Japan may be the coolest place on earth. Laying claim to myriad trends and techniques immortalized across all creative disciplines, whenever in need of a little inspiration, simply look to the land of the rising sun for a little spark. And being that the East Asian island is so ubiquitous across culture, it would be an injustice not to mention its contribution to the automotive arena—a space Mattel Creations and Hot Wheels know all too well.
Producing just about every kind of vehicular variation on the spectrum, Japan remains a key auto-manufacturing innovator that consistently pushes the boundaries of design and performance. So it’s kismet that one of the world’s leading automotive hubs would share a longstanding connection with the most popular model car brand in toy history. With its eyes on the streets for more than half a century in search of the hottest rides car culture can offer, Hot Wheels has been at the forefront of all emerging developments in the industry since 1968—and in some cases, even helped kickstart a few within its time.
Incorporating pieces from reality into imaginative, amped-up hot rods, Hot Wheels has always had an affinity for the craziest customs when designing its bespoke roadsters. Recognizing Japan’s diverse spread of innovative automobiles––underground street racing kits and modded moto-marvels included––the classic toy brand has produced several sought-after 1:64 scale models that reflect the authentic spirit of the country’s cutting-edge car scene.
Celebrating the final lap of Mattel Creations’ unique Hot Wheels x Daniel Arsham collab kicking off in Tokyo and the shared automotive legacy between the two entities, we dug into the archives to find a few of the most iconic Japanese-inspired Hot Wheels models to ever hit the market.
Hot Wheels Z-Whiz (1977)
First speeding onto the scene in 1977 as part of the seminal Flying Colors series, this die-cast serves as Hot Wheels’ original foray into the Japanese automotive sphere. Designed by the legendary Larry Wood—a name tied to some of the most memorable cars in the brand’s history—the sporty Z-Whiz is the first export of Japan to receive a dedicated casting in the Hot Wheels catalog.
As an amalgamation of four real-life models produced by the Japanese automaker Datsun, the make-believe muscle car flexes a sleek exterior with vibrant accents running down its center. The miniature car is also outfitted with the brand’s original redline tires, joining an exclusive group as one of the last designs to boast this feature. Constructed with a sloped rear and an elongated front body, the Z-Whiz marks the beginning of Hot Wheels’ entry into Japanese-specific designs.
Japan Historics Premium Series (2016)
A collection of classic models, the Japan Historics Premium Series showcases some of the very best vintage offerings from the country’s storied vehicular history. As the first release from the Hot Wheels Car Culture Series, a run of toys paying homage to different global car cultures, this pack offered an assortment of rides from heritage Japanese car brands. Including body mods from Datsun, Nissan, Mazda, and Toyota, the Japanese Historic Premium Series is Hot Wheels’ homage to decades of Japanese automotive design packaged in proper 1:64 fashion.
Hot Wheels Mad Manga (2012)
Based on the notable bōsōzoku car styling seen throughout Japan, this original Hot Wheels design couldn’t look more like a speed demon’s dream ride if it tried. Translating to “violent running gang,” bōsōzoku cars are characterized by exaggerated features and a hyperbolized anatomy, often only caught in a glimpse as these custom racers speed by in a flash. A true reflection of Japan’s roots in car customization and underground racing, the Mad Manga is a seamless fit on Hot Wheels’ roster of (theoretically) overpowered automobiles.
Be on the lookout for Lap 4 of Hot Wheels x Daniel Arsham on May 16. Visit Mattel Creations for more details on how to buy.
