Itasha Cars, Itabags, and Itasha Culture—How Much Do You Know?

Itasha Culture is a phenomenon originating from otaku culture, encompassing various exaggerated displays of one’s favorite characters or themes through merchandise such as itabags, itasha clothing, itasha desks, and itasha cars. This culture is not limited to anime and gaming, but extends to various aspects of life, including itasha pencil cases, itasha phones, and even itasha airplanes, creating a “everything can be itasha” scenario. The core of itasha culture lies in expressing love for game characters and identification with game culture through exaggerated and unique display methods.

What is Itasha Culture?

The origins of itasha culture can be traced back to Japan’s economic boom in the late 20th century. During this time, many people began buying imported cars and customizing them, a practice humorously referred to as “itasha” (literally “painful car”). Over time, this culture expanded into other areas, evolving into the itasha culture we know today.

To explain briefly, “itasha” refers to vehicles decorated with ACG (anime, comics, and games) designs, either through painting or decals. This practice originated in Japan and is part of ACG culture. The origins of the term are debated. Some suggest that itasha was inspired by racing cars decorated with sponsor logos. Others propose that after Japan’s economic boom, a large number of imported cars led to the term “Itasha” (from “Italian car” in Japanese, “イタリア車”), because the pronunciation of “Ita” sounds like the Japanese word for “pain” (痛). There are also claims that the term arose from the high cost of customizing these cars, which could cause financial discomfort. In any case, there is no single, unified explanation.

What is Itasha Clothing?

Itasha clothing is a type of apparel originating from Japanese anime culture, typically featuring prints of favorite anime characters, game characters, or other related designs. For instance, Featuring characters from Zenless Zone Zero clothing is also considered itasha. This type of clothing is not just a way to express personal preferences and individuality but also an important element within anime and gaming culture. The term “itasha” comes from the Japanese word “痛み” (itami), meaning pain or discomfort. However, in this context, it more often reflects a deep affection for beloved characters and a passion for related culture.

Itasha clothing is more than just apparel; it has become a link between enthusiasts. By wearing clothing adorned with their favorite characters, fans can find like-minded friends and share their love for anime and games in everyday life. This cultural phenomenon not only highlights the contemporary young generation’s desire for self-expression and individuality but also showcases their deep emotional connection and unique understanding of anime and gaming culture.

Itasha clothing comes in various forms, such as T-shirts, short-sleeve shirts, hoodies, etc., and features prints of different anime or game characters or scenes. Popular examples include Zenless Zone Zero T-shirts and Genshin Impact T-shirts. These items are commonly seen at conventions and increasingly appear in daily life, gradually becoming a way to express personality and interests. With the growing popularity of anime and gaming culture, more and more young people choose to express their affection for specific characters or works through itasha clothing.

What is an Itabag?

An Itabag is a way for fans to express their love for specific anime or game characters. These bags are typically adorned with a variety of character badges, keychains, and other related merchandise, such as badges (commonly referred to as “baji”), posters, plushies, and figures. The merchandise can come in various materials including tin, acrylic, and paper, with tin badges being particularly popular. The trend reflects fans’ passion for their favorite characters, allowing them to showcase their preferences and display items related to those characters.

What is Itasha car?

Itasha is a car culture phenomenon originating from Japan that represents the owner’s personality and aesthetic. This cultural form involves decorating cars with anime characters and elements, either directly by applying decals or indirectly by transforming the vehicle to resemble an anime character or scene. It can also include placing anime-themed toys, models, and accessories inside the car, as well as anime-themed parking signs and decals outside. The appeal of Itasha comes from its representation of freedom, individuality, and creativity. Through Itasha decoration, car owners can express their interests, personalities, and aesthetic tastes, turning their vehicles into a form of artistic expression. As car culture continues to evolve, Itasha culture is expected to remain popular and become an integral part of automotive culture.

Today, Itasha culture is not confined to anime culture alone; it is gradually making its way into the art world and may become a new form of popular art expression.