Character guide
Black Anime Characters: Icons Fans Love
Most anime is made in Japan and stars Japanese characters, but Black characters have been part of anime for decades, and today they’re leads, fan favourites and cosplay staples. Here are the Black anime characters fans love most, how we chose them, and the Black creators shaping anime now.
By James Henry · Last updated: October 19, 2026
How we chose this list
Not every dark-skinned anime character is Black, and some lists mix the two up. We include characters who are Black in the story, or widely recognised as Black by fans and writers. Where a character’s background is debated, we say so.
Black anime characters fans love
| Character | Series | Who they are | Where to start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afro | Afro Samurai | A lone swordsman on a revenge quest; a landmark Black anime lead | Afro Samurai (2007, 5 episodes) |
| Yasuke | Yasuke (Netflix) | Inspired by the real African samurai who served Oda Nobunaga | Season 1 (2021, 6 episodes) |
| Canary | Hunter x Hunter | A loyal, skilled butler-in-training for the Zoldyck family | Hunter x Hunter (2011), episode 1 |
| Killer Bee | Naruto Shippuden | A rapping, fun-loving and very powerful ninja | Naruto, then Shippuden (watch order) |
| A (the Fourth Raikage) | Naruto Shippuden | Killer Bee’s brother and leader of the Hidden Cloud | Naruto, then Shippuden |
| Darui | Naruto Shippuden | A laid-back but powerful Hidden Cloud ninja | Naruto, then Shippuden |
| Onyankopon | Attack on Titan | A kind, brave pilot and fan favourite | Attack on Titan Season 1 |
| Dutch | Black Lagoon | The calm, steady leader of the Lagoon Company | Black Lagoon Season 1 |
| Michiko Malandro | Michiko & Hatchin | A free-spirited heroine on a road trip | Episode 1 (2008, 22 episodes) |
| Ogun Montgomery | Fire Force | A hot-headed, upbeat fire soldier | Fire Force Season 1 |
| Kaname Tōsen | Bleach | A principled captain with a complex story | Bleach episode 1 (watch order) |
| Kuzan (Aokiji) | One Piece | A laid-back admiral with ice powers | One Piece episode 1 |
| Andrew Gilbert Mills (Agil) | Sword Art Online | A friendly, dependable merchant and fighter | Sword Art Online Season 1 |
| Nessa | Pokémon | A Water-type Gym Leader and model | Pokémon Journeys (2019) |
Debated: Yoruichi Shihōin (Bleach) is dark-skinned and often appears on these lists, but her background isn’t stated in the story.
Anime-inspired series with Black leads
- The Boondocks: Huey and Riley Freeman, from Aaron McGruder’s anime-style series.
- Cannon Busters: created by LeSean Thomas.
- Yasuke: also from LeSean Thomas, inspired by the historical African samurai.
Black creators and communities in anime
Representation isn’t only on screen. D’ART Shtajio is a Black-owned animation studio in Japan. Dream Con is a Black-owned anime and gaming convention. Every February, Black cosplayers celebrate #28DaysOfBlackCosplay, and creators like LeSean Thomas are bringing new stories to anime fans.
A note on older portrayals
Some older anime and games used racist caricatures, which have been widely criticised, and some were later redesigned. We don’t include those characters here. Fans and writers, especially Black fans, have pushed for better representation, and modern anime has more varied Black characters than ever.
What makes great representation in anime
When fans talk about Black anime characters they love, they usually point to the same qualities:
| Quality | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| A full personality | characters have goals, flaws and growth, not just a look |
| Respectful design | features, skin tones and hair are drawn with care |
| An important role | characters matter to the story |
| Strong voice acting | performances that bring the character to life |
| No lazy stereotypes | characters are more than a joke or a background role |
How to find more Black anime characters
- Look beyond the main cast. Many great Black anime characters appear in ensemble series.
- Explore anime-inspired series. Western studios and creators have made popular shows with Black leads.
- Follow creators and communities. Black anime fans, artists and cosplayers share recommendations online.
- Check new seasons. Representation in anime has grown, so new series are worth watching.
Cosplaying Black anime characters
Cosplay is for everyone. Fans of every background cosplay Black anime characters, and Black cosplayers cosplay characters of every kind. The key is respect: focus on the costume, props and personality, and avoid changing your skin tone to look like a character.
Why read our Black anime characters guide?
Our Black anime characters guide celebrates heroes, mentors and fan favourites from many series, explains how we chose them and points you to related shows and creators. Use this list of Black anime characters to find new series to watch and characters to cosplay, and share your own favourites with friends.
