Man goes viral after finding his Toyota AE86 covered by a mass of sleeping cats

Just as you thought you’d seen everything online, you come across a Toyota AE86 that became a five-star hotel for a sleeping cats.

Somehow, the iconic Initial D vehicle found itself swarmed by dozens of napping felines in Japan.

The surreal scene was shared through a series of Instagram photos, and these photos quickly went viral.

However, not everyone is convinced that these photos are actually real.

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Cats are often drawn to cars due to their heat

The images, posted by @ae86_26 on Instagram, show cats draped across the hood, roof, trunk of the Toyota AE86, with many seemingly fast asleep and utterly unbothered.

Some are curled into perfect little donuts, while others stretched out like they’ve paid rent.

The sheer number of cats sparked disbelief among viewers, with many joking that the images must be AI-generated.

After all, a perfectly preserved AE86 surrounded by dozens of sleeping cats sounds like something cooked up by an algorithm designed to farm likes.

However, others were quick to push back on the AI accusations, pointing out that Japan has several real-life locations nicknamed ‘Cat Islands’.

Places like Aoshima and Tashirojima are famous for having cat populations that vastly outnumber humans, thanks to historical fishing communities that encouraged cats to control rodents.

In those environments, seeing large groups of cats roaming freely (and napping wherever they please) is completely normal.

If the AE86 was parked near such an area, the feline takeover suddenly feels far more plausible.

There are also practical reasons cats might be drawn to the car.

Recently driven vehicles retain warmth, especially around the hood and engine bay, making them ideal nap spots for sleeping cats.

The AE86’s low profile and flat surfaces are also easy to climb, and surprisingly comfortable for lounging.

If the car isn’t driven daily, cats may also see it as a safe, undisturbed platform.

Basically, the car becomes a luxury heated bed that just happens to have four wheels.

The Toyota AE86 is the definitive Initial D car

Of course, the car itself adds another layer to the story.

The Toyota AE86, sold in the mid-1980s as the Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno, became legendary for its lightweight design, rear-wheel-drive layout, and high-revving 4A-GE engine.

Its fame exploded globally thanks to Initial D, where it starred as the ultimate underdog drift machine.

The humble tofu delivery vehicle humiliated much more powerful cars on mountain passes, like the Nissan GT-R, solidifying its legendary status among fans of Japanese cars.

It’s a reminder that sometimes, horsepower numbers alone don’t dictate who wins in a race.

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