by Tamra Kaghembe
From an early age, anime has been a huge source of comfort, allowing me to connect with other anime fans and escape from the demanding world of adulthood.
Fictional characters become our best friends as we watch their journeys to unlock their full potential. Existing in their own realm, these narratives bring people together as part of a diverse community of fans. One community is especially prominent within the anime sphere: the Black community.
There is an uncomfortable truth, though, that must be confronted. Too often, anime has exhibited anti-Blackness within its representations of Blackness, and Black characters have been seen imitating racially stereotypical attributes. Anime such as Dragon Ball Z, Promised Neverland, Shaman King, Cowboy Bebop and One Punch Man are just a few examples of animes that fall short in their portrayal of Blackness.
It is here that the relationship between Black anime watchers and these shows becomes complicated; where we have found comfort has also become where we sometimes stay, shaking our heads.
Essential to unpacking this complicated relationship is acknowledging that the ongoing racism within anime is most likely the result of western media and early images of Black people. Anime creators are often limited in their interactions with Black people and our culture and so rely on western media. Japanese audiences exposed to what western media defines as Blackness are subject to replicate these racially inaccurate depictions, unaware of how they widen the prolific number of corrupting attitudes held towards the Black community.
Even so, this cannot be used to justify the prejudice within anime. As an invested member of anime’s Black audience, it is both a bonding and confrontational experience when consuming anime. This is yet another channel where I am confronted with being perceived as the other, a nuance, a masquerade. It is draining.
I commend efforts to incorporate Black characters, but I in turn struggle to overlook the ways in which these characters can appear to mock Blackness. From these characters’ speech, origin stories and the activities they partake in, Black characters are often by-products of the lack of awareness and experience mainstream anime studios and creators have portraying such a multifaceted community.
Take Sister Krone from Promised Neverland. It can be argued that her design mirrors earlier images of Aunt Jemima. ChocoLove McDonell from the 2000s Shaman King can also be said to mirror American minstrel shows that were once openly used as a form of entertainment. Not to mention Popo from Dragon Ball Z, who also emulates earlier racist caricatures within the sphere of western media. The list does not end there.
To feel misconstrued by a world I love can be frustrating. Whilst it is not all anime that is racist, it is far too many. I have contemplated at times whether this is a fan base capable of accommodating me as I do it. How do I enjoy content from an industry that repeatedly appropriates racist ideals? Trying not to focus on the saddening choices of some creators has meant maintaining a connection with a genre that has been vital within my lifetime, but that also reminds me that, as a Black woman, certain diasporas will always consider me to be the ‘other’.
On a more positive note, we are beginning to witness more Black creators collaborating to create safe spaces within anime for Black culture to flourish. An example of this blend of Black culture and anime is Aaron McGruder’s The Boondocks. In her writing titled ‘But Why Tho?’ surrounding Black anime characters, Podcast host LaNeysha Campbell uses her platform to enlighten Black audiences on where to find sources that have displayed positive representations within the anime sphere.
On the podcast, she acknowledges the ways that representation within anime has and continues to improve. Although not perfect, LaNeysha emphasises the human desire to see ourselves in the content we consume. Other individuals, such as UK video producer Joshua Toussaint-Strauss, spoke on Black representation in anime through a short and impactful video published by the Guardian. He emphasised how rare it was to see those that look like him in the anime that he watched and how he was instantly drawn to Black characters when included. He also went on to highlight how important representation is to him, but that it becomes incredibly complex within discourses around anime.
Although there have been some efforts for inclusivity and far more discourse around the still existing racism, the reality is there is still a long way to go. Meanwhile, Black fans like myself continue to vicariously overcome these obstacles through Black creators working to change the narrative – and that is something to look forward to.