“Grip: A Toyota Story” is a futuristic animated collection following one crew’s campaign in opposition to soulless autonomous autos within the identify of driving freedom
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by Sam D. Smith
February 23, 2024 at 21:09
Toyota has so much to thank anime for. Regardless of being first launched in 1998 (and the manga relationship again three years earlier), the Preliminary D collection is broadly recognized at present for catapulting the Toyota AE86 in direction of changing into a cult basic.
The Japanese automaker desires to duplicate this technique with its personal entry into the animated realm. “Grip: A Toyota Story” is a five-episode collection that can stream on-line, launching on the twenty sixth of Could.
The plot line is one thing most fans can get behind. The protagonist, Jae Kang, battles the “evils of soulless automated driving.” Set someday sooner or later, the premise of a fictitious tech firm controlling a fleet of cookie-cutter autonomous autos, all within the identify of security and comfort, actually isn’t that far-fetched.
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Associated: Toyota Faucets Into The AE86’s Anime Fame With Preliminary D-Impressed GR86 Commercials
Evidently, Toyota desires us to think about them because the saviors of driving engagement, and to be honest, a few of their newest creations lend that notion an excessive amount of credence. Undoubtedly, the anime might be chock-full of their GR merchandise, with the trailer that includes a GR Corolla and a GR Supra, whereas the GR86 additionally options in promotional materials. And we’d be disenchanted if a few of their basic creations didn’t present up in some type or one other.
Along with Corolla-driving protagonist Kang, different characters launched are the pink-haired Linh “Nitro” Lam behind the wheel of the Supra, Kumal Jo piloting the cup-liveried GR86, and Grasp Rugu, the mentor. Additionally showcased is Dr. Aron Synth, the CEO of SynthCorp, who’s described as a well-known driver, now hellbent on eradicating human driving. For optimum baddie factors, Synth’s campaign follows the lack of his hand.
Admittedly closely impressed by Preliminary D and its sequel M F Ghost, it isn’t the primary time Toyota has embraced animation to advertise its merchandise. In 2022, a collection of quick commercials have been launched, that includes the GR86 teaming up with the Fujiwara AE86 from the Preliminary D universe. The brand new collection additionally echoes an analogous transfer by Acura final 12 months, the place they launched the brand new NSX Sort S and Integra Sort S over two seasons.
The five-episode collection of Grip will air on Toyota’s web site on the twenty sixth of February, 2024.
