In Japan, "Itasha" -- translated to english as "painmobile" -- are automobiles that have exotic images and decals depicting famous manga, anime or video game characters. Although it's unclear whether the "ita" refers to pain experienced by the car owner's bank accounts after they dole out wads of cash for the elaborate custom paint job, or if it's the pain experience by onlookers that catch a glimpse of these splashy sports cars has yet to be seen.
Although the Tohoku area of Japan was practically decimated by the 2011 earthquake, that didn't stop the region from hosting the 2012 Ita Fest in Tohoku, welcoming all the nerds to come show of their geektastic autos. Many of the cars feature popular female characters such as Kyon from the manga series Haruhi Suzumiya or dolls from the anime series Rozen Maiden. However, there's always the odd Pikachu Porche or Doraemon coupe that makes it into the mix.
Super-Geeky Sports Cars
Ita Fest in Tohoku Showcases some of Japan's Exotic Nerdmobiles
Trend Themes
1. Itasha Culture - Opportunity to create customized automotive accessories and services that cater to the niche market of car enthusiasts who want to showcase their love for manga, anime, and video game characters.
2. Experiential Events - Possibility to organize and promote events that bring together enthusiasts to showcase their customized sports cars and create a community around the Itasha culture.
3. Fan-inspired Marketing - Potential to collaborate with popular manga, anime, and video game franchises to develop customized marketing campaigns targeting the Itasha community and leveraging their passion for these characters.
Industry Implications
1. Automotive Accessories - Disruptive innovation opportunity to design and manufacture specialized decals, paint jobs, and interior accessories for Itasha enthusiasts.
2. Event Management - Opportunity to create and manage experiential events focused on showcasing Itasha sports cars and fostering a sense of community among enthusiasts.
3. Entertainment and Media - Potential for disruptive innovation in marketing techniques and partnerships with popular manga, anime, and video game franchises to appeal to the Itasha fan base.