Fourth Stage Plot
This series focuses on the exploits of the new team founded by Ryosuke, Project.D, which is composed of Ryosuke (leader and strategist), downhill specialist Takumi, uphill specialist Keisuke, and a staff consisting primarily of members of the Akagi Red Suns. The team travels the region, challenging other teams and posting the results of the battles on their website. Each race is intended by Ryosuke to develop a specific area of his drivers' skills. By this time, Takumi matures slowly into a more confident and knowledgeable street racer, while Keisuke improves on his technical driving skills. Takumi instinctively develops many new techniques through his own ingenuity after some prompting by Ryosuke, such as "Blind Attack", a passing with his headlights off so that his opponent is unable to see him coming and block him, and using weight shifting to execute manoeuvres similar to the gutter-hook technique on Akina.
Initial D Fourth Stage aired on April 17th, 2004.
Fourth Stage Episodes
1. Project D
Project D's reputation is growing with every race. The team's next match pits Takumi against a downhill racer with technique very similar to his own.
2. Full Speed! Downhill Battle
Tohru's promised to quit racing forever if he loses his next match. The course is dangerous, and with Project D's downhill specialist on his tail, one wrong move could spell disaster.
3. The Most Powerful Man of the Toudou School
The guys of Project D are great at keeping their cool, but the pressure can't be denied as they prepare to face their next opponents - the students of the Toudou Racing School.
4. Two Pieces of Advice
The Toudou School's driver could be the toughest Takumi's ever faced. If Project D is to claim victory, Takumi would be wise to listen to Ryosuke's advice.
5. The Starting Line to Victory
The Toudou School brings in a professional driver to face Project D in a rematch. With reputations on the line, Ryosuke must decide who will represent the team.
6. Blind Attack
The Toudou School's driver knows all about exploiting a challenger's blind spot. If Takumi hopes to win, he'll have to find a way to leave his opponent in the dark.
7. The 85's Raging Turbo
A New nightmarish opponent arrives on Mt. Akina challenging Takumi in a downhill battle. Also, Itsuki gets a new upgrade for his Eight-Five as it is demonstrated on the downhill.
8. Fateful Battle of FDs
Keisuke meets a girl named Kyoko, who happens to be a fellow FD driver. Their first encounter is pleasant and leaves her weak in the knees. Their second encounter is a race on her turf.
9. Kyoko's Confession
Hoping to keep up with Takumi's growth as a racer, Keisuke's spending most of his spare time driving. He's not interested in distractions - and that could spell heartbreak for Kyoko.
10. The Saitama Area's Ultimate Weapon
Project D might be in trouble. The leader of the Northern Saitama Alliance has recruited a bold new driver to face Takumi. Ryosuke knows victory isn't a sure thing, and as the race begins, so does a heavy rain.
11. Rainy Downhill Battle
Takumi struggles to keep up with the Northern Saitama Alliance's Cappuccino. As the rain soaks the course, both teams find their confidence wavering - it seems the race could go either way.
12. Straightaway of Struggles
Takumi is locked in the toughest race of his career! With Ryosuke's odd advice echoing in his mind, and the Cappuccino still leading, his decision in the last straightaway will be the difference in victory or defeat.
13. Motivation
Keisuke and Wataru's grueling race continues in the pouring rain. Meanwhile, the Cappuccino driver picks Takumi's brain, trying to better understand his amazing abilities behind the wheel.
14. Sad Lonely Driver
After driving the Impreza, Takumi begins to question his abilities behind the wheel of the Eight-Six. Itsuki's got his own emotional turmoil after a date with Kasumi takes an unexpected turn.
15. 4WD Complex
Takumi continues wrestling with the differences in his Eight-Six and the Impreza. Later, when Keisuke falls prey to a trap set by Project D's next opponents, the upcoming race could be over before it begins.
16. Hillclimb of Fury
The damage to Keisuke's car might prevent him from driving in the uphill race. Just as it looks like he's out of options, Kyoko arrives on the scene in her FD.
17. The Saitama Area's Final Battle
The Lan EVO drivers have proven to be Project D's shadiest opponents yet. They've already shown their willingness to cheat - and now they've threatened Takumi's team with physical violence.
18. Last Drive
Kyoko is delighted to spend a day with Keisuke while his car's in the shop. She likes him more than ever, but with his skills growing, Keisuke's never been more focused on driving.
19. God Foot and God Arm
Project D's next match is against a pair of legendary racers. The veteran drivers of Purple Shadow may be a lot older than Takumi's crew, but they aren't rusty. In fact, their skills are as sharp as polished blades.
20. The Unmatched GT-R!
Keisuke climbs behind the wheel of his newly modified FD to take on the legendary God Foot's GT-R! The race will be tougher - and longer - than normal. Luckily, Ryosuke's got a plan.
21. Dogfight
The battle between the FD and GT-R continues, however the real battle has just begun. Now, Hoshino demonstrates his unique driving skills that people call the impossible earning him the name Godfoot. This makes Keisuke’s true racing abilities appear when it’s pushed beyond his limits as both drivers begin to drive recklessly forcing the battle to be settled in more than just one battle.
22. The Sorcerer of the Single-Handed Steer
God Arm's unexpected moves and legendary steering skills have Project D's downhill ace feeling the pressure - and it doesn't help that Takumi's mind keeps drifting back to the Impreza.
23. Endless Battle
Takumi's greatest strength is his greatest weakness in the match with God Arm. The race has become an endurance test, and both drivers are wearing thin. Something's got to give - and soon.
24. The Never-Ending Challenge
Takumi and God Arm speed toward the finish line. After the race ends, the rising star looks to the legend for a lesson in technique - and Project D looks into the future where new challengers wait for their shot.