Reading Time: 7 minutesExamples of Anti-Blackness in anime Sister Krone from The Promised Neverland (left) and Maki from Love Lab in Black-Face (Right)
Anti-blackness is one of the root causes of most oppression and racism in the United States, but it is not just an American problem. Anti-Blackness is everywhere. It exists in one way or another across the globe. It is ingrained in many parts of society and culture, from education and media to politics and entertainment. So, it is no surprise that anti-blackness exist in anime.
The term anti-black, simply put, means to be opposed to or hostile toward Black people. Race equality think tank Runnymede Trust also defines it as the specific exclusion and prejudice against people visibly, or perceived to be, of African descent. What most commonly refer to as Black people. Additionally, non-Black people with darker skin, such as Latinx, Indians, and Filipinos, also face forms of racism rooted in anti-blackness. Theres also colorism, a type of discrimination in which lighter skin is privileged over darker skin, among people of the same race or ethnicity. Non-Black communities have negative stereotypes about Black people, and these communities will distance themselves to maintain some level of power or privilege as they position themselves closer to whiteness.
Anime, as I mentioned, is no stranger to any of these things either. Anime has a long and, unfortunately, on-going history with anti-blackness. Frankly, a very likely reason for that is racism and prejudice formed through the earlier portrayals of Black people in American media. American media representations of Black people were not always seen in a positive light and propagated misconstrued, and racist images meant to represent Black people at that time.
It is possible the first representation that Japanese audiences saw of Black people was through these racists and stereotypical portrayals. And while it has been well over 70 years since those depictions, they still contributed to the negative attitudes towards Black people. Which in turn, is why there are many offensive and problematic portrayals of them in anime.
While I love seeing Black characters in anime, I hate it when a show will use stereotypes and or character designs that are reminiscent of racist caricatures. It reduces the characters to be the butt of a terrible hateful joke and takes away the representation that they could have been. It sucks when the industry you have invested time, money, and love in, just like any other fan, doesnt always love you back. It hurts when creators and studios in the industry choose to depict Black people in such a disgustingly racist way.
One of the most glaring examples of this is Sister Krone from The Promised Neverland. Sister Krones design is inundated with racist implications, calling to mind black Americans image popularized by minstrel shows. This is something a lot of people dont like to hear, but its objectively true. A mere side-by-side of Sister Krone and, say, an old drawing of Aunt Jemima will confirm this to be the case: the massive lips, huge nose, stronger musculature, and general servant-like aesthetic all contribute to an image of that oh-so-pernicious depiction of black women, one that has not entirely faded from cultural consciousness.
Sadly, the racist depiction of Sister Krone is not a rare occurrence in recent anime. Other relatively recent examples of anti-blackness and racist depictions in anime include Love Lab and Terraformers.In Love Lab, a school-aged girl who does full blackface acts like a soul singer because she wanted to experience Black. In the same episode, another character mentions how their older brothers fetishize Black women.
While in Terraformers, a sci-fi anime about a space crew terraforming Mars. When they arrive, they get attacked by giant mutated humanoid cockroaches called Terraformars. The TerraformArs are purposefully designed with stereotypical Black features, some of which are very reminiscent of racist caricatures.
I could go on and list more examples, but I think you get my point. Anti-blackness exists in anime. It has been a part of its past and, unfortunately, continues to exist to this day. And with so much anti-blackness in anime, it is a wonder sometimes how I can enjoy and consume content from an industry that still participates in the use of racism and stereotypes. Well, for one thing, not all anime are racist or relies on racist stereotypes for Black and other non-Japanese characters. Furthermore, I refuse to let the poor and disgusting racist choices of some creators and studios in the industry make me hate a medium that I love.
Personally speaking, as a Black woman in America, I am always aware that I live in a world where certain parts of society see me as an other. Viewing me as someone that exists outside of what they deem is the norm. That I am not automatically seen as a person who deserves the same rights, respect, and privileges as others. So, I am not usually surprised or shocked when I see that something is anti-black. I am disgusted and angry, but sadly Im not shocked because I have always been aware that I live in a world that doesnt always see me or treat me with the respect that I deserve as a person. That being said, I can enjoy, appreciate and consume anime while also not making excuses for its part in anti-blackness. I deserve to enjoy anime, too, just like any other fan. Black people deserve representation without stereotypes and racists jokes because that is the bare minimum.
