Showing Your Love For Your Favorite Character With An Itasha Car
In Japan, you’d often see cars with characters from anime, manga or video games painted on them. It’s a part of their otaku culture referred to as “itasha,” that translates to “painful car”. The term can also refer to Japanese slang for imported Italian cars, but in modern times, it’s more well-known for being “itai” which refers to how it’s either “painful for the wallet” or “painful to look at” (especially for those who aren’t into the otaku culture).
Itashas were originally created through simple car decorations such as stickers and plushies, but over the years, they gradually became more detailed as their popularity grew. With itashas, not only are they a way of expressing your love for a favorite character, but it’s also a great way to show your individuality and artistic creativity. So while you’re on your way to a con by yourself or with some friends, maybe you’d consider giving your car an itasha makeover to add to your geeky experience.
Does the brand matter?
Itasha car owners are also known to be car lovers who happen to have a fondness for anime and other geek-related media. In Japan, cars like Nissin Silvia and Toyota Supra are popular because they’re dream cars for so many people, and they can be easily customized. It’s also common to see sports cars like Ford Mustang or Mitsubishi as itashas, since they have become prominent in official car races as well. So it may lead you to think: are those types of cars the best ones to turn into an itasha? While it is possible to obtain those certain brands for your own, pretty much any car can be made into an itasha regardless of car make or model.
Can you make your own itasha?
If you have the artistic skills and equipment for it, creating your own itasha is possible. You can choose to either paint your entire car or only paint on certain parts, like the hood or the windows. Another well-known method is by printing decals. The first step is by digitally drawing the design, then using blueprints to match your car specifications. When printing, you need to use ink that won’t easily fade from the sun, and cutting the design from the sheet requires careful time and precision. The most difficult part of the process is sticking the wrap into the car. Taking on an itasha project can take months to finish, but it is doable. There’s always the option of placing customization orders for your car if you find the DIY process too hard or time consuming.
Investing in itashas does involve money (and a lot of guts, as some say). Itasha owners, however, have mostly expressed that they enjoy bonding with people who like their car or the character shown. For some, it’s their way of boosting their own self-confidence. Consider creating an itasha– you’re sure to turn heads whenever you’re on the road!
Chicano | Fighting/Writing for Diversity | DM since 08 | Anime Lover | Site: https://www.thegeeklyfe.com | info@thegeeklyfe.com | http://twitch.tv/that_deangelo | https://linktr.ee/deangelomurillo
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