
Your artwork has a lighter, more energetic feel – how did you bring that style to Forza Horizon 6?
I wanted the characters to feel vibrant and full of life, creating exciting moments within the game. They’re always moving and expressing themselves – posing, dancing, and just having fun. I based their designs on the history, culture, and people of the Kanto region, incorporating those elements into their visuals and then simplifying them to create the final look.
You frequently blend traditional designs with modern styles – what cultural inspirations did you use for this project?
I love using traditional motifs! For example, the crest of the hot bun shop is my own design, but it’s based on kamon – traditional Japanese family crests. Sakura, the storyteller, wears clothing and carries a candle inspired by storytelling traditions from about 200 years ago, when telling ghost stories was popular in the summer. As she tells each story, she blows out a candle, making the scene darker and adding to the spooky atmosphere.