James (Smiling Friends)

James is the secondary antagonist in the Smiling Friends episode titled "Gwimbly: Definitive Remastered Enhanced Extended Edition DX 4K (Anniversary Director’s Cut)." He is an enigmatic and imposing figure who barges into the break room of Smiling Friends and starts bossing around and abusing Charlie, taking advantage of the company policy that insists the organization must do anything the client says until they smile.
He is voiced by the series' co-creator, Michael Cusack.
== History ==
One day, James randomly barges into the Smiling Friends headquarters and immediately starts rummaging through the cabinets. When Charlie explains that the organization is a charity aimed at helping people smile, James claims he's depressed and suggests that getting him a glass of milk might lift his spirits. Spotting that the television isn’t a flatscreen, he rips it from the wall and hurls it against the refrigerator. After Charlie hands him the milk, James declares that he hates it, shatters the glass, and demands that Charlie clean up the mess. Despite Charlie’s protests, James shows him a plaque he ripped from the wall stating that the Smiling Friends must do whatever the client asks until they bring a smile.
Later, Charlie finds himself dressed in a French maid outfit and has baked a casserole for James, hoping to make him smile while also implying that James had requested both. However, James questions Charlie's outfit before he hurls the casserole against the wall and insists on McDonald's instead. Charlie makes an earnest plea, but James ignores him, tearing off Charlie's nose because he finds it distracting. Charlie calls for medical help, but James mocks him throughout the call. He then swats the phone from Charlie's hand and threatens to behead him if that’s what it takes to make him smile. Fortunately for Charlie, James becomes distracted by the IGBG CEO and Troglor, who are pursuing Gwimbly, Pim, and Alan into the building. Angered, James calls the CEO a “fat ugly nerd,” prompting the CEO to order Troglor to shoot him. Instead, James kills the CEO by stabbing him in the head. With a grin, James declares, "That's all I needed," before leaving.
In the post-credits scene, James is seen drinking beer in a dilapidated apartment, crying over a picture of Charlie and expressing regret for driving away the one person who cared about him.
== Personality ==
James is an exceedingly unpleasant individual who shows a complete disregard for others' boundaries and belongings, crashing into the Smiling Friends building and immediately starting to break things while bossing Charlie around and abusing him for seemingly no reason. His actions resemble those of a spoiled man-child; for instance, he destroys the break room TV simply because it isn’t a flatscreen and demands that Charlie make him a casserole, only to hurl it against the wall when he decides he wants McDonald's instead.
At first, it seems that James is feigning depression to exploit the Smiling Friends, but by the end, it becomes clear that he is genuinely struggling with emotional issues and feels remorse for pushing Charlie away in his dismal apartment.
It remains ambiguous whether James harbors romantic feelings for Charlie, desires friendship, or views him as his only chance for change and happiness. This uncertainty, combined with his belt buckle and a kitten poster in his room, suggests he may have a softer side.
== Physical appearance ==
James is a stocky, muscular humanoid with pale pinkish-white skin. He is bald and has intense red eyes surrounded by large, black eye-bags, along with a prominent nose and chin, and a thick neck, giving him a skinhead-esque appearance. His outfit consists of a dark grey shirt adorned with a faded skull, crimson pants, a black belt with a maroon-colored peace sign, and black jester-style shoes.
== External Links ==
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== Navigation ==
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Category:Villains
Category:Antagonists
Category:Males
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Category:Criminals
Category:Smiling Friends characters