Black anime characters are often rare. First, because anime is mostly from Japan, Korea, and China which have almost no Black population. The second reason is the theme of the anime stories which often revolve around a local character who is either Japanese, Korean, or Chinese. Still, sometimes we see American, Indian, or African characters. To the best of my abilities, here are the top Black anime characters along with their roles, anime name, powers, and significance.
Biscuit Oliva – Baki
Who doesn’t know Mr. Unchained from Baki anime. The only man who lives in a prison but is the most free man in all of the United States, and supposedly the Baki world. The muscle mountain, Mr. Unchained, is one of the strongest men in the entire world and is a Black anime character with a major role in an anime. Even multiple rounds of shotguns don’t do much other than leave a few scars on his muscles. And after eating a 30-course meal with a lot of meat and steaks, he recovers within a few hours.
His fight with Baki was on a whole new level. Punching through walls, picking out steel prison doors with a single hand like removing a fly from his face are his known feats. Even when seasoned fighters keep on hitting him, he barely feels anything. He can move his muscles to most of his body like a machine.
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Kuzan (Aokiji) – One Piece
With feats like freezing major parts of the ocean, and his powers like Ice Age during Marineford War (Whitebeard Pirates vs Marines), Aokiji was a Marine Admiral. The highest forces of the world navy. He is one of the most overpowered Black anime characters. His devil fruit powers make him invincible to any physical or ranged attack.
Other than Haki, forget leaving a scar on him. Trained by legendary hero and Luffy’s grandfather Garp, he also excels in the use of Haki, making him even more difficult to defeat.Kuzan is one of the male Black anime characters who have been given a major role in one of the most famous anime in the world.
Afro Samurai/Number Two – Afro Samurai
This male Black anime character is the protagonist of the said anime. Even the name of the anime is after him. Afro Samurai, also called Number Two, is the main guy – the Afro Samurai. He is a genius swordsman, with superhuman strength, speed, and reflexes. He can fight mid-air and can come up with new forms of combat on the spot.
Deflecting enemy attacks, bullets, lasers, etc. is a walk in the park for him. I have rarely seen a Black swordsman in the anime world, and this one is the most exceptional one.
Yasopp & Usopp – One Piece
Usopp is one of the core members of the Strawhat Pirates in One Piece. It is no secret that he is a coward by nature, but when push comes to shove, he can really stand his ground. We have seen it on numerous occasions. When we first saw him, he was a loner kid with no parents, telling fake stories of brave men from the sea to kids. He would also yell about the pirates coming and attacking the town which of course were lies.
Where most people saw a liar and a bragger, very few like Kaya saw an interesting man with great stories. Despite her illness, she would talk to him and wait for him to come running, climbing the tree, and telling her new stories by her window.
The truth, however, was later revealed to us that his father is one of the most famous pirates in the world, the sharpshooter of the Red Hair Pirates, Yasopp. They are both Black anime characters who have been given central roles in a worldwide famous anime.
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Killer Bee – Naruto
The host of the Eight-Tailed Demon Ox is a rap fanatic, who is also a side character in Naruto. He is one of the most powerful supporting Black characters in any anime. If we wanted to rank the best rappers of any anime, Killer Bee would have a high ranking number. As a Shinobi from Kumogakure, he not only stands out for his unshakable loyalty and combat skills but also for bringing humor, rhythm, and style to some of the most intense moments in Naruto.
Dutch – Black Lagoon!
Supposedly a former U.S.-Vietnam veteran, and the leader of Lagoon Company, is Dutch. He is a central figure in this anime. He is one of those Black anime characters without which the anime would have less charm and overall appeal. Fun fact: despite his imposing presence, Dutch is often the most level-headed and diplomatic member of the crew, preferring strategy over reckless gunfights.
Charon – Fire Force
Charon is not just a Black anime character – he is an experience. A guy who loves to fight to the extent that he embraces the enemy’s most powerful moves like hugging a cute panda. His philosophy of fighting is entirely different from your usual anime characters. Something like Senor Pink of Donquixote Pirates in One Piece.
Yoruichi Shihōin – Bleach
Among Black female anime characters, Yoruichi Shihōin would undoubtedly have one of the top spots in any list. She has a slender and curvaceous physique. She is one of the fastest characters of the Bleach anime. She also served as 2nd Division Captain of the Gotei 13, showing her overall powers and abilities.
One of her major fights was against Soi Fon (her former disciple) during the Soul Society arc. During this fight, Soi Fon displayed her killer move, Nigeki Kessatsu (Two-Hit Kill), a two-strike assassination move that is fatal if both hits land on the same spot.
Canary – Hunter x Hunter
Despite her less screen time in anime, Canary had a key role as the apprentice butler of the Zoldyck Family (the world’s most notorious assassins). It is fair to say she is pretty powerful. Although when searching for her, I came across a few comments where the Black community was not in favor of how the studios had drawn Canary. Some of her physical features like lips and hair were supposedly racist, and the studios could have done a better job.
My Thoughts on Black Anime Characters
As I said earlier, anime is mostly based in Asia but its fan following spans across the globe. The possibility of Black anime characters is slim but it happens every now and then. In my time watching anime, I have come across many Black characters and most of them had a critical role. Some of them were pretty strong, while some had an international role. When describing some relevant scene from America or Africa, Black anime characters often surface.
Among female Black anime characters, we often see them in anime series like Bleach, HxH, and Cowboy Bebop. Still, the above list is far from complete and I’ll keep on updating it. Thoughts?
Here is a similar video about BLACK ANIME CHARACTERS RANKED on Youtube by LightSkinJutsu
