Bout Itasha

Itasha (痛 車?), Literally "the car that hurt", is a term in Japanese for an otaku craze in which a person's body adorn their cars with fictional characters of anime, manga, and video games (especially Bishojo game or eroge) . These figures are dominated by women moe. Ornament is used generally in the form of paint schemes and stickers. Motorcycle decorated in such a way is called the itansha (痛 単 車?), While for the bike called itachari (痛 チ ャ リ?). 

Itasha are often found in places such as Akihabara (Tokyo), Nipponbashi (Osaka), and OSU (Nagoya).

History Of Itasha

In the 1980s, when Japan was at the height of its economic power, Tokyo street turns into a parade of luxury imported cars. From a variety of cars, "itasha" is the most desirable. At that time, "Itasha" (イ タ 車?), Stands Itaria-sha (イ タ リ ア 車?), Is a car that is imported from Italy. Now "itasha" with such meaning is only used as a quirk. 

In the 1990s, the term "itai" is taken to explain the strong otaku and revere associated with serial killer Tsutomu Miyazaki. Since then, the term "Itasha" (痛 車?) For a car that is decorated into use . This term is the result of merging Japanese word itai (痛 い?, Painful) and sha (車?, Vehicles). Itai here can be interpreted as "pained embarrassment" or "painful wallet" due to the high costs involved.

This car decking began in the 1980s with soft dolls and stickers of anime figures, manga, or video games, [3] but has become a phenomenon in the 21st century, when the otaku culture has become well known through the Internet. The earliest known report of the vehicle is decorated in Comic Market convention 68th which started in August 2005 

Convention 

In 2007, Autosalone (あ う と さ ろ ー ね Autosarōne?), An itasha-oriented convention, first held in Ariake (Tokyo), near the site of the Comic Market. 

Involvement in sports with motor vehicles 

Now, itasha involvement in sporting events with a real motor vehicle has become a unique feature in the sports industry with the Japanese motor vehicle. Itasha racing car can be found ranging from the regional club event to an international level races (including events organized by the FIA). The participants were not limited itasha riders to amateurs assigned. Many professional teams, or even teams that are supported by the manufacturer do not mind changing them into itasha racing car: It is not only acting as an alternative garnish sponsor (if figures or designs supplied by the sponsor), but is widely regarded as one of the ways to expand their teams fan base or promote their events follow. 

Similar itasha involvement can also be found at motorcycle events or even a Formula car.