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Grand Theft Auto: Gangland Raizoku Theme

The Raizoku (雷族) or the Thunder Tribe (Sandā-zoku), is an ethnically Japanese car society extensively connected with the illegal street racing and aftermarket vehicle customization scene of New Zealand. These street racers have captivated enthusiasts and gained notoriety for their passion, creativity, and unwavering dedication to the world of high-speed JDM thrills.

The Raizoku features in Grand Theft Auto: Gangland.

Etymology

The Raizoku

History

1980s

The Raizoku have been terrorizing New Zealand streets since the early 1990s, earning the moniker "thunder tribe" due to the deafening thundering of their illegally altered exhaust pipes when riding as a club. The precursors of this rowdy gang syndicate first appeared in the 1980s, with the majority of members derived from migrating Japanese workers for the newly constructed Annis Canary Manufacturing Plant in Wilson, South Eden, Eden City, as well as foreign exchange students arriving in the country for private schooling.

They were united by their shared Japanese heritage during a racially charged period in New Zealand's history.

1990s

In the 1980s, nine automotive companies operated thirteen motor vehicle assembly plants in Eden City, employing nearly 6,000 people. By the end of October 1998, however, none of them would still be ongoing and operational. The New Zealand government decided to eliminate tariffs on imported cars, effectively crippling the racing scene and driving communities underground. The remaining four local assemblers, Annis, Dinka, Karin, and Maibatsu Corporation, announced that they would be ceasing local production on-site in New Zealand, and would concentrate on importing instead. This marked the official end of local production and the beginning of the Raizoku, whose founding members were disenfranchised workers who had spent years of their lives in the country.

They felt deeply betrayed by their former international corporations' "cowardice" and "greed," citing a lack of loyalty and a proclivity for greed over their livelihoods and unrivalled brand loyalty. The new gang thrived in their motor hedonistic lifestyles, illegally racing on the former quality test tracks every weekend, after establishing their new car crew out of these abandoned and written off factories. Fortunately for the gang, the former manufacturer plants were too expensive to demolish, and the locations far from the city were unworthy of purchase by new investors; the gang would rule these outer racing lands coined as the ""'Nyjrando Sengoku"'", or "Lawless Eden"' ever since.

2000s

2010s

2020s

Popularity increased throughout the 2000s and 2010s, reaching a peak of over 6,300 members in 2020.

Insignia

The Raizoku's general attire is nationalistically Japanese, as the majority of full-time members are of Japanese descent, either directly from the mainland or through Japanese descendants born in New Zealand. The general aesthetic is directly inspired by kamikaze pilots who returned from World War II, as the original founding members of the Japan sect in the 1950s were veterans.

As such, the gang is known for its imperial aviator inspired aesthetic, with furred leather bomber jackets, tall combat boots, boilersuits, and hachimaki headbands being prevalent within the symbolism of the gang. It is also customary for members to paint Japanese kanji directly and purposely messily onto their clothing garments, generally in bright blue paint, resembling the color of lightning at night.

Culture

Finger Shortening

Losing high-profile races is punishable with a Japanese ritual known as Yubitsume or finger shortening, which is a means of amputating portions of one's fingers with a Tanto. Yubitsume is performed for atonement, as punishment, or to show sincere apology and remorse. In modern times, it is primarily performed by the Izanami-kai and has been ratified by members of the upper echelons of the Raizoku.

The origins of the self-mutilation ritual are said to be in Japanese swordsmanship, as the little finger's grip on the hilt is the tightest and provides the most dexterity and control. As a result, a little finger-amputee was unable to properly grip his sword, weakening him in battle and increasing his reliance on his boss's protection. As a result, street racers with amputated ligaments on their left hand will have more difficulty changing gears and overall racing performance as the transmission system is on the left in New Zealand and Japan. As a result, this practice came to be accepted as a form of punishment for poor performance on the streets.

After finishing second to Shoyo Nishida in a 2019 50k high stakes circuit race around Eden City, a Raizoku high ranking member only known as "Shiftlock" voluntarily performed yubitsume over the hood of Nishida's Karin Celestial ZZ, presenting him with the digit.

Membership

S. Sugiyama

Current Leader

Hideo Sugiyama

Second in Command

Ryo Watanabe

Raizoku - Ryo Watanabe 2007

Ryo in 2007

Ryo Watanabe is a veteran street racer and a respected figure in Raizoku, New Zealand's premier Japanese underground racing society. A former member of the elite Apex Glide racing team, he made his mark in 2007 when he was crowned Showdown King by the Super Promotion racing organization. Now 67, Ryo continues to dominate the streets with his finely tuned Karin Kuruma X, blending old-school precision with modern performance. While younger racers chase viral fame, he remains focused on pure speed, skill, and the relentless pursuit of victory, embodying the true spirit of Raizoku.

Other Notable Members

Vehicles


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