Itsuki Takeuchi

Itsuki is loud, excitable, impulsive, and intensely enthusiastic about cars. Unlike Takumi, he eagerly studies models, racing teams, and driving culture, and he initially assumes that simply owning the right machine will bring him closer to becoming a racer.

He is also insecure about his limited driving ability. Discovering that he has accidentally purchased an AE85 instead of an AE86 humiliates him because the mistake appears to expose the gap between the knowledgeable enthusiast he wants to be and his actual experience.

Takumi's reaction changes that perspective. Rather than mocking the AE85, Takumi demonstrates that a skilled driver can extract surprising performance from a weaker car. Itsuki begins treating his Levin less as an embarrassing mistake and more as something worth learning to drive properly.

Itsuki is deeply loyal to Takumi. He talks about his friend's victories with far more excitement than Takumi himself does and takes pride in being close to Akina's fastest driver. His lack of discretion occasionally causes trouble, but the admiration is genuine rather than opportunistic.

Romantically, Itsuki is earnest but unlucky. His tendency to become emotionally invested quickly leaves him vulnerable to disappointment, especially when his idealized expectations clash with other people's circumstances.

Itsuki begins as an inexperienced driver whose theoretical knowledge exceeds his practical skill. He understands that the AE86 has legendary status among enthusiasts but lacks the expertise to distinguish one confidently from the superficially similar AE85 when making his first purchase.

His Toyota Corolla Levin SR AE85 uses the less powerful 3A-U engine rather than the 4A-GE fitted to an AE86 GT-APEX. The difference means Itsuki cannot depend on acceleration or engine power when driving with faster cars.

Takumi's demonstration in the AE85 teaches him the value of maintaining momentum. Itsuki subsequently works on basic drifting, corner entry, throttle control, and confidence rather than immediately replacing the car.

He later installs a turbocharger on the AE85, raising its output considerably and giving the car enough performance to feel substantially different from its original naturally aspirated configuration. The modification does not make Itsuki an elite racer, but it reflects his decision to invest in the car he actually owns rather than continue wishing it were an Eight-Six.

Itsuki's greatest improvement is psychological. He becomes less embarrassed by his slower car and more willing to drive according to his own level instead of measuring himself entirely against Takumi.

Itsuki works at the same gas station as Takumi and is one of the first characters to introduce him to the language and culture of organized street racing. Ironically, Itsuki understands the scene but initially fails to recognize that his own best friend is the mysterious downhill driver attracting attention throughout Gunma.

When the RedSuns arrive at Akina, Itsuki becomes increasingly excited about the prospect of the SpeedStars defending their home course. Takumi's eventual emergence as the AE86 driver astonishes him and transforms his friendship into a front-row view of Takumi's rapid rise.

Itsuki later saves money to buy what he believes is an AE86 Corolla Levin. After proudly showing the car to his friends, he learns that it is actually an AE85. The mistake devastates him until Takumi drives the car on Akina and proves that even an underpowered vehicle can be fast in capable hands.

Itsuki subsequently identifies himself with the Akina SpeedStars despite remaining more of an enthusiastic amateur than a serious team competitor. His presence keeps the series connected to ordinary car enthusiasts whose love of racing does not automatically translate into extraordinary ability.

His friendship with Kazumi Akiyama develops after he meets her through her brother Wataru Akiyama. Their relationship becomes one of Itsuki's more serious personal storylines as he tries to balance his enthusiasm, insecurity, and hopes for a future together.

Kazumi ultimately decides not to pursue the relationship in the way Itsuki hopes, leaving him devastated but more emotionally mature. He continues working, driving the AE85, and remaining connected to the Akina group rather than letting the rejection define him.

Itsuki appears less frequently once Project D takes Takumi away from Akina, but he remains part of Takumi's home life and one of the friends who follow the team's progress.

Takumi Fujiwara is Itsuki's best friend and the driver he admires most. Takumi Fujiwara responds to Itsuki's mistakes without the contempt Itsuki fears from serious racers, particularly when he demonstrates the potential of the AE85 rather than mocking him for buying it.

Koichiro Iketani is Itsuki's senior coworker and leader of the Akina SpeedStars. Koichiro Iketani shares Itsuki's enthusiasm for racing but has more driving experience, making him one of the younger man's earliest guides into the local scene.

Kenji is another Akina SpeedStars regular and part of the group around the gas station. Kenji, Iketani, and Itsuki frequently discuss races, cars, and Takumi's increasingly improbable victories together.

Kazumi Akiyama becomes Itsuki's most important romantic interest. Kazumi Akiyama encourages some of his development as a driver, but their relationship is complicated by distance, timing, and different expectations.

Wataru Akiyama is Kazumi's older brother and an AE86 Corolla Levin driver. Itsuki admires Wataru Akiyama's car and driving, and their connection further reinforces Itsuki's fascination with the Levin side of the AE86 family.

Shingo Shoji becomes a dangerous enemy during the NightKids conflict. In the anime, Shingo Shoji deliberately makes contact with Itsuki's car during an encounter, contributing to Takumi's anger and decision to confront him.