Over the coming weeks, we’re excited to premiere ‘The Art of Driving’ on the official Forza YouTube channel. Across three documentary-style episodes, you will get to meet some of the artists we’ve collaborated with and discover the inspirations behind the new, original art they’ve created for Forza Horizon 6.
Check out the teaser video below for a preview of what you can look forward to:
When we knew we were taking the Horizon Festival to Japan, we wanted to ensure that every detail would immerse you even further into the game world. In total, nine Japanese artists have their visions brought to life in Forza Horizon 6. These designs are original and authentic, with inspiration drawn from the very regions which inspired much of the game design of Forza Horizon 6 itself.
We can't wait for you to explore the map, discover these murals for yourself, and capture snaps of them for your Collection Journal.
Artists featured above from left to right include Naoshi, Kenji Iwasaki, Lady Aiko, Okuyama Taiki, Wakana Yamazaki, and Tatsuro Kiuchi.
Here are the brilliant artists whose stunning creations you will get to discover in Horizon Japan as murals when the game releases this May:
| Artist | Website | Social |
|---|---|---|
| Kenji Iwasaki | N/A | @kenjiwasaki |
| Okuyama Taiki | okuyamataiki.com | @okuyama.taiki |
| KazuhisaUragami | kazuhisauragami.com | @kazuhisauragami |
| Wakana Yamazaki | N/A | @wakanayamazaki |
| Tatsuro Kiuchi | tatsurokiuchi.com | @tatsurokiuchi |
| Naoshi | nao-shi.com | @naoshisunae |
| Lady Aiko | ladyaiko.com | @ladyaiko_nyc |
| Dragon76 | dragon76art.com | @dragon76art |
| Inko Takita | dokoteiinko.wixsite.com/inkoredible | @inko_dokotei |
As a precursor to the upcoming Art of Driving series, in this blog, we’re introducing you to the three distinct artists that will be featured in those videos: Dragon76, Kazuhisa, and Inko. We hope you enjoy it!
Satoshi Fujita, also known as artist Dragon76, blends street art, graffiti, manga, and Ukiyo-e into vibrant, energetic works that in his words, “touch the soul.” Born 1976 in Shiga, Japan, his unique art explores the “coexistence” of opposites, such as past and future, stillness and motion, as well as good and evil. His work has appeared in galleries, music events, clothing ranges, and now Forza Horizon 6’s Japan.
The mural in the game takes inspiration from the Nebuta Festival and the Tohoku myth of Susanoo vs. the dragon. The result is a contemporary, cyberpunk-inspired style, one which reimagines traditional festival imagery with historical motifs and shows the continuity between the past and the future.
“The Nebuta Festival features massive, illuminated floats called ‘nebuta,’ constructed from washi paper and wire, often depicting figures from Japanese mythology,” Fujita said.
“For this piece, I reimagined one of the most frequently portrayed mythological figures, Susanoo-no-Mikoto, along with a dragon, and rendered them in a near-futuristic style,” he continued.
Central to the piece is the inclusion of the word “OUROBOROS”, a symbol of a dragon biting its own tail to form a circle. This detail represents the connection between old and new.
Meanwhile, the warrior depicted as the protagonist was inspired by dragon deities that have been revered in Japan for centuries. It connects to one of the Nebuta Festival’s most iconic floats, which depicts the ancient myth of Susanoo slaying a dragon with his sword.
Kazuhisa Uragami is a Tokyo-based illustrator whose work captures the mood and emotion of contemporary life in Japan. His work is featured across advertising, publishing, and editorial projects, blending cultural storytelling with modern aesthetics.
Kazuhisa begins his creative process with digital sketches to explore composition and character design. In Forza Horizon 6, his piece represents a “noble outsider” hero, inspired by mythology, maritime history, and industrial landscapes.
“Rather than depicting a simple outlaw, I envisioned a ‘noble outsider’ — a figure guided by personal justice and independence,” Kazuhisa said. “I merged the pirate image with mechanical elements, incorporating gears and metal components into the costume to reflect Kyushu’s industrial heritage.”
