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Japanese pop-culture and motorsport are converging once again as the hit anime and mobile gaming franchise Umamusume Pretty Derby joins the 2026 MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix as an official event partner
Organisers announced that the collaboration will take place during the race weekend scheduled from 2 to 4 October at the Mobility Resort Motegi in Tochigi Prefecture.
The partnership features extensive trackside branding alongside special appearances designed to engage both anime fans and motorsport enthusiasts.
The headline feature of the collaboration is a massive display stretching 155m along a wall near the Green Campsite and Turn 4 of Motegi's former oval course
Standing approximately 4.8m tall, the installation showcases eight popular characters from the franchise: Vodka, Daiwa Scarlet, Oguri Cap, Tamamo Cross, Jungle Pocket, Agnes Tachyon, Almond Eye, and Lucky Lilac.
The grand display will remain in place at the circuit long after the Grand Prix weekend concludes, until 8 November.
In addition to the main wall display, attendees will find another Umamusume installation positioned at the grandstand entrance, as well as a four-sided photo zone set up on the Central Entrance lawn area
The photo zone will be available exclusively during the race weekend and will feature custom artwork commissioned specifically for the event.
Adding a live element to the promotional effort, voice actor Tomoyo Takayanagi, who voices the character Oguri Cap, will make a guest appearance at the venue on 4 October. Takayanagi has been assigned to wave the checkered flag at the finish line for both the Moto3 and Moto2 races.
Tomoyo Takayanagi and her character, Oguri Cap.
Image via Screenshot by SAYSCross-promotional partnerships between anime franchises and professional racing teams have become increasingly common across Japan's motorsport landscape
Umamusume previously established a presence in professional racing through a partnership with Pacific Racing Team in Japan's premier GT racing series, Super GT.
For their 2026 campaign, the team fielded the PACIFIC Umamusume NAC BMW, featuring character liveries of Special Week, Maruzensky, Rice Shower, Winning Ticket, Curren Chan, and Buena Vista.
The PACIFIC Umamusume NAC BMW is seen adorned with Umamusume characters.
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