Jakarta, Oct. 11 (Jiji Press)–An event featuring “itasha,” or cars decorated with images of manga and anime characters, was held in a suburb of Jakarta on Saturday. The itasha culture originated in Japan and is now increasingly popular in Indonesia, which has many anime and manga fans. At a venue for the event, “Itasha Domei” (Itasha Alliance), set up at a commercial facility, nearly 70 itasha cars were displayed, including those with images from Japanese anime series Mobile Suit Gundam and of Hatsune Miku, a virtual idol from Japan. Some cosplayers were seen taking pictures with cars on display. This was the second Itasha Domei event. The first event was held last year. Itasha started to become popular in Indonesia around the 2010s, according to Rifqi Yusviansyah Laman, 30, head of the Itasha Domei organizer. On Java Island, where Jakarta, the capital of the Southeast Asian nation, is located, there are an estimated 1,000 itasha vehicles, including “itatansha” decorated motorcycles, Rifqi said. Rifqi said he wants Itasha Domei to grow into one of the best-known itasha events in Indonesia, bringing together itasha owners from around the country. He added that he hopes to hold Itasha Domei outside Java as well in the future. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
