The upcoming entry in the open-world racing franchise, *Forza Horizon 6*, is set to immerse players in a beautifully romanticized vision of Japan. However, judging by the revelations made during the recent Developer Direct livestream, the game is clearly embracing a heavy dose of anime inspiration beneath its hood. Leading this charge is the new “Touge Battle” mode, which looks like an undeniable, high-speed tribute to the cult-classic street-racing phenomenon, *Initial D*.
Playground Games provided a quick rundown of the Touge Battle mode, describing it as a specialized series of tense, nighttime downhill races across winding Japanese mountain passes. To solidify the *Initial D* connection, the gameplay demonstration prominently featured the unmistakable sight of a Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86 expertly drifting through tight corners. This particular vehicle, driven by the protagonist of the legendary manga, remains an enduring icon of street racing culture worldwide.
The influence, however, might stretch beyond mountain drifting. Viewers also caught a brief, intriguing glimpse of what appeared to be a towering, full-sized Gundam mobile suit. Given the franchise’s history of featuring over-the-top showcase races—where drivers have previously gone wheel-to-wheel with fighter jets and steam trains—it seems highly probable that *Forza Horizon 6* will push the envelope further, potentially challenging players to race against a skyscraper-sized robot.