Line #54 UsefulNotes/Bosozoku


1	[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/bosozoku_masayuki_yoshinaga.png]]
2	[[caption-width-right:300:Photo taken from Masayuki Yoshinaga's ''Bosozoku: Japanese Bikers'']]
3
4	->''"Kimi wa ''[[WordSaladLyrics funky monkey baby]]\
5	''odoke teru yo\
6	dakedo koishī ore no kanojo.\
7	Kimi wa ''funky monkey baby\
8	''ika re teru yo\
9	tanoshī kimi to ireba.\
10	Aisareteru itsumo ''satisfied\
11	''kimi ga inakerya''\
12	baby I’m blue, no, no, no, no, no, no, no..."
13	-->-- '''"[[https://youtu.be/Hq73rPIDqx8?t=2632 Funky Monkey Baby]]"''', the 1973 BreakthroughHit of ''Carol''.[[note]]Footage taken from their 1975 farewell concert, featuring lots of shots of their ''bōsōzoku'' elite supporters / rock band ''Cools''. And yes, the stage [[TrashTheSet burned out at the end]] by accident.[[/note]]
14
15	JapaneseDelinquents, [[RecycledINSPACE but]] [-WITH [[AllBikersAreHellsAngels BIKES!]]-]... Or at least that's what it may look at first glance.
16
17	The ''bōsōzoku'' (暴走族, lit. "running-out-of-control tribe") is a Japanese youth subculture associated with customized motorcycles. Their DistaffCounterpart is called ''ladies'' (レディース). On a wider scale, "''bōsōzoku''" is also the go-to term in Japan for any outlaw biker gang (i.e. [[AllBikersAreHellsAngels Hells Angels]] count as ''bōsōzoku''). Some of their detractors also try to ridicule them through derogatory nicknames, like ''chinsō-dan'' (珍走団, lit. "odd racer group") or ''dasai-zoku'' (ダサイ族, lit. "tacky tribe").
18
19	!!A Brief Summary
20
21	The ''bōsōzoku'' have distinctive features among the various subsets of JapaneseDelinquents. The longest-standing media portrayal of Japanese delinquent is the ''yankii'' from the late '70s to early '90s, or the earlier '70s ''tsuppari'', who typically belong to a very specific school setting; while the average ''bōsōzoku'' is more concerned with gang matters than with school issues, if they haven't already dropped out of it. However, due to their close average age, there was a noticeable trend exchange between the two subcultures.
22
23	The iconic ''bōsōzoku'' image is that of a low-speed zig-zagging motorcade gang making lots of loud noise and threatening whoever comes around, whose members engage in criminal activities with their peers. The average ''bōsōzoku'' was a delinquent teenager, and it was common to retire shortly before or after the age of majority at twenty -- at least before Japan's increasing average age problem. Some low-ranked ''{{yakuza}}'' found an easy target of their activities with them, giving them drugs and weapons in exchange for [[LoanShark money funds]] (and an easy way to recruit people, if they needed somebody to do dirty jobs) -- the most faithful of them becoming eventually official pawns. By the time of their downfall in the late '80s, alternate ways of juvenile delinquency, such as the more American-influenced ''[[{{Gangbangers}} color gangs]]'' (カラーギャング) and the trendy ''teamers'' (チーマー), made the ''bōsōzoku'' look rather old-fashioned and outdated.
24
25	Japanese police technically classifies the ''bōsōzoku'' into two subsets: the ''kyōdō kiken'' (associative hazard), and the ''ihō kyōsō'' (illegal racing) types. The former subset is the well-known gang type; the latter is the more obscure offshoot of the ''kaminari zoku'' dedicated to street racing. These racers are more known as the ''hashiriya'', and [[DoNotCallMePaul don't like to be associated]] with the standard ''kyōdō kiken''-type ''bōsōzoku'', because their profile is much more discreet than their cousins (since they're on the average more likely to be individualistic) and their vehicle modifications tend to be purely functional. Unlike the ''kyōdō kiken''-type ''bōsōzoku'', the number of ''hashiriya'' bikers has managed to stay afloat, peaking in the 10s -- in fact, since their downfall in the '90s, the former ''kyōdō kiken''-type ''bōsōzoku'' have borrowed traits from the ''hashiriya'', such as being grouped on small individualistic and easily dispersible gangs, or having a bigger emphasis on racing.
26
27	A particularly ironic offshoot is that of the ''toho bōsōzoku'' ("Walking bōsōzoku") from northernmost Japan, who can't take their motorcycles in frozen highways and keep making the same rowdy behavior, but on-foot. They've also been seen making noises in festivals and other places which don't let vehicles in. Some of them are simply amateur gangs who could buy ''bōsōzoku'' clothes but can't afford a vehicle yet. Another similar phenomenon is that of preadolescent kids who modify their bicycles with typical ''bōsōzoku'' modifications -- even those have received small fines, probably to [[AndThatsTerrible warn them of]] their idols' wrong behavior.
