Madoka z: My first Encounter with An Itasha
In October 2014, I found myself wandering around Akihabara, on my first trip to Japan. At some point, I ended up on a quiet side street, where I got to see some of the smaller, more niche shops.
Then, out of nowhere, I saw it: a Nissan 350Z parked next to the Akiba Cultures Zone building.
In October 2014, I found myself wandering around Akihabara, on my first trip to Japan. Most of my visit was spent on Chuo-dori (the main street that runs through the neighborhood), but at some point, I ended up on a quiet side street, where I got to see some of the smaller, more niche shops. I didn’t really have a specific thing I was looking for— I was just enjoying being in that environment and taking it all in.
Then, out of nowhere, I saw it: a Nissan 350Z parked next to the Akiba Cultures Zone building. It was sitting perfectly beneath a streetlight, like a priceless figure in a curio cabinet. Apropos, in my opinion, because this wasn’t your average Z. This one was more art than car, as it was completely covered in an elaborate Madoka Magica design that I couldn’t take my eyes off of. At the time, I didn't know what an "Itasha" was and I hadn’t ever seen anything like it before. Needless to say, I was amazed.
The Connection
Well, I can’t exactly say I’d never seen anything like it before. While I was completely in the dark about Itasha, this car did remind me a lot of the lowriders I grew up around—but with an otaku spin. In fact, if you removed Madoka from the design, it could have perfectly blended into any number of Southern California car clubs. It made liberal use of pinstripe-like and tribal elements, and the color scheme definitely screamed “lowrider” more than it did “anime”. These elements were certainly familiar, yet that didn’t leave me any less confused about what I was looking at.
I didn't really know the context—was this just for show? Or was this part of a the racing scene out here? And why was it just parked here randomly late at night? I knew I wasn’t going to get any answers, but that didn’t matter. I liked what I was looking at, so I pulled out my camera and took a quick photo.
After that, I walked off—expecting to forget about it. But just around the corner were another three vehicles just like the the Nissan. At that point, I knew I had stumbled onto something cool, and it became a fascination that has continued to today.
Then vs. Now: How Things Have Changed
Looking back from 2026, it’s crazy to see how much the scene has blown up. In 2014, I had no idea Itasha existed, and I had to be in a random alley on the other side of the planet before I would encounter one. Now, you can see them at almost any Japanese event in Southern California, and its not that uncommon to spot one in the wild (hell, I just saw a Hatsune Miku Cybertruck a couple of weeks ago in a Costco parking lot).
The cars themselves have changed a lot, too. When I first started seeing them back home, they were fairly straight-forward (as far as Itasha go)—JDM classics, with anime classics plastered all over them. But as time went on, I started seeing more variation and even blending of other car cultures. First with natural progression like stance elements and domestic vehicles, but later, I started seeing more niche things like kaido racers, kei trucks, series-accurate reproduction vehicles, and even some itasha that didn’t feature anime themes at all.
The scene is constantly evolving and its one of the most enjoyable things about this art form.
What I Learned
The biggest takeaway for me—and what I want to share—is just the value of exploring. I wasn’t looking for it. No one introduced it to me. I just took a random turn down a side street and discovered something that is now one of my favorite things in the world.
Would I have eventually discovered it anyway? Most likely, yes, considering how it’s blown up in recent years. But that’s not really the point, either. The truth of this experience is that amazing things exist in the world—most of it entirely outside of our view or immediate reach. You never know what might be waiting for you to discover it, and what kind of impact it will make on your life.
So embrace the unknown and unexpected. Hell, make time to incorporate those into your life, if they don’t come organically. Go for walks. Try new places. Change up your commute route. Do whatever you can to bring more novelty into your life.
And if you like this car, check out some of my other posts on Itasha. You can also follow @Dekocar on Instagram. They often host Itasha at local events throughout Southern California, and are a great way to see more of these gorgeous cars.
Dekocar at Nisei Week 2025
I finally made it back out to a Dekocar event at Nisei Week in Little Tokyo. It’s been quite a few years since I last attended—2019, if memory serves—so it felt good to return.
I finally made it back out to a Dekocar event at Nisei Week in Little Tokyo. It’s been quite a few years since I last attended—2019, if memory serves—so it felt good to return. These days it can be tough to carve out time to do anything consistently, but I’m glad I went. It was a chance to see how the scene has evolved, catch up with some familiar styles, and of course, take plenty of photos to share.
