Just when you thought The Simpsons would be running out of cool animated guests, we hear that comicbook legend Stan Lee and sci-fi author Harlan Ellison will be appearing (as themselves) on the iconic Fox toon this Sunday. AND, the show is also serving up a fantastic homage to the films of Japanese master Hayao Miyazaki.
This week’s outing is called “Married to the Blob” and centers on Comic Book Guy, who ends up marrying a Japanese woman who is writing an autobiographical manga because he wants to share his love of comics with someone. But first, he has to prove to her father that he is worthy of her love.
Lee has played himself on The Simpsons before on the 2002 episode “I Am Furious Yellow.”
“I was here 12 years ago, and I think I impressed them so that after 12 years, they figured they had to have me back,” Lee told The Hollywood Reporter in an exclusive interview. “This is the greatest show in the world so to be asked to be on it is not only great fun, it’s also a great honor.” Ellison noted, “Now, after writing over 100 books, I have reached the final stake of posterity by being included in The Simpsons.”
You can watch the video interview here:
And there’s even more animation magic packed in this episode. Make sure you keep an eye out for a special homage to the works of Japanese master Hayao Miyazaki as Homer and a new friend see a vision of Springfield coming to life as different creations of the legendary director. Among the films referenced in this episode are My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke.
You can check out this imaginative homage here: