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COMMENTARY: Black Representation and Appearance in Japanese Pop Culture

NNPA NEWSWIRE — We as Black nerds are entitled to characters that we can identify with and can show to children for them to take pride in. Growing up I loved Goku, Cloud, and Sora. But it would have been nice to have a stalwart and cool character that I was a kid could look up to that I could identify with that looked like me.

Published

7 years ago

October 14, 2019

Oakland Post

This issue extends outside of classic cartoon anime. Japanese video games are also guilty of unequal and stereotypical representation. There are many different types of representation and all of these entertainment companies are missing the mark on all of them. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

THE BLERD BINDER

By Noah Washington, NNPA Newswire Pop Culture Contributor

With the release of Netflix’s “Cannon Busters,” we go back to the age-old conversation of representation of African Americans in anime. The most well-known characters in Japanese pop culture have often been represented with European features and fairer skin tones such as Naruto, Ichigo, Luffy, or Spike Spiegel. Even in live-action adaptations, some of these characters have been played by Caucasian actors.

Even when there is a Black character written into a storyline, their features are often exaggerated or they are made into a stereotype, most infamously with Mr. Popo of “Dragon Ball” fame; his dark as night skin and big red lips reminiscent of Blackface.

The closest thing we have gotten to a fair and entertaining anime representation is in Aaron Mcgruder’s “The Boondocks.” Yes, I know that The Boondocks is not considered an anime, but it has anime influences, and development by Madhouse Studios made it the closest thing we have gotten to an enjoyable anime with a predominantly Black-filled cast.

Unfortunately though, as much as I enjoyed “The Boondocks” and how it cleverly portrays stereotypes, they are stereotypes nonetheless.

“Cannon Busters,” which is a part of Netflix’s anime initiative to bring about more original content was recently released, and I have to say the quality of it and the writing are outstanding.

“Cannon Busters,” has all the qualities of a traditional anime, giant mecha’s, over the top protagonists, and a dramatic impossible plot, but I am disappointed with “Cannon Busters” in one aspect. In Episode two of the series, we are introduced to the Gearbolt Empire. “Cannon Buster’s” has Black Warriors, a Black Prince, a Black King and most importantly a Black hero named Odin. I see Odin as a double-edged sword.

This presented a chance to show off powerful deities with African origins. There are plenty of gods to choose from in the Yoruba and Egyptian pantheon such as Ogun, Sango, or Horus. On the other side of this problem is the fact that a Black man is depicted as a powerful larger than life figure named Odin who has traditionally looked like a grizzled caucasian male with an eye patch.

Video games also have their own role in this dilemma. Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy are two of the most popular video game series and have cemented themselves in American pop culture.

Kingdom Hearts is a joint venture with Disney Interactive and Square Enix. Kingdom Hearts combines the worlds of Final Fantasy and Disney films. The third entry in the Kingdom Hearts series was released early in 2019 and the game overall is good, but yet again another missed opportunity.

Several Disney worlds were featured in the game, but the easy slam dunk world that is missing is “The Princess and the Frog.” For some fans of the series, this was a disappointment.

Kingdom Hearts is overflowing with the themes of dark vs light, love conquers all, magic (good and bad), and whimsically simple-minded villains such as Dr. Facilier. Even the Bayou would have made a great location for the main characters of Sora, Donald Duck, and Goofy to play around in, you could have even turned them into frogs like the design mechanic that was done when the characters went to see Simba from the Lion King in Kingdom Hearts II which visualized them as Lions.

Final Fantasy faces a different issue. More than thirteen plus games make up the Final Fantasy series and there has barely been a handful of memorable characters. Barret Wallace and Sazh Katzroy are practically the same characters. They both use guns as their main style of fighting and have operated as comic relief at various points in the main story.

Sazh is a mild-mannered character who represents a big problem. Sazh himself isn’t a bad character, but it’s what he is carrying around with him constantly: A Chocobo.

Chocobo’s are like horses in the Final Fantasy series and to any uninformed viewer, kind of cute, but to the informed it carries the stereotype that Black people love chicken which is an insulting character choice. Barret Wallace, on the other hand, is made to look like a stereotype, a muscled up Black man with a gun (as I previously stated).

I hope they treat Barrett a cut above his old self in the Final Fantasy VII remake set to release March 3, 2020. I just want a Black Final Fantasy character that has a slim muscular build who carries around an awe-inspiring sword that one day my kids would want to dress up as for Halloween.

Is this an issue of the Japanese studios not interacting enough with people of African heritage or is it a matter of malevolence?

We notice the trend of African American stereotypes even outside of Japanese anime and video game culture. In Jordan Peele’s critically acclaimed movie “Get Out.” There is a scene where the main character Chris, played by Daniel Kaluuya is attending a “get together’’ for his girlfriend’s family which is filled with nothing but Caucasian Americans with the exception of a man played by the Japanese actor, Yasuhiko Oyama.

On IMDB the character is listed as Hiroki Tanaka, a Japanese name. Is this a commentary on how Asian Americans are allowed opportunities that African Americans are not? Is this a way for Jordan Peele to say that the Japanese see African people the same way Caucasians do? Or is this a way of saying that the Japanese identify with Caucasian Americans more than the other marginalized and oppressed groups due to their colonization by the English?

We as Black nerds are entitled to characters that we can identify with and can show to children for them to take pride in. Growing up I loved Goku, Cloud, and Sora. But it would have been nice to have a stalwart and cool character that I was a kid could look up to that I could identify with that looked like me.

The good news is that the release of Marvel’s “Black Panther” brings in a new era of representation that does not have the word “stereotype” anywhere around it. The bad news is that there is not a character of color that stands out in the world of anime like Goku or Naruto.

