Hololive GT3 Japan To Be Up and Running Again as SUGO 400 Opens 2025–26 Season

Sendai, 29 November — The 2025–26 Hololive GT3 Japan Series roars back this weekend with Round 1, the SUGO 400, launching a season already laden with storylines after a turbulent conclusion to the 2024–25 calendar. With a reshuffled field, rising stars, and veterans itching to rewrite their fortunes, the paddock arrives at Sportsland SUGO eager to establish early momentum in what many expect to another competitive campaign.

The offseason’s biggest narrative surrounds the Tsuyo Series entrants, many of whom return with unfinished business. One of the loudest spotlights falls on Airi Nakamura, representing Akai Haato in the #81 Honda. After delivering a title-winning performance in the Tsuyo all season, Nakamura enters SUGO carrying championship expectations rather than underdog hopes. Close behind is Aqua Azurii, the #48 Lexus driver for Oozora Subaru, whose previous driver Rim Elgore surged to third in the Tsuyo standings and now looks poised to continue that giant-killing form heading into her Hololive GT3 debut. Subaru has a rich history at SUGO, including a victory in the SUGO 500 nearly two years ago—fuel that makes her a frightening prospect in the season opener.

From Ferrari’s camp, sole driver Saerin, piloting the #59 for Otonose Kanade, aims to build on a strong late-season charge that saw them finish eighth in Tsuyo but consistently fight at the front in raw pace.

Likewise, Hanami Kiriko, in the #31 Honda representing Himemori Luna, returns after a steady and quietly threatening part time Tsuyo campaign that featured points-scoring consistency and flashes of podium pace. The Honda brigade also fields Danilo Goyena for Usada Pekora in the #11 and Joshu Asahi for Hakui Koyori in the #54—both expected to be contenders at the tighter, technical SUGO layout.

Meanwhile, the Lexus powerhouse lineup enters the new season carrying both momentum and expectation. Chaka Labradores, representing Natsuiro Matsuri in the #7 Lexus, comes off a razor-thin fourth place in the Tsuyo standings, losing third by a single point, but will be buoyed by Matsuri's reaffirment to the Origin Idol Outfits, which helps with Labradores' chances. On the other side of the camp, Lexi Boan looks to bring the #08 Shirogane Noel machine back at the top step after returning into the seat a year ago. Mohamed Khashiu, reuniting with Tsunomaki Watame in the #3 Lexus, returns with a Motegi 400 win fresh in memory—his confidence surging ahead of SUGO’s notoriously punishing braking zones.

But if the Tsuyo returnees headline the favorites, the Zako Series drivers from last season supply the intrigue. Vladislav Domaschnev, champion of the 2025 Zako Series in the #19 Lexus for Aki Rosenthal, enters with enormous momentum after scoring dual wins late last season. Right behind him is Lexi Boan, who finished second in that same campaign with Shirogane Noel. Among the most anticipated is Masa Raido in the #82 BMW for Todoroki Hajime, whose aggressive, late-race pace made him one of Zako’s most feared chargers. Also returning to prove he belongs among the elite is Ho Phu-My, the #36 Nissan driver representing Tokino Sora, whose pedigree includes multiple race wins across earlier seasons and a title in 2022. Adding to the excitement is the much-anticipated arrival of Hololive DEV_IS' new gen, FlowGlow, whose drivers arrive at SUGO fresh off their spectacular 3D Live concert and the debut of their new stage outfits. While their upgraded GT3 machinery is still under development—expected to debut as early as February at Fuji—FlowGlow’s current cars remain competitive weapons in the hands of their roster. With morale boosted from last weekend’s live performance and the ARO’s confirmation of new cars on the way, the FlowGlow squad enters Round 1 carrying both momentum and pressure. Fans and paddock analysts alike are eager to see whether the team can channel their on-stage synergy into on-track results as they begin their pursuit of a breakthrough season.

With SUGO hosting two 200-km battles to open the season, grid position, tire preservation, and the ability to avoid SUGO’s infamous “Final Corner traps” will shape the early championship picture. History suggests that those who leave Sendai with points in hand remain contenders deep into November, while those who falter often spend the remaining rounds playing desperate catch-up.

The engines fire tomorrow. The storylines are set. And with an overflowing roster of champions, climbers, and comeback hopefuls, the 2025–26 Hololive GT3 Japan Series may be on the brink of its most unpredictable season yet.