Toyota has brought one of the most recognizable feats from Initial D into the real world, partnering with the iconic street racing franchise to demonstrate precision driving. In a video released on the Toyota Drivers YouTube channel, driver Keizō Katō takes an AE86 Corolla Levin—the sister car to the series' famous Sprinter Trueno—onto a test course. The demonstration mirrors the legendary training sessions of protagonist Takumi Fujiwara, requiring the driver to drift through corners without spilling a single drop from a cup placed in the car.
The collaboration was timed to coincide with the unofficial 'Tofu Day' on October 2, a date chosen for its Japanese wordplay on the numbers ten (tō) and two (fu). To bridge the gap between reality and the source material, the promotional video is edited with panels and sound effects pulled directly from Shūichi Shigeno’s original manga, which first debuted in 1995.
While the original Initial D anime concluded its run in 2014, the franchise remains active through its successor series, MF Ghost. That sequel, which ran in manga form until 2025, has already seen an anime adaptation, with a fourth and final season currently in development following an announcement earlier this year. For those looking to replicate the stunt on a smaller scale, the campaign also highlights miniature dashboard replicas and RC car alternatives.