Noah Washington was born in Richmond, VA. Noah has been a black nerd since birth. He is a Media Entrepreneur major at Georgia State University. He loves everything in from “Ant-man” to “Z-Gundam” He has written for the SCADCONNECTOR writing exposés and TV interviews such as NBC’s “New Amsterdam. Follow him on Instagram under Riotboyatl and on Facebook.

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Smooth Ride! Car Suspension & Comfort Tested #shorts

Smooth suspension meets surprisingly spacious legroom. Experience true comfort on any road!

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1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Car suspension test demonstrating a smooth ride, comfort features, and handling on various terrains.

Experience the difference smooth suspension makes on rough streets. Check out the surprisingly good second-row legroom – test it yourself for true comfort.

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61 years since Selma, Houston leaders say the bridge remains to be crossed

61 years after Selma, Houston leaders say the fight for equality continues. The issues that sparked the marches still impact Black Americans today.

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Houston leaders discuss the ongoing struggle for civil rights 61 years after Selma, emphasizing the need for continued action.

It has been 61 years since the Selma marches. But political leaders in Houston say that the issues protesters were marching for still plague the lives of Black Americans.

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Here is what you need to know about finding unique white elephant gift ideas that everyone wants to steal

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition. The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half […]

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition.

The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half a second, and suddenly everyone wants the same gift. That is the sweet spot. A great white elephant pick should make people laugh, lean in, and start plotting their next steal before the turn is even over.

Should a White Elephant Gift Be Funny or Useful?

A white elephant gift can be funny or useful, but the strongest choices usually give people a reason to laugh and a reason to keep the item. A practical gift with an odd design, unexpected feature, or playful theme can get a reaction without becoming something the recipient immediately wants to give away.

The right balance depends on the group. Close friends and family members may enjoy a ridiculous gag gift because they already understand one another’s sense of humor.

A workplace exchange, neighborhood party, or mixed-age gathering usually calls for something with broader appeal. In those settings, humor works better when it is built into an item people could still use afterward.

It also helps to think about how quickly the gift will make sense once it is opened. A strangely shaped kitchen tool, oversized mug, quirky desk accessory, or unexpectedly fancy everyday item can create an immediate reaction. Guests understand the joke right away, while the item still has enough practical value to attract a steal.

Pure gag gifts can be harder to pull off. Something that exists only for the punchline may get a big laugh during the reveal and then sit untouched for the rest of the game. If the goal is to bring one of the gifts everyone keeps fighting over, usefulness gives the joke staying power.

Memorable Present Ideas: Creating Inside Joke Gifts

Inside joke gifts can make a white elephant exchange feel much more personal, especially when most of the group shares the same stories. The trick is choosing a reference that people will recognize quickly instead of building the entire joke around something only two guests understand.

You can turn a memorable vacation mishap, office catchphrase, family story, or long-running group joke into the theme of the gift. A personalized comic book can work especially well when it turns familiar people or a ridiculous shared moment into part of the story.

Think carefully about who the joke involves before ordering anything permanent. The gift should make the person feel included in the fun, not singled out for the wrong reason.

Can You Bring Something You Already Own?

Holiday gift exchanges can be a good place to re-gift something you never used, especially if it is unopened and clean.

The following can all work if they still look presentable:

A duplicate kitchen gadget
An untouched game
A decorative item
A sealed gift set
An unopened candle
A new travel accessory

The goal is to give the item a second chance, not use the exchange as an excuse to clear out damaged or unwanted clutter.

Take a close look at the packaging before wrapping it. Faded boxes, missing pieces, visible wear, or anything that looks obviously used can make the gift feel careless.

Wrapping Budget-Friendly Gifts

Wrapping can make gifts more entertaining before anyone even knows what’s inside.

Misdirection works especially well for fun party games. Put a small gift inside a much larger box. Use packaging from an unrelated household item.

Add harmless weight so guests cannot guess what they are holding. The reveal becomes part of the joke without changing the gift itself.

You can also lean into the theme of the exchange. Bright paper, oversized bows, reusable bags, or deliberately over-the-top wrapping can make an ordinary item feel more memorable. If the gift itself is already funny, simple wrapping may work better so the surprise stays hidden until the last second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Picking Last an Advantage in White Elephant?

Picking last can be an advantage because you get to see almost every gift before making your move. Instead of choosing blindly from the remaining wrapped presents, you can steal something that has already caught your attention if the rules still allow it.

That advantage depends on the house rules. Some games limit how many times a gift can be stolen.

Others lock an item once it reaches a certain number of steals. If the most popular gifts are already unavailable, the final player may have fewer strong options than expected.

The first player can also get another turn at the end in some versions of the game. That rule can balance things out, since the person who started with the least information may get one final chance to steal.

How Do You Plan White Elephant for a Large Group?

For a large white elephant exchange, set a firm spending limit and establish the stealing rules in advance.

Create a clear turn order before the game begins. Drawing numbers as guests arrive can save time once everyone is ready to start.

Keep the number of steals per gift limited so the game does not drag on. It also helps to have one person track which creative holiday presents have been stolen and when they are locked, especially if dozens of people are participating.

Can You Play White Elephant Virtually?

A virtual white elephant exchange can work over a video call, with one person keeping track of the turn order and each steal. Guests can either mail physical gifts ahead of time or use digital gifts that can be delivered once the game ends.

Set the spending limit and stealing rules before everyone joins. It also helps to decide how gifts will be revealed and who is responsible for sending each one afterward so the exchange does not become confusing.