"Future GPX Cyber Formula," considered a classic Japanese racing anime series, will return to theaters in February 2027 to mark the 35th anniversary of its broadcast. Notably, the official direct sequel short anime "ASURADA," coming 27 years after the final OVA "SIN," will also be released alongside it.
"Future GPX Cyber Formula" is a racing anime that first began airing as a TV series in 1991. Set in the near future featuring futuristic racing machines equipped with AI support systems, it gained strong support among 1990s robot and mecha anime fans with its intense sense of speed and appealing machine designs. Its OVA series—starting with 11 (Double One) and continuing through ZERO, SAGA, and SIN—were also immensely popular.
To commemorate the series' 35th anniversary, Sunrise will present an HD remastered theatrical edition of the TV series compilation, "EARLYDAYS RENEWAL". Even more notable is "ASURADA," a short anime that compresses a new year of Cyber Formula into approximately six minutes. Though short in runtime, it serves as the official sequel to 1998's SIN, the franchise's final OVA. This resumes a storyline left untouched for 27 years since SIN released its final episode in 2000.
Mitsuo Fukuda, who has led the franchise since the 1991 TV series, will serve as both director and scriptwriter. Takahiro Yoshimatsu, character designer from the TV series through ZERO, will design characters, while Shoji Kawamori, a long-time contributor to the franchise, will handle machine designs. By bringing back the series' core creative team, the production preserves the consistency of its universe. Beyond "ASURADA," Director Fukuda reportedly personally supervised the compilation theatrical version, which underwent re-editing and significant visual improvements.
In addition, the original voice cast who have anchored the series since its inception will return, including Junichi Kanemaru as protagonist Hayato Kazami, Kotono Mitsuishi as Asuka Sugo, and Toshihiko Seki as Bleed Kaga.
Sunrise will release the compilation film and the new short simultaneously in Japanese theaters on February 19, 2027. Going beyond a simple re-screening of an old compilation, bundling it with the new short is interpreted as a strategy to tap into long-time fans' nostalgia while attracting a new audience. Furthermore, along with the announcement, new machine designs for the Asurada and Ogre lineups newly created by Shoji Kawamori were unveiled.
Meanwhile, to mark its 35th anniversary, Future GPX Cyber Formula has various initiatives planned beyond theatrical screenings, including maid cafe collaborations, a VR virtual museum, and events featuring the production staff. Additionally, last April, Project YNP announced the 35th anniversary game "Future GPX Cyber Formula Spiral". Sunrise previously stated that Mitsuo Fukuda is directly participating in the game to write a new scenario, which will feature the franchise's signature dramatic elements, high-speed racing, and strategic gameplay.
