A local woman’s affinity for the anime cartoon “Naruto” has earned her half-a-million hits on the video-sharing app TikTok.
Twenty-three-year-old Eureka native Camryn Dale shared a video of her “Naruto”-themed Prius on TikTok last month, pairing it with the audio of another popularized “Naruto” TikTok video made by @pinkgenjutsu.
“I had the idea to make that video for about a week and was expecting maybe 200 views?” Dale told the Outpost. “I documented my amazement on Instagram stories when I hit 10,000 views, so I definitely did not expect today’s [497,800].”
The flashy Prius, which she designed as a joke, she said, isn’t her first anime-themed car. Before her sudden internet fame, she was known for driving a ‘98 Mercedes with “My Neighbor Totoro” decals.
“My love of Japanese animation began with “Pokémon” and “My Neighbor Totoro” and other Studio Ghibli films around the age of 7. Then, naturally, that turned into love of other anime and, of course, eventually, Naruto.”
While Dale said that she’s received a small amount of mean comments from certain car enthusiasts online because of the video, she said that many people love the idea and have asked her for advice on how to stylize their cars.
“I’ve gotten a lot of love for it!” she said. “Lots of people saying they’ve either done the same or they’re about to. When I drive around town I’ve had people take pics of it when I’m coming back from a store or even when I’m waiting inside. Lots of honking and excited thumbs up while I drive by.”