PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OPEN-WORLD ANIME RACING RPG KAIDO GENKAI LAUNCHES FREE STEAM DEMO JUNE 9
Inspired by PS2 classics Road Trip Adventure and Auto Modellista, Kaido Genkai combines open-world exploration, RPG progression, and arcade racing in a nostalgic anime-inspired Japanese countryside.
June 9, 2026 — Karoshi Electric Company today released the free Steam demo for Kaido Genkai, an upcoming open-world racing RPG that blends high-speed arcade racing with exploration, character-driven storytelling, and stylized anime-inspired visuals.
Set in a fictional 1990s Japanese countryside, Kaido Genkai invites players to challenge rivals, uncover mysteries surrounding their past, complete quests, discover hidden secrets, and collect a variety of unique vehicles.
Ahead of its demo launch, Kaido Genkai has surpassed 40,000 Steam wishlists and built a growing community of over 25,000 followers across social media platforms, alongside hundreds of active Discord members and Patreon supporters.
“We wanted to create something different from modern festival racers and serious sims,” said the game’s creator, Karoshi Electric Company. “Kaido Genkai is meant to feel nostalgic, atmospheric, a little strange, and focused on exploration and personality as much as racing.”
The free Steam demo includes approximately 2–3 hours of gameplay and features 15 objectives spanning races, time trials, point-to-point challenges, collection missions, and exploration-focused activities. Players can unlock and drive two vehicles, each featuring a unique tuned variation, while exploring a section of the game’s open world and meeting its cast of characters.
Key Features
– Explore a nostalgic anime-inspired Japanese countryside
– Experience an open-world blend of racing, exploration, and RPG progression
– Challenge rivals and uncover mysteries surrounding your past
– Discover hidden shortcuts, secret areas, and collectibles
– Drive 19 distinct vehicles with unique tuned variations
– Meet memorable characters, rivals, and local legends
– Capture scenic moments with an in-game Photo Mode
– Experience a dynamic day-night cycle with stylized visuals
Kaido Genkai is being developed by Karoshi Electric Company, a solo independent developer based in Canada, with vehicle art provided by automotive artist Hacao. Additional artwork by holeecrab, and trailer by Hamsuko.
Steam Demo:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/4581870/Kaido_Genkai_An_Anime_Racing_RPG_Demo/
Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kaidogenkai/kaido-genkai-an-anime-racing-rpg
Website:
https://kaidogenkai.com
Media Contact:
Karoshi Electric Company
kaidogenkai@gmail.com
PITCH
Kaido Genkai is an open-world anime racing RPG inspired by forgotten PS2 racing games.
Combining the exploration of Road Trip Adventure with the stylized visuals of Auto Modellista, players explore a nostalgic Japanese countryside, challenge rivals, and uncover mysteries behind every corner.
STATS
As of June 24 2026:
– 52,000+ Steam Wishlists
– 15,000+ Demo Plays
– 25,000+ Demo Library Adds
– 140+ Paid Patreon Supporters
– 9,000+ X Followers
– 12,000+ Instagram Followers
– 6,000+ Threads Followers
– 1,000+ Discord Members
– 270+ Stream reviews with Very Positive rating
PRESS
Car Throttle
“We Never Knew We Needed This Open-World JDM RPG”
DoVe_7, Youtuber
“A really enjoyable modern experience”
ARC Arcade Racing
“One of the most promising racers out there”
Gamer Matters
“Kaido Genkai looks set to be an ode to the good old days of 2000s racing game”
TRAILER
Copyright-free, shortened version.
Full version with licensed audio.
SCREENSHOTS
ABOUT
Welcome to Kaido Genkai: an open-world racing exploration game that blends the excitement of high-speed races with the charm of anime-style graphics. Set in a fictional 90’s Japanese countryside, Kaido Genkai invites you to explore a vibrant world filled with unique characters and hidden treasures. Learn about your past, challenge rivals, and unlock an array of unique cars, each with unique tuned variations!
The open-world environment is rich with secrets waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re competing in high-stakes races or leisurely exploring the countryside, Kaido Genkai promises exploration, racing, and adventure with plenty of throwbacks to PS2 era racing games.
KEY FEATURES
– Explore a nostalgic anime-inspired Japanese countryside
– Uncover a mystery surrounding your past
– Meet memorable rivals, allies, and local legends
– Fast-paced arcade racing combined with RPG progression
– Discover hidden shortcuts, jumps, collectibles, and secret areas
– Compete in a variety of race and exploration-based events
– Drive 19 distinct vehicles with unlockable tuned variations
– Capture scenic moments with an in-game Photo Mode
– Experience a dynamic day-night cycle with stylized visuals
ASSETS
Click below to view a Dropbox link with logo assets, screenshots, press release, about, trailer video and more.
LINKS
Steam Demo: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4581870/Kaido_Genkai_An_Anime_Racing_RPG_Demo/
Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kaidogenkai/kaido-genkai-an-anime-racing-rpg
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/KaidoGenkai
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3113580/Kaido_Genkai_An_Anime_Racing_RPG/
Website: https://kaidogenkai.com/
Discord: https://discord.gg/UX6RHbZBsZ
Twitter/X: https://x.com/KaidoGenkai
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kaidogenkai
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaidogenkai/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kaidogenkai.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KaidoGenkai
INSPIRATION
Kaido Genkai draws inspiration from a wide range of classic racing games, particularly Road Trip Adventure (Choro-Q HG2), Auto Modellista, and Midnight Club.
One of the project’s primary goals is to bring RPG-style exploration and character interaction back to the racing genre. Rather than existing solely as a collection of races and events, the world is designed to encourage discovery, allowing players to meet characters, complete quests, uncover secrets, and explore at their own pace.
The project is also motivated by a desire to offer something different from many modern racing games. Rather than focusing on festival culture, professional motorsport, or drifting as a central mechanic, Kaido Genkai aims to create a distinct identity through its world, characters, story, and sense of adventure.
CARS
Kaido Genkai features a curated roster of vehicles inspired by Japanese cars from the 1990s. Rather than pursuing an enormous car list, the focus is on creating a smaller selection of memorable vehicles that fit the game’s setting and personality.
While the game does not feature licensed manufacturers, every vehicle draws inspiration from real-world automobiles. Rather than focusing exclusively on the handful of iconic models that appear throughout popular car culture, Kaido Genkai shines a spotlight on lesser-known enthusiast favorites, overlooked economy cars, quirky kei vehicles, and forgotten cult classics alongside more recognizable performance machines.
The goal is to celebrate the full diversity of 1990s Japanese automotive culture and introduce players to vehicles they may not have encountered in other racing games. Many of the selections have also been influenced by feedback from the game’s passionate community.
ABOUT THE DEVELOPER
Kaido Genkai is primarily developed by a solo developer under the studio name Karoshi Electric Company. What began as a personal passion project has grown into a multi-year effort to create the kind of racing game rarely seen today: one that combines exploration, storytelling, and progression into a single experience.
Vehicle art and creative consultation are provided by Hacao, a talented automotive artist known for his distinctive cel-shaded style and deep appreciation for classic racing games. His contributions have helped shape both the visual identity of the vehicles and many of the game’s broader design decisions.
Additional commissioned artwork is provided by HoleeCrab and animation by Hamsuko.