Itasha – is it a fad? Given how lengthy this curious Japanese automotive subculture has been happening, I’ve to conclude that itasha is just not a fad however an authorized type. Or, in actual fact, a scene all to itself.

A number of weeks in the past, I headed to Odaiba to take a look at the 2024 version of Itasha Tengoku (Itasha Heaven). This annual occasion sees properly over 500 autos, their homeowners, and anime followers, all come collectively to rejoice itasha.

Till round 20 years in the past when this type emerged, itasha was a easy manner of referring to an Italian automobile. ‘Ita’ from Italy mixed with the kanji for automobile, ‘sha’.  

However the itasha we now know combines ‘itai’, which suggests ache/painful/ouch, once more mixed with ‘sha’. Collectively, it merely means a automobile that’s painful to take a look at.

Whether or not or not you suppose that’s an correct description will rely upon what you make of itasha. In any case these years, it nonetheless baffles me.

At its core, itasha brings two pursuits collectively: vehicles and Japanese anime and recreation characters. And it spans all the way in which to race vehicles.

The Goodsmile GT300 Tremendous GT workforce has been working an itasha livery for so long as I can bear in mind.

When Speedhunters first began reporting on the itasha scene, it appeared like solely late-teen and early-20-something-year-olds in Japan have been concerned in it.

That’s not the case. At present, all age teams are represented.

Like all different features of Japanese automobile tradition, despite the fact that itasha is replicated overseas, there’s something particular about these vehicles in Japan.

Take away the stickers and also you typically have completely constructed high-end vehicles – each JDM and imported.

Proper right down to correct legends.

I even noticed a DeLorean DMC-12 at this yr’s occasion. It lacked sticker protection, although.

You possibly can by no means underestimate what you may discover at an occasion like Itasha Tengoku. This Y32 Nissan Gloria on Work Emitz wheels ticked all of the bins for me.

And this newer-body Nissan Gloria seems prefer it’s constructed for drifting.

Maybe a wide-body Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution with RAYS Volk Racing 21C wheels is extra your type? As you possibly can see, a easy itasha rear window sticker qualifies you as a part of this scene.

Bikes can enter as properly.

Yakuza type?

It’s loopy that I nonetheless come throughout these Speedhunters tire stencils.

An increasing number of traditional vehicles are coming into the itasha scene, however I didn’t count on to see a stickered-up Prince Skyline.

Or Toyota Century-style hubcaps on a Daihatsu Mira.

Even when itasha isn’t your factor, studying what it’s all about and the way individuals method it’s enjoyable.

Do you know you should purchase itasha Bride bucket seats? This was information to me!

ASL Garaya electrical vehicles are few and much between. Even rarer is one with itasha type.

If this occasion taught me one factor, it’s that it is best to by no means be afraid to enterprise out of your automotive consolation zone.

Attempt, since you could be shocked at what you discover.

Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
dino@speedhunters.com