High Fashion or 40 year old Pogo Stick? Tamiya's Most Divisive Car is Back! The Jun Watanabe Hornet.

The legend is back! In today’s video, we are unboxing one of the most visually striking (and divisive!) kits Tamiya has ever released: The Hornet by Jun Watanabe (Item #58527). Originally released in 2012, this limited-edition collaboration with Japanese designer and ZOZOTOWN creative director Jun Watanabe, it has become a "holy grail" for collectors. Now, in 2026, Tamiya has reissued this iconic buggy, giving us another chance to get our hands on that famous "Dalmatian" livery. Chapters 0:09 On the bench 0:42 Who is Jun Watanabe? 5:55 Unboxing 11:40 Instructions 21:40 Closing Thoughts What’s inside the box? We’re diving deep into the unique contents that set this apart from a standard Hornet: The Purple Chassis: A rare departure from Tamiya’s standard black bathtub. The "Pop Art" Palette: White suspension springs, pink wheel nuts, and those unmistakable hot pink spiked tires. Dual Wheel Sets: A look at why Tamiya includes two full sets of wheels and tires in this kit. The Sticker Sheet: Analyzing the high-contrast polka-dot decals that turn this 1984 classic into a piece of modern art. The Great Debate: There has been a lot of talk in the comments of the internet regarding Tamiya’s "chassis reuse"—especially with the recent release of the Hornet EVO. Is it a missed opportunity to stick with the classic 1984 suspension, or does the "vintage bounce" actually add to the charm of a Jun Watanabe build? We’ll discuss why this kit is more about the mindset of the designer than the lap times on the track. Are you Team Watanabe or Team EVO? Let me know in the comments below! 👇#Tamiya #JunWatanabe #TamiyaHornet #RCCars #Unboxing #VintageRC #HornetEVO #BlockheadMotors #ZOZOTOWN