A couple decades ago anime was seen to many as strange animation from a foreign land that had nothing to do with us. Now, the genre has expanded to include more content for Black Americans. RDCWorld even has its own annual Black anime convention, Dream Con. So, whether you’re new to the anime community, want to learn more about it, or have been a fan your whole life; here are five of the most iconic Black anime characters to grace the screen.
Representation is important, especially in the media. From TV shows to movies, and even video games; representation can make the experience for the audience that much more exciting. Representation in your favorite media can even affect how you perceive yourself and your culture.
Afro (Afro Samurai)
Afro Samurai (yes, that is his name) is probably the most widely recognized Black anime character. The signature kinky afro adorned with a head tie is a supremely iconic silhouette. Dope aesthetics aside, it’s hard to not love a Black samurai voiced by Samuel L. Jackson.
While the show’s premise and the character’s backstory are those of tragedy, Afro’s story still became one of the most prominent for Black anime characters. The show Afro Samurai premiered on Spike TV in 2007 and eventually gained a feature film adaptation. Although the TV series was only five episodes in length, Afro still holds a special place in many viewers’ hearts as their first-ever Black anime character.
Killer B (Naruto: Shippuden/Boruto: Naruto Next Generations)
While Naruto only features one Black shinobi in all 220 episodes, Naruto: Shippuden introduces the Hidden Cloud Village (and subsequently the Raikage). The special thing about the Hidden Cloud is that not only are most denizens and leaders lightning-users, but they are also almost all Black characters. Killer B, the jinchūriki of the eight-tail beast, is the most unforgettable.
Killer B’s personality and appearances are some of the best moments in the Fourth Great Ninja War. He’s the younger adopted brother of the fourth Raikage, A. Before A came into power over Kumogakure though, the two were renowned and feared as the “Strongest Tag-Team,” a.k.a “A-B Combo”. While B should take life more seriously, he’s always carried a fun and bouncy spirit that matches his ambitions of becoming the world’s greatest rapper.
Kuzan (One Piece)
Kuzan is one of the strongest Marine Admirals in One Piece’s history. Better known as Aokiji, he was one of the Three Admirals of the Golden Age of Piracy. He fought Sakazuki, another of the Three Admirals, for ten days over the Fleet Admiral position. Unfortunately, he lost but was later recruited as one of Blackbeard’s Ten Titanic Captains.
It’s rare to see a Black character in any supernatural storyline with ice powers, but Kuzan wears the Chilly Chilly Fruit like a champ. The former Admiral can freeze other people, entire islands, and was even able to freeze Blackbeard’s tsunami wave. And if that’s not enough to convince you that he should be on this list, Aokiji probably has the most impressive drip across the Grand Line.
Ogun Montgomery (Fire Force)
You know an anime character will be great when they’re named after an ancient deity. Ogun Montgomery brings his own flair to the world of Fire Force as a third-generation Fire Soldier.
Being aptly named after the Yoruba god of iron and metal, Ogun is best known for his ability to transform flames into tattoos on his body like armor. The ability, called Flamy Ink, allows the fire soldier to enhance his strength, speed, and durability/stamina during fights against enemies.
Without Flamy Ink active, Ogun can still manipulate fire into long-range weapons and utilize flames as boosters for an impromptu hoverboard. He’s also extremely adept at hand-to-hand combat, which earned him the recognition as the star rookie of his company. Ogun also resembles Kilik Rung, who utilizes twin weapons of fire and thunder generations later in the series Soul Eater.
Yoruichi Shihōin (Bleach)
Yoruichi probably takes the cake as the most iconic Black female anime character. The former Captain of the Soul Society’s 2nd Division and Commander of the Secret Ops team plays a pivotal role in the Bleach series. Yoruichi has made Black otaku girls feel seen and represented for over a decade though, so there’s no way she’s getting left off this list.
She’s the master of flash stepping, has trained many of the Soul Society’s elites (including main character Kurosaki Ichigo), and has one of the coolest manipulations of Kidō seen in the series. Yoruichi’s Thunder Beast form is one of the most unique ways a cat-eared character could be presented. Covering her legs and arms in lightning, Yoruichi can easily tear through droves of enemies in seconds and strikes fear in the hearts of those who oppose the Soul Society.
