In a surprising cross between entertainment and product strategy, Toyota has quietly teased what appears to be a new Gazoo Racing sports car—inside an animated short film. Released on YouTube as the final installment of its GRIP anime series, the nine-minute episode embeds a series of visual clues that suggest a forthcoming addition to Toyota’s high-performance lineup.
This isn’t the first time a global automaker has blended media with marketing, but the execution here is unusually precise. From a cryptic computer screen listing existing GR models to a briefly glimpsed, covered sports car with a mid-engine profile, the film seems designed to stir conversation among enthusiasts and hint at what Toyota plans to unveil next month.
A Deliberate Tease Inside an Anime Finale
The episode marks the conclusion of GRIP, an anime series launched by Toyota in 2024 to promote its Gazoo Racing sub-brand to a younger audience, particularly in North America. In its final chapter, protagonist Jae Kang faces off against AI-controlled autonomous vehicles in a GR Corolla, while flashbacks pay homage to Toyota’s motorsport heritage—most notably through the iconic AE86.
But it’s the subtle background elements that have drawn the most attention. Near the end of the episode, a scene shows a garage with a vehicle under wraps, positioned beside a GR86 sports car. The car’s shape, including what appears to be angular fenders and a low-slung, mid-engine layout, has led many observers to connect it to the 2023 FT-Se concept, a design many believed to preview a new Toyota MR2.
The most direct clue appears moments later on a computer screen listing Toyota’s GR lineup: “1. GR Supra, 2. GR86, 3. GR Corolla, 4. GR…”—before the screen abruptly cuts to black.
What We Know: Confirmed GR Debut in December
Toyota has officially announced that a new V8-powered GR model will be revealed on December 4, with its public debut scheduled for the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon in January. The likely candidate is the GR GT3 supercar, a flagship racing-inspired supercar developed under the automaker’s WEC and Super GT programs. First revealed as a concept in 2022, the GR GT3 is expected to feature a hybrid V8 powertrain and represent the performance apex of the GR brand.
According to Toyota, the model is part of its strategy to expand the GR portfolio while maintaining a clear distinction between track-bred machines and road-focused sports cars. The GT3 is expected to be homologated for customer racing programs, in line with similar efforts by Porsche, Ferrari, and BMW M.
Yet, speculation persists that the anime hints at a second reveal. Earlier in the GRIP series, a whiteboard sketch clearly named five future GR models: Supra, Celica, MR2, GR86, and GR GT3. With all but the MR2 now confirmed or in development, the reappearance of a suspiciously MR2-shaped vehicle has reignited long-standing rumors of its revival of a classic nameplate.
Could This Be a New MR2 or Celica?
The original Toyota MR2, produced across three generations from 1984 to 2007, remains a cult favorite for its affordability and mid-engine dynamics. Toyota has never officially ruled out a successor, but until now, there has been no production confirmation. The 2023 FT-Se concept, which emphasized sustainability and performance through an electric platform, offered the strongest visual parallel yet.
Meanwhile, reports from Japanese automotive press have also suggested that a mid-engined Celica could be under development—potentially merging two of Toyota’s classic nameplates into a modern sports coupe. At this stage, no prototype sightings or technical specifications have been confirmed by Toyota or its affiliated suppliers.
Importantly, the GRIP anime was created for a North American audience, where the GR Yaris is not sold. This context makes the missing “fourth” GR model in the anime’s final message all the more pointed, implying a debut specifically for that market.
All eyes on December 4
Toyota’s use of anime as a product communication tool reflects a broader shift in how automakers are reaching new audiences. While traditional advertising continues to play a role, the integration of vehicle reveals or teasers into entertainment content allows brands to seed ideas among engaged communities without conventional campaigns.
“The line between content and commerce”, said Alex Harbison, an automotive marketing analyst based in Tokyo, “is blurring. When a brand like Toyota embeds product hints in a series that’s narratively independent but emotionally tied to its cars, it creates a deeper kind of anticipation.”
The strategy may be working. The GRIP finale has been widely discussed on enthusiast forums such as GR86.org and Toyota Nation, and has racked up tens of thousands of views within hours of release. That’s a significant level of attention for what is, ostensibly, a marketing short film.