28
29	A noticeable number of former golden era-''bōsōzoku'' who refused to reform and integrate into society have turned into the backbone of the ''hangure'' (半グレ, lit. "pseudo-[[{{Delinquents}} gurentai]]" or "[[LoopholeAbuse semi-grey]]") gangs which, despite having no relation with traditional organized crime groups like the ''yakuza'' or ''bōryokudan'' (instead acting like loose networks of adult delinquents) and being rivals[[note]]Despite the few exceptions listed above, ''bōsōzoku'' and ''yakuza'' groups have had almost always contempt between them, principally caused by their own different principles on social behavior, i.e. lawless ruckus against organized violence[[/note]], engage in very similar criminal activities. Some of them include phone frauds, [[PreemptiveDeclaration remodeling frauds]], [[LoanShark moneylendering]], demolition / waste jobs of dubious legality, shady nightlife / adult industry business, teenage "model" (sex shop) scouting, product hoarding, etc. Many ''hangure'', owing to their thuggish origins, have also been seen using direct physical violence. While Japan's increasingly effective crackdowns against organized crime are weakening traditional organizations, these gangs are for now harder to disband unless they have a provable partnership with ''yakuza''-affiliated criminals (thus filling their power void sometimes), although efforts have been made to classify them as pseudo-''bōryokudan'' by law.
30
31	!!Rise and Fall of the ''Bōsōzoku'' Subculture
32
33	The subculture's origin can be traced to [[TheSixties the Sixties]]' ''kaminari zoku'' (カミナリ族, lit. "thunder tribe"), close cousins of the [[GreaserDelinquents Greasers and Rockers]]: youngsters who could afford motorcycles, subsequently [[LoudOfWar removed their mufflers]] and [[DrivesLikeCrazy rode them recklessly]] on roads. However, excluding their annoying noise, they weren't much of a concern to Japanese society... At least, before motorcycles became cheap enough for the average high schooler to buy in [[TheSeventies the Seventies]], thanks to [[Analysis/JapanTakesOverTheWorld Japan's fast economic growth]] -- and among those teenagers, your average {{Delinquent\|s}}, who was more concerned with causing ruckus than anything resembling proper racing.
34
35	The ''bōsōzoku'' started to get identified as such by police since 1972, when the cases of assault and blackmail by motorcyle-riding teenagers against civilians started to rise. In a short time, the number of gangs exponentially rose, and violent riotous fights between gangs equipped with knives, [[MolotovCocktail Molotov cocktails]], [[WoodenKatanasAreEvenBetter wooden swords]], [[TwoByFore square timbers]] or even nunchucks were increasingly frequent, to the point of becoming a national threat -- it was at this time when the gangs started forming into coalitions to protect each other, and while the quantity of battles decreased, the number of participants in each skirmish was much higher (up to 600 in the biggest riots), thus the collateral damage higher. This proliferation of large-scale gangs had two direct consequences: the creation of strict anti-juvenile delinquency laws, and the foundation of hierarchical, almost militaristic structures within ''bōsōzoku'' gangs, both which would impact to the rapid downfall of the subculture in [[TheEighties the late Eighties]] (ironically, [[HoistByHisOwnPetard in the latter case]] -- after all, "unruly rebelliousness" and "militant power structures" are rather opposite concepts).
36
37	Starting from the late seventies, some of the biggest ''bōsōzoku'' groups adopted a very militaristic aesthetic and spirit, idealizing loyalty to their gang and almost suicidal fearlessness. Their uniforms were [[InNameOnly allegedly]] inspired by those worn by soldiers of the [[UsefulNotes/KatanasOfTheRisingSun Imperial Japanese Army]] and pilots/''[[SuicideAttack tokkōtai]]'' of the Imperial Japanese Army/Navy Air Service, though they became increasingly flamboyant and impractical, and they often bore signage and banners with fearsome slogans. Larger gangs were run with a strict hierarchy by a command structure of ranked officers leading specific units and squads of members, with militant names like strike force, flying column, special forces, imperial guard, cavalry, etc., sometimes including unique uniforms flourishes or privileges to display rank and unit. This ensured a degree of order and camaraderie among such large numbers of delinquents, but as such the punishment for misconduct or betrayal was organized and severe, and a falling out between different factions could become an all-out war. Other gangs were less structured, or drew inspiration from western bikers (as they did earlier), flashy ''yakuza'', or later ''color gangs''... But the militant, regimented ''bōsōzoku'' gang is still the most common stereotype in media.
38
39	Since [[TheNineties the Nineties]], their membership has been rapidly declining, with most of the biggest gangs being already disbanded -- a 2019 police report estimates 150 groups (composed by roughly 5,710 ''bōsōzoku'', including over 1,200 ''hashiriya''), in comparison to their 1981 peak of 835 groups (composed of roughly 38,900 ''bōsōzoku'' + 1,420 ''ladies''). Some of the most noticeable reasons of their fall are a series of increasingly harsh police penalties, Japan's population ageing and declining birthrate, motorcycle enthusiasts being more interested in the ''hashiriya'' subculture, increasingly expensive vehicle and gasoline prices, the shift to eco-friendly vehicles, and an increasing disinterest of vehicle purchases in younger generations worldwide.
40
41	However, the ''bōsōzoku'' aesthetic is getting a revival through the ''kyūshakai'', clubs composed of former ''bōsōzoku'', young people who appreciate their style, and adults who didn't get to experience them in their heyday. Unlike their inspiration, though, they steer clear of any violent act or hierarchical organization, and drive vehicle parades on their free time such as weekends. However, they're still driving vehicles with illegal modifications, so they're closely monitored by the police (who usually receive complaints of their noise), in case one of them wants to emulate their inspiration further and drive recklessly on their own.
42
43	!!Vehicle Customization
44
45	Naturally, the true ''bōsōzoku'''s defining trait is his close relation to a vehicle, save for notable exceptions. By far the most popular choice is a motorcycle, although cars are present to a lesser degree -- ''ladies'' are commonly associated with unmodified scooters riddled with stickers. Vehicle customization is one of the main traits of the subculture, and since their modifications are mostly illegal, they're an easy target for fines and arrests. Inspirations for the motorcycle modifications include the Film/EasyRider-style American Choppers (which were incredibly expensive in Japan); the narrow, windshield-equipped bikes of the ''press riders'' (プレスライダー, TV/newspaper file couriers distinguishable through their employers' flag); and motorcycle championship racers. It's commonly thought that with every new generation of ''bōsōzoku'' riders, the inspirations started to muddle each other, making a unique hybrid of all of them with increasing flashiness. To recognize their bikes, expect to see at least one of the following features in a motorcycle:
46	* Showy paint jobs and/or decals.
47	* Customized exhaust pipes, namely by removing the mufflers to amplify the motorcycle's noise (aka 爆音マフラー / ''Bakuon muffler''), or ''Devil-kan'' (デビル管, lit. "Devil tubes", named after French company ''[[https://web.archive.org/web/20170711203914/http://www.devil-exhaust.com/ Devil]]'') bass amplifiers. Some bikes have ridiculously tall mufflers installed known as ''takeyari muffler'' (竹槍マフラー, lit. "bamboo spear muffler"), but they're more commonly seen on the ''buchiage'' variation or on cars.
48	* Illegal modifications made to disobey traffic codes: foldable license plates, longer swingarms, whitened red tail lights, or switchable headlights.
49	* ''Sandan'' seats (三段シート, lit. "three-stage seat"), tall backrests named after the three possible ways to use it: as a common motorcycle seat, as a laid-back seat, and as the seat for the backrider. Variants include the much shorter ''chobisan'' (チョビ三) and the ''wakaishi sandan'' (墓石三段, lit. "three-stage tombstone"), named after its square shape and commonly more angled than the usual ''sandan''. The dorsal of the ''sandan'' can also be custom-painted to write or draw something.
50	* Custom short and/or narrow handlebars, such as the ''shibori handle'' (絞りハンドル, lit. "squeezed handlebar") and the ''up handle'' (アップハンドル).
51	* Oversized flags and banners, normally mounted to a flag rod (described below)
52	* Custom tailfins, like the elongated and curved ''tsuppari tail'' (ツッパリテール, lit. "delinquent tail"), the twin-pointed ''ebi tail'' (エビテール, lit. "shrimp tail"), ''Autobahn tail'' (アウトバーンテール), or the Kawasaki Z750 "Z2" tail (Z2テール).
53	* Custom frontal fairings, like the famous aerodynamic ''Rocket cowl'' (ロケットカウル), although some of them prefer to place them in extravagant non-aerodynamic positions. A less flashy alternative is to install a fabric windshield (布たれ風防): extravagant ways to install it include the front-leaning ''[[DelinquentHair regent]] fūbō'' (リーゼント風防) or the back-laid ''[[UsefulNotes/HighSpeedRail shinkansen]] fubo'' (新幹線風防).
54	* Customised front wheel, with accessories like flag rods (旗棒 / ''hata bō'', more popular during the more nationalistic paraphernalia period), or other decorations like an ''aero shark'' (エアロシャーク) front wheel fairing.
