Akira Soma, former head of the Sohma family, lived a life marked by delicate health and an untimely death from an unspecified illness. His marriage to Ren, a household maid turned wife, originated from her recognition of his solitude and dread of facing death alone. Though genuinely devoted to their daughter Akito, his parenting unintentionally shaped her distorted perspective. He relentlessly emphasized her identity as the zodiac’s "God," instilling the conviction that she inherently deserved unwavering devotion from the cursed members. This rhetoric, paired with Ren’s antagonism and rejection of Akito, laid the groundwork for her future cruelty and emotional volatility.

In his final hours, Akira consoled Akito by gifting her an empty box—a metaphor for his lingering presence beyond death. His passing occurred moments before Ren’s arrival, intensifying her bitterness toward their child. His failure to mend tensions with Ren or confront her envy perpetuated a legacy of unresolved strife. Though well-meaning, his overindulgence and neglect of moral instruction fostered Akito’s skewed understanding of entitlement and morality.

Years later, Akira’s shadow lingered in Akito’s battles with self-worth and her evolution following the zodiac curse’s end. His absence influenced her dependence on Shigure and her path to redemption. While unmentioned in post-series narratives, his legacy echoes in Akito’s resolve to dismantle generational abuse, particularly through her dedication to raising her son, Shiki. She champions his autonomy and emotional health, rejecting the family’s rigid traditions to forge a future unshackled from the past.