The result is a dynamic, culturally rich, and modern aesthetic that evokes both tradition and contemporary energy.
“The red scarf serves as a tribute to classic Japanese hero imagery, while also symbolizing Kyushu as a ‘land of fire,’” the artist explained. “In the background, I depicted an industrial landscape inspired by Kitakyushu’s factories, adding sparks and glowing light reminiscent of steelworks to express enduring craftsmanship and strength.”
The mural draws on Kyushu’s deep connections to Japanese mythology and history. “Kyushu is surrounded by the sea and shaped by volcanoes and hot springs, while also holding a deep history of overseas trade and industrial development,” the artist told us. “I was drawn to the way powerful natural forces and man-made structures exist side by side.”
“Ultimately, I aimed to bring together the contrasting yet coexisting elements of fire and sea, nature and industry within a single hero — expressing the resilience and pride unique to Kyushu,” Kazuhisa concluded.
Japanese manga artist and illustrator Inko Ai Takita is inspired by Buddhist temple art, folktales, and comedy shows. Her work appears in books and games worldwide, and unlike the other artists in Forza Horizon 6, Inko designed nine manga characters for billboards populating the Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo.
These characters were originally hand-sketched before being digitally illustrated and brought to life in the game. Inko drew inspiration from music, fashion, and food to create a diverse, lively take of Shibuya that blends regional culture with manga artistry.
Here’s a closer look at each of the nine characters featured at the Shibuya Crossing:
Mr. Hot Bun Man was inspired by Jumangoku Manju, a traditional Japanese sweet and local specialty of Gyoda City in Saitama Prefecture.
In the background, Inko designed a traditional house crest, a motif commonly stamped onto the buns themselves.
Chika Pin is inspired by the iconic Tokyo fashion subculture known as Kogal – a style defined by bold, playful, and rebellious self-expression. The concept also draws from the male counterpart to this movement, Shibuya Gyaruo, characterized by extravagant fashion, dramatic makeup, and dyed hair.
Inko created a character that embodies both the Kogal and Gyaruo aesthetics, capturing the color, energy, and personality of Shibuya’s street fashion culture.
Jun loves drawing strange and unusual creatures. Her character design was inspired by eerie folklore and Junji Ito, the renowned horror manga artist from Gifu.
Jun embodies a blend of curiosity, creativity, and fascination with the uncanny, capturing the spirit of young horror manga enthusiasts.
Prof Hondo is a character inspired by the diverse personalities of Chiba Prefecture. It also draws inspiration from the hondoten (Japanese marten), a native animal of Chiba.
Sakura Fukatsu embodies the eerie beauty and cultural weight of classic Japanese horror.
The character wears a traditional Edo-period kimono and captures the essence of Sumida Ward’s horror legacy, blending folklore, urban myth, and historical aesthetics into a visually striking figure.
Norio-kun is a character inspired by Chiba’s strong maritime heritage, particularly its fishing industry and famous local products.
In addition to its sea-focused culture, Chiba is known for its vibrant music scene, which adds a lively, playful dimension to the character.
Nozomi is a character inspired by the vibrant comedy and the fashion scene of Ibaraki Prefecture.
Ryuko embodies a scary delinquent aesthetic, featuring bold and exaggerated clothing that reflects the distinctive local youth fashion culture.
Yazzy is a character inspired by the hip-hop culture of Kawasaki. Her design draws on the region’s industrial roots, capturing both the grit and creativity of the area’s music scene.
Get up close with each of the murals and photograph them all when Forza Horizon 6 releases on Xbox Series X|S consoles and PC on May 19, followed by PlayStation 5 later this year. Early Access is included in the Premium Edition, and Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members can purchase the Premium Upgrade to play the full game up to four days early starting on May 15.
Pre-orders are now live on Microsoft Store and Steam. If you purchase the game before its release, you will receive an exclusive, pre-tuned Ferrari J50! You can also add the game to your Wishlist on the PlayStation Store to be notified of availability.
Chat about everything Forza Horizon 6 related in our Forza Discord server. Plus, be sure to follow @ForzaHorizon social channels on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) to get all the latest updates from the Horizon Festival.