55	* Air horns. A particularly popular fanfare is the first twelve notes of the ''Love Theme from Film/TheGodfather''.
56	* Particularly flashy ''bōsōzoku'' aim to drive an exaggeratedly tall vehicle: this trend is known as ''buchiage'' (ブチ上げ), where parts as the ''sandan'', ''rocket cowl'', tail, ''takeyari mufflers'' and/or ''hata bō'' are made as tall as possible, along with an additional set of decorative lights.
57
58	That said, the lesser-common four-wheeled vehicles weren't exempt of gaudy customization: the most common features include a lowered ''shakotan'' profile (シャコタン, commonly known as a stanced car), lower tire size, ''bakuon mufflers'', a ''long nose'' (protruding bonnets), a ''deppa'' (デッパ, protruding sharp chin spoilers), the ostentatious and elongated ''takeyari'' mufflers seen in all kinds of shapes, and/or overfenders. These customizations were probably influenced by the late '70s silhouette racing car competitons, like the ''Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile'''s Group 5 racers (4th Generation, 1976-1982) and/or the ''Fuji Grand Champion Series'' ' Super Silhouette racers (1979-1984).
59
60	!!Fashion and Hobbies
61
62	For a long time, their choice of costume was almost indistinguishable from the British ''Ton-Up Boys''/''Rockers'' in the '60s, or the American ''[[GreaserDelinquents Greasers]]'' in the '70s. Much like them, RockAndRoll was an important inspiration for Japan's rebellious youth in the '70s, and became a staple of ''bōsōzoku'' and ''yankii'' culture: once thought as passé during the '60s, Japanese bands like ''Carol'', ''Cools'' or ''Yokohama Ginbae'' made rock, leather jackets, and pompadours popular again overnight. However, some rising rock superstars, like ''Carol'''s Eikichi Yazawa, took the decision to alienate a big part of their audience and ban any ''bōsōzoku'' from their audience to stop possible fights and other turmoil.
63
64	However, it wasn't until the early '80s, during the peak of their craze, that the ''bōsōzoku'''s highly pseudo-nationalistic IconicOutfit (probably inspired after some ''uyoku dantai'' uniforms) was made widespread between the gangs. This costume usually consisted of jumpsuits or ''tokkō-fuku'' (longcoats named after the ''tokkōtai'' kamikaze pilots, and originally an honourable item worn only by the leader, especially for important gatherings), and sometimes a scarf/gauze mask to conceal their identity and/or ''hachimaki'' headbands, both the traditional festival type and the WWII-style ''[[WearingAFlagOnYourHead hinomaru]]''. Other stereotypical clothing accessories may include the ''tasuki'' sash or ''jika-tabi'' boots. Their clothing was usually embroidered with slogans written in [[DelusionsOfEloquence needlessly complicated]] ''kanji'', whether vaguely patriotic or simply cool-sounding English catchphrases, plus all sorts of far-right imagery like the Emperor's Chrysanthemum Seal, [[UsefulNotes/ImperialJapan Rising Sun flags]] or the Nazi ''[[ThoseWackyNazis hakenkreuz]]''. ''Ladies'' gangs are usually portrayed in similar clothing, but with a penchant for [[HighHeelPower high heels]] and open ''tokkō-fuku'' jackets showing their ''{{sarashi}}''.
65
66	It's commonly thought that their use of far-right paraphernalia was appropriated purely for shock value, although an alleged alternative reason is to justify that their gatherings were a form of political expression, in the case of [[ChewbaccaDefense being caught by police]]. Of course, the ''uyoku dantai'', who were legitimate ultranationalist far-right groups, tried to take profit of this to recruit new members to their organizations, to mixed success. Since the '90s, the pseudo-nationalistic look has been usually heavily toned down to be less conspicuous, if not outright abandoned -- the few delinquents that stuck to the ''bōsōzoku'' lifestyle during this period were mostly imitating the western "outlaw motorcycle club" clothing and vehicles, while keeping their usual behaviour.
67
68	For some reason, the eighties' ''bōsōzoku'' culture was also heavily into [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perlorian Nameneko]] merchandising, a brief fad based in photos of [[CuteKitten cute kittens]] dressed as delinquents.
