Ryu Asada

1978 – 2021

Matchbox Design 2004 – 2012
Hot Wheels Design 2012 – 2021

He was one of us. He was the best of us … from that flame, a hundred thousand sparks are lit.
— Road & Track

A fascination towards toy cars that began early on in my life ultimately steered my aspirations into engineering, and eventually the physical sciences.

Ryu was the designer of some of my most cherished model cars, both faithful reproductions of car culture legends that somehow retailed for $1, and imaginative machines inspired by ideas near and far. The passion, care, and persistence that he carried throughout his numerous designs inspire and encourage me on my ventures.

To learn that this industry-leading designer and automotive artisan started off with a degree in physics gave me a deeper appreciation of the path through which I have come, and of the future in which I will build my own.

Rest In Peace, Mr Asada.