Additionally, anime has a special place in Black culture. Personally, a Black anime fan, what I love about it the most is that it inspires me. Sometimes I can even find relatability in some characters and themes. For example, many of my favorite anime features characters who face impossible challenges they have to overcome or face prejudice and doubt from others around them. Nonetheless, they dont give up. Either through hope, love, friendship, or inner strength, they persevere to achieve their goals. So I can see why that resonates with me, and maybe others, so strongly.
So then what do we do about anti-blackness in anime? How can I love and enjoy a medium that clearly doesnt always show me the same love back?
Well, for one, as I said before, anti-blackness is everywhere. But just because I cant escape it does not mean I have to tolerate it. Ignoring anti-blackness by never watching any anime ever again wont put an end to anti-blackness. To be clear, Im not saying to continue to consume specific work that is repeatedly racist or anti-black. I am saying you should also speak out and let the creators and other fans know that their work is problematic. You, me, and any other fans of anime have the right to share our critiques and opinions, and the artists should listen to them.
I love seeing Black characters in anime because I love seeing characters that look like me in the things I love. However, that reflection should not come at the cost of being made the butt of racist and anti-black jokes.It is sad to say that even in 2021, we need to call out anti-blackness in pop culture, but if we dont then, it will continue to exist.
We have to demand better and set a standard for how Black people should be represented respectfully because, frankly, we deserve better and it is the bare minimum. There is no excuse for anti-blackness or racist themes to exist in anime or any medium for that matter.We have to demand better and set a standard for how Black people should be represented respectfully because, frankly, we deserve better and it is the bare minimum.
Thankfully there have been anime creators in the industry over the years who put in the work and effort to make their series diverse and do not use racist caricatures or stereotypes for their characters. One in particular that emcees to mind is Shinichir Watanabe. Watanabe. is a Japanese anime television and film director who is best known for directing widely popular series such as Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Carole & Tuesday, and Space Dandy. Watanabe is also well known for making anime that represents a racially diverse world.
During an interview following the conclusion of Cowboy BebopWatanabe had this today about diversity in anime.I paid a lot of attention to skin color. Also to using multiple languages. Lots of times when you watch anime, the characters all have white skin all the characters in fantasy stories all have white skin, which I never liked. I wanted to have lots of characters in Bebop without the white skin, and if people werent used to that, well, maybe it would even make them think a little bit about it.Im grateful to creators likeWatanabe who have worked to make anime more racially diverse and inclusive. Itwas anime like Cowboy Bebopthat first showed me that Black people can exist in anime.
Now there are more creators in the industry who are doing the real work to represent Black characters in anime better. This is done by broadening the spectrum of skin tones, and putting in more effort when it comes to illustrating features like hair texture, lips, and palms of hands. Some great examples of this include Black characters being more respectfully and accurately designed, such as Ogun Montgomery from Fire Force and Aran Ojiro in Haikyuu. Another preseason these characters representation is important is because they are Black characters living and existing in their shows version of Japan. They an example of how Black people and other races can be included in anime.
Other examples of improvement are anime series with Black-lead characters like Carole & Tuesday and Cannon Busters. There is also more Black and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) representation behind the animation, like voice talents Zeno Robinson and Anairis Quiones who voice various characters in anime series. And now theres even DArt Shtajio, a Black-owned anime studio located in Tokyo, Japan, founded by twin brothers Arthell Isom and Darnell Isom.
It means a lot as an anime fan that these creators are putting in the effort to give proper representation to Black characters. Their work helps to set a new standard for how Black characters deserve to be represented in anime.So, while the anime industry does have its issues and problematic past with anti-blackness, there is hope for more improvement to come as more creators put in the work and intentional in portraying Black characters. I have hope that as time goes on, the industry I love so much will love me back the same
LaNeysha is a host on So Heres What Happened, andDid You Have To?. she is also responsible for developing strategic marketing and communications plans to assist with brand recognition, growth, and community engagement. Self-proclaimed low-maintenance cosplayer. Has an ever-growing anime and video game list to work through but always looking for more
Like Loading...
