Last year was my first visit to the huge Anime Matsuri event in the heart of Houston, Texas. The appeal of car hunting at a animation convention withdrew before 2024.
The atmosphere of Anime Matsuri is unique, combining subcultures I’m only slightly familiar with alongside those I deeply embrace.
While, like every Italian of my generation, I grew up watching overdubbed Japanese animation on Italian TV I’m nowhere near one anime otaku (geek). However, I am certified car otakuand although this year I felt like a small fish out of water during the 2023 Anime Matsuri, I started to find my feet.
This is likely due to the significant improvements in the automotive segment this year. The local Aston Martin distributor returned and showed beautiful models such as the DBX 707 – possibly my favorite SUV – and a metallic blue DB11.
But unsurprisingly, it’s the authentic Japanese side of things that Anime Matsuri’s organizer really likes.
For 2024 they once again presented an incredible Super GT race car from Japan, continuing a strong partnership with TOM’s. Seeing the GT500-class Lexus LC up close was a highlight, especially seeing all the intricate carbon fiber detailing around the aerodynamic exterior.
The official Toyota series included this lively itasha GR Corolla, a model that has become quite popular in the US, partly because the GR Yaris is not sold here. In fact, I saw more GR Corollas during my week in Texas than I did in the last eight months in Japan!
The biggest surprise? Finally I saw a Tesla Cybertruck up close and personal. And not just one, but two at the show and many more on the streets of Houston.
In addition to its unique design, the Cybertruck stood out mainly because of its size and especially its length.
I even have the Gundam– Cybertruck in livery for a ride after the show. Don’t be fooled by its looks: it drives impressively well and is so quick off the line.
Anime Matsuri excels at celebrating all things Japan animation, manga, and cosplay, while blending seamlessly into car culture.
This crossover is something the organizers recognize and will continue to build on. To take Initial D, For example. WHO not know about the popular ones manga/anime series?
Now let’s dive into the JDM goodness on display this year…
It was great to see this Nissan S14 again; a good example of how simple, coherent adjustments can stand the test of time. The C-West aerodynamics and widened fenders combined with Takata NSX-inspired green RAYS Volk Racing TE37s work so well. It was also cool to see the Speedhunters sticker still proudly displayed.
Here is a construction that screams ‘Texas’: a rear-wheel drive R35 GT-R with six seconds of resistance.
Known as the Kimbo GT-R, Built by The Shop Houston, this beast features a 4.1L VR38 with a massive single turbo setup, allowing it to develop 2,000 horsepower.
It took me a long time to absorb all the details, and there are many. There is virtually nothing left of the original car; the front has a tubular frame, while the rear has a huge 9-inch differential. A Turbo 400 automatic transmission replaces the original GR6 dual-clutch. I was particularly fascinated by the inverted intake manifold, ingeniously fed by pipes from the charge cooler in the passenger footwell. Now I got to see these machines running on the drag strip!
In Texas, you either go big or you don’t go at all, as evidenced by this carbon fiber-clad Audi RS3.
The unique hood offered a glimpse of even more carbon!
This GT-R looked nothing like the drag car, but an extremely well-executed street machine with four-digit horsepower. It was refreshing to see a Japanese car approaching with a distinctly American flair.
Then came a real surprise…
It’s great to see more and more enthusiasts looking back at history and learning, understanding and experimenting with lesser-known JDM models from the 80s, like this R30 Nissan Skyline.
Are you ready for some Honda action?
I really liked this EK Civic because it combined a subtle Japanese flavor with the simple bodywork, functional stance and Volk Racing CE28Ns hiding endless brake calipers.
Under the hood it was anything but conventional, with a B-series engine paired with a healthy dose of forced induction.
This build would be one of my top picks among the 2024 Anime Matsuri, a perfect blend of well-chosen parts and a healthy thirst for power.
In addition, this EF had a down-to-earth approach with simple aesthetics and aggressive lowering. Those bright taillights and big wheels hark back to a specific time in Civic culture.
Recaros always gets a big compliment from me!
I saw this Camry at the show last year, but I appreciated it even more this time because the owner shared the extensive work that went into it.
From the smooth, custom-widened front and rear fascias to a TRD supercharger setup that gets the 2GR-FE engine moving, this is hands down the cleanest Camry build I’ve ever encountered.
This Lexus IS 300 on TE37s caught my attention several times this weekend, and for obvious reasons: it’s heavy!
And this IS car, known in Japan as the Altezza Gita, dumped on the ground with air suspension, looked fantastic.
Nissan represented a wide-body Nissan Z33 that looked ready to hit the drift track. The US has seen an increase in the number of Zs built for drifting, and this is starting to be reflected in Japan as well. It’s all about affordability; these are probably the cheapest RWD chassis you can get into right now.
I’m sure Ichishima-san from Spoon would appreciate this EK9 Honda Civic Type R.
The Volk Racing SE37s really did it for me! This is one of my favorite JDM wheels from the past, but unfortunately it is now no longer available. What do you think of them? Am I the only one who likes the SE37?
This Honda S2000 exuded a time attack vibe with its aggressive front diffuser, aerodynamic fenders, vented hood and GT wing. I first saw it with the hood open, but the owner kindly opened it to reveal a stunning supercharger setup.
Thanks to the 25-year import rule, more JDM cars are pouring into the US every month, fueling a growing appreciation for Japanese car culture.
Of course, that also applies to non-Japanese things.
If you thought I was done with Civics, think again. This EK Coupé contrasted strongly with the black paint with yellow accents.
Built for circuit racing, this K-swapped hatch had some serious suspension work, a stripped interior and an ATL fuel cell where the passenger seat once was.
It’s great to see how the Civic has evolved over the years. When I saw an EK9 next to the new FL5 Type R, I wondered why cars keep getting bigger!
However, that concludes my 2024 Anime Matsuri coverage. I’m excited to see what the lineup will look like next year as this incredible convention continues to grow.
Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
dino@speedhunters.com
