This Kamikaze-Themed Scion FR-S Is Controversial But You Can't Help Admiring Its Attitude

Let’s get this out of the way right now: This is a kamikaze-themed Scion FR-S that not only evokes one of the most controversial elements of Japanese naval strategy, but also pays homage to the Zero fighter planes used in some of those attacks.

It’s also got a colour scheme inspired by the Japanese flag, and a Rocket Bunny V2 body kit. And air suspension. And pretty much nothing in the way of extra go. In short, it’s a car likely to offend more people than possibly any other car at the Tokyo Auto Salon. And I have to say I admire that.

Now it’s probably obvious, but I feel I should say I have no love for Japan’s past military aggressions. But I do like that someone had the chutzpah to build a car like this, irrespective of my thoughts on the theme. It’s truly one of the most unique FR-S/GT86/BRZs we’ve ever seen.

Let’s start with the most obvious aspect: The paint job. It’s great to see something truly different in the tuning car scene, even if the idea behind it is controversial. The burning skulls on each side, complete with period helmet and goggles, certainly stand out, and are matched by a third skull on the bonnet. ‘Zero Fighter’ text greets you on each sill as you enter the car.

At the back, the theme is reinforced by the ‘Second Kamikaze Suicide Bomber Squadron’ text in kanji on the ducktail, as well as katakana script below that reads, “Goodbye. Glory to Japan hereafter”. It’s really quite chilling.

In-keeping with the kamikaze theme, the interior has been decked out with a full red leather and Alcantara re-trim, and the custom passenger-side dashboard panel depicts a cute cartoon version of the ‘Zero’ fighter with cherry blossoms fluttering around it. All this on the same military-era Japanese flag that features on the door cards. Yeah, it doesn’t let up.

The interior is also where you can see some of the mad audio install, which features a Carozzeria head unit, as well as front speakers, two subs and three amps from Focal’s K2 Power range. You can also peek at the three Soundstream One Farad capacitors, which sit in clear Perspex boxes underneath the custom air suspension tanks.

It’s the little details that help really draw this car together. The 18-inch Work Seeker wheels in red offset the white paint perfectly and tie in with the custom red headlights and tail lights, as well as the very cool one-off metallic red fender mirrors. There’s also the unique triple-exit stainless steel exhaust out back, which is the one ‘performance’ add-on the car has.

The irony of all this is that while the whole car was designed to be as Japanese as possible, the base itself is half-American. As stated in the opening paragraph, this is a Scion FR-S - not a Toyota GT86 or Subaru BRZ - and the steering wheel is on the left. In Japan. The reason, as I found out recently when I chatted with the folks at Aireal Auto Works, the shop that built the car, is that they’re a ‘reverse import’ specialist. This means they bring USDM versions of Japanese cars, like the FR-S and even the Prius, to Japan.

But this isn’t just an attempt to drum up controversy for the sake of it; there’s at least some method here, as the FR-S links back to the original Zero fighters. Why? Because Fuji Heavy Industries was one of several businesses formed after the forced post-war break-up of Nakajima Aircraft Company, which used to build ‘Zero’ aircraft. It is now the company behind Subaru, and, as I’m sure you know, the FR-S runs a Subaru-built Boxer engine.

So, there you have it. A controversial evocation of one of Japan’s most famous military machines, built around a car with a heart descended from those very aircraft.

Check out the rest of our Tokyo Auto Salon coverage, with the craziest and coolest cars on display!