Anime and manga have long been one of the most influential pioneers of anime, with their rich culture and diverse products. Here is a list dedicated to some of the most iconic black characters in this medium:
The “anime with black characters” is a genre of animated films that have been popular for decades. These films are often about the struggles of African Americans and other minorities in society. The “7 of the most iconic black characters in manga history – Geekymint”, includes 7 of the most iconic black characters from manga history, including Black Jack from One Piece, Shao Kahn from Mortal Kombat, and more.
We’ve largely seen Asian and Caucasian characters represented in manga throughout its existence. This does not, however, imply that other PoC, particularly Black people, are underrepresented. Mangakas have taken it upon themselves to depict powerful and competent characters who are on par with the other characters in terms of strength, virility, and bravery when it comes to character racial origins. Mangakas have also made Black characters the major protagonists of their works on occasion, which I believe says volumes about the kind of representation that these writers provide in their work. And this goes a long way toward making a conservative society like Japan more aware of and accepting of other races and cultures.
In this post, I’ll discuss the top seven black manga characters who are the forerunners of their depiction in the medium. So fasten your seatbelts and prepare to dive into the realm of black manga characters!
All-Time Greatest Black Manga Characters
Tite Kubo’s Yoruichi from Bleach
Yoruichi is one of the most well-known and powerful female black manga characters in history. And every Bleach fan will wholeheartedly agree with me! Yoruichi Shihoin is a member of one of the Soul Society’s four aristocratic families, and her martial abilities are unrivaled. She is also the clan’s leader, the former captain of Gotei 13’s 2nd Division, and the former Supreme Commander of the Onmitsukido. For her unrivaled speed and combat skill, she was dubbed the Flash Goddess in her day. Yoruichi assumed the guise of a stray cat when conversing with Ichigo and his companions in human reality.
Yoruichi is one of those characters who you can’t help but like. Her demeanor, wit, and charisma are all really badass, and you can’t help but be pulled to her.
Afro Samurai from Takashi Okazaki’s Afro Samurai
Afro Samurai is a manga about a black samurai. The story’s eponymous hero is a cold-blooded murderer who developed his icy demeanor after seeing his father being slain in front of him. This devastated him to the point that he lost all emotional warmth and empathy, transforming him into a soulless human being capable of killing anybody in his path. His personality as a youngster, on the other hand, was diametrically opposed to his adult self. He was a joyful and playful child, but after watching his loved ones being decapitated, he became into the person he is now.
He claims that his primary purpose in life is to “advance ahead,” which entails killing everybody who stands in his path. He is one of manga’s most powerful black characters, despite his harsh, solemn, and distant demeanor. But you’ll have to admit that he’s a natural fighter and that you can sympathize with his anguish and tribulations.
Bob Makihara from Oh! Great’s Tenjho Tenge (Ito Ogure)
He is a powerful and muscular black manga character and one of the manga characters with African ancestry. The other characters in Tenjho Tenge refer to him as “the stranger” because of his outsider position. This does not, however, prevent him from being a brilliant fighter with extraordinary instincts who finally gains recognition and approval from his peers. Despite being African, Bob Makihara is shown in the manga with blue eyes and a Japanese surname. In the manga, however, it is unclear if his true surname is African or not.
Bob is a member of the Juken club and seems to have a strong desire to fight. In a battle, he can take on practically anybody and has a natural fighting ability. He has a keen sense of awareness and can detect changes in the air at Todou Academy nearly instantaneously. He can also detect the presence of characters who are more powerful than himself.
Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto Shippuden character Killer B
Naruto Shippuden’s Killer B is a black manga character with white hair. Who doesn’t adore B? He is undoubtedly one of the most popular side characters in the Naruto Shippuden franchise. Aside from being the Jinchuriki of the Eight Tales and a powerful and talented ninja, B is also humorous and doesn’t take himself or his surroundings too seriously. You might occasionally find yourself nodding your head along to B’s freestyling since he has a wicked sense of comedy. His quirkiness matches his martial abilities, ability to read the room in a battle, and exceptional sense of vision.
We think Killer B is one of the greatest masculine black characters in comics, and we love him!
Tite Kubo’s Tier Harribel from Bleach
Tier Harribel is another female black manga character from the universe of Bleach, and she is an Espada who ranks third out of ten. And, as many Bleach fans know, an Espada’s rank affects their strength, and considering Harribel’s status, it’s reasonable to presume she’s one of the most powerful among them. Despite being the most powerful, her disposition contrasts sharply with the other Espadas, who are often cold-hearted and without empathy for either the adversary or their subordinates. When Mila Rose, Sung-Sung, and Apacce (her sidekicks) were brought down in combat, Harribel seemed to be the only Espada who actually cared for her subordinates. She has already rescued them on many occasions.
We can all agree that Harribel is our favorite for this reason alone. Harribel is an exceptional warrior and swordsman with unrivaled abilities. And, unlike the Hollows, she seems to have a heart and comes to the assistance of those she cares about. She stands apart from the crowd, and you can’t help but sympathize with her and fall in love with her as a result.
Hiromu Arakawa’s Scar from Fullmetal Alchemist
Scar is a violent guy who is usually brooding, and is one of the most prominent manga characters of color. He is enraged at those who have taken away his family and ruined his country, particularly the State Alchemists. He is so overwhelmed by hatred that he assaults Edward Elric, a state alchemist who had no involvement in the Ishval battle. His primary purpose is to exact vengeance on the state alchemists, and in order to do so, he goes against several of his religion’s principles.
Despite this, he remains sensitive for individuals who want to protect their loved ones and those who have lost their place in the world. He is very protective of his surviving relatives and values their words of support. He even respects his adversaries’ last desires by allowing them to pray before they die. Scar may be one of the series’ most brutal characters, but his subtle humane streak emerges throughout the series, and by the conclusion, you’ll be left wondering if he’s really a nasty guy or someone who has experienced a lot of misery.
Masaru Gotsubo’s Mugen from Samurai Champloo
Mugen is another colorful manga character from the popular Samurai Champloo series. He is renowned to be harsh, vulgar, egotistical, and perverse, and is classified as an anti-hero. Mugen is most passionate about two things: fighting and ladies. He is renowned for picking trivial battles with others and for being a huge playboy. He’s also a fierce competitor and a one-man show who despises authority. He even attempted suicide in one scene in the manga when someone tried to assert power over him. As a result, he would sooner die than follow someone else’s regulations.
Despite this, he is prepared to embrace his people as his friends and has a great regard for opponents who are as adept in combat. Mugen may seem to be odious in many circumstances, but let’s face it, despite his antics, we all secretly respect him.
With the passage of time, more manga artists are developing characters that are of diverse races and identities. These are black manga characters who have revolutionized the way diversity is shown in the medium. There are a plethora of black mangas available to read right now. In addition, some mangas have intriguing anime adaptations that you may watch for fun. You may learn more about some of the anime with strong black characters by reading our post on black anime characters.
What are your thoughts on this list? Let us know what you think in the comments!
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The “black anime shows” are a genre of Japanese animation that is known for its dark themes and often-times, black characters. These characters have gained popularity in the west due to their unique appearances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any black characters in Naruto?
A: Yes, there is a black character in the Naruto manga and anime series. The name of this person is Karin
What anime characters are black?
A: In the anime, Black Butler.
Who is the strongest black anime character?
A: Ryuko Matoi is the strongest black anime character.
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