Anthony Akano
| Anthony Garrett Akano | |
|---|---|
| Personal information | |
| Born | 16 November 1999 |
| YouTube information | |
| Channel | |
| Subscribers | 12,465[1] |
| Total views | 1,453,732[1] |
| This article is about a |
| Garetolian |
|---|
 |
Anthony Garrett Akano, known by his channel name Antakano, is a Garetolian social media personality and online influencer. As of May 2023, his channel has amassed over 1.4 million views and has over 12,000 subscribers.
Early life
Akano was born in Paso Robles, California on 16 March 1995 to his father Alomo and his mother Catherine. He is ethnically Garetolian. When Akano was about 4 years old, he fell out of an unzipped trampoline and landed head-first onto a concrete patio, which he insists has "accelerated [his] brain damage". In 2000, his family moved to Ule'eka.
Akano picked up the piano at an early age. At one point, his grandparents attempted to grow his abilities, but Akano claimed "[he] never really wanted to play it. It was just something [he] found interesting for a while but then it faded." Later, in his teens, Akano developed a new passion for the guitar, but his self-described lack of skill diverted him away from a musical career.
YouTube
In December of 2019, Akano began his channel, then called "Anthony Explains", in which he would clarify common misconceptions and develop oversimplified videos of complex subjects. His first video, titled "Great Britain misconceptions", gained over 300 views in one week. In March of 2020, Akano transitioned from informational videos and turned to video games, first playing FIFA 20 and then branching out to other sports, notably MLB: The Show.
Akano's gaming content is most notable for his deadpan-style humor and his relatively poor ability at the games he plays.
Personal life
Akano identifies as gay. He came out in a 2022 video after rumors had been circulating for a few months. He often speaks of his boyfriend, Miguel, though he has never appeared on camera.
Akano also has admitted to having several mental disorders. He was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome and ADHD as a teen, and later developed depression and anxiety. Akano has said that he suspects he is schizophrenic, but he remains undiagnosed.
Akano commonly expresses his passion for sports. As most of his family is from the San Francisco Bay Area, he is a strong San Francisco Giants, 49ers, Golden State Warriors, and San Jose Sharks fan. He has also expressed his support towards the San Jose Earthquakes and Ule'eka F.C., but mentions them less often. He also describes himself as an "honorary Sox fan," as his grandfather is supposedly from Massachusetts.
Akano is fluent in Spanish, which he chose to learn during secondary school, rather than the popular choice Ka'ekian.
Controversy
Akano is incredibly vocal about his politics, but his views are constant controversial points. He describes himself as a libertarian socialist and a "Carlinist" but holds several differing views. He has admitted he supports the ideas of the defunct FLQ and the PKK, both of which are considered terrorist groups. He also has expressed his disdain towards the United States and its values, including insisting that Republicans and Democrats are in practice the same party, and that "[Republicans and Democrats] make you think they're such huge enemies on the outside, but there are countless photos of Biden and Trump and Obama smiling together, and while I do hope that the Democrats are well-meaning, they haven't really done much to help the people." In response to the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade, Akano jokingly suggested that the US Government change the stars on the American flag to swastikas in order to "fit in with the direction they're heading". His political views also include "exponential taxation", enforcing a cap on housing prices, and banning marijuana.
Akano's sexuality often influences his politics. He has said he would support a "gay revolution", and has joked about making heterosexuality a crime. Akano is also heavily critical of the American education system. In a video, Akano claimed "all the kids over there are all being taught that Trump is their lord and savior, and Hitler was socialist, and California should be nuked." He also made a claim which purported the idea that schools are run the same way as corporations, and that students should be paid for their efforts in class.
Other claims of his include that the National Football League is rigged against the 49ers as a result of Colin Kaepernick taking the knee, that women have better rights than men, and that TikTok is a right-wing conspiracy to brainwash children online. While some of Akano's views are more mainstream than others, they are nonetheless controversial.
In Garetolia, Akano is a staunch New Socialist and says he has voted for the New Socialists each year since 2013. He has expressed dismay towards Conservative Party leader Peter Thorpe, including posting a video on Twitter of him burning a picture of Thorpe, which gained some online attention.