When it comes to accurately depicting the many facets of human culture: fashion, sports, and of course, cars, there aren't many forms of media with the level of attention to detail as Japanese animation. Initial D, Yowamushi Pedal, Slam Dunk, amongst others, dive into the many subcultures humans have developed over the decades, resulting in the ability for a fan to envision themselves as the main protagonist.
Cult classic, Wangan Midnight is no different. Although not a widely recognized as the likes of Initial D (clear by the 12,000 reviews Wangan features on myanimelist.com versus Initial D's 145,000), it has been listed as one of the most socially advanced fictionalizations of car culture. Where Initial D focus on the epic downhill touge battles, Wangan takes a deeper look into the character's personality, emotions, and shortcomings surrounding each individual.
Another area Wangan Midnight shines over the rest of car culture anime, is the detailed explanations given when discussing tuning engines, allowing the viewer to come away with some pretty handy information. In what is basically an ode to the golden era of JDM, Wangan Midnight features some of the most beautiful and powerful cars ever to grace asphalt. These are some of our favorite cars that has been featured in the anime.
Nissan Fairlady Z "Devil Z" (S30Z)
Wangan’s main protagonist, Akio Asakura, is a high school senior with dreams set on beating “Blackbird,” a wildly fast Porsche 911. When he stumbles upon a totaled Nissan Fairlady S30Z, he can’t help but shake the feeling that the car is calling to him.
Capable of 600+ horsepower through its highly modified L28 motor, that had been bored and stroked to a 3.1-liter with a twin turbo setup, it’s later discovered the S30Z belonged to a slew of owners with similar stories of the car refusing to listen to the driver. Its record of crashes gave the car a mythical aura, as if it had a mind and soul of its own.
Although it was probably due to the extreme power, coupled with the Fairlady’s lightweight frame. Through Akio’s determination (and multiple rebuilds after crashes), he is able to master the Wangan Highway, Blackbird, and his own mental anguish.
Tatsuya's Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6 "Blackbird" (964)
Before Akio and the Devil Z claimed the Wangan for themselves, Tatsuya Shima and his 964 Porsche 911 were known as king of the Wangan. A respected surgeon by trade, Tatsuya is tormented by the death of his racing partner, who we later find out shares the same name as the series’ main protagonist, Akio Asakura.
Blackbird is seen as the archrival to the Devil Z, and goes through multiple tuning sessions with “the mechanic from hell,” Jun Kitami, who is also responsible for building the Devil Z. Blackbird sees many iterations of itself, ultimately achieving 700-hp, through a stroked 3.6-liter turbocharged, intercooled engine. Revealed to spend the majority of his salary on racing, Tatsuya, like the personality of the Porsche 911 he drives, is emotionless, yet remarkable.
Reina's Nissan Skyline GT-R "Reina R" (BNR32)
High-fashion model, TV personality, and co-host of “Drive Go! Go!” Reina Akikawa is known for her BNR32 GT-R. Capable of immense power, and ease of driving thanks to the R’s ATTESA four-wheel drive. Reina’s R also sees multiple forms of itself after a crash into the barrier leads her to multiple tuning sessions with the master of GT-R’s, Kazuhiko Yamamoto. Pushing its RB26DETT engine upwards of close to 600-hp, Reina begins to understand that she prefers to follow along the battles between Blackbird ad the Devil Z, rather than compete for superiority.
Like the majority of main characters, Reina struggles with mental anguish, which in her case is a result of isolating herself in pursuit of fame. Leading her to feel most alive when she’s flying down the Wangan Highway, behind the Devil Z and Blackbird. Reina’s R achieves its final form after a crash where it is painted white (for good luck), and sees a modified rear lip enhancement.
Ishida's Ferrari Testarossa (F110)
Just like the other main characters, Yoshiaki Ishida has an obsession with speed, and defeating the Devil Z on the Wangan. A photographer by trade (hence his friendship with Reina), Ishida races the Wangan in his white Ferrari Testarossa where he encounters the Devil Z one night, and embarks on a quest to build a better car.
After contacting Jun Kitami, Ishida forks over $100,000 with one simple request for the Testarossa; beat the Devil Z. Based on a Ferrari once owned by Michiharu Kusunoki, the author of the original Wangan Manga, the Tesatrossa is seen in a Koenig Special bodykit, with final horsepower reaching around 600. Nearly double the 385-hp of a stock 4.9-liter Tipo F113 flat-12 engine.
Keiichiro's Toyota Supra RZ "Monster Machine" (JZA80)
Keiichiro Aizawa works at a host club in order to fund his obsession with speed, and maximizing the power his Supra RZ is capable of. Following in the footsteps of his father and his Celica XX, otherwise known as the first production Supra, Keiichiro drives a JZA80. It’s highly tunable 2JZ-GTE engine sees about 600-hp at its introduction, but following multiple tuning sessions from Reina’s tuner Yamamoto, as well as Akio, the Supra tops out at an insane 800-hp.
In hindsight, his lack of focus on the stability of the frame when producing such power results in snap oversteer. The absence of a roll cage and general chassis reinforcement would end up resulting in body deformation due to the extreme amount of G-force the car was now capable of achieving. After much resistance, the Supra is retired, de-tuned to 400-hp, and receives a silver paintjob, like his late-father’s Celica.