Auto Otaku, Literally

You probably know that the word ,"Otaku" in Japanese is often used to describe someone who is obsessed with something to the point of being a total geek about it. I , and many others are otaku of Japanese car culture. In the west  fans of Japanese and Manga proudly call themselves "otaku". Personally, I am not too interested in Japanese comic books or cartoons unless they have cars in them...

Initial D is by far the most popular car related manga/anime in Japan, and all over the world. It is loved by many, and hated by some for bringing (unwanted) attention to the world of drifting, and particularly for driving up prices of the AE86 Corolla because of it's cult-car status.

I am not talking about Initial D here though, I am talking about several other lesser-known, yet just as cool car-themed manga available in Japan.

Behind Initial D the second most popular car manga is Wangan Midnight. Originally written by Michiharu Kusunoki, the series has spawned a popular arcade/video game and this summer, an all new anime series. Wangan Midnight is about a guy named Akio who races his S30Z "Ghost Zed" on the highways of Tokyo and Yokohama. I'm sure most of you are already somewhat familiar with Wangan Midnight.

Next up is my personal favorite, "Shakotan Boogie" which I use as my screenname on several car forums. This manga is was also written by Michiharu Kusunoki. This manga is actually based on a fairly unknown live action movie from the mid 80's. It is set in the small city of Kochi, on the island of Shikoku. This series is not only about racing like Initial D or Wangan Midnight. It is about picking up girls, getting in fights, cruising around , being goofy, and other things besides just racing.  Three of the main cars of this manga include an S30Z G nose, GC10 Skyline, and an MZ10/11 Toyota Soarer. Other cars I have seen include-

Nissan Z31
Nissan Leopard
Toyota TE27 Levin
MA70 Supra
AMG Benz
FC３S RX7
Other European and American cars

Outside of Japan, few are familiar with Shakotan Boogie. Even in Japan, only car people are into it. There was also a four part anime series based on the manga that is available on VHS. Recently a number of model cars from the manga have been released in Japan.

Michiharu Kusunoki has done another manga called "Tokyo Broker" where a Dodge Viper GTS is featured prominently, though it is not really a racing or car manga.

Lastly, there is a more recent manga called "Countach" that features a number of 70's and 80's exotic cars like Porsche 928's, Ferrari's and of course Lamborghini's. Japanese cars are present as well. The one book I have has a mountain race between an AW11 MR2 and a Lancia Stratos. The artwork in "Countach" is more detailed than older manga.

Besides the one's I mentioned there are other car manga in Japan, though I do not have any issues of these. One of them is called Garage Restore 251, which I saw on Grand JDM I hope to track down  more hard to find car manga in Japan.

Unfortunately, as far as manga goes, these are nowhere near the top in popularity so they are extremely hard to find outside of Japan, and of course are only available in Japanese. Despite this, these car manga offer a unique look at Japan's car culture through creative and talented minds.

Comments

[Chris]

I have the volume 1 of Restore Garage 251. I haven't had a chance to get any others in the series. Another one I have that you didn't mention is One And Only Natural Born Drivers by Takatoshi Yamada. It's a short manga, only 5 volumes of which I have all 5. I don't really speak or read Japanese but from what I can gather it's about a young man who, though he resembles a child, drives a Toyota Mark II wagon and ends up driving for a racing team. Many cars appear in the manga, including UZS151 Toyota Crown Majesta, FC3S RX7, KPGC10 Skyline GT-R, NB8C Mazda Miata, a VIP style PH50 Nissan President, GC8 Subaru Impreza WRX, many of which he races against in his personal time.

[Chris]

I have the volume 1 of Restore Garage 251. I haven't had a chance to get any others in the series. Another one I have that you didn't mention is One And Only Natural Born Drivers by Takatoshi Yamada. It's a short manga, only 5 volumes of which I have all 5. I don't really speak or read Japanese but from what I can gather it's about a young man who, though he resembles a child, drives a Toyota Mark II wagon and ends up driving for a racing team. Many cars appear in the manga, including UZS151 Toyota Crown Majesta, FC3S RX7, KPGC10 Skyline GT-R, NB8C Mazda Miata, a VIP style PH50 Nissan President, GC8 Subaru Impreza WRX, many of which he races against in his personal time.

[Chris]

I have the volume 1 of Restore Garage 251. I haven't had a chance to get any others in the series. Another one I have that you didn't mention is One And Only Natural Born Drivers by Takatoshi Yamada. It's a short manga, only 5 volumes of which I have all 5. I don't really speak or read Japanese but from what I can gather it's about a young man who, though he resembles a child, drives a Toyota Mark II wagon and ends up driving for a racing team. Many cars appear in the manga, including UZS151 Toyota Crown Majesta, FC3S RX7, KPGC10 Skyline GT-R, NB8C Mazda Miata, a VIP style PH50 Nissan President, GC8 Subaru Impreza WRX, many of which he races against in his personal time.

[Mike]

Wow, that sounds pretty cool. I think I have seen a couple others, one with a first generation CRX, one with an N2 style AE86, and another with an NA Roadster. The Garage Restore one sounds pretty interesting, hopefully I'll come across some when I'm in Japan.

[Garret]

Any other info on the original Shakotan Boogie movie from the 80's? I've been searching and I can't find much (anything) about it. Did it have a different name in Japanese or something?

[Mike]

http://page11.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/n55787128

Check out that link. I actually have a copy of this movie, interestingly Kochi, where the movie is set, is the sister-city of my city.

[Nam]

You forgot Over Rev, a story about a young girl and her AW11 MR2, racing around on the touge. Its more technical than Initial D and has a great storyline.

[DJpowerhaus]

I remember seeing online a manga called Special Stage (SS) by Halumoto Showhei where the main character drives a Group B Starion 4WD against all the typical cars Japan has to offer. The story starts off with the main character competing with his Corolla in the Japanese rally championship. Good art, but now a days I cant find shit online about it.

[J_C]

I picked up a couple manga in when I was in Tokyo for translation material. One is called Full Spec, about a teenage boys who build up an NA MX-5 with a turbo rotary. The other is Flat Out, about a rookie World Rally driver who joins a Subaru team.

[hadi]

i very like this manga but i don't know how to find it.
because i live in indonesia

[Edward]

Where in Los Angeles can one find the Shakotan and Wangan Midnight series on video or even the actual books. Any links or addresses would be helpful.

[crinale]

i usually find these things at a store called book off. they're a chain of stores dealing with used japanese books, magazines (including option, etc), cds and videos. and they're way cheap; 2 bucks a manga. http://www.bookoff.co.jp/en/index.html

[Justin]

hey there really should be an online community dedicated to making manga and anime about cars available to people all over the internet. wmexpressway.net is a forum full of dedicated fans of wangan midnight and its community is translating the manga for all to read.
without them i would never have been able to read it.

[Taku]

Dun forget about Full Spec man. And also FLAT OUT,It's a rally manga.