10 Most Iconic Black Anime Characters

Black characters have become increasingly popular in anime these past few decades and it's partly due to the influence these ten hold.

Summary

• Black characters in anime have become more popular and diverse, thanks to trailblazing mangaka like Tite Kubo and Masashi Kishimoto who designed memorable and multifaceted characters.
• Characters like Killik Rung, Hibana, and Darui showcase the strengths, complexities, and importance of Black characters in their respective anime series, Soul Eater, Fire Force, and Naruto Shippuden.
• The presence of iconic Black characters in anime reflects the growth and diversity of the medium, and their popularity has sparked a demand for more representation in future anime and manga.

With anime becoming increasingly popular around the world, so has the demand for more diverse characters, and that has led to some of the most iconic Black characters in anime. Black characters have become more popular both in Japan and outside, especially in the past few decades as anime fandom grows. Some mangaka, like Eichiro Oda, were way ahead of their time by incorporating Black characters in their work which paved the way for future creators to follow suit.

More than just a handful of small examples in lesser-known works, Black characters can be found in even the biggest anime franchises. Trailblazers like Tite Kubo and Masashi Kishimoto designed some memorable Black characters in their respective series. This set a precedent for a new generation of manga and anime creators who looked up to these icons and wrote some deep and multifaceted characters. The most iconic Black anime characters are all shining examples of how diverse anime has become.

10 Killik Rung

Soul Eater

Creator of Soul Eater Atsushi Ohkubo designed Killik as he felt there was a lack of representation of Black characters in anime. Based off the main character of Kirikou and the Sorceress, Killik is one of the coolest characters in Soul Eater, not just because of his design, but also his personality. He is a kind character who would put his life on the line for his friends. He's also on the stronger side, as he is considered one of the 3 strongest students in Death Weapon Meister Academy. He is a great combatant and one of the more popular characters in Soul Eater despite not getting much screen time.

9 Hibana

Fire Force

The Captain of Special Company 5, Hibana is as gorgeous as she is strong. Another creation by Atsushi Ohkubo, Hibana is a fan favorite and one of the more complex characters in the show. She is very sadistic and bossy towards her subordinates but has a tragic past that led to her pessimistic ideals. In order to survive and exact revenge on those who killed her friends, she became ruthless and wholeheartedly immersed herself in her research. Hibana is a brilliant scientist and uses chemistry to power up. For all her faults, she was a great ally to Shinra and Company 8, helping them whenever they were in a pinch.

8 Darui

Naruto: Shippuden

Nauto's Darui was the right-hand man to the 4th Raikage and eventually succeeded him as the 5th Raikage, making him an important character in Boruto. As the commander of the First Division of the Allied Forces, Darui played a crucial role in leading thousands of ninja against the Akatsuki. This confirmed Darui's nature as a brilliant tactician who could foresee threats brewing before anyone else. A master of Kekkei Genkai, Water Style, Lightning Style and Water Style, Darui is one of the strongest ninja in Naruto, and his accomplishments in the war cannot be overstated.

7 Aomine Daiki

Kuroko's Basketball

Aomine Daiki is one of the reasons Kuroko's Basketball is one of the best sports anime ever. He is by far the toughest opponent for Kagami, Kuroko and the Seinin High basketball team. What sets him apart from all the talented players in the series is his sheer talent, confidence and competitiveness. He doesn't put in nearly as much work as others, but will still easily beat them in a game.

Aomine's drive for basketball went down when he realized nobody could challenge him, but when he played Kagami, his true skills were put on display. Because of his dominating play style, Kagami went into the Zone and improved greatly as a player. All this adds up to making Aomine one of Kuroko's Basketball's best players.

6 Afro Samurai

Afro Samurai

Afro Samurai is the main character of the series of the same name. After witnessing his father's murder, Afro Samurai is fueled by a desire for revenge that leads him to spare nothing and nobody in his quest. His strength is impressive, consistently putting him in the upper ranks of the best swordsmen in anime history. From his mastery of the sword, proficiency in hand-to-hand combatant, and incredible durability, Afro Samurai offers some great action for fans all over.

5 Canary

Hunter X Hunter

Canary is an extremely popular Black character, despite her short amount of screen time in Hunter X Hunter. As an apprentice butler for the legendary assassin family, the Zoldycks, she is tasked with guarding the house from any intruders. The Zoldycks place a great deal of confidence in her abilities as she has an important duty. Canary is a kind character but doesn't show it, so that she can be as intimidating as possible. As loyal as she is to the Zoldyck family, she is much more loyal to Killua. She let Gon and his friends pass and see Killua as she was pleased to see Killua finally earn a friend who cares about him the way she does.

4 Killer Bee

Naruto Shippuden

The rapping and multiple sword-wielding Jinchuriki is an icon and a fan favorite in Naruto Shippuden. As the host of the 8 Tails, Killer Bee was integral in the story as he was the one who taught and helped Naruto to control the powerful 9 Tails inside of him. Without his guidance, Naruto would be long dead and the war lost. He brings comic relief to the series, but quickly abandons that role and takes on the most powerful of enemies. He almost killed Sasuke when he was attacked, fought the reincarnated Pain, and has many other accomplishments to his name.

3 Yoruichi Shihoin

Bleach

Yoruichi is an extremely accomplished and powerful character in Bleach from a noble family, but her humble and relaxed attitude made fans fall in love with her. Known as the Flash Goddess, she was the former Squad 2 Captain and former commander of the Stealth Unit. She retired from her days as a soul reaper and hung around Urahara in her cat form. Although she prefers a relaxed life, she doesn't hesitate to help out her former comrades. Yoruichi has appeared in all of Bleach's major arcs and plays a key role in the Thousand-Year Blood War Arc.

2 Usopp

One Piece

The third person to join the Strawhats in their 1000+ episode journey, Usopp of One Piece is loved for many aspects of his personality. In a world filled with vicious and fearless pirates and marines, many fans can relate with Usopp as he is afraid and not as daring as others. However, that doesn't mean he is a coward; far from it. He is one of the bravest because he faces his fears for the sake of his friends and what's right. Usopp is a master marksman and important to the Strawhats, despite not being as strong. His kindness is heartwarming, even making up stories for the sick Kaya to cheer her up.

1 Michiko Malandro

Michiko & Hatchin

All over social media, anime fans will see Michiko being used as a profile picture even if the user is not a fan of anime. Her striking design makes her an instantly recognizable character, but examining her even deeper will reveal just how awesome she is. Although she is loud, jealous, and kind of arrogant, few can hope to reach Michiko's level of kindness and loyalty. She steals to help those close to her; she cared for many orphans and showed them what a parental figure looks like, and she escaped prison to find her lover.

With the world becoming more interconnected due to social media and the internet, fans can expect more diverse characters to show up in the anime they love. The most iconic Black characters in anime have led to an outpouring of support and a demand for more diverse casts in anime. With the number of anime and manga only going up each year, so will the representation of not only Black characters but characters of all kinds. Anime's most iconic Black characters are standard-bearers who prove how much the medium has grown in recent years.