Anime’s global domination has been nothing less than epic, but let’s keep it real—Black creators and fans have been lighting the fuse for decades. What began with VHS tapes being passed around barbershops and living rooms has become a global streaming phenomenon. For Blacks, anime strikes a deeper chord than slick fights or gravity-bending hairdos—it’s about connection. At times you identify with the hero, at times with the underdog, and at times with the mind that is shaping the story from the background.
Over the years, anime has gone from serving up lazy stereotypes to delivering layered, multidimensional Black characters and groundbreaking Black-led projects. Today, we’re celebrating the 10 most influential characters and creators who’ve changed the game. We’re counting down from number ten to the top spot—because the best always comes last.
10. Isaac (Castlevania)
Isaac is more than just another supporting character—he’s a devil forge master with one of the richest backstories in Castlevania. Beginning as a slave man consumed by revenge, his path gradually shifts towards self-discovery and purpose. Isaac serves as evidence that anime can provide rich, nuanced depictions of Black characters well beyond hackneyed clichés.
9. Kaz Kaan (Neo Yokio)
Spoken by Jaden Smith, Kaz Kaan is a demon-slaying “Magistocrat” of high society in a New York-esque magical remix of a city. While fighting demons, he’s also dealing with privilege, identity, and expectation. Offbeat humor and pointed social commentary make Kaz prove that Black anime heroes can be as quirky and complex as any other lead.
8. Carole Stanley (Carole & Tuesday)
An Earth refugee living on Mars, Carole is a dreamer, hustler, and talented musician. She combines street intelligence with talent, lugging a keyboard as though it’s second nature to her. The music-based storytelling of the show and eclectic influences make Carole a beacon of representation that sounds—and appears—real.
7. Miyuki Ayukawa (Basquash!)
Miyuki turns mecha anime on its head. She’s a loc-wearing, brilliant, beautiful Black engineer who designs and modifies the huge robots other people pilot. She’s evidence that anime can welcome Black women into aspirational, non-cliched roles while remaining at the forefront of the action.
6. S.A.M. (Cannon Busters)
Special Associate Model (S.A.M.) may appear cute and cute android, but there’s some serious juice under the sweet-looking package. In LeSean Thomas’s Cannon Busters, she’s sweet, devoted, and guarding a lethal secret. With the bulk of the main cast being Black, this show demonstrates the richness that is achieved when diversity is built into the series from the beginning.
5. Michiko Malandro & Atsuko Jackson (Michiko & Hatchin)
Michiko and Atsuko are Afro-Latina protagonists in a gritty, Brazil-set universe. Michiko’s a tough, tender-hearted rebel, while Atsuko’s hard, ambitious, and enigmatic. Their strained, changing dynamic is infused with backstory, so they’re two of anime’s greatest leads of color.
4. Afro (Afro Samurai)
An afro-sporting swordsman played by Samuel L. Jackson, in a world saturated with style and violence—what’s not to adore? Afro Samurai combines samurai film with hip-hop style, supported by a Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA soundtrack. And the result is a cultural phenomenon that won an Emmy and redefined the term “cool” in anime.
3. Yasuke (Yasuke)
Imbued by the actual African samurai who worked under Oda Nobunaga, Netflix’s Yasuke lives up to his legend with a blend of history, mecha, and magic. LaKeith Stanfield voices it, and LeSean Thomas produces it. With Yasuke, Black history and Japanese storytelling blend into something new and exciting.
2. D’ART Shtajio (Studio)
Founded by brothers Arthell and Darnell Isom, D’ART Shtajio is Japan’s first major Black-owned anime studio. The company’s work blends Western stories with Japanese craftsmanship, creating everything from anime shorts to music videos for The Weeknd and Jay-Z. They’re working hard to create a more diverse future in anime—both off and on screen.
1. LeSean Thomas (Creator)
From The Boondocks’ biting satire to globe-trotting action of Cannon Busters and Yasuke, LeSean Thomas has led the charge in reimagining what Black-led anime could be. His shows don’t merely feature Black characters—they put them front and center, telling stories about the world he grew up in.
The leap from offensive caricatures like Mr. Popo to fully realized heroes like Yasuke didn’t happen overnight. It’s been driven by dedicated fans, visionary creators, and a refusal to accept invisibility. Whether you’re repping anime through cosplay, lyrics, or weekend binges, one thing’s for sure: Black culture and anime are deeply intertwined—and the future looks brighter than ever.