We are thrilled to announce that over the next few weeks, we will be debuting “The Art of Driving” exclusively on the official Forza YouTube channel. Through a trio of documentary-style episodes, you will get an intimate look at the talented artists we’ve partnered with and uncover the inspiration behind the original works created specifically for Forza Horizon 6.
Catch a glimpse of what’s in store by watching the teaser video below:
As we prepared to bring the Horizon Festival to Japan, our goal was to ensure every nuance deepened your immersion within the game world. We have collaborated with nine Japanese artists to bring their unique visions to life throughout the landscape of Forza Horizon 6. These designs are authentic, deeply influenced by the very regions that inspired the game’s overall design.
We cannot wait for you to navigate the map, discover these murals for yourself, and capture them for your Collection Journal.
Pictured above (left to right): Naoshi, Kenji Iwasaki, Lady Aiko, Okuyama Taiki, Wakana Yamazaki, and Tatsuro Kiuchi.
Here are the brilliant creators whose stunning murals you will encounter across Horizon Japan when the game launches this May:
| Artist | Website | Social |
|---|---|---|
| Kenji Iwasaki | N/A | @kenjiwasaki |
| Okuyama Taiki | okuyamataiki.com | @okuyama.taiki |
| Kazuhisa Uragami | 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 | inkoredible | @inko_dokotei |
To prepare you for “The Art of Driving” series, this article introduces the first three featured artists: Dragon76, Kazuhisa, and Inko. We hope you find their creative process as fascinating as we do.
Dragon76
Satoshi Fujita, professionally known as Dragon76, synthesizes street art, graffiti, manga, and traditional Ukiyo-e into vibrant, energetic compositions that strive to “touch the soul.” Born in 1976 in Shiga, Japan, his work probes the coexistence of opposites—such as past versus future, stillness versus motion, and light versus shadow. His art has graced galleries, music festivals, and apparel, and it now finds a home in Forza Horizon 6’s Japan.
His in-game mural draws heavily from the Nebuta Festival and the Tohoku legend of Susanoo facing the dragon. The piece adopts a contemporary, cyberpunk aesthetic, reimagining classic festival iconography with historical motifs to illustrate the continuity between ancient heritage and the future.
Artist Satoshi Fujita (Dragon76)
“The Nebuta Festival is famous for its massive, illuminated floats constructed from washi paper and wire, often depicting figures from Japanese mythology,” Fujita explains. “For this project, I reinterpreted the mythological figure Susanoo-no-Mikoto and a dragon, rendering them in a near-future style.”
Central to the design is the inclusion of the “OUROBOROS,” a symbol of a serpent or dragon consuming its own tail, representing the cyclical nature and connection between the old and the new.
Kazuhisa Uragami
Tokyo-based illustrator Kazuhisa Uragami specializes in capturing the atmospheric nuances and emotions of modern Japanese life. His work, which spans advertising and publishing, seamlessly weaves cultural storytelling with a contemporary visual language.
Kazuhisa begins his process with digital sketching, exploring character dynamics and composition. For Forza Horizon 6, he developed a “noble outsider” character, drawing from mythology, maritime history, and industrial motifs.
Illustrator Kazuhisa Uragami
“Rather than just an outlaw, I envisioned a ‘noble outsider’—a figure driven by a personal sense of justice and independence,” says Kazuhisa. “I combined piratical themes with mechanical elements, incorporating gears and metallic components into the costume to reflect Kyushu’s rich industrial heritage.”
The resulting mural is a vibrant, culturally charged aesthetic that bridges the gap between traditional history and modern energy. “The red scarf pays homage to classic Japanese hero archetypes while also symbolizing Kyushu as a ‘land of fire,'” he notes. “The background, inspired by Kitakyushu’s factories, uses light and sparks to reflect enduring strength and craftsmanship.”
Inko Ai Takita
Manga artist and illustrator Inko Ai Takita draws inspiration from Buddhist temple aesthetics, traditional folktales, and comedy. Having contributed to global books and games, Inko took a different approach for Forza Horizon 6: she designed nine distinct manga-style characters for the billboards lining Shibuya Crossing.
Each character began as a hand-drawn sketch before being digitally finalized for the game. Her designs reflect the local culture, blending music, fashion, and food into a lively, vibrant interpretation of Shibuya.
Manga artist Inko Ai Takita
Here is a closer look at the nine characters featured at the Shibuya Crossing:
- Mr. Hot Bun Man: Inspired by the traditional Japanese sweet Jumangoku Manju, a specialty of Gyoda City.
- Chika Pin: A character embodying the bold, rebellious aesthetic of Tokyo’s Kogal and Gyaruo fashion subcultures.
- Jun: A fan of the uncanny and the strange, inspired by horror manga traditions and artist Junji Ito.
- Prof Hondo: A character derived from the diverse spirit of Chiba Prefecture and the native hondoten (Japanese marten).
- Sakura Fukatsu: Represents the chilling beauty of Edo-period aesthetics and Sumida Ward’s legendary horror history.
- Norio-kun: A tribute to Chiba’s maritime heritage, fishing culture, and vibrant music scene.
- Nozomi: Inspired by the playful, colorful comedy and fashion scene found in Ibaraki Prefecture.
- Ryuko: Captures the intense “delinquent” aesthetic of local youth street fashion.
- Yazzy: Influenced by Kawasaki’s hip-hop culture, blending the city’s gritty industrial roots with creative musical energy.
Japan Awaits!
Experience these murals for yourself when Forza Horizon 6 launches on May 19 for Xbox Series X|S and PC, with a PlayStation 5 release coming later this year. Premium Edition owners receive Early Access, and Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass members can purchase the Premium Upgrade to start playing up to four days early, beginning May 15.
Pre-orders are now available on the Microsoft Store and Steam. Secure your copy before launch to receive an exclusive, pre-tuned Ferrari J50. You can also add the game to your Wishlist on the PlayStation Store to be notified of its arrival.
Join the conversation regarding Forza Horizon 6 on our official Forza Discord server. For all the latest news from the Horizon Festival, be sure to follow @ForzaHorizon on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter).