Kingpin Nobunaga: the Golden Sumo of Cars 2
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391 mots | Temps de lecture : 1 minute(s)
Summary
Who is Kingpin Nobunaga?
Kingpin Nobunaga is a character from Cars 2 (2011) seen during the film's stopover in Tokyo. He is a gold-painted compact van, a professional sumo wrestler of the highest rank: a yokozuna, the ultimate title in the discipline. In the ring, he wears his lucky purple mawashi (belt) during his most important matches.
The Tokyo Sumo Match
While Mater and Lightning McQueen discover the Japanese capital, they attend a car sumo tournament. Kingpin Nobunaga faces the rikishi Pinion Tanaka, under the watchful eye of referee Kimura Kaizo. Despite his champion status, Nobunaga is unceremoniously swept away by his opponent — an upset that makes Mater and Lightning laugh in the stands.
A Nod to Japanese Culture
Nobunaga is part of the gallery of characters Pixar imagined to anchor Cars 2 in Japanese culture, alongside the kabuki dancer Okuni and the peaceful Zen Master. His name likely refers to Oda Nobunaga, the famous 16th-century warlord who began the unification of Japan.
🗾 Explore Lightning's Japanese stopover in our Cars 2 collection.
Summary Table
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Role | Sumo wrestler (yokozuna) |
| Appearance | Gold compact van, purple mawashi |
| Film | Cars 2 (2011) |
| Scene | Tokyo Sumo Match |
| Opponent | Pinion Tanaka (who beats him) |
| Reference | Oda Nobunaga, Japanese warlord |
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kingpin Nobunaga in Cars 2?
A gold van, sumo champion (yokozuna) seen during a tournament in Tokyo.
Does Kingpin Nobunaga win his match?
No: despite his champion rank, he is easily beaten by Pinion Tanaka, to Mater and Lightning's amusement.
Where does the name Nobunaga come from?
It refers to Oda Nobunaga, a 16th-century Japanese warlord.
What is a yokozuna?
It is the highest rank in professional sumo, that of grand champion — the title Nobunaga holds.