A style of tattooing called "black and gray realism" has its roots in East Los Angeles' Chicano culture. It moved from penal institutions, to the barrios, to high-end tattoo shops around the world.

I don’t do funny stuff like dragons with skulls or realistic tattoos when it’s Japanese style. I’d prefer to send it to somebody else than to do it myself.” Onizuka Tattoo, 1017 1/4 W ...

Today, that same style is being admired and copied by young men 8,200 miles away in Bangkok, Thailand. "They've been influenced by a lot of videos they've seen on YouTube.