‘The Simpsons’ + ‘Akira’ = ‘Bartkira’!

From recent tributes to animation legend Hayao Miyazaki to bootleg Bart t-shirts at Harajuku shops, to Mr. Sparkle, The Simpsons have always had a special bond with Japan.

This continues with the support of over 500 artists on the new “Bartkira” project.

Started back in 2013, the online art initiative looked to convert all 2,146 pages of Katsuhiro Otomo’s manga comic “Akira” with Simpsons characters.

Some of the artists will now have their work featured in Tokyo thanks to Yokohama-based comic publisher Black Hook Press’ James Stacey, who organized an upcoming exhibition of the work.

For those pondering the legal aspects, Kodansha, the Akira copyright holder, “didn’t want to help, but they also didn’t threaten with legal action, so we decided to go ahead,” Stacey explained.

Furthermore, it’s all for a good cause. Donations and profits from the event will go to Naka-Kon (a tsunami relief fund for Otomo’s hometown) and Save The Children (a favorite charity of Simpsons co-creator Sam Simon).

The March 8th opening event will feature DJs playing ’80s tunes for donations, Angenna America serving up craft beer, and more than 80 exhibitions.

“Bartkira in Tokyo” can be enjoyed March 7th to the 21st at the Gallery Hakusen in Suginami-ku, Tokyo. Visit www.hakusen.jp or www.blackhookpress.com for details.

[via The Japan Times]