Anime has become increasingly popular around the world, with Black characters becoming increasingly popular both within and outside Japan.
With the demand for more Black characters in recent years, there has been a shift toward Black-led anime.
Legends like Masashi Kishimoto and Tite Kubo have inspired up-and-coming manga writers looking to create anime with characters who look like them.
So, here are some of the most iconic Black-led anime.
Michiko & Hatchin (2008-2009)
Anime fans will attest to Michiko being used as a social media profile pic, but there’s so much more to this Black anime character.
This Black-led anime follows Michiko, who escapes prison seeking a man from her past.
Her only clue is Hatchin, a girl with an abusive family.
Michiko pretends to be her mom, and together, they chase their dreams.
Michiko & Hatchin is a sun-soaked anime with plenty of heart.
Afro Samurai (1998-2002)
Afro Samurai is a Black-led anime that legendary actor Samuel L. Jackson voiced.
The Afro Samurai seeks revenge after witnessing his father’s death.
His desire for revenge leads him on a path of death and destruction, leaving no one in his wake.
This show lavishes us with exciting battles thanks to the animators’ attention to detail in battle scenes.
Yasuke (2021-present)
This Black-led anime is based on the real-life story of Yasuke, the first known Black samurai.
In this anime, he’s a retired samurai after Yami no Damiyo, the demonic warlord, defeated his lord.
He now lives as a boatman in a remote village.
However, he must take up the sword once more to protect a mysterious young girl from deadly forces.
Cowboy Bebop (1998-1999)
Cowboy Bebop was one of the most popular 90s anime, especially for sci-fi fans.
It was a hit series, especially in Japan and, most notably, the United States.
The anime follows a band of bounty hunters as they traverse through the galaxy.
There’s plenty of humor, mystery and action, making this anime still quite watchable.
Neo Yokio (2017-2018)
Neo Yokio is a Black-led anime series starring Kaz Kaan, voiced by Jaden Smith.
The show revolves around Kaz Kaan, a wealthy and vain magistocrat, and his butler, Charles, as he tries to balance life as a demon hunter and a fashionista.
Kaan is very self-conscious and sensitive, which always leads him to trouble when fighting with demons.
Neo Yokio shows characters juggling daily struggles while trying to balance their lives.
Check Out These Black-led Anime
There’s a steadily increasing presence of Black characters in anime.
The future looks bright for the Black community in media.
