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[[File:World of Springfield Series 4.jpg|250px|right|link=World of Springfield]]
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[[File:Mr. Sparkle.png|140px|left|link=Mr. Sparkle]]
  
The '''World of Springfield''' is a series of action figures, which ran between December [[1999]] to December [[2004]] and was released by [[Playmates Toys]].
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'''Mr. Sparkle''' (ミスタースパーコル ''Misutasupakoru''), known in Japanese as '''Misutā Supākoru''', is a Japanese dishwashing detergent mascot for {{ap|Mr. Sparkle|product}}, who bears a strong resemblance to [[Homer]].
  
The toy action figure series was called World of Springfield because the goal of the line was to build a miniature [[Springfield]] through a series of interactive action figures and playsets. It eventually encompassed over 200 different figures/characters from the series, 40 interactive playsets (toy re-creations of Simpson's interior settings and town location settings within Springfield), and 3 non-interactive diorama town settings.
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While at the [[Springfield City Dump]], [[Bart]] found a box of Mr. Sparkle detergent. He called over [[Homer]] and [[Lisa]] to look at the box, and they were all shocked that it had a picture of Homer on the front. Homer took the box to [[Akira]] at [[The Happy Sumo]], who told Homer that it was Mr. Sparkle, and was surprised to find that the mascot looked like Homer. Homer later called the [[Mr. Sparkle Factory]] in [[Japan]] to ask why they were using his likeness on the box. He later received a videotape for American investors with a commercial for Mr. Sparkle included. The commercial started with Mr. Sparkle cleaning a dishwasher full of dishes before he went into the child's bedroom and played the toy xylophone. Mr. Sparkle then went to some {{ap|dancers|In Marge We Trust}} and told them to get out of his way as this was no place for loafers. He then told them to join him or die, and asked if they could do any less. The dancers then called Mr. Sparkle a brave corporate logo and accepted the challenge of Mr. Sparkle. One of the dancers then said "awesome power!" Mr. Sparkle then blew detergent at them, which turned the girls into sumo wrestlers. He then went to a {{ap|reporter|In Marge We Trust}}, who was interviewing a two-headed cow. Mr. Sparkle shattered the cow into pieces. Mr. Sparkle then told the viewer to use Mr. Sparkle for lucky best wash. The end of the commercial then revealed the truth behind Mr. Sparkle: it was a merger of the companies [[Matsumura Fishworks]], which had a fish logo, and [[Tamaribuchi Heavy Manufacturing Concern]], which had a lightbulb logo. The two logos together made Mr. Sparkle, meaning the resemblance to Homer was a coincidence...
  
The success of all "mass-market" action figure lines based on TV or movie characters are timed to the initial release of the project - as part of its promotional and marketing messages - taking advantage of the promotions, P.R. and advertising awareness and the figures themselves also as advertising and promotional vehicles. Most movie/TV tie-in action figures are successful for the brief period of the theatrical release, the video/DVD release and the possibility of a successful sequel but rarely for any longer period and typically, the release pattern for the action figure is no more than a few dozen figures, and some playsets to serve as background dioramas for the figures - with sales dropping off a few months after the last film is released. The Kenner/Hasbro ''[[Star Wars]]'' movie line is of course, the gold standard with figures in the same scale and in the marketplace since 1978. The closest TV equivalent might be the ''Star Trek'' line, though non-contiguous and not technically from one TV series (coincidentally also from Playmates Toys).
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Latest revision as of 08:00, May 1, 2026

Mr. Sparkle.png

Mr. Sparkle (ミスタースパーコル Misutasupakoru), known in Japanese as Misutā Supākoru, is a Japanese dishwashing detergent mascot for Mr. Sparkle, who bears a strong resemblance to Homer.

While at the Springfield City Dump, Bart found a box of Mr. Sparkle detergent. He called over Homer and Lisa to look at the box, and they were all shocked that it had a picture of Homer on the front. Homer took the box to Akira at The Happy Sumo, who told Homer that it was Mr. Sparkle, and was surprised to find that the mascot looked like Homer. Homer later called the Mr. Sparkle Factory in Japan to ask why they were using his likeness on the box. He later received a videotape for American investors with a commercial for Mr. Sparkle included. The commercial started with Mr. Sparkle cleaning a dishwasher full of dishes before he went into the child's bedroom and played the toy xylophone. Mr. Sparkle then went to some dancers and told them to get out of his way as this was no place for loafers. He then told them to join him or die, and asked if they could do any less. The dancers then called Mr. Sparkle a brave corporate logo and accepted the challenge of Mr. Sparkle. One of the dancers then said "awesome power!" Mr. Sparkle then blew detergent at them, which turned the girls into sumo wrestlers. He then went to a reporter, who was interviewing a two-headed cow. Mr. Sparkle shattered the cow into pieces. Mr. Sparkle then told the viewer to use Mr. Sparkle for lucky best wash. The end of the commercial then revealed the truth behind Mr. Sparkle: it was a merger of the companies Matsumura Fishworks, which had a fish logo, and Tamaribuchi Heavy Manufacturing Concern, which had a lightbulb logo. The two logos together made Mr. Sparkle, meaning the resemblance to Homer was a coincidence...

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