After a destructive street racing incident in the US, troubled teenager Sean Boswell avoids jail time by moving to Tokyo to live with his estranged father. In Japan, Sean struggles to fit in and quickly encounters the world of drift racing, a high-octane sport that demands precision sliding of cars through perilous, twisting courses. Enamored by the adrenaline and the escape it offers from his problems, Sean seeks to earn his place in this new underground culture.

Sean befriends Twinkie, a fellow American who introduces him to the racing scene, where he makes a formidable rival in DK, the "Drift King," connected to the yakuza. After an embarrassing defeat, Sean approaches Han, a more seasoned racer with connections to DK, who agrees to mentor him. Dedicated to mastering the art of drifting, Sean immerses himself deeper into the high-stakes world, not realizing the danger and complexity of the relationships built around the sport. As he improves his skills behind the wheel, Sean must navigate through a landscape of loyalties and betrayals, with each race pushing him closer to a confrontation that could have dire consequences.