Anime or “animation” in Japan refer to Japanese series that features characters who largely bear local physical features. However, with this genre gaining immense popularity across the world, there have been characters introduced over time, including characters in leading roles, which have colored skin tone, especially black anime characters.
Although there have been a considerable number of female black anime characters and male black anime characters that have been created in anime, the numbers are still less when compared to the magnitude and scope of this genre. Here we have picked for you some of the most popular and iconic black anime characters to have ever been presented.
20 All-Time Best Black Anime Characters
1. Afro from Afro Samurai
Character Name
Afro
Anime series name
Afro Samurai
Created by
Takashi Okazaki
Voiced by
American actor Samuel L. Jackson
Description
One of the most popular black male anime characters of all time, Afro is a saga of a young boy out to avenge his father’s death. Afro’s popularity revolves around his dexterity with the sword and his cold-bloodedness while maintaining a calm and unmoved façade all the while.
2. Michiko Malandro and Atsuko Jackson from Michiko To Hatchin
Character Name
Michiko Malandro and Atsuko Jackson
Anime series name
Michiko To Hatchin
Created by
Manglobe
Voiced by
Monica Rial for Michiko Malandro in English and Yoko Maki in Japanese
Description
This 2009 release gained much popularity among fans especially because of the stupendous chemistry between the two central characters. While Michiko gets put behind bars after turning out a criminal, Atsuko becomes a policewoman in hot trail of the former. The chase turns out to be exceptionally entertaining that captivated audiences’ attention.
3. Bob Makihara from Tenjou Tenge
Character Name
Bob Makihara
Anime series name
Tenjou Tenge
Created by
Oh! Great
Voiced by
Shin-ichiro Miki
Description
Bob Makihara has his origins in South Africa and is a fighter accomplished in a famous Brazilian art of fighting. This iconic athletic character, who is one of the central figures in the anime, is seen faced with several challenges and he, along with his friend at school venture out on a quest to be the strongest among all the martial arts experts they are surrounded with.
4. Aokiji Kuzan from One Piece
Character Name
Aokiji Kuzan
Anime series name
One Piece
Created by
Eiichiro Oda
Voiced by
Takehito Koyasu
Description
This famous black anime character is popular among anime enthusiasts for his quiet power carefully concealed under a very calm and composed exterior. A former warlord who goes on to become a part of the Blackbeard Pirates, Aokiji possesses the powers of Hie Hie no Mi.
5. Kaz Kaan from Neo Yoki
Character Name
Kaz Kaan
Anime series name
Neo Yokio
Created by
Ezra Koenig
Voiced by
Jaden Smith
Description
One of the central characters of Neo Yokio, Kaz is portrayed as a dapper young man who is in possession of magical powers. He belongs to the “Magistocrats” and along with his butler Charles, leads a life of decadence. What draws viewers to Kaz most is his elegance, suave and charming personality.
6. Yoruichi Shihōin from Bleach
Character Name
Yoruichi Shihōin
Anime series name
Bleach
Created by
Tite Kubo
Voiced by
Satsuki Yukino
Description
One of the most loved black female anime characters, Yoruichi Shihōin bears attractive features, is intelligent, witty and possesses the power to transform herself from her human form into a black cat for hours on end. Her appeal also lies in her humility as is manifested when she refuses to be addressed by any honorific titles despite being of noble birth.
7. Muhammad Avdol from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventures
Character Name
Muhammad Avdol
Anime series name
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventures
Created by
Hirohiko Araki
Voiced by
Kenta Miyake
Description
Muhammad is an upright character, a principled, worthy ally of the central character, Joseph Joestar. The Egyptian descent is seen joining a group that is headed on a mission to defeat the DIO. The loyal Avdol imparts crucial knowledge on various matters along their journey.
8. Huey And Riley Freeman from The Boondock
Character Name
Huey And Riley Freeman
Anime series name
The Boondocks
Created by
Aaron McGruder
Voiced by
Regina KIng
Description
Huey and Riley have been exemplary black anime characters in this unique tale that has garnered much popularity among fans for its distinct storyline. The bond portrayed in this series between the two brothers, despite their outwardly differences that often bring them at loggerheads, is one to vouch for.
9. Kilik Rung from Soul Eater
Character Name
Kilik Rung
Anime series name
Soul Eater
Created by
Atsushi Ōkubo
Voiced by
Kenichi Suzumura
Description
Kilik is one of the coldest black anime male characters seen in a long time. While maintaining an elegant, reticent and chic exterior most of the time, his ability to produce fire and thunder has made Kilik a popular action hero.
10. Carole Stanley from Carole and Tuesday
Character Name
Carole Stanley
Anime series name
Carole and Tuesday
Created by
Shinichirō Watanabe
Voiced by
Miyuri Shimabukuro
Description
Carole has been building a niche for herself among fans over the years as one of the most loved black anime characters, girl, primarily due to her exemplary personality. She plays a nice, warm orphan girl who carves out a living for herself taking up any odd job that comes her way. Her lifelong dream however, is to become a musician and it is her journey towards that goal that makes for an absorbing watch.
