Last year was my first visit to the massive Anime Matsuri event in the heart of Houston, Texas. The allure of hunting out cars at an anime convention drew me back for 2024.

Anime Matsuri’s atmosphere is unique, blending subcultures I’m only mildly familiar with alongside ones I deeply embrace.

While, like every Italian of my generation, I grew up watching over-dubbed Japanese anime on Italian TV, I am nowhere close to an anime otaku (nerd). I am, however, a certified car otaku, and while I felt like a little fish out of the water at the 2023 Anime Matsuri this year, I began to find my groove.

It’s probably because of the significant improvements in the car segment this year. The local Aston Martin distributor returned, displaying stunning models like the DBX 707 – possibly my favorite SUV – and a metallic blue DB11.

But, unsurprisingly, it’s the authentic Japanese side of things that the Anime Matsuri’s organizer really nails.

For 2024, they again showcased 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 checking out all the intricate carbon fiber details around the exterior aero.

The official Toyota lineup included this vibrant itasha GR Corolla, a model that’s become quite popular in the US partially due to the GR Yaris not being sold here. In fact, I spotted more GR Corollas during my week in Texas than in the past eight months in Japan!

The biggest surprise? Finally, I saw a Tesla Cybertruck up close and in person. And not just one, but two at the show and many more on the streets of Houston.

Aside from the unique design, the Cybertruck’s sheer size – its length especially – really stood out.

I even took the Gundam-liveried Cybertruck for a drive after the show. Don’t let its looks fool you – it drives impressively well and is so fast off the line.

Anime Matsuri excels at celebrating all things Japan – encompassing anime, manga, and cosplay, while seamlessly merging into car culture.

This crossover is something the organizers recognize and will continue to build upon. Take Initial D, for example. Who doesn’t know about the popular 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 great example of how simple, coherent modifications can stand the test of time. The C-West aero and widened fenders paired 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’s a build that screams ‘Texas': a rear-wheel-drive, 6-second drag R35 GT-R.

Known as the Kimbo GT-R, this beast built by The Shop Houston runs a 4.1L VR38 with a massive single turbo setup, allowing it to develop 2,000hp.

I spent a very long time taking in all the details, of which there are many. Almost nothing remains from the original car; the front is tube-framed, while the rear sports a massive 9-inch diff. A Turbo 400 automatic transmission replaces the original dual-clutch GR6. I was particularly fascinated by the reversed intake manifold, ingeniously fed by pipes from the charge cooler in the passenger footwell. Now I need to see these machines run at the drag strip!

In Texas, you either go big or don’t go at all, as evidenced by this carbon fiber-clad Audi RS3.

Its unique hood offered a glimpse at even more carbon!

This GT-R was nothing like the drag car but an extremely well-executed street machine boasting four-digit horsepower. Seeing a Japanese car approached with distinctly American flair was refreshing.

Then came a real surprise…

It’s great to see more and more enthusiasts looking back on history and learning, understanding, and experimenting with lesser-known 1980s JDM models like this R30 Nissan Skyline.

Are you ready for some Honda action?

I really liked this EK Civic as it combined a subtle Japanese flavor with the simple body execution, functional stance, and Volk Racing CE28Ns hiding Endless calipers.

Under the hood, it was anything but conventional, sporting a B-series engine paired with a healthy dose of forced induction.

This build would rank among my top picks at the 2024 Anime Matsuri, a perfect blend of well-chosen parts and a healthy appetite for power.

Next to it, this EF had a down-to-earth approach with simple aesthetics and aggressive lowering. Those clear tail lights and big wheels hint back to a specific time in Civic culture.

Recaros always get a big thumbs-up from me!

I saw this Camry at the show last year, but I appreciated it even more this time as the owner shared the extensive work that’s gone into it.

From the smooth custom widening front and rear to a TRD supercharger setup that gets the 2GR-FE engine moving, this is, without a doubt, the cleanest Camry build I’ve ever come across.

This Lexus IS 300 on TE37s caught my eye multiple times over the weekend, and for obvious reasons – it’s tough!

And this IS wagon, known as the Altezza Gita in Japan, dumped to the ground on air suspension, looked amazing.

Representing Nissan was a wide-body Nissan Z33 that looked ready to hit the drift track. The US has seen a rise in Zs built for drifting, and it’s started to rub off on Japan. It’s all about affordability; these are probably the cheapest RWD chassis to get into now.

I’m sure Ichishima-san at 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 back in the day, but it is now sadly discontinued. What do you think about them? Am I the only one that likes the SE37?

This Honda S2000 exuded a time attack vibe with its aggressive front diffuser, aero fenders, vented hood, and GT wing. I first saw it with the hood down, but the owner graciously opened it to reveal a stunning supercharger setup.

Thanks to the 25-year importation rule, more JDM cars flood into the US every month, fueling a growing appreciation for Japanese car culture.

That, of course, goes for non-Japanese stuff, too.

If you thought I was done with Civics, think again. This EK Coupe boldly contrasted black paint with yellow accents.

This K-swapped hatch, built for circuit racing, featured serious suspension work, a stripped interior, and an ATL fuel cell where the passenger seat once resided.

It’s wild to see how the Civic has evolved over the years. Seeing an EK9 next to the new FL5 Type R made me ponder why cars keep getting larger!

With that, though, I’ll wrap up 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