Itsuki Takeuchi, Takumi Fujiwara's best friend since middle school, works alongside him and fellow Akina SpeedStars member Koichiro Iketani at an Esso gas station in Shibukawa. His loud, enthusiastic, and occasionally obnoxious personality provides comic relief, fueled by a deep passion for street racing and aspirations to join the SpeedStars. Mistakenly purchasing a Toyota Corolla Levin SR (AE85) instead of the coveted AE86, Itsuki initially feels humiliated by its inferior power, brakes, chassis bracing, and suspension. His outlook transforms when Takumi demonstrates the car's potential during an impromptu downhill race, inspiring Itsuki to practice driving seriously. He later installs a turbocharger and self-proclaims SpeedStars membership. His racing involvement includes an impromptu downhill battle against Myogi NightKids member Shingo Shoji on Akina. Driving his AE85 against Shingo's Honda Civic, Itsuki crashes after being bumped, suffering minor injuries and hospitalization. This incident prompts Takumi to challenge Shingo for revenge. Romantically, Itsuki faces setbacks. His first love, Saori, ends their relationship after the traumatic crash with Shingo. Later, he develops feelings for Kazumi after admiring her brother Wataru's AE86 Levin. Though Kazumi initially reciprocates and teaches him drifting techniques, she departs for Saitama with her brother, leaving him heartbroken. They reunite during Project D's race against Sakamoto, but Kazumi ultimately rejects him. Later, in *MF Ghost*, Itsuki remains in Shibukawa, still working at the gas station—now converted to a charging station. Married with children, he maintains his friendship with Takumi and supports Kanata Katagiri (Takumi's student) and new racing star Sena Kobayakawa. Physically, Itsuki stands 163 cm (5'4") tall and weighs 55 kg (121 lbs). His interests include Taiwanese bananas, race cars, and racers, while he dislikes front-wheel-drive vehicles, automatic transmissions, and diesel engines. He possesses the notable skill of "getting air" on hilly roads, offering little advantage in actual racing. Throughout the *New Initial D the Movie* trilogy, compiled in *Battle Digest*, Itsuki appears during gas station scenes, accepts a challenge from Takeshi Nakazato on Takumi's behalf without consent, and proudly acquires his AE85. He faces mockery from the NightKids over the car before Takumi intervenes.