Forza Horizon 6's 'Gundam' race celebrates an important part of Japan's culture

Polygon says an early mandatory Forza Horizon 6 race pits players against a giant robot, Chaser Zero, in a Japan-themed spectacle.

The sequence is framed as more than a gimmick, drawing on Japanese mecha and anime traditions with visual nods to Gundam and Sailor Moon.

The report argues that Playground Games and Xbox Game Studios use the moment to present Japanese identity as a blend of car culture, anime, and broader pop culture.

Set around landmarks and cars like Tokyo Tower and the Acura NSX, the race leans into stylized tokusatsu-like energy to sell the setting.