The J6K1, designated as Jinpū (陣風), was a land-based interceptor that evolved from the J3K, a cancelled fighter project that depended on the delayed Mitsubishi Ha-43 / MK9 engine. Kawanishi, the manufacturer of both models, switched to the Nakajima Ha-45 / NK9 Homare engine for the J6K1 as soon as it was available. The Imperial Japanese Navy inspected the first wooden mockup in 1944 and considered three possible armaments with different combinations of 13.2 mm machine guns, 20 mm cannons, and 30 mm cannons. However, the J6K1 was soon dropped in favour of the N1K2-J Shiden Kai. The J6K might have been reconsidered as a heavier high-altitude interceptor in the final months of the war, but it was again rejected in favour of the proposed A7M3-J Reppū Kai.

The J6K1 was introduced during Update 1.95 "Northern Wind" as the main air reward for the 2019 Winter event Operation F.R.O.S.T. It is an extremely capable fighter thanks to its excellent handling at medium speeds and dangerous set of weaponry. The Jinpū comes armed with six 20 mm cannons in the wings and two additional 13.2 mm machine guns near the nose. With the tracer belt (full HE composition), the 20 mm cannons can easily destroy enemy aircraft and bombers. If needed, players can also equip armoured target belts to attack ground targets along with the two different bomb loadouts. Furthermore, the 20 mm cannons have plenty of ammunition which means players can be generous with firing from strange angles or far distances. As for performance, the Jinpū is a relatively big fighter but the manoeuvrability is still very competitive against other fighters. However, players should be careful with deploying the flaps as that’s one of the saving graces for the Jinpū when it comes to dogfighting.