69
70	!!Impact in Japanese Pop Culture
71
72	The ''bōsōzoku'' didn't become a staple of Japanese popular culture until somewhere between the late '70s and early '80s, during their real-life peak. The media form where they were most popular was in ''{{manga}}'', where the ''bōsōzoku'' genre was a brief but highly productive genre (along with its close cousin, the ''[[JapaneseDelinquents yankii]]'' genre), and probably gave them a reasonable boost of romanticization. In contrast, other media were less friendly: television mostly used them for cheap sensationalism (or the butt of the jokes in [[VarietyShow variety shows]]), their controversy made them taboo for contemporary ''{{anime}}'' other than [[AllBikersAreHellsAngels inspiration for generic villains]] (at least until the [[OriginalVideoAnimation OVA]] boom), the nascent VideoGame medium was more concerned with fantastical and/or [[MediaNotes/TheBlockbusterAgeOfHollywood Hollywood]]-influenced settings, and films made by big studios were for a long time out-of-touch with contemporary trends, preferring to use western exploitation films like ''Film/TheWildAngels'' for inspiration.
73
74	Nowadays, their longest-lasting legacy in Japanese media is being a shorthand of a RetiredBadass, seen whenever a middle-aged character is revealed to be a former ''bōsōzoku'' / ''ladies''. This is especially useful for female characters, who rarely have any chance of being associated in a movement wholly composed of tough girls. Surprisingly, though, ''bōsōzoku'' imitators have been sighted as far as Thailand and especially in South Korea, countries where ''manga'' comics based on the subculture have been sold.
75
76	----
77	!!''Bōsōzoku'' / ''Ladies'' in popular media:
78
79	[[foldercontrol]]
80
81	[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
82	* ''Manga/{{Akira}}'' features two futuristic ''bōsōzoku'' gangs making all sorts of mayhem, especially in the earliest parts of the ''manga'' and ''anime''. Both the main character and villain are bikers.
83	* ''Bad Boys'' was a long-running ''manga'' about the heir of a rich family, who decides to rebel from his family and turns into the leader of a ''bōsōzoku'' gang. The ''manga'' was adapted into five OVA, a 2013 TV Drama and two live-action films. The ''manga'' itself got a sequel named ''Bad Boys Glare'', a prequel named ''Megami no Oni'' and the non-''bōsōzoku'' spin-off ''Bakugyaku Familia''.
84	* ''Bakuon Rettou'' by Creator/TsutomuTakahashi, is an ComingOfAgeStory inspired on the author's youth in the ''Zero'' gang, and it shows how unglamorous and crappy the lives of gang members are... But, on the bright side, if someone like [[AuthorAvatar Takashi]] could reform, [[EarnYourHappyEnding anyone can]]. It was successful enough to be published again in a monthly magazine three years after it ended.
85	* In ''Dead Man Calling'' by Creator/JunjiIto, three members of a family of five are brutally murdered in a random attack by the ''bōsōzoku''. The murderers are sentenced, but the two surviving siblings are driven mad by the gang leader's insistence they forgive him, which he first communicates by letter, then as an apparition through AstralProjection. Only the leader's execution for his crimes stops his incessant apologies, allowing the family to finally move on.
86	* ''Manga/GreatTeacherOnizuka'''s eponymous character was a leader of a ''bōsōzoku'' gang. ''GTO'' itself is a sequel to the more ''yankii'' / ''bōsōzoku''-centered ''Manga/GTOTheEarlyYears''. The prequel manga ''Manga/BadCompany'' shows how Onizuka and his best friend Ryuji got their start in the ''bōsōzoku'' world.
87	* ''Shakotan Boogie'', penned by the same author of ''Manga/WanganMidnight'', had the two protagonists Hajime and Koji being involved in such activities, with their iconic CoolCar Toyota Soarer being customized as a ''shakotan''.
88	* ''Shonan Bakusouzoku'' is probably the most popular ''bōsōzoku'' comic franchise, and one of the pioneers of the delinquent ''manga'' boom. It spawned twelve OVA, a 1987 live-action film, and five DirectToVideo films. The author also did the popular SpiritualSuccessor ''Arakure KNIGHT'', which itself spawned two OVA and six Direct to Video films.
89	* In ''Manga/TokyoRevengers'', the Tokyo Manji gang is loosely inspired by the infamous Tokyo-based [[https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/関東連合 Kantō Rengō]] ''hangure'' gang, while their clothing is based on their predecessors, the ''bōsōzoku'' gang [[https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/ブラックエンペラー Black Emperor]] (changing their swastika symbol to a left-facing manji). The main villain Tetta Kisaki is loosely inspired by the Kantō Rengō's former leader Shinichi Mitate, the mastermind behind the 2012 [[https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/六本木クラブ襲撃事件 Roppongi Club Assault Case]] (a homicide by mass beating that quickly dissolved the gang).
90	* ''Yankī Reppū-tai'' is another highly famous ''bōsōzoku'' ''manga'', adapted into a 1995 live-action film and six OVA. The author also did the succesful DistaffCounterpart ''Ladies'', who was adapted into four live-action films starring popular [[IdolSinger idols]] from the '90s.
91	* Yū Furusawa is a manga author whose majority of works are based on ''bōsōzoku''. Many of his works have been adapted into OVA (''Taiman Blues'', ''Tokkōfuku kyōhashi kyoku'') or direct-to-video movies (''Marusō [[PimpedOutCar kaizō]] [[DrivingTest jidōsha kyōshūjo]]'', ''Tokkō [[{{Salaryman}} kaishain]]'', ''[[ActionPolitician Zokugīn]]'').
92	* Many of the [[Manga/{{Crows}} works]] of Takeshi Hiroshi feature Bosozoku. Of particular note are the recurring gang The Front of Armament, or TFOA, who we follow through several generations of leadership between ''Crows'' and ''Worst'', as well as witnessing their origins in special spinoff chapters.
93	* Saki from ''Anime/ZombieLandSaga'' was a high-ranking member of Dorami, a ''ladies'' gang from Saga prefecture in TheNineties, in life. She ends up sorting out some family tension between her old captain Reiko and Reiko's daughter Maria, who wants to keep the gang going.
94	[[/folder]]
95
96	[[folder:Film — Live-Action]]
97	* ''Film/BlackRain'' features an American interpretation of the ''bōsōzoku''. In the movie's case, the BigBad is the one who leads the gang, and he's shown to be a highly ambitious and dangerous {{Yakuza}}.
98	* ''Crazy Thunder Road'' is a cult 1980 film heavily inspired by ''Film/MadMax1'', about a biker gang with internal struggles, and in tune with contemporary ''bōsōzoku'' trends, the group's increasing division brought on by the shift to organized right-wing tendencies. It's also well-known in japanese cinema circles for being the 22-year-old director's graduation project.
99	* Creator/ToeiCompany's long-running ''Furyō Banchō'' ("Delinquent boss") film series was Japan's answer to ''Film/TheWildOne'' or ''Film/TheWildAngels'', who usually star anti-heroic outlaw bikers fighting against {{Yakuza}} organizations. The films can be seen as predecessors and/or influences to the still-developing [[JapaneseDelinquents japanese delinquent]] culture, whether ''tsuppari'' or ''bōsōzoku'', and similar explotation films such as Toei's own ''Onna Banchō'' series. In the '70s, the SpiritualSuccessor film ''Bakuhatsu! Boso yugi'' ("Detonation! Violent Riders") movie sparked a new film series, this time inspired by the [[RippedFromTheHeadlines real-life social phenomenon]].
100	* ''God Speed You! Black Emperor'' is the most famous documentary on the ''bōsōzoku'', which follows a group of teenage members of the Shinjuku "Black Emperor" gang. Its fame between a real-life ''bōsōzoku'' audience made it a minor hit. Nowadays its biggest claim to fame is being the source of the [[Music/GodspeedYouBlackEmperor eponymous post-rock band]]'s name.
101	* 1978's ''Kawajan hankō-zoku'' (lit. "Leather jacket rebel tribe", aka "The Young Animals") can be seen as Creator/ToeiCompany's answer to ''Film/SaturdayNightFever'', featuring bikers and disco dance floors.
102	* ''Film/MessageFromSpace'' stars two ''bōsōzoku'' [-[[RecycledINSPACE FROM SPACE!]]-]... Who, despite what their role may suggest, pilot standard [[SpaceFighter space fighters]].
103	* Karl Taro Greenfeld's ''[[http://moorghen.com/stories/2015/2/1/speed-tribes-revisited-an-hour-with-karl-taro-greenfeld Speed Tribes]]'' is all about interviews with young Japanese people from the very early nineties and their subcultures. The chapter that involves the ''bōsōzoku'' is specially famous.
104	* Katana's redesign from ''Film/SuicideSquad2016'' has a mishmash of ''bōsōzoku'' traits, like a heavy use of Chrysantemums, ''kanji'' lettering and a ''tasuki'' sash. However, the rest of the costume seems to have been more inspired by modern clothing.
105	[[/folder]]
106
107	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
108	* In ''Series/GekisouSentaiCarranger'', the villain group is the Space Bosozoku Bowzock. Basically they are the bōsōzoku... [[InSpace from other planets]].
109	* The 1982 ''Series/{{Hissatsu}}'' TV Special ''Maru Hissatsu Gendai-ban: Mondo no shison ga Kyōto ni arawareta'', done at the height of the show's popularity, changes the show's Main/JidaiGeki setting to a [[SettingUpdate modern one]] -- in this case, the workers-cum-assassins's targets were ''bōsōzoku'', who where executed by outlandish methods such as [[VehicularSabotage stabbing their gas tanks]] or [[LowClearance piano wire strangling]].
