On TV, when Takumi drove the AE86 to reach his guilt-ridden friend Itsuki,
The music in the drama changed in an instant.
Back in Jing Yu's previous life, someone had once said that the reason the 'Initial D' anime became so widespread wasn't just because of its plot, but also due to its incredible soundtrack.
And in the Great Zhou live-action version of 'Initial D', Jing Yu fully carried that spirit over.
From the moment the AE86 began ascending the mountain, all the way to the current face-off with Nakazato—
The atmosphere around them, the crowd encircling the two cars, the tension between the two drivers—
"It's getting intense!"
"So cool!"
"I've never run a mountain race before, but my blood's already boiling."
"The actor playing Nakazato is really good! He's a bit mature-looking, but seriously handsome!"
"It's starting! It's starting!"
If Takumi's race with Kei earlier in 'Initial D' was meant to establish his character and entrance,
then this battle with Nakazato—
Jing Yu used it to showcase both drivers' foundational driving skills and the overall choreography of a proper racing duel.
The whole sequence was done in long, continuous shots.
The roaring GTR and AE86, the screeching tires, the split-screen shots showing their hand and foot coordination—
Before long, viewers in front of their TVs were completely stunned.
Though they were just watching a TV screen, they could clearly feel the speed—and more importantly—
"This feels way too real!"
"Honestly, this scene feels less like a drama and more like a street-racing documentary."
"Most of the detailed shots are focused on Jing Yu—he clearly performed the driving scenes himself. But for Nakazato, most of the shots show just his hands or feet. Rarely his face. And from the way the background trees move outside his window, it's clear the speed isn't quite real—his scenes probably used a stunt double."
"I genuinely admire Teacher Jing Yu. All those great scientists are so distant and abstract—rarely appearing on TV. But Jing Yu is different. He's on TV practically every week. How can one man be so amazing in so many fields?"
"He could've gotten by on looks alone, but insisted on succeeding through talent. I'm dying of envy."
"I want to learn how to drift. I want to learn racing."
"Come on, Nakazato! Don't lose to this monster that is Jing Yu!"
"In 'Your Lie in April', he wowed us with his musical talent. In 'Hikaru no Go', it was his Go skill. Now in 'Initial D', he turns out to be a racing expert. What other hidden talents is he going to reveal next?"
"This race is giving me chills!"
In the drama, every curve packed with onlookers mirrored the viewers' exact feelings—
Too hardcore.
This drama was too hardcore.
If it weren't for the need to follow narrative structure and maintain story interest, many viewers truly believed that Jing Yu could've driven the entire Mt. Akina course in one long unbroken take.
And this episode had another fan-favorite— Ryosuke Takahashi.
With looks on par with Jing Yu, a cool and composed personality, and an established character in the show—
Plus the fact that actor Lin Yan is already a top-tier star in Greater Zhou—
"Ryosuke is really something, too!"
"During Takumi and Nakazato's race, he calmly followed behind them the whole time—didn't fall behind at all."
"I'm doomed, brothers. I don't want to study medicine anymore. Do universities offer racing majors?"
As for the race between Takumi and Nakazato, there weren't many surprises in terms of story beats.
Takumi trailed behind calmly at first, like a ghost.
Midway, Nakazato began to panic and constantly accelerated.
This race alone used four or five different background tracks.
Every single one matched the pacing of the scene perfectly.
At this point, calling 'Initial D' a musical wouldn't be too far off.
And just like the music, the viewership ratings kept climbing with each beat—
7.4%... then 7.41%... 7.43%...
Yunteng TV's data analysts took a sip of water, trying to calm their excitement.
Having worked at Yunteng TV for years, they were deeply attached to the station—and these record-breaking numbers filled them with pride.
Finally—
The race reached the legendary Five Consecutive Hairpin Turns.
In the fan groups, those who liked to comment live while watching suddenly went quiet.
From front to back: Nakazato's GTR, Takumi's AE86, and Takahashi's FD.
The three cars entered the five hairpins in sequence, almost perfectly aligned.
Nakazato, knowing about the drainage ditch technique, stayed on high alert—
He refused to leave any opening on the inside lane.
But Takumi... was going for the outside.
At that moment, the camera cut to a wide shot.
The crowded corner, the reflection off the car windows—it was clearly Jing Yu as Takumi,
driving the AE86 into the bend at high speed, attempting an outside overtake.
The car's rear was so close to the guardrail that it looked like it might fly out of the screen.
The AE86's rear was two centimeters from the guardrail—
No—maybe not even one centimeter!
Viewers collectively held their breath.
And when the AE86 completed the drift without a scratch, many realized they were sweating just from watching.
The background music had gone completely silent at some point.
Then—
The sound of Nakazato's heartbeat started playing.
As his heartbeat quickened, so did the viewers' tension.
Thinking Takumi was trying to overtake from the outside, Nakazato's attention stayed there—
But then, unable to see the AE86 in the rearview mirror, he panicked.
Cut to:
A full, uninterrupted shot of the AE86 performing a perfect drift—
Left side grazing the cliff wall, right wheels still on the road.
No cuts. Jing Yu insisted on shooting the whole movie in one long take.
Suddenly, the music blasted back in.
In an impossible position, the AE86 accelerated mid-corner—
And on the final bend of the five hairpins, it overtook the GTR.
Then came the most stunning moment of 'Initial D' Episode 4.
Nakazato, in a panic, tried to immediately accelerate post-corner, relying on the GTR's power to regain the lead in the straightaway.
But—
The GTR's tires, already worn out, couldn't maintain traction.
The premature acceleration caused loss of control.
Back when this scene was being filmed, the whole crew hesitated.
The AE86 was ahead, so there was no danger if the GTR spun out.
But the FD following behind was at risk.
The FD's stunt driver didn't feel confident pulling off the move as Jing Yu had planned.
So, Jing Yu got in the car himself.
The FD's high-speed evasive maneuver you see on screen?
Performed by Jing Yu himself, the most skilled driver on set.
The GTR stunt driver simulated the loss of control—tires skidding, car crashing into the guardrail—
BANG!!!
Then, during the crash, the GTR spun 540 degrees, sliding sideways into the FD's path.
Viewers' hearts collectively jumped.
Many cried out in front of their screens.
Even if you know it's a TV drama, and even with safety precautions—
At these speeds, a collision like that could still be very real.
In an instant—
The white FD did a quick brake, swung the tail, adjusted the nose, accelerated, adjusted again—
In a Z-shaped dodge, it narrowly avoided the GTR,
Then, it immediately drifted through the final hairpin.
Stunned.
Every 'Initial D' viewer was completely blown away.