On a misty dawn, a monochrome Toyota AE86 zooms past Keisuke Takahashi's Mazda RX7 on Mount Akina, convincing him that he has witnessed the specter of a driver who perished there. Determined to vanquish this apparition, Keisuke assembles the Akagi Red Suns to confront the local Akina Speed Stars in a duel race. He expects the contest to coax the elusive "Ghost of Akina" into view, granting him a chance for vengeance over his earlier loss.
While his companion Itsuki Takeuchi is passionate about automobiles and racing, Takumi Fujiwara shows no interest. He cannot grasp the thrill that racers feel, and any mention of cars reminds him of tofu runs he delivers for his father in an aged AE86. His dawn patrol takes him up and down Mount Akina, where he has etched every hairpin, braking point, and corner into memory better than anyone else.
When the Akagi squad shows up one evening to challenge the Speed Stars for a swap race, they accept only to discover they are utterly outmatched. The only chance the Speed Stars have against them is to lure the panda‑colored AE86 onto their side. With a touch of pressure, Takumi grips the wheel of the AE86 and races toward Mount Akina to uphold all racers" honor in the valley. The legend of the mountain grows as drivers whisper of the phantom"s return, promising a showdown that will test skill and spirit.
