Author Archives: Steve Chang

Initial D sequel anime MF Ghost debuts next week

If you’ve been jonesing for some automotive anime action, your time has come. MF Ghost, the long awaited follow-up to Initial D, will make its debut this coming Sunday. Like its predecessor, it follows the tale of an unlikely racing … Continue reading

Posted in manga | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Yokohama Advan erasers remove marks instead of leaving them

A lot of the merch that automotive companies make is pretty generic. I mean, is there really anything special about a Toyota-branded water bottle or a Nissan ball-point pen? Every once in a while, though, an absolutely genius idea results … Continue reading

Posted in Aftermarket | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Mitsubishi won’t build a Lancer Evolution but it will build a Disneyland-sized theme park in Japan

As car enthusiasts we desperately want Mitsubishi to show some sign of life, preferably by building a Lancer Evolution XI or even a new Pajero/Montero. Then we read about how instead of lending a helping hand to its car division, … Continue reading

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Jay-Z’s Lexus GS300 on display at Brooklyn Public Library

Patrons of the Brooklyn Public Library in New York will notice an unexpected new addition to the lawn: a mid-90s Japanese luxury sedan. The two-tone Lexus GS300 is part of a new exhibit honoring hip-hop legend Jay-Z, who often rapped … Continue reading

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QotW: What’s in your ideal classic and daily two-car garage?

Due to life circumstances, you have only two parking spaces at your residence and will for the foreseeable future. Fortunately the car gods have granted you one space for the JNC of your dreams, no questions asked except it must … Continue reading

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 12 Comments

Datsun Fairlady, Skyline, Miata star in High Card anime

There’s a new anime series out that looks to feature some cool classic cars. We haven’t actually seen High Card, but the trailer and opening credits include a healthy dose of automotive mayhem. The plot sounds completely cuckoo-bananas ridiculous, but … Continue reading

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QotW: What’s your favorite Japanese car commercial?

Today, August 28, is the 70th anniversary of Japan’s first television broadcast and, thus, it is also the 70th anniversary of Japan’s first television commercial. TV signals began beaming at 11:20 am; the first commercial aired 40 minutes later. It … Continue reading

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 17 Comments

Toyota Celica, the first convertible with 4-wheel-steering

Today, August 24, is the birthday of a car that is pretty unique in the annals of automotive history. It’s the day the fifth-generation Toyota Celica Convertible was introduced, a car that most observers don’t think of as being particularly … Continue reading

Posted in News | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Robot Detective‘s Joker — Guess the Car!

If you grew up watching Ultraman or Power Rangers you’ve seen a tokusatsu television series. Meaning “special photography” in Japanese, these action shows for kids usually had a sci-fi theme and used elaborate costumes and primitive live-action special effects to populate … Continue reading

Posted in Film/TV | Tagged , | 11 Comments

QotW: What’s the worst trend in car culture these days?

Apologies for the late QotW, thanks to a big storm that knocked out power a JNC HQ. It was an annoyance, but not as big an annoyance as the many atrocities committed by car people. We, for one, cannot wait … Continue reading

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 38 Comments

Barbie does indeed have some ‘JDM’ cars in her garage

A couple of weeks ago we wondered what “JDM” car Barbie would drive if she wasn’t in a Corvette. Turns out this chick has more cars than Jay Leno. We learned more than we ever wanted to know about her … Continue reading

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QotW: What’s your saddest story of saying goodbye to a car?

Today, August 14, is Japan’s official End-of-Life Vehicle Recycling Day. This is because the numbers 8-1-4 can be read ha-i-sha, or “scrapped car”. While Japan is pretty good about recycling disused cars, they’re probably a bit more trigger-happy when it … Continue reading

Posted in Question of the Week | 5 Comments

Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 or cake?

The “Is it cake?” trend is a couple of years old now, but people still can’t get enough of ultra-realistic desserts. For the launch of the J250 Land Cruiser, Toyota had a 1/10-scale FJ40 cake made to commemorate the occasion. … Continue reading

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Nissan Z haunted by ghosts of Z-cars past on a sleepless night

We’ve seen the formula before. A commercial for the Nissan Z brings out generations of older Z-cars to support the new one. Not a single word is uttered in the whole ad and the narrative couldn’t be simpler. A man … Continue reading

Posted in cm | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

QotW: What was the most important machine ever invented?

Today is Machinery Day in Japan. The holiday was established by the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers to consider how machines can be created responsibly to benefit society, as well as to spur interest in the field of mechanical engineering. … Continue reading

Posted in Question of the Week | 18 Comments

Hardest core Toyota Land Cruiser returns to Japan

It’s almost eerie how similar this week’s Toyota’s Land Cruiser launch has mirrored Nissan’s Z NISMO launch. Both made a big splash with the global announcement for an iconic nameplate, both had stylistic nods to heritage, and both then quietly … Continue reading

Posted in Next Version | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

QotW: What car would Barbie drive if she went “JDM”?

Ads for Barbie‘s live-action film are everywhere, and her 1956 Corvette seemingly plays a significant part. It makes sense, as the movie has massive GM product placement (the Blazer, Hummer EV, and Suburban also feature heavily). But for her next … Continue reading

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 17 Comments

Cutaway Nissan RB30 made out of Lego actually spins

The creativity that people can manage with a pile of plastic bricks never ceases to amaze. The most recent Lego marvel we’ve come across is a completely operational Nissan RB30 engine. Powered by an electric motor, the approximately 1:3 scale … Continue reading

Posted in minicars | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

QotW: What should the next-gen Nissan Skyline really be?

Nissan harshed our mellow last week when it was reported there’s a good chance the next Skyline will become an electric crossover, and not a sedan like it’s been since 1957. It seemed like a sad fate for one of … Continue reading

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 7 Comments

Watch this cracked taillight be repaired to like-new condition by a master craftsman

A cracked or broken taillight lens is usually considered something that’s unfixable. When the unfortunate happens, you’re usually off to a junkyard or scouring eBay for a replacement. But what if you’re taillight is so old and rare that replacement … Continue reading

Posted in News | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments