Cars Toon Épisode 4 : Tokyo Martin, roi du drift

Cars Toon Episode 4: Tokyo Mater

1382 words | Reading time: 7 minutes

Short filmTokyo MaterKabuto

Mater’s tallest tale ends with a tow hook hauling him to the top of Tokyo Tower. Screened in Disney Digital 3-D ahead of Bolt from December 12, 2008 and running about seven minutes, Tokyo Mater opens in Radiator Springs with Boost, DJ and Wingo before Ito-San pulls Mater into Japan’s drift scene. He takes on Kabuto through neon-lit streets, with Lightning McQueen along for the ride as “Lightning Dragon McQueen”, and signs off as “Tow-ke-yo Mater, king of all the drifters”. This article covers the story, the easter eggs and the voice cast.

Summary

Introduction: When Mater Becomes King of Drift

Tokyo Mater is one of the most striking shorts from Cars Toons – Mater’s Tall Tales. Released in 2008, this short transports viewers to a spectacular version of Tokyo where Mater recounts how he supposedly became a drift champion.

📘 To follow the order of previous episodes in the series, you can also read Cars Toon: Episode 3 – El Materdor (Materdor) - Complete Analysis.

Thanks to its neon atmosphere, its references to Japanese car culture, and its humor, the episode is often considered one of the most memorable in the series.

Mater repainted turquoise blue, perched on the red structure of the Tokyo Tower between two Tokyo cars
At the top of the Tokyo Tower, Mater crowns himself “Tow-ke-yo Mater, king of all the drifters”.

A Short Film Screened in Disney Digital 3-D Cinemas

Tokyo Mater has a notable peculiarity: it is a short film presented in Disney Digital 3-D, screened in cinemas with the Disney animated film Bolt starting from December 12, 2008, according to community records.

This screening enhances the impression of a grand spectacle thanks to its chases and immersive visual effects.

The short's turquoise blue title card bearing the “Tokyo Mater” logo
The short's title card; it screened in Disney Digital 3-D ahead of Bolt from 12 December 2008.

🍿 In December 2008, watching this short meant a cinema, a screening of Bolt and a showing in Disney Digital 3-D; today you can watch it again at home, with your feet in our Cars slippers.

The Story: From Radiator Springs to Tokyo

The Starting Point

The episode begins in Radiator Springs. After a scene with Boost, DJ, and Wingo, Mater finds himself involved in an unexpected tow job.

The Encounter with Ito-San

Mater meets a small Japanese car named Ito-San. This encounter eventually leads him to Tokyo, where he discovers the spectacular world of Japanese drift.

🏜️ To better understand the setting where this story begins, also discover Radiator Springs: The Town That Inspired Lightning McQueen.

Mater driving along a desert road; a dark blue Japanese saloon is stopped on the verge
On the road out of Radiator Springs, Mater comes across Ito-San: that meeting will take him all the way to Tokyo.

The Drift Challenge

In Tokyo, Mater must confront a group of drift specialists led by Kabuto. The race takes place on illuminated streets with the Tokyo Tower as a backdrop.

Lightning McQueen appears in the story under the nickname “Lightning Dragon McQueen”.

The turquoise Mater and Kabuto, a silver car with yellow horns, side by side in a Tokyo street covered with illuminated signs
Facing Kabuto, the leader of the drift specialists, the duel plays out in the lit-up streets of Tokyo.

A Spectacular Race

  • drifts on illuminated streets
  • staging inspired by action cinema
  • race towards Tokyo Tower
  • final confrontation against Kabuto

Mater uses his tow hook to reach the top of the tower and win the race.

He concludes by declaring himself to be “Tow-ke-yo Mater, king of all the drifters”.

Mater speeding at night down a wet avenue towards the lit-up Tokyo Tower, a rival in the foreground
The race heads for the Tokyo Tower, whose top Mater will reach thanks to his tow hook.

A Different Ending from Other Episodes

Unlike some episodes of Mater’s Tall Tales, Tokyo Mater does not provide direct proof that the story is true.

The final scene shows Guido stacking crates on Mater, which accidentally gives him a silhouette similar to his drift version.

🧱 Guido stacks his crates on Mater and accidentally gives him back the silhouette of his drift version; with our LEGO Cars, you are the one stacking the bricks, and this time the bodywork is on purpose.

Mater covered in stacked wooden crates, in front of Flo's V8 Café in Radiator Springs
Back in Radiator Springs, the crates stacked on Mater accidentally give him the silhouette of his drift version again.

Cultural References

The Drift Culture

The episode pays homage to Japanese drift popularized in the 2000s.

Pixar Easter Eggs

  • restaurant named Harryhausen’s (reference to Monsters, Inc.)
  • Tokyo-inspired signs
  • nods to Japanese car culture
A giant pink neon doughnut forming the entrance of a shop, beside a Tokyo street at night
The short is full of nod-and-wink signs, like this “House of Donuts” planted at the roadside.

Animation and Visual Style

  • Tokyo-inspired neon atmosphere
  • very dynamic pace
  • spectacular staging
  • mix of humor and action
A red race car with flame decoration climbing a sloping wall, Mater below, the lit-up city behind
Very action-movie staging: Lightning McQueen, renamed “Lightning Dragon McQueen”, takes on a sloping wall.

🐉 Renamed “Lightning Dragon McQueen”, Lightning McQueen takes on a sloping wall in the middle of Tokyo's neon atmosphere; the hill on your street, you climb that one on calf power alone, on a Cars bike.

Voice Acting

  • Larry the Cable Guy: Mater
  • Keith Ferguson: Lightning McQueen

Keith Ferguson regularly voices Lightning McQueen in several Cars franchise spin-off content.

🏁 To better understand the central character of the saga, also consult Lightning McQueen: The Red Legend of the Piston Cup.

Larry the Cable Guy on stage, microphone in hand, in a sleeveless plaid shirt and a cap
Larry the Cable Guy, Mater's original voice, here performing live. Photo: Midwest Communications, CC BY-SA 2.0.

Summary Table

Element Detail
French Title Tokyo Martin
Original Title Tokyo Mater
Series Cars Toons – Mater’s Tall Tales
Year 2008
Duration Approximately 7 minutes
Main Setting Tokyo
Theme Drift and urban racing

Read also: all Cars Toon characters (the guide by short film).

FAQ

  • Was Tokyo Mater screened in cinemas?
    Yes, it was presented with the film Bolt in Disney Digital 3-D.
  • Who is the main antagonist?
    Kabuto, leader of a group of drift-specialized cars.
  • Is the race real or made up?
    As always with Mater's stories, the doubt deliberately remains.
  • Why is the episode so popular?
    For its Japanese atmosphere and spectacular drift scenes.
  • How long is the episode?
    Approximately 7 minutes.

Conclusion

Tokyo Mater remains one of the most spectacular shorts from Cars Toons – Mater’s Tall Tales. Between humor, drift, and Japanese atmosphere, it offers a visually unique adventure in the world of Cars.

Duration: approximately 7 minutes
Year: 2008
Director: John Lasseter
Co-directors: Rob Gibbs, Victor Navone
Studio: Pixar Animation Studios
Audience: All audiences

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