Originally posted here:
- Best Sci-Fi Board Games In 2024 - TheGamer - April 18th, 2024 [April 18th, 2024]
- Elon Musk's 'Multiplanetary' Civilization Doesn't Offer Real Hope - The Federalist - November 26th, 2023 [November 26th, 2023]
- NASA's Perseverance rover successfully completes its oxygen ... - East Coast Daily (English) - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- 18 Board Games That Everyone Needs To Play - Kotaku Australia - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- The 15 Best Transformers Ripoffs - MovieWeb - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Godzilla Stomps Onto Television With 'Monarch' Trailer - ScreenCrush - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- How to terraform Mars, without nukes, on a budget - Freethink - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Experience the future of sci-fi strategy gaming: 'Space Gears ... - msnNOW - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Terraforming Mars - Apps on Google Play - March 31st, 2023 [March 31st, 2023]
- The Definitive Guide To Terraforming - Universe Today - January 31st, 2023 [January 31st, 2023]
- How Terraforming Works | HowStuffWorks - January 31st, 2023 [January 31st, 2023]
- Could we really terraform Mars? | Space - January 31st, 2023 [January 31st, 2023]
- How Do We Terraform Mars? - Universe Today - January 31st, 2023 [January 31st, 2023]
- How to save the planet in less than two hours | Mint - Mint - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- Elon Musk Floats 'Nuke Mars' Idea Again | Space - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- Farting spaceships and the terraforming of Mars - Sify - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Dubai Future Forum begins with focus on society and space - The National - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Breakthrough - Surviving Mars Wiki - Paradox Wikis - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Why is there no Planet B? (commentary) - Mongabay.com - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- The Fallout Of Warworld Across The DC Universe, Today (Spoilers) - Bleeding Cool News - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- How to Teach Someone a Board Game (and Even Have Fun Doing It) - The New York Times - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- X-Men Monday #172 - Steve Foxe Reflects on 'X-Men '92: House of XCII' AIPT - AIPT - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Lord Martin Rees: 'Long term, humans won't exist they'll evolve into something digital' - The Telegraph - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Book review: 'How the World Really Works' | Community | bgdailynews.com - Bowling Green Daily News - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- Why Did Ferns Persist When All Other Plants Perished? - The Scientist - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- Cardboard Cinema: LOTR, American Psycho, The World Series Of Board Games, And Zine Quest - /Film - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- Marvel Reveals the Moment Before the X-Men Suffer a Planetary Mutant Massacre (Exclusive) - ComicBook.com - July 31st, 2022 [July 31st, 2022]
- How humans may populate the universe in the billions of years ahead - The Spectator - July 17th, 2022 [July 17th, 2022]
- Terraforming of Venus - Wikipedia - July 13th, 2022 [July 13th, 2022]
- Colonize the Red Planet with the Terraforming Mars board game, now 45% off - Space.com - July 13th, 2022 [July 13th, 2022]
- Want to know California's future? You can see it in the Sierra - San Francisco Chronicle - July 13th, 2022 [July 13th, 2022]
- The Untold Truth Of General Zod - Looper - June 15th, 2022 [June 15th, 2022]
- Terraformers Early Access Review One of the Finest Martian Games on Earth - The Workprint - June 11th, 2022 [June 11th, 2022]
- Bitcoin Mining In The 22nd Century - Bitcoin Magazine - June 11th, 2022 [June 11th, 2022]
- Sins Of The Black Flamingo Thank FOC It's Saturday, 4th of June 2022 - Bleeding Cool News - June 11th, 2022 [June 11th, 2022]
- Free to grab: Far Cry 4 and more games with Amazon Prime Gaming - guru3d.com - June 1st, 2022 [June 1st, 2022]
- The best Memorial Day sales we can find on gadgets, games, and tech gear [Updated] - Ars Technica - June 1st, 2022 [June 1st, 2022]
- Free to grab: Bioshock: The Collection at Epic Games Store - guru3d.com - June 1st, 2022 [June 1st, 2022]
- Early Memorial Day deal: get 33% off the Terraforming Mars board game - Space.com - May 25th, 2022 [May 25th, 2022]
