A number of readers excitedly informed us recently that Adventure Time had featured a hakosuka. We honestly have no clue what the animated show is about, but in this particular episode, titled “Simon and Marcy,” a wizard and a little vampire girl take refuge in an abandoned Nissan Skyline when they hear an ominous rustle in the woods.
The center console is unmistakably hakosuka, though the interior is flipped. The parking brake and steering wheel are positioned for a LHD car.
The front view of the car even has an “R” on the grille. Though the car is never mentioned by name and serves only as a prop, it’s appearance is still significant. Adventure Time is an American program, airing on the Cartoon Network, yet the animators chose an iconic nostalgic that was never sold in the US.
Sure there have been nostalgics in Japanese animation, like in Summer Wars and the newly released From Up On Poppy Hill, but in the past, though American animators drew heavily on Japan for inspiration (Transformers, MASK, TMNT) few actual Japanese cars were drawn. Even ten years ago, a hakosuka in an American TV show would have been unthinkable. Whoever the mystery Adventure Time animators are, we’re glad you’re J-tin fans! You can watch the entire clip here.
Thanks to Ramon N. Eric K. Dylan S. and more!
reminds me of my red tomica hako that looked like it was left in the open for years.
Looks to me like the animators are also anime fans.
(Spirted Away comes to mind).
… not only that, but the bottle is clearly labeled in Japanese too. Though what ‘Raw People Water’ means is anyone’s guess. Or anyone with better kanji than me that is… Neko.
I remember watching an episode of Archer with J-tin, I believe they were drifting an ae86 and a 240z. Pretty accurate drawings, too.
Archer has some awesome cars, here is a link to an article on Jalopnik about it.
http://jalopnik.com/the-cars-of-archer-why-a-cartoon-spy-has-the-best-cars-197285485
http://www.imcdb.org/movie_1486217-Archer.html
I spotted an FB RX-7 in a parking garage. I believe it was the episode where Bryan Cranston was a guest voice.
Haha seeing this here is pretty funny.
http://grandtouring.tumblr.com/post/46050894589/hakosuka-in-adventure-time-i-love-this-show
the resulting discussion was hilarious.
http://grandtouring.tumblr.com/post/46054087432/hakosukajapan-daggersx-hakosukajapan
We honestly have no clue what the animated show is about,
Keep it that way, the series is crap.
No way! its a great show, really imaginative, and now better with Hakosuka.
All the new cartoons on CN are crap. CN has lost it roots major with such dumb offerings and it’s dwell into “live-action.” Adult Swim has gone the route as well. Why should i watch another dated rerun of Family Guy when 5 other stations provide it?
Adventure Time is the best show on TV. Seriously, it’s that good. If you don’t want to take my word for it, read this:
http://io9.com/5952962/how-did-adventure-time-become-better-than-most-live+action-tv-shows
I’ll second, third, whatever that. Adventure Time’s a pretty cool show. It’s got a unique point of for a cartoon. For that matter, Gumball’s pretty decent, too.
Point of view for a cartoon, point of view.
yes! i totally saw this! so glad someone posted it
Archer is so much better than any animated show on right now, and if you check season 3, Poovey Farms Racing drift races a 4 door Rx2 against several other old school cars. I can’t get enthusiastic about Adventure Time. Its just too, well, weird. Very acid-trippy.