Is it wrong to create an anime/cartoon with too many or all black characters?

[Anonymous]

I've participated in several discussions and they always say that the problem is not the skin color, but the lack of original characters, that is, the problem is not being black, but changing original characters. But I have noticed strange and incoherent things. I follow some creators who are creating ORIGINAL black characters and are getting the same criticism for creating too many black characters or exclusively black characters. If the problem is not skin color but not creating original characters, then why do SOME people still complain? Why do they act like there are no animations only with whites and Asians and complain when there are only blacks? Does not make sense. Some say it's pushing an agenda. If so, then is it correct to think the same of the other works?

No fighting, talk politely.

[NamerOfStars]

Well, some people are ALWAYS going to complain; they simply have nothing better to do. And there are always going to be SOME people who complain, because nothing pleases everyone.

The key to remember is to make GOOD characters, regardless of their skin color; general approval will follow from that. The problem is that most of the time, tokenism results in characters who are excellent in everything, with no humanizing flaws or character arcs. They're never challenged, and never seem to struggle, so not only are they harder to relate to, their victories are unsatisfying, since they feel unearned.

The second problem is that many writers don't seem to acknowledge that as a flaw, and promote "diversity" as a positive, desirable thing in and of itself. That's true of a biosphere and it's true of an energy grid, and probably in some other areas, but it applies to a story if you think race or sex or orientation, or whatever aspect it is, is a critically import part of a character- and most people aren't that racist.

Think of Disney's upcoming (at least, I THINK it's still upcoming; I don't keep up with these things) live-action Little Mermaid. They sang from the balconies (not literally- I think) about how they were casting a black woman as Ariel, and this got them backlash. If they had simply DONE it, few people would've cared. How much of it was a decision to deliberately raise controversy, counting on people to hate-watch it, and how much was simply badly misplaced priorities I don't know, but it doesn't suggest anything good about what they value most.

I was born at a time when "nerd" was still an actual insult, though it was starting to change, even then. Now nerd culture is the "hip" and "in" thing, and a part of the reason for that is people outside of it saw it was an egalitarian place and thought that sounded wonderful. Conflicts began when they came in and didn't find immediate acceptance, and tried to reshape it into something better fitting their own desires- the infamous "circle of inclusivity". The thing is, nerd culture IS quite egalitarian, but that's not its goal; that's a consequence of it being hard-core meritocratic. Know your stuff? You'll be welcome. Don't know it, but seek to learn? Come on in. Insist that their way of doing things is wrong, and they must bow to you and you alone, lest they be labeled "bigots"? You'll have the fight of your life on your hands. People who knew social ostracization for their tastes and hobbies aren't afraid of it. There's a massive ideological conflict going on within the culture right now based on this, and everyone who's even tangentially a part of the culture gets caught up in the blowback sometimes.

There are cases where a character's race matters (Britain in 800 BC, say). And there are cases where it doesn't (London today). And no shortage of legitimate good-faith disagreement on which a given scenario is. Bottom line: focus first on making it good, SELL IT on being good, and let the details fall where they may. Everyone will be happier for it.

[Kaneki05]

It's simple the only thing that is wrong is changing the original idea. If my character is meant to be black guy then he is, changing that to white is dumb and visa versa.

But there is nothing wrong with making most or all your characters one race. Your characters your choice in how they are portrayed that can never be wrong. Granted said person could have done it because of their own personal views that aren't progressive but unless the story it's self is propaganda once again it don't matter.

For example is harry potter the author is transphobic but point to me where in any of the books does it promote transphobic views? It don't because none of the story focuses on that at all.
Therefore you might not like the author for their views but there was nothing wrong with their books.
And no not having trans person in them don't mean that was sending a message because by that logic every story would need all races and genders and sexuality presented but that's unlikely to just all fit into a story if doing it naturally.

[fonduegirl]

No. It can be an "all character black" show, set up in black nation in accordance with the plot. But these characters need purpose, which is one of the major challenges faced when writing diverse literature.

[Asker]

When you say "purpose", do you mean there must be a reason for being black?

