Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on November 2009

Proof, as if any were needed, that there’s a niche for everything in this country: Hachimaru Hero (“80 Hero”) is a biannual magazine dedicated solely to the cars and bikes of the ’80s. The latest issue, emblazoned with a Toyota Soarer 3000GT and the headline “Cars Were Fun in the ’80s” (as if we needed reminding!), contains unironic hymnals to such blocky wonders as the Nissan Silva Q’s and Mazda Savanna RX-7 GT-X. “’80s cars have more personality than the models you see these days, and their design’s great too,” opines one proud owner. Who are we to argue? Lest you suspect that the magazine’s editors are struggling to fill space, an entire four pages are devoted to reprinting the brochure for the 1984 Toyota Cresta. All that’s missing is a covermount CD of Reo Speedwagon songs.