Takumi Fujiwara, a quiet high school student, spends his early mornings delivering tofu to resorts on Mount Akina in his father Bunta’s Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86. Though reserved and seemingly uninterested in street racing, Takumi’s five years of driving the winding mountain roads have unknowingly honed his exceptional racing skills. He works part-time at a local gas station with his best friend Itsuki, the owner’s son, who dreams of becoming a street racer despite having little skill. Meanwhile, Takumi’s classmate Natsuki Mogi, a cheerful and attractive girl, harbors a secret—she’s been meeting a wealthy older man who drives a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
On the mountain, rival street racing teams, including Takeshi Nakazato of the NightKids, who drives a Nissan Skyline GT-R R32, and Ryosuke Takahashi of the RedSuns, who races a Mazda RX-7 FC, dominate the local scene. The two racers discuss their plans to battle for dominance after conquering Akina’s competition. Takeshi, seeking to challenge the legendary racing god of Mt. Akina, visits the gas station to issue his challenge. Itsuki, eager to defend the title, takes Takumi along for support. However, Itsuki’s attempt to race ends in humiliation when he damages his Nissan Silvia. Later, Takeshi is unexpectedly defeated by an unknown driver in the mysterious AE86, fueling his determination to uncover the identity of his rival.
When Takeshi confronts the gas station crew about the AE86, Bunta reveals to Yuichi, the gas station owner, that Takumi has been driving the car for years, developing his skills with every delivery. Unbeknownst to everyone, Takumi’s precision driving has already surpassed many of the experienced racers on the mountain. When Natsuki invites Takumi on a beach date, Bunta agrees to lend him the car on one condition: Takumi must first win the race against Takeshi.
Under the watchful eyes of the RedSuns and NightKids, Takumi defeats Takeshi in a downhill race, showcasing his skill and earning the admiration of the crowd. Natsuki and Takumi enjoy their promised beach date, while Takumi begins teaching Itsuki how to race in a Trueno he recently purchased. However, while practicing on the mountain, Seiji Iwaki of the Emperor Team, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV, taunts the pair and challenges Takumi. Fueled by anger, Takumi accepts and defeats Seiji, leaving the Evo IV damaged and its driver humiliated.
Takumi soon discovers that Itsuki’s Trueno does not perform like his father’s AE86. Ryosuke explains that Bunta’s car has been custom-tuned for racing. Ryosuke challenges Takumi to a race in three weeks, but before the showdown, Emperor Team leader Kyoichi Sudo in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III overtakes Takumi on the mountain. During their race, the AE86 suffers a catastrophic engine failure. Ryosuke offers Takumi one of his cars to compete, but Takumi declines, determined to rely on his own skills.
Bunta and Yuichi secretly upgrade the AE86 with a powerful Twin Cam 20-valve SilverTop AE101 engine. Initially struggling to adapt to the modifications, Takumi receives guidance from Bunta, who teaches him how to unlock the car’s full potential. Meanwhile, Takumi’s world is shaken when Itsuki confronts him about Natsuki’s secret life, accusing her of being a prostitute. The accusation leads to a fight, leaving Takumi hurt and confused. Later, Takumi sees a glimpse of Natsuki in the Mercedes at a railroad crossing but fails to catch up to her. When he calls her, Natsuki admits she is with the Mercedes driver but tells him she plans to end their arrangement.
On the day of the showdown, Ryosuke offers to team up with Takumi to defeat Kyoichi, but Takumi declines, determined to race on his own terms. During the intense battle, Ryosuke allows Kyoichi to pass him, carefully studying his technique. Both Ryosuke and Takumi use a daring gutter-trick maneuver to overtake Kyoichi. Despite warnings of an oncoming car, Kyoichi attempts to reclaim the lead but loses control of his Evo III, swerving off the road and flipping over a cliff, leaving his car destroyed.
The race narrows to Takumi and Ryosuke. On the final stretch, Ryosuke gains the upper hand at the five hairpin turns. Observing the race, Bunta explains that Ryosuke’s tires are losing grip, leaving the outcome entirely dependent on Takumi’s ability to push himself beyond his limits. In a dramatic final move, Takumi overtakes Ryosuke on the last hairpin turn, securing victory.
After the race, Ryosuke offers Takumi a place on his new racing team, Project D. Conflicted, Takumi decides to see Natsuki before giving his answer. However, he witnesses the Mercedes driver dropping Natsuki off with a hug. Devastated, Takumi avoids Natsuki’s gaze and drives away as she collapses in tears. Alone on the mountain, Takumi tearfully calls Itsuki to apologize for their fight. Later, he contacts Ryosuke and accepts the offer to join Project D, setting out on a new chapter in his racing journey.
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