[fonduegirl]

Something like that

[Asker]

It doesn't make much sense to me, there are already several animations where there are only whites or Asians, no one questions why they are white and Asian, they are just white and Asian. An example: An Asian or white character dies and reincarnates in another and starts to face monsters and ends up also meeting human beings who are all white or Asian and in VERY RARE times there is a black character, and at the moment there is an explanation why there are only whites or Asians IN ANOTHER WORLD, they are just white and Asian. Which makes me find it strange to have to explain why most are black.

[Asker]

There is no explanation***

[MissMam]

No, it could be fairly interesting to see what they would do with the series.

[Asker]

What do you think they would do?

[MissMam]

Honestly I don't know but they could bring in certain cutlers that aren't on tv or in tv shoes and often as others. For example it is very common to have American cutler on tv and with anime I have seen plenty Japanese cutler bet that is depending on the series.

[Tenebrae_mentis]

Nah, the Boondocks was a great and popular show. There were a few white characters in there, sure, but mostly black. So long as it fits the setting, I don't see why it matters.

There are instances where people want to change the race of a character in a place that doesn't make sense, like James Bond or Batman, for example. And in either of those cases, yes, I'd have an issue with it. But there's also plenty of examples of characters whose race is completely irrelevant, like Neo from the Matrix or Superman.

As for completely original works, race is entirely dependent on the setting. If your anime is set in Japan, then yes, it would be wrong to have a mostly black cast. That doesn't make sense with the setting. But if it takes place in America, sure, load it with black characters. There's a lot of black people in America. Or, set it in a fictional location where there can be literally whatever you want.

That's my take it on it, anyway.

[Asker]

I respect people like you, because you are consistent. The problem is people who say "stop asking for representation and create your own characters" but when someone creates their own characters they say "Why are there so many blacks?".

[Guanfei]

There are 2 issues.

First is replacing white characters by black. Which shouldn't happen. A white character is white, whether it's fictional or real.

Second is having no diversity, while asking to remove white characters to add diversity. If you say you want diversity, but it goes only one way, that doesn't work. Either you want diversity in all case, or you don't and then it's discrimination.

[Asker]

I think I made it clear that the subject is about black creators creating original characters and they are still being criticized, but apparently not. I don't want to change white characters to black, I wouldn't want them to change black characters to white.

[Asker]

***but apparently I didn't make it clear.

[Guanfei]

And I've addressed it in the second part.

[Asker]

Do you think they would try to boycott an anime with most black characters? Are some of the villains black some are white? What are the reasons for someone to say it's "woke"?

[Guanfei]

No one would boycott anything with mostly black characters, there are TV shows like that since the 80's.
The problem is when they center the show around people being black, and making sure to include hate for white people.

[Asker]

I will not create white characters and, if I did, I would make them secondary, since if I make white characters as villains they will start crying and call me a "woke" and if I can't create white characters as villains I won't create white characters either heroes. Since anything is "woke" it is better not to create white characters. Which is funny, because I don't doubt they'd call me a "woke" and a white hater.

[Guanfei]

No one gives a fuck about what character you're creating, you missed the point by a whole lightyear.
What bothers people is if you replace white characters by black, or if you have only black characters, and then ask for diversity. That's hypocritical.

[Asker]

No one gives a fuck? I would be extremely happy if that were true. I follow several black artists who suffer from annoying people, guess why? They create black characters. And none of them are asking for a representative, they are making their own characters. Hypocrisy is saying that it is not necessary to have black characters for blacks to feel represented, because color is irrelevant and then calling it woke for having a majority of black characters.

[SlothySlob]

The problem I have is to movies like Ariel.
To answer you title question - The boondocks.
For the other questions, I'm don't even wanna go there.

[Asker]

Do you think that even if there is cartoon or anime with black characters, there wouldn't be people trying to boycott a creator who creates only black characters?

Why don't you want to talk about the other issues?

[Asker]

Does the existence of boondocks nullify the existence of people who have problems with animations with only black characters or nullify the possibility of trying a boycott? It doesn't make much sense to me.

[SlothySlob]

I don't want to give them time to complain about dark colored cartoon characters. I find it retarded.

Like it was told to you multiple times already, there will be people who find offence in what you do. Best it just accept there are people who will hate you and just focus on making good content.

[Berethor]

If it anime about africa then there is no problem, if it anime about white country then it's BS.

[Asker]

So, in your opinion, is it only possible to create anime with black people if it's based in Africa and no other kind of fictional world that doesn't involve anything about whites or Asians? Wouldn't that limit creativity?

