Can anime be racist? A look at cultural stereotypes

Anime is a global phenomenon. What began as a uniquely Japanese form of storytelling has grown into a massive international industry with fans spanning every continent. From heartfelt dramas to adrenaline-pumping action, anime has something for everyone. But with its global popularity comes a growing level of scrutiny—especially when it comes to how race and culture are portrayed.

The question that often arises in online discussions and critical essays is this: Can anime be racist?

For some, this feels like an unfair accusation against a beloved medium. For others, it’s a necessary and overdue examination of the racial and cultural messages embedded in anime narratives and designs. While Japanese creators operate within their own cultural context, anime is no longer a Japan-only phenomenon. With an increasingly diverse global audience, it’s important to ask what kind of portrayals are being exported—and whether some of them reinforce outdated or harmful stereotypes.

Japan’s Cultural Context and Racial Representation

It’s important to begin with some cultural context. Japan is a relatively homogeneous society, with over 97% of the population identifying as ethnically Japanese. Because of this, race-related conversations in Japanese media often lack the complexity or nuance seen in more diverse societies.

That said, Japan is not unaware of global racial politics. From the influence of hip-hop on Japanese youth to collaborations with Western creators, Japanese media—including anime—interacts constantly with global cultures. Sometimes these interactions are done with respect and admiration. Other times, they result in crude caricatures or thoughtless stereotypes.

What’s critical to understand is that intent doesn’t erase impact. Even if creators don’t mean to offend, their portrayals still affect viewers—especially when those depictions reflect long-standing racial tropes.

Notorious Examples of Racial Stereotypes in Anime

Mr. Popo – Dragon Ball

Perhaps the most infamous example of racial insensitivity in anime, Mr. Popo from Dragon Ball has been criticized for his pitch-black skin, large red lips, and exaggerated features—closely resembling American blackface caricatures. While some fans defend the character as an innocent magical being, the visual design aligns far too closely with dehumanizing stereotypes of Black people.

Jynx – Pokémon

Originally depicted with black skin and exaggerated lips, Jynx sparked controversy in the West for evoking blackface. After criticism, later depictions changed her skin tone to purple, but the character remains a cautionary tale in cross-cultural character design.

Killer Bee – Naruto

Killer Bee, a Black ninja in Naruto, raps constantly and speaks in rhymes, playing into hip-hop stereotypes. While he’s also a powerful and positive figure, his portrayal still reflects a narrow view of Black identity, filtered through Japanese perceptions of Western media.

Bartholomew Kuma & Others – One Piece

One Piece includes numerous racially ambiguous or coded characters. While creator Eiichiro Oda has expressed love for diverse cultures, characters like Kuma—with exaggerated features and aggressive behavior—sometimes echo colonialist archetypes.

Orientalism in Reverse: Western Stereotypes in Anime

Just as anime sometimes mishandles portrayals of non-Japanese races, it also creates flat or exaggerated versions of Western cultures. Examples include:

• Hetalia, which personifies entire countries into stereotypical characters, such as pasta-loving, cowardly Italians or aggressive Americans.

• Fullmetal Alchemist, inspired by Western military and alchemical traditions, but occasionally falling into generic “evil Western empire” tropes.

While these portrayals are often satirical or stylized, they reflect how Japanese media flattens other cultures into digestible tropes for domestic audiences—just as Hollywood has often done to Asian cultures.

Are These Just Stylized Characters?

One common counterargument is that anime character designs are often exaggerated or fantastical. Some fans argue that Black or dark-skinned characters aren’t stereotypes, just part of anime’s broad visual spectrum.

But this defense misses the mark when:

• The character design resembles real-world racist imagery

• The only representation of a certain race falls into a narrow or negative archetype

• The character’s behavior is drawn from harmful cultural assumptions (e.g., “sassy Black woman,” “stoic foreigner,” etc.)

Representation matters. When a medium as powerful and beloved as anime reinforces racial caricatures—intentionally or not—it contributes to broader cultural narratives that real people have to live with.

The Rise of More Inclusive Anime

The good news is that representation in anime is evolving. In recent years, several shows have made a conscious effort to depict diversity more thoughtfully:

• Yasuke (Netflix): An anime based on the real-life African samurai. Though it received mixed reviews, it represents a move toward telling Black stories in anime.

• Carole & Tuesday: Features a Black female lead and a multi-ethnic cast, portraying diverse characters with depth and sensitivity.

• Afro Samurai: A collaboration between Japanese and Black American creators, fusing hip-hop and samurai aesthetics into a story of revenge and identity.

• Michiko & Hatchin: Set in a fictional South American country with a diverse cast and themes of identity, freedom, and resilience.

These titles prove that anime can reflect the world’s diversity while staying true to its roots. They also demonstrate the power of international collaboration.

Industry Blind Spots and the Global Audience

Despite growing awareness, the anime industry still struggles with diversity behind the scenes. Most anime studios lack racial diversity in writing, design, and leadership roles. As a result, missteps in representation are often missed until after international audiences respond.

Streaming services like Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Amazon Prime are starting to invest in original anime aimed at global viewers, sometimes involving multicultural teams. This could be a crucial step toward more thoughtful storytelling—but only if those collaborations include marginalized voices at every stage of development.

Can Anime Be Racist?

The answer isn’t binary. Anime is not inherently racist—but it can contain racism, just like any other global medium.

Rather than condemn anime wholesale, the better approach is to critically engage with it. Recognize its brilliance, beauty, and emotional power—while also acknowledging when it falls short. Ask:

• Who is being represented?

• How are they portrayed?

• Who benefits from the stereotype?

• Is it intentional, or a symptom of a larger blind spot?

When creators, fans, and platforms ask these questions, anime can evolve without losing what makes it special.

Conclusion

Anime is not just Japanese anymore—it’s global. That means it carries both the privilege and the responsibility of representation. While cultural differences should be respected, harmful stereotypes should not be ignored simply because they originate elsewhere.

As fans, we owe it to ourselves—and the art form—to have these difficult conversations. Only by unpacking the uncomfortable truths can we help anime grow into a truly inclusive space where everyone can feel seen and respected.