Itasha (痛車) is a term for cars that have been decorated with decals of moe female characters from anime, manga and visual novels. These cars are popular among otakus and can be seen in places such as Akihabara and Nipponbashi.
Just as the kanji has stated, Itasha literally means "Painful Car". I've heard of two reasons behind the naming: One is that "pain" is used as in "painfully embarrassing" (or something similar), the other one being a pun for Italian car (イタ車) of same pronounciation. (via Danny Choo and Wikipedia)
Let's have a look at various kinds of Itasha out there~
A Nanoha (from anime Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's) Itasha spotted somewhere in Akihabara par moi 3 months ago. I wonder whether it's the same car as the one featured on Japan Times Online?
A Shana Itasha in a Chevrolet car show in Singapore, via DarkMirage
Not a real Itasha, but a 1/24 scale plamodel of Suzumiya Haruhi Mazda FD3S RX-7 from Aoshima. Image from Hobby Blog via DarkMirage
Popular, moe and little Primula from eroge and anime Shuffle!
Via Yoshimu
Lelouch and C.C. from anime Code Geass. Is Lelouch moe too? o_o
Via Yoshimu
Bulky cars can be Itasha too! Fate Testarossa from Nanoha A's is win~ (laughs)
Via Otasuke
Nagisa from visual novel and anime Clannad. Having nice anime/visual novel girls on your seat surely look nice, but I don't think I really want to sit on them... ^^;;
Via Otasuke
Pimp My Ride otaku version?
Via Otasuke
Moe girl treatment doesn't apply to cars only!
This sleek-looking motorbike got the moe girl decal treatment too. Such vehicles are called Itansha (痛単車).
Via Otasuke
Normal bikes can get them too! Those are called Itachari (痛チャリ), but this one is kinda forcing itself to be one... ^^;;
Via Otasuke
These are the more "normal" Itachari found in Akihabara. The Hare Hare Yukai album picture is seen on this front wheel.
Via oyakame-blog
The character here is Sumomo Akihime from eroge Nanatsuiro Drops, artwork by Noizi Ito
Via oyakame-blog
They surely are interesting to look at, but I'm not too sure whther I want to convert mine into one. ^^;; If you have the money and resources, would you "pimp" your ride into an Itasha?
More pictures of Itasha via Danny Choo, Yoshimu, and Otasuke.
i saw that haruhi itasha at a local hobby shop and the price was freaking expensive. wanted to buy it but was afraid i'm not skilled enough to paint it. and the price was a killer!
ReplyDeleteI'm actually choosing and editing images for my car, searching for local print shops witch wont burn a hole in my wallet x3
ReplyDeleteI want that Nanoha car or the Fate one ^^
ReplyDeleteThe bike are cute like that too :)
@ Gordon:
ReplyDeleteThanks for the quick reply!
The Haruhi Itasha surely doesn't look easy to get; Hobby Search has listed it as 'long sold out' already (3040 Yen).
Funny enough I saw on Play-Asia that a pre-painted one is to be released sometime this month. Reseveration seems to be closed already, but I think you may like to check it out:
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-8x-49-zh-70-2fa4.html
@ oid:
I did hear that decals are expensive to buy, so it's really impressive that you're going DIY!
@ James:
Why not take both? ;)
I like the Primula one from shuffle but all of them look very nice. THinking of getting one for myself but kinda worried that my car will be vandalized :(
ReplyDeleteI want the Nanoha Itasha T_T. Anyway added you to my blogroll, thanks for all the comments XD
ReplyDeleteGood thing they provide a cheaper alternative (bikes XD)
ReplyDelete@ saku:
ReplyDeleteThe Primula Itasha looks simple but effective. I understand how you feel about people vandalise on things they don't appreciate. They surely are painful to own! : (
@ zenical:
Nanoha Itashas are some of the most popular ones out there (I think). Get in the trend! XD
Thanks for the add! Blogrolled ya as well~
@ gndynames:
Haha yea Itacharis are MUCH cheaper alternative indeed! Are you gonna conert one? : P
Am i the only one that thinks that sportscars and otaku dont go well together?
ReplyDeletePersonally i wouldnt do this to my car but if youre totally into a charcter/anime and show off your love...Why not?
I loled at the first bike^^
I wonder if those pimped up bikes are targeted by thiefs.They are easy rto steal after all
@ blowfish:
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, you are definitely not alone. I personally find them strange creations, but still fun to look at ^^
I suppose it depends from places to places whether Itasha and their "relatives" are accepted in the community. Not only are they easily targeted by theives, they are also big targets for vandalism. It's impressive how some otaku are brave enough to drive them around in the public o_o ;;
I like the Itachari quite a bit! ^^
ReplyDelete@ suki:
ReplyDeleteIt is a much cheaper alternative and not as embarassing to use as Itasha!
Yup, my thoughts exactly! It'd be so fun riding into town like that XD
ReplyDeleteI actually own a red FD and I have been planning to have some vinyl stickers printed to look like the suzumiya one, but I just never get around to preparing the vector traces for it. anyone have a faster or cheaper method? do they actually sell kits in Japan?
ReplyDelete@ Potatochobit:
ReplyDeleteI'm quite sure that they sell vinyl stickers for Itasha in Japan, but I was told that they are quite expensive. People in Dannychoo.com might know more about it though.
Those are very expensive machines. That's why it's not surprising for them to be called "itasha" - because they'll hurt your wallet when you try to invest in one. It makes inexpensive cars look cool and expensive cars look sub-zero.
ReplyDelete