Unfinished collaboration, finally realized.
In 2014, the “Tommykaira ZZ EV” was launched by Yuji Fujitsuka’s team, achieving low-volume certification. Two years later, in 2016, Ishimaru joined GLM, the company behind its creation.
Though in the same firm, Ishimaru never styled the platform Fujitsuka built from scratch. In 2018, both went independent: Fujitsuka as the certification expert of Number Nine Works, and Ishimaru as the founder of Fortmarei.
In 2026, Ishimaru was finally entrusted with the styling of the vehicle for this project. Their professional paths, once separate, now align after years of individual refinement. For Ishimaru, this project stands as a “moment of truth”—a definitive record validating the path he has forged over the decade.
The Dual Constraints
The primary challenge of this project lay in the simultaneous pursuit of two demanding goals: ensuring full compliance with today’s rigorous safety standards while achieving a state of “high-level harmony” with the vehicle’s existing design language.
In essence, the project was a complex facelift—refreshing the front cowl while preserving the rear section and the original livery. Moving far beyond the scope of a one-off custom build, it followed a sophisticated “development” process, utilizing 3D data for meticulous legal simulations. Even the headlights, which define the vehicle’s character, were carefully selected from certified components to meet both aesthetic and regulatory demands.
Elevating Design to Logical Engineering
Ishimaru was tasked with delivering “factory-grade” quality and sensuality that would withstand the scrutiny of industry professionals. He had to decode an existing design context that was not his own, filtering out noise to overlay new value. This required professional coordination and restraint, placing the project’s integrity above personal ego.
Fujitsuka’s precision engineering transformed millimeter-scale legal constraints into a “solid foundation” for the design. From structural changes to light distribution and safety standards, Fujitsuka logically connected every technical point, guiding the flow of Fortmarei’s pen. By elevating regulatory necessity into harmony, the result is a logical process where intellect and aesthetics are perfectly synchronized.
Purity of Craftsmanship: The Professional Relay
This project is not the work of a single individual. It was realized through a “professional relay”—a collaboration between Number Nine Works’ regulatory intelligence, Fortmarei’s styling, and precision manufacturing. These experts trusted each other implicitly, passing the baton without overstepping their boundaries.
In this technology demonstrator, Ishimaru dedicated himself to his design responsibilities to help maximize the “technological power of certification” held by Fujitsuka. A single engineer, a designer, and skilled craftsmen—the product of this minimal collaboration now carries a license plate and drives on public roads.
