David Cooper
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0361 - Akira
🕑 Added 2024-08-15 08:00:03 +0000 UTCMoat people would be surprised by the fact that this guy is recurring, but here in our dedicated little corner of the internet we're surprised that he doesn't appear to have a last name.
He's the sort of character that a significant chunk of Simpsons fans will recognise - and maybe even name - but if they were to list 100 Simpsons characters off the top of their head he most likely would not feature. He has too many (extremely minor) appearances to list them all, but also there's not much to him. We can see he has several jobs in addition to The Happy Sumo, for example as a martial arts instructor in season 3's "When Flanders Failed":
Or in the "Swankyfish" restaurant in season 24's "What Animated Women Want":
If you really want a deep dive on Akira lore, you need his trading card (yes, Akira got a trading card.)
Akira is voiced by George Takei here - Takei will appear several more times on the show, but this is his only time playing Akira, who will be voiced by Hank Azaria in future appearances (although I doubt he'll be playing him again.) Takei needs no introduction, you already know who he is from his most famous role (Ricardio the Heart Guy from Adventure Time.)
Anyway, the main thing that truly cements Akira's status as "important Simpsons character" is that he is in a Butterfingers commercial. Only the most significant Springfieldians are bestowed with such an honour.
This post is part of my "Every Simpsons Character Ever" series. For a list of my rules in this project, click here.
Comments
David Cooper
I have to imagine the market for Akira and Arnie Pie figures must have been pretty slim.
Alexander Hale
You'll be delighted to hear that an Akira World of Springfield figure was announced, but sadly the line was cancelled before he was produced. I regularly have dreams about the final waves of WOS figures, which were due to include such luminaries as Sanjay, Arnie Pie, and Richard & Lewis in a 2-pack.
