RAK under construction

Team LoveHate and friends gather for a group photo after taking the "Best Exterior" award at a car and bike show on Sunday, October 4th, 2009. The award that was won was related to the G35 eroge themed Itasha I wrote about in early September. However, in the background a new Itasha styled vehicle was being born.



Team LoveHate is a wonderful band of people. I've come to get to know them over the last few weeks. I was contacted by team member Jazel, who expressed interest in my Sac-Anime article here: (http://runaroundkazu.blogspot.com/2009/09/sac-anime-summer-2009-day-one.html) and my post featuring Team LoveHate's G35 here: (http://runaroundkazu.blogspot.com/2009/09/worlds-first-itasha-style-g35.html).
The team enjoyed my articles and had decided on contacting me a couple weeks back.
After talking to Jazel over the last couple weeks and hanging out with the team at their latest show I've somewhat just come to join the "family" that you see in the pic above.

A bit about Team LoveHate:
"Either you love it or you hate it." says team member Jazel, which fits pretty well with the world's reception of Itasha cars- something that is brand new and just starting out here in the USA. In Japan, Itasha (literally translated to "pain vehicle") are ridiculed amongst other otaku hobbies and activities. Same goes here in America, where prideful automobile fanatics cringe at the mere site of a vinyl wrapped G35.

But there are many who love it. Team LoveHate wants to target those who love anime, and focus on apparel and custom wrapped cars. When I say "wrapped" I'm talking about the Vinyl that is used in making Itasha graphics of superb quality- none of which would truly exist without the genius mind of Steve Crain, manager of Signs By Tomorrow, and Itasha extraordinaire.

Team LoveHate as a whole wishes to move forward, customizing cars with Anime, Manga, and Game characters, and then moving into clothing and apparel alongside their Itasha otaku shenanigans.


So what about the event? Let's see some cars!
So without further adieu I bring you the pictures and video from Sunday's event.

It doesn't look like much from the back at all, and believe it or not...it took place outside of a gentleman's club. Oddly enough, this seems to be the only show that takes place here. Normally, shows like these appear at convention centers and such.

A Scion, one of the first vehicles that caught my interest. For a while we couldn't find the team, so Jacob (a good comrade of mine who came long, and who I must say has been a great deal of help) and I walked around a bit.

The Scion logo which had some kind of LED lights behind it, as did the rest of the car on the inside.

Wouldn't mind having one of these, I think they're nice. Mom calls them the "box" cars. I think the back there would be ideal for storing cosplay sets on the way to conventions...just need some hangers.

The inside of the Scion. Interesting crystal block thingy for the stick. Would be cool if it came with a fossilized kappa.

Now if it rode this way down the road...that would be interesting.

When you look at the big back trunk it almost acts as an optical illusion, which side is the front? I can picture it passing for driving backwards.

Suddenly stumbled upon this vehicle and later realized I was at Team LoveHate's area. The silver car above would be made Itasha later that day.

Met up with Jazel soon after discovering the team's location. Above Jacob and Jazel pose in front of the World's First G35 Styled Itasha.

Interesting piece they use to hold the hood open.

Looks like such a roomy vehicle.

An excellent place for hiding bodies in the back...wait, are those stove burners?!

Another old-timer.

Shiny!

Shiny on the inside as well.





This one seems to have won some awards in the past.

Jazel gives Jacob a Team LoveHate symbol sticker on his back.

Vendors?

Mikuru was brought along that day. She's my newest figma and hadn't gotten to take her anywhere yet.

Jazel poses with a random lass who mentioned she was Japanese and wanted a picture by the car.

Steve arrives with a big roll of happy goodness that will be used for the hood.

The first layer is added. If you didn't know, Steve wraps the cars in vinyl layers to make beautiful awesome feeling of Itasha cars.

RAK's new business card design- thanks to Jacob for all the help and mental support.

The Itasha banner Jazel made with his creative energies.

A nearby Corvette.

Nearby bike.

Quick lunch break at Wendy's where I was served by the lovely Asahina-san.

The second layer is applied. Watch the full process in the video at the end.

The hood after completion.

We're still not too sure who this character is, some say Odin Sphere but not sure. Props to those who guess.

The two Itasha meet.

Best Exterior award!

There are a bit more photos from the show that will be added to my Flickr photostream over the next few days so keep an eye out if interested.

It was a fun show, and I enjoyed getting acquainted with everyone.
A point of interest is that Team LoveHate is interested in working on a Black Rock Shooter Itasha...hmmm...stay tuned for more Itasha updates!

The video below covers that Sunday at it's best with pics and live video: