Ryosuke, Takumi earns recognition as one of the greatest street racers in Gunma. Ryosuke, impressed by his skill, invites him to join a professional racing team — a clear path toward becoming a legitimate driver. Takumi, however, is emotionally conflicted. Still reeling from Natsuki’s betrayal, he decides to leave Akina and start a new chapter in his life.
In a quiet, reflective ending, Takumi drives alone in his AE86 through the dawn mist, echoing the film’s opening scene. The mountains are the same, but Takumi isn’t — he’s evolved from a boy delivering tofu to a man with purpose. His father Bunta watches from the distance, smiling subtly, knowing his son has finally found his own road.
The movie ends on an open note, hinting that Takumi’s story as a racer is only beginning — setting the stage for potential sequels or continuation in spirit, much like the anime series.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Initial D (2005) does not have a post-credits scene. The story ends definitively with Takumi driving off into the early morning, symbolizing a new beginning.
Type of Movie
Initial D is a racing drama film with strong coming-of-age and sports-action elements. It balances adrenaline-fueled car scenes with emotional storytelling, focusing on self-discovery and youthful ambition.
Cast
- Jay Chou as Takumi Fujiwara
- Edison Chen as Ryosuke Takahashi
- Shawn Yue as Keisuke Takahashi
- Anthony Wong Chau-Sang as Bunta Fujiwara
- Anne Suzuki as Natsuki Mogi
- Chapman To as Itsuki Tachibana
Film Music and Composer
The soundtrack features a mix of J-rock, J-pop, and electronic music, heavily inspired by the anime’s Eurobeat influence but modernized for cinema. The film’s score was composed by Chan Kwong-Wing, known for his work on Infernal Affairs. The energetic beats during race sequences perfectly capture the thrill of drifting, while softer piano and string themes accompany Takumi’s emotional moments.
Filming Locations
The film was shot primarily in Gunma Prefecture, Japan, on real mountain passes like Mount Haruna (fictionalized as Mount Akina) — the heart of the original Initial D story. Authentic Japanese settings add a genuine atmosphere, grounding the Hong Kong production in the manga’s cultural roots. Some urban and indoor scenes were filmed in Hong Kong studios.
Awards and Nominations
- Golden Horse Awards (2005): Best New Performer (Jay Chou) – Won
- Hong Kong Film Awards: Nominated for Best Visual Effects and Best Sound Design
The film was both a critical and commercial success in Asia, particularly praised for its realistic racing sequences.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Jay Chou, already a superstar singer, made his acting debut in this film.
- Chou insisted on doing some of his own driving scenes under supervision, though professional drifters performed the most dangerous stunts.
- Director Andrew Lau aimed for realism by minimizing CGI; almost all race sequences were shot with real cars on mountain roads.
- The production team collaborated with Japanese drift champion Keiichi Tsuchiya, the “Drift King” himself, who served as an advisor.
- Cars used in the film were modified versions of real vehicles, including Takumi’s AE86, which became a cult icon after release.
Inspirations and References
The film is directly based on the manga Initial D by Shuichi Shigeno, which began in 1995. It draws heavy inspiration from real-life Japanese street racing culture, especially the touge (mountain pass) drifting scene. The manga and anime were also influenced by Japan’s booming car culture of the 1990s and Tsuchiya’s real drifting techniques.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Some deleted scenes reportedly featured more background on Ryosuke’s motivations and Takumi’s relationship with his father. However, these were cut for pacing. There’s no known alternate ending, but an extended ending was considered that showed Takumi officially joining Ryosuke’s racing team.
Book Adaptations and Differences
While the film is adapted from the manga, it compresses several story arcs from the anime and manga series into a single movie. Certain rivalries and races are merged, and the romance subplot with Natsuki is given more emphasis than in the original. The tone is also darker and more dramatic compared to the lighter, more comedic anime.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Takumi’s first mysterious race against Keisuke, which establishes his legend.
- The “cup of water” tofu delivery scene, showing Bunta’s unusual teaching method.
- Takumi discovering Natsuki’s secret relationship — an emotional turning point.
- The final race with Ryosuke, showcasing the film’s most technically brilliant drifting sequence.
Iconic Quotes
- Takumi: “The mountain taught me everything I need to know about driving.”
- Bunta: “You don’t need a fast car to win. You just need to be faster than the other guy.”
- Ryosuke: “Technique is nothing without instinct.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The license plate number of Takumi’s AE86 — 13-954 — is identical to the one in the manga.
- Keiichi Tsuchiya, the real-life “Drift King,” appears briefly as a gas station customer.
- The tofu shop’s name, “Fujiwara Tofu,” is written exactly as in the anime.
- Ryosuke’s white FC RX-7 and Keisuke’s yellow FD RX-7 match their original anime color schemes.
Trivia
- Jay Chou was not a car enthusiast before filming but became one afterward.
- The AE86 used in the film became a collector’s item and was later auctioned.
- The film broke box office records in Hong Kong and Taiwan for a live-action manga adaptation.
- This was one of the first Hong Kong films to be largely shot in Japan.
Why Watch?
If you love adrenaline-pumping race scenes mixed with heartfelt character development, Initial D (2005) is a must-watch. It captures the essence of drifting culture, the spirit of competition, and the emotional journey of a young man finding his purpose. Even if you’re not a car fanatic, the story’s themes of growth, betrayal, and passion make it universally relatable.
Director’s Other Movies
- Infernal Affairs (2002)
- The Storm Riders (1998)
- Young and Dangerous series (1996–1998)
- Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen (2010)
Recommended Films for Fans
- The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
- Speed Racer (2008)
- Wangan Midnight (2009)
- The Fifth Element (1997)
- Akira (1988)
- Redline (2009)
