Q1 : Where should I start playing if I'm new to the game?

As the initial Story Mode advances, your rivals will get faster. Their level of difficulty supposes that your car is getting faster due to Tuning (Step-up), so you should start from Episode 1 and continue one episode at a time.

Q2 : I can't choose the 5th episode.

You basically can't play every fifth episode until you've cleared the previous four episodes in Story Mode.

Q3 : I can't choose the 20th episode.

You basically can't play every 20th episode until you've cleared the previous 19 episodes in Story Mode.

Q4 : My rival is too fast, I can't win. (Episode 1 - 20)

The reason that you can't win may be:
　1. a lack of Tuning (Step-up).
　2. a lack of practice.
If it's 1, then it's possible you're attempting higher ranked rivals too quickly. Race rivals that correspond to your car's settings and continue Tuning (Step-up). If it's 2, then you just have to practice.

Q5 : My rival is too fast, I can't win. (After Episode 21)

The reason that you can't win may be:
　1. a lack of Tuning (Step-up).
　2. a lack of practice.
　3. that your settings don't suit the race.
If it's 1 or 2, then the answer is the same as "Q4: My rival is too fast, I can't win. (Episode 1 - 20)." If it's 3, then try to change your car's settings by referencing the course displayed on the Rival Selection Screen.

Q6 : I can't choose anything but Episode 21 after reaching Episode 21.

After Episode 21, you can only progress one episode at a time in line with the progression of the original comic.

Q7 : How many episodes are there in Story Mode?

Story Mode consists of 60 episodes in total. The ending will play when all 60 episodes are cleared. (The difficulty will correspond to the level of tuning on your car. Check your Story Mode progress on the Car Data Confirmation Screen (2/8).)

Q8 : Does the difficulty of Story Mode vary depending on the arcade?

The difficulty of Story Mode is fixed. No matter what arcade you're in, it's the same difficulty.