110	[[/folder]]
111
112	[[folder:Music]]
113	* The Japanese performance art musicians / novelty instrument makers ''Maywa Denki'' (best known overseas for developing the memetic Otamatone) made in 1998 the ''[[https://www.maywadenki.com/products/tsukuba/takedamaru/ Takedamaru]]'', a hybrid between a saxophone and an airhorn-filled motorcycle in the vein of the ''bōsōzoku''. In fact, in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdXc_kbxct4 some live interpretations]] they perform a SuspiciouslySimilarSong to a [[Film/TheGodfather famous tune]] typically used by ''bōsōzoku''.
114	* In one of his performance as JapaneseDelinquent, lead singer Daishi from Music/PsychoLeCemu posed as a bosozoku in the music video of "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgG24Bxe3AY Yume Kazaguruma]]." Being the whole video an exaggeration of classic Japanese stereotypes, Daishi poses as a bad guy, then appearing in a kid tricycle tunned as a bosozoku bike.
115	[[/folder]]
116
117	[[folder:Professional Wrestling]]
118	* Yasha Kurenai (real name Rumi Yasuda), who was one of the main stars of ''joshi'' promotion ''Characters/UniversalWrestlingFederationLLPW'', wrestled under a ''ladies'' gimmick. She's considered one of the pioneers of larger-than-life personas in ''joshi'' wrestling.
119	[[/folder]]
120
121	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
122	* In ''TabletopGame/{{Cyberpunk}}'', Yorinobu Arasaka was once the heir of corporate overlord [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Saburo Arasaka]] who proceeded to leave the family to found a Bosozoku gang known as the "Kotetsu no Ryu" (Steel Dragons) as his way of rebelling against his father. While he's returned to the fold by the time of ''Videogame/Cyberpunk2077'' it's possible to find his old jacket as a unique lootable item.
123	[[/folder]]
124
125	[[folder:Video Games]]
126	* JapaneseDelinquent Goh Kidokoro's stage in ''VideoGame/AggressorsOfDarkKombat'' takes place in a standard ''bosozoku''-filled backlot cheering the ensuing fight.
127	* The Platform/TurboGrafx16 game ''Ane-san'' is a BeatEmUp composed of an [[ImprobablyFemaleCast all-female cast]] made up of ''ladies'' gang fights. It's considered in its homeland as a [[QuirkyWork bakage]] for its weird art direction and minigames, such as the [[FaceOfAThug scary face contest]], the [[GameOfChicken chicken racing game]], the [[AnInteriorDesignerIsYou room decoration feature]], or the [[DreamSequence intermission poems]]. It's also commonly thought to have been designed as a DistaffCounterpart of the ''VideoGame/ChoAniki'' series, even sharing the same composer.
128	* Ren Idagawa from ''VideoGame/BigBangBeat'' is the head of the largest ''bōsōzoku'' gang in Kanto, the Gokuren. He has a penchant for throwing [[CombatPragmatist dangerous objects]] and attacking with a [[WoodenKatanasAreEvenBetter wooden katana]].
129	* One of ''[[VideoGame/FinalFight Final Fight 2]]'''s three playable characters is Maki, a ninjutsu user who was the former leader of a ''ladies'' gang. She's the only character from the sequel who [[BreakoutCharacter made appearances in further games]], appearing in ''VideoGame/CapcomVsSNK2MarkOfTheMillennium'' -- character designer Akira Yasuda emphasized to other illustrators that Maki should be heavily inspired by ''ladies'' aesthetic.
130	* The [[UsefulNotes/ArcadeGame arcade]] proto-FightingGame ''Kageki'' features a boxer fighting against a ''bōsōzoku'' gang one-on-one, after his brother was assaulted by the gang because he refused to join them.
131	* ''VideoGame/KenkaBancho 2'' stars a ''yankii'' who can choose to fight against a ''bōsōzoku'' alliance or join them. Unlike the rest of the series, the game features lots of motorcycle-related features to allow for it.
132	* ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters'''s main character, Kyo Kusanagi, was originally designed as a ''bōsōzoku'' called Syo Kirishima, who seems somewhat influenced by Kaneda from ''Manga/{{Akira}}'', even sharing the same voice actor. He appears as a AssistCharacter in ''The King of Fighters '99 [[UpdatedRerelease Evolution]]'' and ''The King of Fighters 2000 ''.
133	** The Kagura sisters from the same series have also a penchant for vehicles, especially motorcycles. Extra material describes Chizuru doing chicken races on wharves against ''bōsōzoku''.
