The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006) is an action-packed film directed by Justin Lin and written by Chris Morgan. As the third movie in the Fast & Furious franchise, it serves as a standalone sequel to both The Fast and the Furious (2001) and 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003). In Oro Valley, Arizona, high school student Sean Boswell finds himself in trouble when he races against classmate Clay. Their cars collide, resulting in a crash that leads to Sean being sent to live with his father – a U.S. Navy lieutenant stationed in Tokyo – instead of facing jail time for his repeated offenses. During his time there, he befriends Twinkie, a military brat who introduces him to drift racing. After getting into a disagreement with Takashi (also known as the Drift King or DK) over Takashi’s girlfriend Neela, Sean agrees to race Takashi’s Nissan Fairlady Z33 using a Silvia S15 Spec-S lent to him by retired drift racer Han Lue. However, Sean’s lack of experience with drifting causes him to wreck the Silvia and lose the race.

For the debt he owes, Sean agrees to work under Han’s guidance. Under Han’s tutelage, Sean learns the skill of drift racing and gains recognition for standing up to Takashi – a man with connections to the yakuza through his uncle, Kamata. Sean hones his skills by practicing in a 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX and earns even more admiration after defeating Takashi’s second-in-command, Morimoto. As their bond strengthens, Han and Sean become close friends. Eventually, Sean asks Neela out on a date; however, Neela reveals that she had been living with Takashi’s grandmother following her mother’s death. An angry Takashi attacks Sean the next day, warning him to stay away from Neela. Fed up with Takashi’s behavior, Neela moves in with Sean and Han.