11. Iris from Pokemon
Character Name
Iris
Anime series name
Pokemon
Created by
Satoshi Tajiri
Voiced by
Aoi Yuki
Description
This multi-season series has picked up much acclaim among lovers of black anime characters. Iris is a young companion of Ash who traverses the Unova region and ultimately becomes the master of this area. It had been Iris’ long-standing dream to become the mightiest Dragon master.
12. The Kumogakure Characters from Naruto
Character Name
The Kumogakure Characters
Anime series name
Naruto
Created by
Masashi Kishimoto
Voiced by
Junko Takeuchi for Naruto Uzumaki
Description
This series is one of the few in manga that features an entire village of black anime characters. Some of them including A, Darui, Killer B and the Raikages have stood out and struck a chord with audiences making these warriors from the hidden clouds, some of the most loved characters in this genre.
13. Scar from Fullmetal Alchemist
Character Name
Scar
Anime series name
Fullmetal Alchemist
Created by
Hiromu Arakawa
Voiced by
Ryotaro Okiayu
Description
This is one of the most powerful male black anime characters albeit with shades of viciousness who has managed to keep State Alchemists in a constant state of terror. His disgust for the unscrupulous government leads him to become a sort of social vigilante and commit crimes that he is easily forgiven for by viewers.
14. Canary from Hunter x Hunter
Character Name
Canary
Anime series name
Hunter x Hunter
Created by
Yoshihiro Togashi
Voiced by
Motoko Kumai
Description
Canary plays a supportive role in this anime series. This young black anime character, female, has become an endearing figure among anime fans largely because of her composure, gentleness and deep-seated fighting spirit.
15. Jet Black from Cowboy Bebop
Character Name
Jet Black
Anime series name
Cowboy Bebop
Created by
Hajime Yatate
Voiced by
Unsho Ishizuka
Description
Cowboy Bebop is a classic black anime character and no list would be complete without a mention of it. Created in 1998, the series portrays Jet Black as a loyal ally to Spike Spiegel, who always has Spiegel’s back and holds the fort by taking control of the star-ship or engaging in a gun fight.
16. Mr Popo from Dragon Ball Z
Character Name
Mr. Popo
Anime series name
Dragon Ball Z
Created by
Akira Toriyama
Voiced by
Toku Nishio
Description
The fun-filled Mr Popo has enticed audiences of all ages. Despite being in a secondary role, the black male anime character is greatly loved by fans for his unflinching support to the central characters and plot throughout the series.
17. Katara from Avatar
Character Name
Katara
Anime series name
Avatar
Created by
Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko
Voiced by
Mae Whitman
Description
An icon among black anime characters female, strong-willed Katara has also served as an inspiration to an entire generation who aim to be like her. The series has shown her veritably grow from an ordinary water bender to a blood bender.
18. Joe from Megalo Box
Character Name
Joe
Anime series name
Megalo Box
Created by
Katsuhiko Manabe Kensaku Kojima
Voiced by
Yoshimasa Hosoya
Description
Joe is a pugilist in this famous anime series who is specially loved by fans in the boxing world because of his will power and skills at the sport without the use of the necessary gear. He is an adventure seeker who moves away from his life of complacence in the quest for greater exploits.
19. Aran Ojiro from Haikyuu
Character Name
Aran Ojiro
Anime series name
Haikyuu
Created by
Haruichi Furudate
Voiced by
Jun Kasama
Description
Aran’s charismatic character has drawn anime lovers to this male black anime character, like never before. His immense stamina, extraordinary jumping ability has earned great feats for his school volleyball team. He went on to find a spot for his team at the 2020 Japanese Olympics.
20. Biscuit Oliva from Baki Hanma
Character Name
Biscuit Oliva
Anime series name
Baki Hanma
Created by
Keisuke Itagaki
Voiced by
Hochu Otsuka
Description
This popular black anime character is an antagonist in the Baki Hanma series. He popularity spikes because of his brute strength, out-of-this-world fight sequences rippling muscles that is often reeks of arrogance and swagger.
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FAQs
Why do black characters feature less in anime?
While there are a considerable number of iconic black characters in anime today, these series are originally Japanese and hence the characters have been built in accordance with local features. However, with Japanese anime gaining popularity in the US especially among its black population, several black anime characters have been introduced across the genre, many of whom have garnered tremendous success.
Does any anime series have a black character in the lead role?
Today, with the rising popularity of black male and female anime characters, there are several series that have them in the role of protagonists. Some of them are Michiko and Hatchin- which is one of the first anime series with a female protagonist, Afro- Samurai and Neo Yokio.
Which series pioneered in the black anime series segment?
The Boondocks. This four-seasons long series is considered to be the first ever black anime.
Conclusion
Black or dark skinned anime characters have turned out to be favourites among anime fans. They have taken the anime world by storm and deservedly so with well designed, unforgettable black anime characters beginning to take centre-stage. From Jason Ozuma and Cain Blood to Coffee and Yoruichi, the list of memorable female black anime characters and black male anime characters , simply go on.