DEFINITION
Manji (man-ji) is a Japanese term originally referring to the 卍 buddhist swastika symbol; in drifting it describes a sequence of left-right-left-right transitions performed on a straight section, with the car never coming straight.
It is primarily a style move — there is no point in covering the same straight faster, but it shows car control and adds visual rhythm. Modern judging gives manji no extra credit but penalises it if it deviates from the prescribed line.
HISTORY & ORIGIN
Manji is a touge-era Japanese style technique. It made it into D1GP demo runs and early Formula Drift but is largely demonstrative today.
TECHNIQUE BREAKDOWN
Driver enters the straight at angle, transitions left-right-left-right with quick throttle/steering inputs, holding the rear out of line through every transition.
PRO TIPS & COMMON MISTAKES
• Manji on a straight where it doesn't deviate from the prescribed line — usually a transition between zones — never on a clipping point.
• Common mistake: doing manji where the prescribed line says hold a single angle. That's deviation, not style.
He threw a quick manji on the link straight before setting up for the second clip.