- Todays best deals: iPad Air, recommended board games, and gaming mice - Ars Technica - May 23rd, 2022 [May 23rd, 2022]
- Why Is Board Gaming So White And Male? I'm Trying To Figure That Out - Kotaku Australia - May 23rd, 2022 [May 23rd, 2022]
- Five Stories in Which Aliens Attempt to Reshape the Earth - Tor.com - May 23rd, 2022 [May 23rd, 2022]
- Android app deals of the day: Terraforming Mars, Green Project, Fenix 2 for Twitter, more - 9to5Toys - May 13th, 2022 [May 13th, 2022]
- Get the Terraforming Mars video game for free right now from Epic Games - Space.com - May 13th, 2022 [May 13th, 2022]
- 11 best solo board games that can be enjoyed by one-player - The Independent - May 13th, 2022 [May 13th, 2022]
- Terraforming Mars is free on the Epic Games Store - Destructoid - May 6th, 2022 [May 6th, 2022]
- Vampire the Masquerade - Bloodhunt: What Are The Best Features Of Nosferatu Prowler? - The West News - May 6th, 2022 [May 6th, 2022]
- Games Inbox: Zelda: Breath Of The Wild 2 performance worries - Metro.co.uk - May 6th, 2022 [May 6th, 2022]
- Bleach Brave Souls: What Are The Best Beginner Tips? - The West News - May 6th, 2022 [May 6th, 2022]
- Terraforming Mars will be free on the Epic Games Store next week - For The Win - May 3rd, 2022 [May 3rd, 2022]
- Bugsnax: How To Find The Trip Shot? - The West News - May 3rd, 2022 [May 3rd, 2022]
- Rogue Legacy 2: How To Find All The Lilies Of the Valley? - The West News - May 3rd, 2022 [May 3rd, 2022]
- Final Fantasy 14: How To Find The Radiant Twine? - The West News - May 3rd, 2022 [May 3rd, 2022]
- Globle Game Answer Today May 3, 2022 - The West News - May 3rd, 2022 [May 3rd, 2022]
- PUBG: How To Use Emotes On PC And Mobile Phones? - The West News - May 3rd, 2022 [May 3rd, 2022]
- Vampire The Masquerade - Bloodhunt: What Are The Best Tips To Be A Vampire? - The West News - May 3rd, 2022 [May 3rd, 2022]
- Skyrim: How To Find The Quarried Stone? - The West News - May 3rd, 2022 [May 3rd, 2022]
- Dungeons & Dragons: What Are The Best Tiefling Bloodlines? - The West News - May 3rd, 2022 [May 3rd, 2022]
- Skyrim: How To Find The Daedric Horse? - The West News - May 3rd, 2022 [May 3rd, 2022]
- Heardle Answer For Today May 3 Tuesday - The West News - May 3rd, 2022 [May 3rd, 2022]
- Skyrim: How To Be A Part Of The Thieves Guild? - The West News - May 3rd, 2022 [May 3rd, 2022]
- Could space-going billionaires be the vanguard of a cosmic revolution? - The Guardian - May 3rd, 2022 [May 3rd, 2022]
- Animal Crossing New Horizons: How To Get Ruby? - The West News - May 3rd, 2022 [May 3rd, 2022]
- Globle Game Answer Today April 29, 2022 - The West News - May 3rd, 2022 [May 3rd, 2022]
- Powerball Winning Numbers of April 30, 2022 - The West News - May 3rd, 2022 [May 3rd, 2022]
- Animal Crossing: What Is New Horizons May Day? - The West News - May 3rd, 2022 [May 3rd, 2022]
- 10 best solo board games that can be enjoyed by one-player - The Independent - May 3rd, 2022 [May 3rd, 2022]
- What is the temperature on Mars? | Space - April 20th, 2022 [April 20th, 2022]
- Per Aspera expands ocean terraforming with Blue Mars expansion - PC Gamer - April 20th, 2022 [April 20th, 2022]
- Teburu could be the future of board games that gamers actually want - TechRadar - April 20th, 2022 [April 20th, 2022]
- 'X-Men Red': on terraforming, climate change, and collective will - AIPT - April 6th, 2022 [April 6th, 2022]
- The UAEs plan to terraform Mars could also transform its own desert nation - The Independent - April 6th, 2022 [April 6th, 2022]
- Why is board gaming so white and male? I'm trying to figure that out - The Conversation - March 31st, 2022 [March 31st, 2022]
- Terraform a planet in this survival game that looks like Subnautica on Mars - PC Gamer - March 29th, 2022 [March 29th, 2022]
- All The Ways Living On Mars Could Kill You - 2oceansvibe News - March 29th, 2022 [March 29th, 2022]
- 10 Things You Didnt Know About The Sega Genesis Dragon Ball Z Game - Verve Times - March 18th, 2022 [March 18th, 2022]
- Moon Knight Faces His Greatest Test... The Truth - Marvel.com - March 17th, 2022 [March 17th, 2022]
- Curious Kids: could we change other planets in the Solar System so we could live on them? - The Conversation UK - February 24th, 2022 [February 24th, 2022]
- Curious Kids: Could we change other planets in the solar system so we could live on them? - The Indian Express - February 19th, 2022 [February 19th, 2022]
- Ada Palmer and the Weird Hand of Progress - WIRED - February 11th, 2022 [February 11th, 2022]