Daisaku Atsukoda, known as Taisho, stands as Akko-chan's primary rival throughout multiple adaptations. This hefty boy exhibits bullying tendencies, frequently operating alongside loyal henchmen Gyoro and Goma. His familial dynamic includes a younger brother, Shosho, toward whom Taisho displays fiercely protective instincts.

The original 1969 anime depicted Taisho harboring romantic interest in their teacher, Moriyama, rather than Akko-chan. However, subsequent adaptations significantly developed his unexpressed affection for Akko-chan, transforming his bullying into a mask for this secret crush and cementing his "Jerk with a Heart of Gold" archetype. This romantic subplot intensifies in later versions, particularly with the introduction of external rivals like Eiji Haraguchi as love interests for Akko-chan, directly challenging Taisho's feelings and escalating their rivalry.

Taisho's family background features a father whose actions drive specific conflicts, notably in the 1989 movie "Himitsu no Akko-chan: The Movie," where his father's plans to build an apartment complex on the neighborhood playground clash with Akko-chan and her friends' fight to preserve their play space. This connection integrates Taisho into wider community disputes beyond school.

His role evolves across adaptations yet consistently maintains core traits: a physically imposing bully with underlying vulnerability regarding his feelings for Akko-chan and unwavering protective loyalty toward Shosho. These characteristics persist through the 1988 and 1998 anime series, fueling both comedic and dramatic storylines centered on competition for Akko-chan's attention and neighborhood conflicts.