Pimp my ride: Bosozoku cars turn heads on Tokyo's streets

Perhaps better known for recklessly speeding down Tokyo's highways at night on modified motorcycles, the bosozoku (literally "violent running tribes") have a whole other side to them as shown in this gallery by Pink Tentacle. Fans of legendary manga Akira, by Katsuhiro Otomo, will be aware of the bike gangs that exist in Japan. Though it must be said they are rarely seen these days in Tokyo and seem to have set up camp more in Okinawa. But the original bosozuku were known as Lightning Tribes (kaminari-zoku) from when the Japanese automobile industry first took off in the 1950s. 

The modifying of bikes and cars is often illegal and has led some groups to engage in further activities not appreciated by the society at large -- not least the noise. Sometimes the police are forced to step in to break up rallies and races.

The most typical car designs involve large exhausts pointing high in the sky, aero kits that seem to expand the vehicles to twice the size and very colorful paint jobs. Not to mention disco lights and seriously enhanced suspension systems that must make drivers fall out of their seats. Meanwhile, to check out how motorbikes and scooters get lavished-up, check out this article.

Our favourites though are those that show the enthusiasts' true colors. Check the vans with J-pop stars and idols like Mai Kuraki and Ayumi Hamasaki on the rear ends -- and in one case, Hello Kitty. Maybe the bosozoku have a softer side after all?