1/24 ARIA: Honda Integra Type R

"Itasha" literally means "pain car" in Japanese, suggesting that these cars garishly decorated with colorful anime character graphics are embarrassingly painful to look at, or ride in. A bit harsh, perhaps, but there you have it! Another take on the name is that it's riffing on the similar sound of the nickname for Italian cars, also pronounced "Itasha" but with the kana for Italy's "Ita" in place of the kanji for pain (also pronounced "ita" in this combination). "Sha" in both cases means "car."

This nice Honda Integra Type R kit features graphics from the popular Aria anime. The decals for the graphics are particularly well done, featuring image fidelity not often seen in automotive kits. Aside from the decals, this is Fujimi's standard curbside (no engine detail) kit of the Integra. Body is molded in white, with chassis and interior also molded in white. Wheels are...white! The tires are black rubber. Instructions are in Japanese, but are clearly illustrated.