Koichiro Iketani, known as Cole in the Tokyopop English adaptation, is a prominent supporting character who serves as the founder and leader of the Akina SpeedStars, a local street racing team based around Mount Akina. By day, he works alongside Takumi Fujiwara and Itsuki Takeuchi at a gas station, and he is a passionate car enthusiast who drives a Nissan Silvia K's S13. Iketani is characterized by his friendly, well-meaning nature and his deep dedication to his team and friends. He acts as a supportive mentor to younger racers, taking pride in his leadership role. Despite his knowledge and loyalty, he is not an exceptionally gifted driver compared to the top-tier talents in the series, and he possesses an awkward, somewhat dense approach to personal relationships, particularly in his romantic pursuit of Mako Sato. This relationship, which forms a key emotional subtext for his character in the Extra Stage OVA, highlights his tendency to jump to conclusions and his struggles with self-confidence, though he is quick to learn from his mistakes and remains a steadfast figure. His primary motivations stem from a deep passion for street racing and fierce loyalty to the SpeedStars. He is driven by a desire to protect his team's reputation and consistently improve his own driving skills. In the broader narrative, Iketani plays a pivotal role as the catalyst for Takumi Fujiwara's legendary racing career, having unknowingly approached Takumi's father for help defending the team against the Akagi RedSuns. His key relationships include his role as a mentor figure to Takumi and Itsuki, his close friendship with fellow SpeedStar Kenji, and his emotionally complicated dynamic with Mako Sato of the Impact Blue team. Over the course of the series, Iketani undergoes subtle development; he consciously works to overcome his fear of car slides and improve his technique, and he matures into a leader who finds fulfillment in supporting his friends rather than seeking personal glory. His notable abilities include his extensive automotive expertise and his status as the most accomplished driver within the Akina SpeedStars, skillfully piloting his turbocharged Silvia in downhill races despite not reaching the prodigious heights of the series elite.