Vinland Saga and so many others are anime with only white characters, so how is it BS to create an anime about white country or white people? Do you think it doesn't exist? Does it also make sense to be necessarily linked to a country?

[Berethor]

Medieval european fantasy trope is fairly common, so yea it include fantasy settings, why blacks should dress and act like whites in a fictional world? it's still BS.

[Asker]

I didn't say black characters should dress and act white. Do you know what fantasy world means? If so, then you probably know that not every story needs to be based on white or medieval European history. In a world of fiction it is not even necessary to use a country or culture as inspiration, as creativity alone is enough.

If you think I want to put black characters in a story that involves European medieval history, don't worry, I don't want to.

[Berethor]

Good to hear that don't want to put black characters in a story that involves european medieval history. You can google fantasy culture counterpart trope. Yea one can create a completely new culture from scratch but it's hard to do, and many people are going to see it as too strange. You might want a fantasy without limits but it hard to do and it look too unrealistic to many people. Why not simple make a fantasy story about blacks in africa? Asians have fantasy stories about Asians in asia, it called wuxia. I don't like when white roles and white culture is getting hijacked for the sake of 'wokeness'.

[Astarlessnightsky]

No. You as the creator have all the creative freedom you want or need.

[Asker]

Do you think some people would try to boycott me for creating only black characters?

[Astarlessnightsky]

Yes. there probably will be some people who will boycott you, but these people will always find a reason for boycott, no matter what you do.

[Asker]

Would I probably be called a racist against white people even though most of them told me to stop victimizing myself and ask for representation and start creating my own characters?

In your opinion, what would be the best way to deal with these people?

[Dinosaursandanime65]

Bell no! Boondocks was a TIP TOP, TO THE TIP anime.

[Danny_dan92]

No? I mean boondocks did that.

[Asker]

Do you think that even if there is cartoon or anime with black characters, there wouldn't be people trying to boycott a creator who creates only black characters?

[Berethor]

It would not be boycotted for having black characters, but it might be boycotted for being woke and showing whites as bad people, also some whites might not find it interesting.

[Asker]

@Berethor All my characters are black. But isn't that an exaggeration? Some villains can be black or white. Is it wrong to create white characters as villains? If so, then black villains made by whites is also wrong, right?

Or did I get something wrong?

[Berethor]

@Asker how often you see black villains with good white guys in modern movies?

[Asker]

@Berethor I've seen many. And how is this relevant? Black creators can't make white characters villains? Whites can't make black characters villains? Should all white people be a hero?

Totally irrelevant, as a villain can be any skin color as long as the villain's being is NOT his skin color.

Crying because the villain is white or black is silly. If not racial motivation on the villain, then what's the problem?

[Danny_dan92]

Tell tale sign of a racist. Judging characters in a movie or tv series based on the color of their skin rather than the writing and dialogue

[Asker]

@Berethor I don't notice the amount of black villains as it's the last thing on my mind. What matters to me is the quality of the character. I often like the villain more than the hero. Pu do you think I would cry like a baby if they made a wonderful and elaborate black villain in v2z of an idiotic and weak villain? of course.

[Asker]

my keyboard crashed haha

[Asker]

Are you talking about me?

[Danny_dan92]

No, the other guy

[Berethor]

@Asker I was not talking about the creator, I was talking about who are the villains and the heroes, but if the creator would make everyone black then it should not be an issue.

[Asker]

@Berethor Is it a problem to create white villains even though there are black villains? If I'm black a work with black and white characters and some of the villains are white is that a problem? Would it be a problem if a white creator created black characters and white villains?

If you watch an animation, series or movie and the villain is white, do you start to think that the creator is prejudiced against white people? If so, then should I consider that a white creator who creates a villainous black character is prejudiced against black people?

[Asker]

@Berethor Nothing makes sense. Whites can't be villains in animations that blacks are heroes? And if it's the opposite, black people being villains in animation that only white people are heroes. would you see problems?

[Berethor]

@Asker where is the last time that you seen a black villain? especially main villain?

[Asker]

@Berethor and why is this question relevant? Do you see skin color as a factor in being a villain? Why do you avoid answering my questions? When was the last time I saw black characters as villains? One piece, Shooter, Bleach, Fire Force... and many others.

Why don't you answer my questions?

[Asker]

@Berethor Why do you ignore my questions and then ask your own question? Don't you think that's a little disrespectful? Do I ask you questions that you totally ignore and still expect me to answer yours? A little weird...

[Berethor]

@Asker I don't always have problem with it, but unfortunate implications trope is a thing.

[Asker]

@Berethor And what makes you have problems? A creator creating characters and some of the villains being white? What makes you bother if the villain is a villain for being cruel and not for being a white character? If you're uncomfortable with that, would you be upset if it was the same situation with black characters? Should White and Asian Creators Stop Creating Black Villains?

In my opinion, if the villain is a villain based on character and thoughts and not because he is black, then there would be no problems.

[Berethor]

@Asker how would you prove that it's not pushing that whites are villains?

[Asker]

@Berethor I will make a deal with you. I'll answer your question if you stop ignoring mine. I have answered all your questions so far and you are ignoring my questions and asking yours so I get lost answering your questions while my questions are not answered. Answer my questions and I will answer your question.

[Berethor]

@Asker that's a lot of questions, that's why I am not answering them all.

[Asker]

@Berethor If you're going to ignore my questions because you're not interested in answering, then how do you ask me questions? If you answer my questions, I'll answer yours. No more answering your questions to be ignored.

[Berethor]

@Asker I don't mind, you bombarded with questions, while was not doing that.

[Asker]

@Berethor I wouldn't have so many questions if you didn't start ignoring the first few questions. I repeat, if you want me to answer your question, answer mine.

[Berethor]

@Asker showing whites as being villains can be pushing an agenda, that's what I am saying, also where white villains would come from if you all the other characters a black?

[Asker]

@Berethor I don't know if you're not understanding me or if you're pretending not to understand. I've said MANY TIMES, MANY TIMES that blacks, whites and Asians CAN be villains. How difficult is it to understand this? Are you saying that creating white villains is "woke", so from today we can only create black and Asian characters as villains, because if I create a white character it will be "woke"? If so, should I consider whites and Asians who have black characters as villains to be racist?

And don't ignore my questions.

[Danny_dan92]

Bruh

[Berethor]

@Asker I don't said that it always woke/racist, but it can be hard to prove that it not.

[Asker]

@Danny_dan92 I didn't understand.

[Asker]

@Berethor "but it can be hard to prove that it not."

because you probably rate characters by skin color and not by their personalities, or am I wrong? If the villain character is black or Asian, you wouldn't see a problem, right?

[Berethor]

@Asker I rate characters by everything, Asian villains in Asian settings is normal.

[Asker]

@Berethor White or black villains in an Asian animation/series isn't normal? Asian anime creators who create white or black villains are wrong?

I understood. If blacks or Asians create white villains then they are "woke". Since it only needs to have a white villain for you to say it's "woke".

[Danny_dan92]

Pm’s

[Asker]

What does "Pm's" mean?

[Danny_dan92]

Personal message

[Berethor]

@Asker you are free to not like black villains in an Asian animation/series.

[AngryCarl]

Which animations are you referring to?

[Asker]

I mean creating only black characters in animations.

[AngryCarl]

If it's set in a black neighbourhood I don't think it's a problem.

[Asker]

So is it only possible to create a story with black characters if it is in a black neighborhood? Interesting... does the same logic apply to whites or Asians? Whites and Asians don't need to explain why their characters are all White or Asian, but do Black people? Asians and whites create stories only with whites or Asians in the scenario they WANT and don't explain their motives, but do black people need to explain?

I love the amazing "coherence" of some people. hahahahaha

[AngryCarl]

Hey, I think Friends sucks too. I'm not your enemy. What do you think, white shows should have a token black character and vice versa?

[Asker]

The creator should be free to create the way he wants. If the creator only wants to create black, Asian, or white characters, then that's fine. Diversity is very welcome and we have already seen that it can work very well when done well, but in some stories it makes sense not to have so much diversity. The only thing that annoys me is that most people (not saying it's you) seem to agree that sometimes it's better for a story if the characters are all white or Asian, however in stories where there are only black characters there are complaints. Maybe I'm wrong about a lot of things, but I've seen strange behavior from these people.

[AngryCarl]

I agree.