Why do anime characters typical look white or European rather than Japanese?

[Anonymous]

You would think the illustrators would model the characters after Asian people? But anime characters don't typically look Asian at all

[Effably]

From my understanding anime was actually inspired by Disney, which was of course primarily angled towards a caucasian audience at the time.

As such a lot of the characters would have been modelled on a "white" template and then made Asian. This, quite geniously, has probably lead to white people viewing them as more white and Asian people as more Asian. We are more likely to recognize traits typical to us after all and both would be present.

Really to me this seems fantastic. Making a character that multiple groups can identify with is swell.

But basically my guess is that they are initially based on european looking characters and that we see what we're looking for in someone who has traits from both.

[Berethor]

It's the Mukokuseki trope, and Asians tend to be obsessed with Whiteness, not only in Anime.

https://edition.cnn.com/2013/06/25/health/asian-beauty/index.html

[Danny_dan92]

Because from what I understand the depiction of anime characters are what Japanese people wished they looked like.


Like fantasy, they draw characters they wish they looked like. It makes sense. Like honestly a lot of the features that anime characters have are features many people wish they have.


Like for me, I wish I had the tiny nose that anime characters have

[CAPTAIN-OBVIOUS]

It’s because that makes more money for characters to look like that. They have tried releasing out different looking characters but everyone around the world buys white and European looking anime characters.
The stickers I make from anime that people request are always those European looking ones. Blonde hair and such.

[leighbee]

Because Asians are obsessed with being white

[CAPTAIN-OBVIOUS]

That is not true. Asians are very proud of being Asian for the most part from what I have seen.

[Asker]

I don't agree with that at all. I don't get that sense from Asian people.

[leighbee]

It is true but okay