Tokyo E-Prix Animation

For the inaugural Tokyo E-Prix, Aurora created a bold short-form opener that reimagined Formula E through the lens of Japanese anime and manga. The film combined the cyberpunk neon aesthetic of Tokyo with the speed and energy of Formula E, blending 2D and 3D animation, custom anime shaders, and real 3D models of the Formula E race cars.

The piece told the story of the season so far - from dramatic crashes to the title fight - and placed the drivers’ personalities at the heart of the narrative. Delivered in under a week while the season was still ongoing, it was an ambitious, collaborative project involving producers, editors, and motion graphics specialists.

The Tokyo opener set the tone for the event and captured the imagination of millions of fans worldwide, showcasing Formula E’s innovative spirit and Aurora’s ability to push creative boundaries under pressure.

The creative concept was rooted in Tokyo itself. Anime and manga are iconic Japanese artforms, and using them to tell the story of Formula E brought instant authenticity. The design fused cyberpunk cityscapes with high-speed racing action, creating a visual language that felt native to the host city while also speaking to a global audience. Fans were treated to something unexpected — a racing opener that looked more like an anime trailer than traditional sports graphics.

Beyond style, the film delivered substance. It threaded in real storylines from the season — the big crash in Brazil, championship battles, and Oliver Rowland’s run to the title — giving fans both context and spectacle. By putting the drivers’ faces and personalities at the forefront, it reinforced Formula E’s focus on character-driven storytelling.

The production was also a remarkable technical achievement. Created in under a week, the team blended 3D modelling, 2D/3D compositing, and experimental animation techniques. The tight turnaround demanded meticulous planning, seamless collaboration, and bold creative decisions. 

Performance reinforced its success. The Tokyo E-Prix show reached 63.4 million cumulative broadcast viewers across two races, with the opener shared by 24 international broadcast partners in over 90 territories. The short-form piece amplified the buzz of Formula E’s debut in Japan and contributed to record-breaking audience numbers.
(Sources: Kantar Media, FE data)

This project demonstrates how short-form content can be more than a prelude: it can set the tone for an event, enhance storytelling, and engage fans on a deeper cultural level. It pushed the creative boundaries of what an opener can be, delivering something fans hadn’t seen before in motorsport.