African American Anime Fans

[rocklobster]

My theory is that, as you may have noticed, there are very few blacks in anime, so maybe blacks don't feel represented enough. Think hard, how many black anime characters can you name? I can name maybe 5, and most aren't even important:

• Cyborg 008 (Cyborg 009)
• Abdul Hakeem (Cowboy Bebop session 2--"Stray Dog Strut")
• Hacker Lee (Cowboy Bebop: the Movie )
• Bear (Gungrave)
• Bobo-bo Bobo-bo

Hope this doesn't make me sound racist, I try to be as "colorblind" as possible. Anyway, as we may all know, the true reason that blacks don't show up often in anime is that in Japan, black people are quite scarce, so it's an environment thing. They aren't racist there, at least not as much as one might think. (That's what AI said when someone asked why there are so few blacks in anime)

[Myoti]

In One Piece alone, the blacks are:

-Mr. 5
-Miss [Tuesday, I think?]
-Mr. 1 might have been...
-Aokiji (Kozue)
-Gedatsu

Actually, during the Davy Back Fight Usopp goes into a big deal about wearing afros and says that black people have a special "champion spirit", and wearing an afro gives you that spirit. XD


Shaman King:
-Joco/Chocolove
-that guy with the Lochness Monster (don't recall his name)

[yukinon]

What about the guy in Excel Saga with the 'fro? Nabeshin, right? Was he black or did he just have a 'fro?

[termyt]

BUMP!

How could you confuse Inuyasha with DBZ or Naota with "Gorillaz"?!

Ha! I usually get Sailor Moon or Pokemon as guesses for my favorites.

I guess that shows what's most popular, anyways.

[SigmaKnight]

What about the guy in Excel Saga with the 'fro? Nabeshin, right? Was he black or did he just have a 'fro?

He just had a 'fro. He is based on the director Shinichi Watanabe, who's nickname happens to actually be "Nabeshin". So I guess Nabeshin is... japanese.

[KhakiBlueSocks]

I can name maybe 5, and most aren't even important:

• Cyborg 008 (Cyborg 009)
• Abdul Hakeem (Cowboy Bebop session 2--"Stray Dog Strut")
• Hacker Lee (Cowboy Bebop: the Movie )
• Bear (Gungrave)
• Bobo-bo Bobo-bo

You know, I never really considered Bobo-bo as being black...I just thought he was insane! But upon further review, I guess he counts! The afro at least grants him points!

What about Ed from Cowboy Bebop? I consider her as being black...anybody agree?

[Nightshade X]

Wow, I'm late... anyway, for the record: I'm black, absolutely love anime, and live in California. Grand total of black people I know personally that like anime is 2. This is fine with me. However, the problem comes with certain acquaintances of mine who discover that I don't like rap or anything connected to the "black community" (to clarify: hip-hop, clothing styles, and stuff like that) at all.

I get pretty upset (well... not upset, but irritated) when people call me names like "Oreo" or "white-washed" when I don't live up to their expectations of how a black person "should" act (especially when I tell them that I'm more of a fan of rock than anything). A prime example comes from an ex-girlfriend (who I can barely call an aquaintance now... but that's a different tale) who actually called me an Oreo to my face. I find this particularly funny, since this type of thinking doesn't typically come from other black people (at least, for me it doesn't... maybe because I don't know very many?), but from just about everybody else.

As irritating as it all can get, I don't get too upset about it. I just lump people who can't see past my skin into a very distinct category: people who should take an extended break from breathing.

BTW, could Jet Black from Cowboy Bebop be considered as being black, I wonder?

[KhakiBlueSocks]

Wow, I'm late... anyway, for the record: I'm black, absolutely love anime, and live in California. Grand total of black people I know personally that like anime is 2. This is fine with me. However, the problem comes with certain acquaintances of mine who discover that I don't like rap or anything connected to the "black community" (to clarify: hip-hop, clothing styles, and stuff like that) at all.

I get pretty upset (well... not upset, but irritated) when people call me names like "Oreo" or "white-washed" when I don't live up to their expectations of how a black person "should" act (especially when I tell them that I'm more of a fan of rock than anything). A prime example comes from an ex-girlfriend (who I can barely call an aquaintance now... but that's a different tale) who actually called me an Oreo to my face. I find this particularly funny, since this type of thinking doesn't typically come from other black people (at least, for me it doesn't... maybe because I don't know very many?), but from just about everybody else.