Like last time, the event took place at the Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Little Tokyo. The venue is a bit removed from the hustle and bustle of Japanese Village Plaza and Weller Court, but after the hard time I had finding parking for Nisei Week, I can appreciate the separation. The show felt a little smaller in terms of cars compared to 2019, but also bigger in other ways. Inside the temple’s auditorium, there was an artist alley, vendors, and even a small stage for performances, adding more variety to the experience.
Highlights from the Car Displays
Returning Motifs
One car that really caught my eye was a white Mitsubishi Evo with a Boosette-themed design. Back in 2019, I photographed a similar car, and I found myself wondering if this was the same one. As it turns out, it is! The styling has definitely changed—this version features new wrap designs and is heavily modified with a body kit, spoiler, and custom hood. The look is different enough that I didn’t even recognize it at the Taste of Japan Dekocar event in May. It's only here (where I first encountered it) that my memory was finally jogged. Regardless, it was cool to see an “old face” make a comeback. In a way, it made it feel like maybe I hadn’t been gone that long from the scene. (Owner @king_boo_rider on Instagram)
Other Standout Designs
Kuromi Mazda Miata
A clean black Miata featuring the Sanrio character Kuromi. The vehicle had a striking design and it definitely stood out. (Owner @MelaniMiata on Instagram).
Tifa Lockhart BRZ
A bold Final Fantasy–themed build. It’s always fun to see game culture blend into the itasha world. Personally, I’ve always been more of an Aerith guy, but Tifa seems to be the more popular of the two. (Owner @lex.lao on Instagram)
Dragon Ball Z x LA Dodgers 370Z
One of the most unexpected mashups I’ve seen. It feels so strange, but considering the two franchises here, there’re probably A LOT of people who would be into this. Either way, I love a good Z, and that Vegeta design on the side was sick so this was definitely a favorite of mine.
Umamusume Porsche Cayman
I favor JDM above all else, so its ironic that my personal favorite of the show was this Porsche. The base paint was a striking turquoise, with a partial wrap that left much of the original color shining through. The artwork featured Twin Turbo, with a sort of pop-graffiti design. I know nothing about Umamusume, but this beautifully designed piece makes me a little curious. Between this, and all the RWBs out there, I’m starting to look a little closer at German cars now… (Owner @minhp765 on Instagram)
Gundam 00 Subaru Impreza
Gundam designs are always a staple at these shows. While I’m more familiar with older entries like Gundam Wing or 08th MS Team, it was great to see the franchise represented. (Owner @00_subaru_ on Instagram).
Ninomae Lexus LS430
I feel like Luxury cars are rare in the itasha scene, so this one stood out. It kept much of its elegant feel while also sporting a clean, modern art style on the wrap. Dropped stance, tasteful execution—definitely a highlight. (Owner @zzwderick on Instagram)
Classic JDM Presence
Not every car at the event was an itasha. There were a number of clean, classic JDM cars, including an immaculate blue Civic Si with a restored engine and minimal cosmetic mods. It was a reminder that sometimes simplicity and preservation make just as big of an impression as flashy wraps.
There were also, what appeared to be a few older rotary engine cars on display (they look like Mazdas and Datsuns?). I’m not too sure on the models, since pre-90s vehicles are a bit outside my area of familiarity. That said, they were absolutely gorgeous, and I went down a rabbit hole in trying to learn more about them.
(There were many more cars, of course. The rest of the images I took are located at the end of this article.)
Beyond the Cars
To my surprise, the event wasn’t just about vehicles. Inside the hall, there was an artist alley with merch and prints, plus a live stage. One standout moment was a performance by Hamu Cotton, a dance performer known for her anime-inspired routines. She drew an enthusiastic crowd, with plenty of fans cheering and dancing along. This added a new energy to the show compared to last visit, making it feel more like a cultural gathering than just a car meet.
Final Thoughts
Attending Dekocar at Nisei Week reminded me why I love covering these events. Even after being away for so long, there was a sense of continuity—familiar motifs mixed with new creativity, plus more variety in things to see. Compared to other events like Taste of Japan, which hosted itasha indoors with tougher lighting, I appreciated that this one was outside, where the designs could really shine.
If you’re interested in following the itasha scene, check out Dekocar on Instagram (@dekocar). They regularly post cars from events around the world and are a great resource if you want to see more.
For me, this was a refreshing return to the culture, and I’m looking forward to the next chance to document it. Stay tuned for more photo stories and coverage—both from new outings and from my archives.
In the meantime, enjoy some more car photos from the event.
