Nastał kwiecień, zima zmieniła się w wiosnę a wśród ścigantów krążą plotki o pewnej stronie internetowej. Według zawartych na niej informacji team o nazwie Project D poszukuje przeciwników na trasach całego regionu Kanto. Owo przedsięwzięcie to stworzony przez Ryosuke Takahashiego specjalny team do wyścigów poza Gunmą. Takumi dołącza do niego i stawia czoła nowemu wyzwaniu, licząc, że zbliży się tym samym do osiągnięcia swojego marzenia – stania się niepokonanym kierowcą wyścigowym...
Shuichi Shigeno (Japanese author profile: しげの秀一) is a manga artist, best known for the manga series Initial D. Shigeno has also created Bari Bari Densetsu, Dopkan, and Tunnel Nuketara Sky Blue ("First Love in Summer") all prior to the manga that would make him famous in 1995. In 1985, he received the Kodansha Manga Award in shōnen for Bari Bari Densetsu.
This volume is by far my favorite of Initial D yet. This one focuses a lot of the drama and manages to tie up loose ends between Takumi and Natsuki. These threads, which were established as far back as volume one, finally reach it's natural and satisfying conclusion. From online discourse a lot of people dislike Natsuki as a character, but I've grown to appreciate her and the impact she has on the story. Her character also grows a lot too, and Takumi does well in his own way.
There is a bittersweet feeling to this volume because it is set in the winter, in the twilight of Takumi's and Natsuki's graduation from high school. The urgency for them to wrap up their unresolved feelings and issues feels right. With them going on their own paths it really captures that perfect time in young people's lives, with the messiness and awkwardness of high school. Loved this one!