As irritating as it all can get, I don't get too upset about it. I just lump people who can't see past my skin into a very distinct category: people who should take an extended break from breathing.

BTW, could Jet Black from Cowboy Bebop be considered as being black, I wonder?

:hug: Brother! They say everyone has a twin somewhere, and I think I found mine...give or take a couple hundred miles...but anyway...

I really don't know about Jet...he may have a few genes, but I really don't know...

[Kanerou]

I'm around 40% myself, but people have asked if I was Hispanic or Middle Eastern before. Does anyone find it interesting that tanned people tend to be more common than black people in anime?

Oh yeah - Yoruichi and that other guy from Bleach have the skin, though not the features one would consider common to black people (the nose, etc). And GTO's got some black kids.

EDIT: *whaps Siggy* Hey. Nice to see you again.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I dont see radical ed as black. I consider her as.... as.... as..... uh..... tanned? Heck ed's her own nationality

[EireWolf]

I would never think of Ed as being black. She has red hair and rosy cheeks. Jet, maybe.

[termyt]

I always assumed Jet was black. I never really thought of Ed as being black. Her father definitely doesn't seem black. Maybe her mom was?

[SigmaKnight]

I'm around 40% myself, but people have asked if I was Hispanic or Middle Eastern before. Does anyone find it interesting that tanned people tend to be more common than black people in anime?

Oh yeah - Yoruichi and that other guy from Bleach have the skin, though not the features one would consider common to black people (the nose, etc). And GTO's got some black kids.

EDIT: *whaps Siggy* Hey. Nice to see you again.

@_@ Waaaaaah *cowers from the whap* Nice to see you again too.

I think that there are more tan people in anime cause of the stereotypical out going girl type that is always out side doing something and therefore tans quickly? I always figured that Ed from CB was like that, although if that were true she would probably have tan lines.... (and thats ignoring the fact that she's in space/on board the Bebop most of the time)

Hmm... Ed is a really confusing girl, but it seems that she counts as being black, if only for a lack of evidence for the contrary. ( no tan lines, nor becoming pale as the series went on)

[KhakiBlueSocks]

I would never think of Ed as being black. She has red hair and rosy cheeks. Jet, maybe.

You know, there was another black kid on Bebop in the episode "Ballad of Fallen Angels." It was the boy with the goggles looking at the porn magazines with his tall, pasty friend. He had rosy cheeks too, and he was a bit darker than our barefoot friend.

BTW, That was actually the original design of Ed, according to my research!

[Rogie]

@_@ Waaaaaah *cowers from the whap* Nice to see you again too.

I think that there are more tan people in anime cause of the stereotypical out going girl type that is always out side doing something and therefore tans quickly? I always figured that Ed from CB was like that, although if that were true she would probably have tan lines.... (and thats ignoring the fact that she's in space/on board the Bebop most of the time)

Hmm... Ed is a really confusing girl, but it seems that she counts as being black, if only for a lack of evidence for the contrary. ( no tan lines, nor becoming pale as the series went on)

Also, regarding the "tan" people: If you watch "Super Gals!" they sort of explain (I think in the liner notes) that being tanned was the in thing for Japanese girls. In "Super Gals!" Ran makes fun of three rivals for still being tan even after it's gone "out of style."

I don't know what everyone's take on that is, but I thought I would throw that in for good measure and for everyone to maybe understand that a tanned character could be viewed from that Japanese cultural standpoint.

[termyt]

@_@ Waaaaaah *cowers from the whap* Nice to see you again too.

I think that there are more tan people in anime cause of the stereotypical out going girl type that is always out side doing something and therefore tans quickly? I always figured that Ed from CB was like that, although if that were true she would probably have tan lines.... (and thats ignoring the fact that she's in space/on board the Bebop most of the time)

Hmm... Ed is a really confusing girl, but it seems that she counts as being black, if only for a lack of evidence for the contrary. ( no tan lines, nor becoming pale as the series went on)

I seriously doubt the character designers put that much thought into their character designs. I'm not saying your wrong about Ed, just that they aren't likely going to cause a character to loose their tan.

The biggest reason is that if characters became tan or lost their tan, it would make it harder for the viewer to recognize the character. Not that that would be a problem for the Bebop crew, but just as a general rule.

[ashfire]

Here's something. I was looking at some pictures that were taken back in the 70s and noticed that no matter who people were if they had the right type of hair they had afros or real bushy type hair.
Someone posted a picture of a firetruck in a parade and you notice one of the people on the truck with his dress hat sitting way up on top of his hair.
I knew guys in my fire station that had hair like that. Its a wonder how they got their helmets on.

[Kanerou]

Also, regarding the "tan" people: If you watch "Super Gals!" they sort of explain (I think in the liner notes) that being tanned was the in thing for Japanese girls. In "Super Gals!" Ran makes fun of three rivals for still being tan even after it's gone "out of style."

I don't know what everyone's take on that is, but I thought I would throw that in for good measure and for everyone to maybe understand that a tanned character could be viewed from that Japanese cultural standpoint.

In Peach Girl, being tanned wasn't such a good thing. The tought-girl swimmers were tanned, and I believe Momo was hit on by older men because of her tan. But that doesn't explain people like Setsuna Meiou, who's not the "tough"/sultry/etc. type.

[yukinon]

As I recall, being tanned is often considered a sign of being somewhat....promiscuous. And often even if you're not (like Momo) people will assume that you are.

It may not have always been that way however.

[SigmaKnight]

I seriously doubt the character designers put that much thought into their character designs. I'm not saying your wrong about Ed, just that they aren't likely going to cause a character to loose their tan.

The biggest reason is that if characters became tan or lost their tan, it would make it harder for the viewer to recognize the character. Not that that would be a problem for the Bebop crew, but just as a general rule.

Actually there are a couple shows in which characters do get and lose a tan, or have tan lines or something of the sort. Kagura from Azumanga Daioh for example, and I believe its mentioned that she gains a tan because of her swim practice or something of the sort.

I have noticed however its usually the athletic, or hyper type of girl that has a tan in anime though. So I think that the character creators should have atleast consider it at some point.

[Kanerou]

As I recall, being tanned is often considered a sign of being somewhat....promiscuous. And often even if you're not (like Momo) people will assume that you are.

It may not have always been that way however.

I'd be in trouble. Too bad they think that, though. Isn't it funny that a tan is desirable over here, and it's not over there?

*feels bad for whapping Sigma and pats him* Sorry.

[SigmaKnight]

:lol: I'd be in trouble. Too bad they think that, though. Isn't it funny that a tan is desirable over here, and it's not over there?

*feels bad for whapping Sigma and pats him* Sorry.

:3 Nyao, its ok Rouchan.

[emersongreen]

well, i'm not african-american, i'm carribean/puerto rican/ scottish, but it's close enough. hi!

[termyt]

I have noticed however its usually the athletic, or hyper type of girl that has a tan in anime though. So I think that the character creators should have atleast consider it at some point.

It has a lot to do with perception in Japan as well. In the US, we consider a tan to be healthy and attractive. The Japanese don't see it that way, so only those who actually spend enough time in the sun to get a tan actually get one. I believe Ed has a tan because that's an immediate visual indicator of her personality. She doesn't get enough sun exposure to tan, but giving her one anyways lets the audience know a little bit more of her personality at a glance.

Skin tone is also part of character identification. A main characters like Ed or Kagura could get away with gaining and loosing a tan, but secondary characters may not be easily recognized if they gain or loose their tans.

Skin tone is also part of charcter identification. A main chasacters like Ed or Kagura could get away with gaining and loosing a tan, but secondary characters may not be easily recognized if they gain or loose their tans.

[Kanerou]

:3 Nyao, its ok Rouchan.

*is shocked and overjoyed simultaneously that he not only finally capitalized her nickname but also behaved himself*

I think that says it all.

[RubyJewelStone]

*waves* I'm a black anime fan. =^.^=

[KhakiBlueSocks]

Yay! Welcome to the forums and welcome to the African American Anime Fans thread! Our goal: To prove that anime fans come in many different skin tones! If you wanna see how this whole thread started, go to the first page, and check out the experiment I have been running the past few weeks!:dance: