Ep 4. Two Pieces of Advice

The episode titled "Two Pieces of Advice" is the fourth episode of the third season of Initial D. It opens with Takumi, the protagonist of the show, contemplating the advice he's been given by his father Bunta, a street racer himself and a former champion, about how he needs to change his approach to driving if he wants to keep winning races.

Takumi is still reeling from his loss to the mysterious and talented driver known only as Shinigami in the last race. He's frustrated and feels that he's hit a wall in terms of his abilities as a driver. Bunta has been telling him that he needs to start relying less on his gut instincts and more on strategy and planning, and Takumi has been resisting this advice, feeling that it goes against his natural racing style.

Meanwhile, Takumi's friend and fellow racer Itsuki is dealing with his own issues. He's become obsessed with a girl he saw at a gas station and wants to impress her by learning to drive better. Itsuki turns to Takumi for help, and Takumi agrees to teach him some basic driving techniques.

As the episode progresses, Takumi slowly begins to realize that his father's advice might actually be sound. He starts to experiment with new strategies during practice races and finds that he's able to gain an advantage over his opponents. Meanwhile, Itsuki learns some valuable lessons about driving, but also realizes that impressing a girl is not as easy as he thought.

The episode ends with Takumi facing off against Shinigami once again, but this time, he's armed with a new approach to driving. As the two racers speed through the mountain roads, it's clear that Takumi is a much more focused and strategic driver than he was before. The outcome of the race is left up in the air, but it's clear that Takumi has learned some important lessons about driving and himself.

Overall, "Two Pieces of Advice" is a compelling episode that explores the theme of growth and change. It's not just about racing, but about how we all need to adapt and evolve in order to succeed in life. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the animation is top-notch, with beautifully rendered cars and thrilling race scenes. Fans of the series won't want to miss this episode, which is sure to be a turning point for Takumi and his fellow racers.