Pinion Tanaka : le sumo vainqueur de Cars 2

Pinion Tanaka: Cars 2's Victorious Sumo

638 words | Reading time: 4 minutes

CharacterCars 2Tokyo

The quickest bout of the Japanese stopover is settled on a dohyō. Pinion Tanaka is a sumo wrestler car seen in Cars 2 (2011), during the heroes' stop in Tokyo. Facing the yokozuna Kingpin Nobunaga and under the authority of referee Kimura Kaizo, he sends his opponent out of the ring with no apparent effort, much to the amusement of Mater and Lightning McQueen. He joins the film's gallery of Japanese figures, alongside the kabuki dancer Okuni and the Zen Master. This profile looks back at his lightning-fast victory.

Table of Contents

Who is Pinion Tanaka?

Pinion Tanaka is a sumo wrestler car seen in Cars 2 (2011), during the heroes' stopover in Tokyo. Imposing and powerful, he is the one who steps onto the dohyō (the fighting ring) against another yokozuna, Kingpin Nobunaga.

Pinion Tanaka, a beige minivan with a black roof wearing a blue sumo belt, presented on a dark background
Pinion Tanaka, the automotive sumo wrestler met during the Japanese stop of Cars 2 (2011).

🥋 Your desk has no dohyō, but our Cars mouse pads already give it a fighting ring cut to its size.

The Winner of the Tokyo Duel

The sumo match is one of the most colorful moments of the Japanese stopover. Under the authority of referee Kimura Kaizo, Pinion Tanaka sends his opponent out of the ring with surprising ease. The scene sparks laughter from Mater and Lightning McQueen, spectators amused by this swift elimination.

🎲 Mater and Lightning McQueen laugh at this swift elimination; around your table, the showdown lasts a lot longer with our Cars board games.

Two sumo cars on the dohyō: the one with the purple belt is pushed out of the straw circle in front of a crowd in the stands
The duel of the Tokyo tournament: Pinion Tanaka (on the right, blue belt) sends Kingpin Nobunaga out of the ring.

A Glimpse into Japanese Culture

Like the kabuki dancer Okuni or the serene Zen Master, Pinion Tanaka belongs to the series of secondary characters that Pixar scattered throughout Cars 2 to pay homage to Japan. Together, they transform the Tokyo background into a vibrant tapestry of Japanese culture.

Zen Master, a small blue van wearing a wide straw hat, set in front of a zen garden rake on a dark background
Zen Master and his rake: like Pinion Tanaka, one of the Japanese figures Pixar scattered through Cars 2.

🎋 Okuni the kabuki dancer and the serene Zen Master slip a little Japan into the Tokyo background; in the morning, at your place, our Cars bathrobes play the part of the yukata.

Summary Table

Element Detail
Role Sumo Wrestler (rikishi)
Film Cars 2 (2011)
Scene Tokyo Sumo Match
Opponent Kingpin Nobunaga (whom he defeats)
Referee Kimura Kaizo
Match Outcome Quick victory

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who is Pinion Tanaka in Cars 2?
    A sumo wrestler car who confronts and defeats champion Kingpin Nobunaga during the Tokyo tournament.
  • Does Pinion Tanaka win his match?
    Yes, he easily knocks Nobunaga out of the ring, to the great amusement of Mater and Lightning McQueen.
  • Who referees the sumo match in Cars 2?
    Kimura Kaizo, the tournament referee.
  • Is Pinion Tanaka an important character?
    No, he is a secondary character from the Japanese stopover, but he marks one of the funniest scenes of the Tokyo segment.
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