Would it be possible? The future of ToyotaThe performance program revealed to the whole world… in a cartoon? Hey, maybe we’re making something out of nothing. Or maybe we’re not.

Toyota launched an original animated series, GRIP: A Toyota storyin February. Basically, it’s car marketing in cartoon form. However, at the enthusiast level, HANDLE delivers a quick jolt of exhaust excitement inspired by none other than Initial Dthe iconic Japanese manga about street racing that gained a worldwide fandom. In HANDLEits protagonists are also a team of young but experienced racers, but the stakes are higher.

The “fun of driving has been virtually extinguished” in their metropolitan city by Synthcorp. In the opening scene of the show, a blue GR Corolle blends in with busy city traffic, but is immediately a problem in a sea of ​​gray self-driving vehicles that look the same.

“Ugh, look at these stupid metal sheep everywhere,” the show’s hero/idol says in exasperation. The leader of these emotionless automobile robots is a winner-at-all-costs egomaniac who is “determined to eradicate human driving.” This looks like the not too distant future, I’m not going to lie.

Nonetheless, it’s entertainment. Everything on screen was put there on purpose. This is not a live-action production where prop errors occur (amirite, Got fans?). In HANDLEno matter how painfully short the episodes are (about a minute each, not counting the title sequence) or how gripping the cliffhangers are, our protagonists are loud and proud Toyota fans. If they don’t wear designer clothes, they drive a GR Corolla, GR SupraOr GR86.

So when the GRIP team mentor is standing in his Toyota Gazoo Racing sanctuary of a garage next to a whiteboard with car stuff written on it, we press pause, take a screenshot and think about the meaning of the scribbles.

“Supra MK6. Celica MK8. MR2 MK4. GR86 MK3. GR GT3.

Oh, that’s right, whatever. It’s a cartoon! None of these cars will actually exist. RIGHT?

Well, let’s see. The current Supra is dead because the BMW Z4 it’s based on it’s going to disappear soon. But then Toyota said it doesn’t need BMW to keep building a Supra. And Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda continues I’m promoting the return of the Celicaeven hanging out with “Mr. Célica” at local rally races.

Recent rumors suggest a return for the MR2 too, but with an all-wheel drive setup. MR2x2 SO? I’m sure Toyota can come up with a convoluted name that sounds like bZ4X. Strong sales of the GR86 make its next-generation model a no-brainer, and that could be a hybrid with a power boost if foreign shipments are to be believed. And the GR GT3? Whether it ultimately wears a Toyota or Lexus badge, he was seen (and heard) at the world’s most famous proving ground.

Or maybe all this (perhaps misguided) overthinking was the real intention of the HANDLE artists. Well done then, disguised as an anime. Well done. Don’t tell me GR clothing isn’t real, because these jackets are adorable.

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