134	* Some of the ''VideoGame/KunioKun'' series' games feature ''bōsōzoku'' enemies. Most of them are the DarkerAndEdgier entries, such as the first game, ''VideoGame/ShodaiNekketsuKohaKunioKun'', ''VideoGame/RiverCityGirlsZero'' and ''Tokyo Rumble'', but some lighter entries such as ''Soccer Hen'' and the mobile port of ''Nekketsu Kakutō Densetsu'' feature them. It helps that series creator Yoshihisa Kishimoto was a former ''yankii'' and ''bōsōzoku''.
135	* ''VideoGame/LikeADragon'':
136	** ''VideoGame/Yakuza2'': It's revealed in a substory that Yuya, the bouncer for the host club Stardust, used to head up a ''bōsōzoku'' gang called "Black Thunder" back in his the day, but left that life behind him after he befriended Kazuki and helped set up Stardust. Unfortunately, some of his former gang members don't appreciate him deserting them them and try to confront him at his club over it, forcing Kiryu to intervene.
137	** Being set in TheEighties, ''VideoGame/Yakuza0'' features ''bōsōzoku'' thugs (though not their bikes) as regular enemies on the streets of Sotenbori, alongside their cousins in delinquincy, the ''yankii''.
138	** In one sidequest in ''VideoGame/YakuzaLikeADragon'', Ichiban helps out a small-time ''bōsōzoku'' grew called the Purple [[GratuitousGerman Kaisers]] after one of their members gets abducted and held hostage by some yakuza.
139	* The chapter set TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture in the video game ''VideoGame/LiveALive'' features the Crusaders, a classic example of an evil riotous biker gang. Matsu, their former leader, is a recruitable party member.
140	* One of the bosses from ''[[VideoGame/NoMoreHeroes No More Heroes 2]]'' is Ryuji, whose standing trait is his ''bōsōzoku'' attire. He's treated as the main character's biggest WorthyOpponent[[spoiler:, and his UndignifiedDeath serves as the start of the main character's JerkassRealization.]]
141	* Zaki from ''[[VideoGame/RivalSchools Project Justice]]'' is the former leader of a ''ladies'' gang.
142	* The villains of ''VideoGame/RoadBlaster'' (set in America) are a highly organized biker gang who've been terrorizing the population. The player is a one-man CrusadingWidower that goes on a RoaringRampageOfRevenge against the gang after his bride-to-be was murdered in a traffic accident that he survived. The ''bōsōzoku'' gang and the whole game is closely modelled after the first two ''Film/MadMax'' films and derivatives such as ''Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar'', who where immensely popular in Japan.
143	* ''VideoGame/NeedForSpeed2015'' has Shinichi Morohoshi, a real-life ''bosozoku'' with actual ties to the yakuza, as the Outlaw Icon; his signature chrome pink Lamborghini Diablo is an unlockable vehicle for completing the Outlaw career path. Also, takeyari mufflers appear as a customization option for most cars from ''2015'' onwards.
144	* ''VideoGame/SaintsRow2'': The Ronin, the gang that controls most of the norther part of Stilwater, is a Japanese-American gang that mixes ''bōsōzoku'' and {{yakuza}} elements, fighting mostly with swords and preferring fast motorcycles and custom-tuned sports cars as their vehicles of choice.
145	* UsefulNotes/DateMasamune and his clan from the {{Anime}} adaptation of ''VideoGame/SengokuBasara'' take a number of ''bōsōzoku'' / ''yankii'' stereotypes -- most notably, Masamune's horse is outfitted with anachronistic handlebars and tailpipes.
146	* ''Shissō, yankī damashī.'' (疾走、ヤンキー魂。) is a ''yankii''/''bōsōzoku'' MMORPG franchise. The original installment was a short-lived online game which barely lasted a year, mostly for server issues. The second version of the game, with new 3D graphics, also roughly lasted for a year and a half, mostly caused for developer Sync Arts' bankruptcy. The third and last version, made by Creator/SquareEnix, was developed for mobile phones and lasted slightly longer than the previous installments, and had a crossover with ''VideoGame/RacingLagoon''.
147	* Platform/PlayStation2's low-priced ''Zoku-sha King'' series (Sometimes translated as ''Maxxed Out Racing'') is a ''bosozoku'' racing game franchise. Most of them deal with four-wheeled vehicles, although one of them (''Kyousou! Tansha King'', translated as ''Motorbike King'') is about motorcycles. Notably, they were supervised by notable real-life ''bosozoku'' magazine ''Champ Road''.
148	[[/folder]]
149
150	[[folder:Western Animation]]
151	* ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012'' features the "Dragon Chopper" as one of the Foot Clan's vehicles. Its pseudo-Japanese decoration, tall mufflers, high seat and flag are reminiscent of some of the average ''bōsōzoku'' bike customizations, although [[https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/tmnt/images/6/67/Dragon_bike.jpg its concept art]] makes the comparison even more obvious.

Context UsefulNotes / Bosozoku