Larry Butz is a recurring character in the anime Ace Attorney, which adapts the video game series of the same name. He is introduced as the oldest friend of protagonist Phoenix Wright and the first client Phoenix ever defends in court. Larry is also a childhood friend of prosecutor Miles Edgeworth, connecting him to both central figures of the series. He is a highly emotional and unmotivated individual, often described as overemotional, naive, and easy-going. His emotions swing rapidly, and he tends to attract trouble, leading to the well-known saying among those close to him: "If something smells, it's usually the Butz." Larry changes occupations frequently—appearing as a hot dog vendor, a security guard, a Santa Claus impersonator, and an artist under the self-styled pen name Laurice Deauxnim. He also cycles through romantic relationships, each ending with him being dumped. Despite his chaotic nature, he is well-meaning and demonstrates genuine loyalty to Phoenix and Miles, occasionally providing key information that aids their investigations, even if his testimony is often unreliable. His motivations revolve around finding love and stability, but he consistently fails due to his own impulsive and unlucky tendencies. In the story, Larry serves as a source of comic relief, lightening the serious courtroom drama with his antics. He appears in several cases across the series, often inadvertently involved in criminal incidents. His relationships with Phoenix and Miles are rooted in a shared childhood; the three were friends at school, and Larry's bond with Phoenix remains particularly strong, with Phoenix always willing to help him despite his flaws. Development-wise, Larry remains largely unchanged throughout the anime, retaining his immature and optimistic personality even years later, as seen in later appearances. He has no special abilities, but his occasional artistic talent under his pseudonym yields modest success. Overall, Larry Butz is a loyal, if perpetually hapless, friend whose presence underscores the importance of long-standing personal connections within the Ace Attorney universe.