PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kaido Genkai Demo Launches for Patreon Supporters Today Alongside New Trailer
May 12, 2026 – Indie solo-developer Karoshi Electric Company has released a brand-new trailer and early-access demo for Kaido Genkai: An Anime Racing RPG, available today for Patreon supporters ahead of the game’s wider public demo launch on Steam on June 2, 2026.
Inspired by PS2-era Japanese racing games, Kaido Genkai blends arcade-style driving, open-world exploration, RPG elements, and anime-inspired visuals into a nostalgic racing adventure set in a fictional 1990s Japanese countryside. Players can race rivals, explore hidden roads and shortcuts, complete quests, uncover mysteries, and collect a variety of stylized vehicles inspired by classic Japanese cars.
The new demo offers an early look at the game’s world, tone, and gameplay systems while showcasing improvements featured in today’s newly released trailer. It features 2 cars (each with a tuning variation), a portion of the map, and over 15 events, which take around 2 hours to complete.
“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 project is primarily developed by the solo developer, alongside vehicle artist Hacao, whose cel-shaded models help define the game’s distinctive aesthetic and anime illustrator HoleeCrab. The game draws inspiration from titles such as Road Trip (Choro Q HG 2), Auto Modellista, Midnight Club, and Tokyo Xtreme Racer.
Supporters on Patreon receive immediate access to the demo beginning today, along with access to future development updates and builds as production continues. The free public demo launches on Steam June 2, 2026.
TRAILER
SCREENSHOTS
KEY FEATURES
– Open-world exploration inspired by rural Japan
– Fast-paced arcade racing with RPG progression
– 19 distinct vehicles with unique variations
– Stylized anime-inspired visuals and lighting
– Hidden shortcuts, jumps, and secrets
– Story-driven quests and memorable characters
– Dynamic day/night cycle
– Photo mode
LINKS
Patreon Demo Access: https://www.patreon.com/KaidoGenkai
Steam Demo Page (Available June 2): https://store.steampowered.com/app/4581870/Kaido_Genkai_An_Anime_Racing_RPG_Demo/
Steam Wishlist: 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
STATS
As of May 11 2026:
– 30,000 Wishlist on Steam
– 80 Paid Patreon Subs
– 8,500 Twitter/X Followers
– 9,500 Instagram Followers
– 750 Discord Users
ASSETS
Click below to view a Dropbox link with logo assets, screenshots, press release, about, trailer video and more.
ABOUT KAROSHI ELECTRIC COMPANY
Karoshi Electric Company is an independent game development label. Kaido Genkai is the studio’s debut title and is being developed as a passion project inspired by classic Japanese racing games and anime aesthetics.