This is a set I’ve been eagerly awaiting since the announcement of the 2026 releases in February. This set introduces a new theme, manga, and features the brand-new starting track.
Available on the Carrera website, it’s finally arrived for testing.
Manga Theme
The Carrera GO!!! “Ronin Racers” set is an original Carrera creation. It is not based on any existing manga or anime. Carrera drew inspiration from the visual codes of Japanese manga and automotive culture to design this generic universe.
Why create a new universe?
Designing a generic universe rather than using an existing franchise addresses several economic, legal, and creative imperatives for a manufacturer like Carrera:
- Cost savings on licensing: Acquiring the rights to a popular manga or franchise is very expensive. Without royalties to pay to rights holders, production costs decrease, allowing us to offer the set at a much more affordable price, which is great for us, the customers.
- Creative freedom and total control: By creating “Ronin Racers,” Carrera’s designers are not subject to any external approval. They can design the cars, the track, and the packaging exactly as they wish, without any graphic design constraints imposed by a rights holder.
- Universal accessibility: A generic theme inspired by the visual codes of Japanese street racing immediately appeals to children and fans without requiring any prior knowledge of the story or specific characters.
The front of the box features Japanese text with the following meanings:
Top left: speed
Top right: car
Under Ronin: steel
Under Racers: racing
Two characters are shown on the back of the box:
Raijin Rider – “God of Thunder Racer.” The Japanese text translates to “Rider of the God of Thunder.”
A description tells us more about the character: “His engine roars like a storm! Raijin Rider bursts onto the track with lightning and thunder, blasting his opponents off the track.”
Hikari Strike – “Lightning Racer.” The Japanese text translates to “Lightning Strike.”
A description tells us more about the character: “In a split second, Hikari Strike is already past! He takes the ultimate surprise victory!”
These two characters immediately immerse us in the manga atmosphere by introducing us to their profiles and giving us information about their powers and personalities.
The cars
For this set, Carrera uses a body style already used in the past; it’s one of the vehicles in the set.GO Tuning Zone ( https://www.carrera-fun.com/?p=8162 ). But obviously, the decoration takes on the colors of each character.
So here are our two vehicles on the starting line. Carrera hasn’t skimped on the decoration: you can immediately identify the theme associated with the vehicles and clearly differentiate the two models.
Raijin Rider’s vehicle
The vehicle has a base color of anthracite gray with predominantly white and red pad printing.
The car features Japanese text that reads:
- Stayed hungry
The hood displays a drawing of the character.
Hikari Strike’s vehicle
The vehicle has a green base color with green/turquoise accents.
The car features Japanese text with the following meanings:
future
The future is now (on the spoiler)
And because in Japan they like neon lights under cars when it comes to tuning, LEDs illuminate under the car to be even more in theme.
Comparison of lighting with Tuning Zone vehicles.
The set
The set has been a Carrera classic for years, a well-known figure-eight track with a loop and a bridge. There’s no need to dwell on the track layout. Just a quick reminder about the loop, which is always difficult for younger players and criticized by slot racing purists who point out that loops are never seen on a real track. The back of the box also offers tracks without loops, which is very useful for adding variety. However, the loop is justified in my opinion because the track’s theme lends itself well to it.
The kit includes accessories, a quick little tour.
6 flexible red track barriers will allow you to decorate and prevent track exits on all the curves in the set.
For the loop and the bridge, track supports are integrated into the box.
Because you’re going to love your track and you’re going to play it for hours and hours, Carrera wants to make sure you can enjoy it for a long time, so you’ll find a set of braid and guide replacements for each car.
For the arch shown below, we have four barrier supports.
An arch, a tunnel, it’s an accessory between the two, difficult to define precisely, a glossy paper decorated with the heroes of the circuit, once attached to each side of the track to make a small tunnel.
We find the two people from the box set but also two others, does this mean that another box set would be in the Carrera boxes? With two other cars?
To investigate these two mystery characters, I went to the Carrera website and found two cars, but no trace of any sets at the moment.
Character: Kaze Dash
Reference 20064315
Text on the car: “Racing”, “Racing Lights”
Character: Yami Racer
Reference 20064314
Text on the car: “Dark Racer”, “Speed”, “Knowing what I don’t know”
The other star of the set: the power rail
Here is the new starting track; I believe this set is the first to include this accessory.
A major new feature is the integrated lap counter with a digital display—goodbye to the mechanical track inside the set.
New features and a new power supply.
A detailed article explaining how this track works will be published very soon. In the meantime, here’s an overview of its features.
Here are the features of this starting rail:
3 game modes:
- Training
- Time trial
- Lap race
For both types of races:
- You can set the duration in minutes or the number of laps.
- You have a starting procedure, with lights and false start detection.
There is a beginner mode and an expert mode, the beginner mode limits the car’s speed to 50% and 70% for the expert mode, knowing that 100% is used with the turbo button and is necessary to pass the loop.
The box trap
Until now, Carrera GO sets included everything you needed in the box, but that’s not the case here, and you need to read the fine print on the back of the box carefully.
“Power supply via a 1.5m USB-C to USB-C cable (included, USB-C power adapter required – 5V-2A)”
In other words, this means you have a 1.5-meter USB-C cable, but you need a power adapter with a USB-C connector. So check if you have one at home or consider buying one.
Conclusion
Manga fans, this set is for you! The cars are magnificent.
Name: CARRERA GO – Ronin Racers Set
Reference: 20062621
Suggested Retail Price: €57
Bonus
Ronin Racers is a manga entirely conceived by Carrera, and I thought, why not bring it to life? So I sent ChatGPT some photos and information, asking them to create a manga page for me.
Here’s what ChatGPT created.
