MovieChat Forums > Hagane no renkinjutsushi (2009) Discussion > The way black people were drawn...

The way black people were drawn...


Am I the only one who thinks that some of the black characters in the series were very crudely drawn? It's almost as if the artists googled "black people" as a point reference and a person in black-face was the first result. I don't think they were intentionally trying to be racist either but c'mon -- just look at the color of their lips. I guess I sort of can't blame them, it's not like Japan is loaded with black people.

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I did notice that. But Japan is in tune with pop culture so it's not as if they don't know how Black characters are drawn. They read the same comics and graphic novels and watch the same animated shows from the US as the rest of the world does.

Just for the record, I'm not a Dude, I'm a Dudette!

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I kind of noticed that, too.

But I liked the way Paninya was drawn. I thought she was cute. Though I remember, one person pointed out how stereotypical it was for her to be black and a thief. And everyone else just told him to shut up and how it was a "coincidence" for her to be a black thief.
I mean I don't think they mean to be racist. But stereotypes. lmao.


I like FMA for including black people, though. This is coming from somebody of mostly Asian descent. I'm darker skinned myself, so it's nice to not always see pale skinned anime characters.

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There are also white serial killers in there, and quite a few at that- stereo-typicality much?
It probably was a coincidence that had nothing to do with her being dark skinned, people are seeing racism this days everywhere.

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Or maybe you're just overly cynical and can't see past you own view point? Strong possibility to be honest with you.

Revenge is a dish best served cold...

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[deleted]

One thing I hate in cartoons is when only the black characters appear to have lips.

But you're right. I don't think it's intensional at all. At least the black characters weren't stereotypes. And tbh I don't think Jerso looked that bad.

It could have been worse. *Cough Dragon Ball

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A non-white dude was one of the High Command loyalist (when the small civil war at Central kicked off).

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Didn't expect to see "racist" rant in here. Seems like every IMDB entry has this topic. Black people see racism everywhere. Sick... Would be better not to have a single black character in the show to avoid this kind of crap.

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Oh *beep* off. Clearly said by someone who doesn't have to deal with this kind of racism.

Why are the only choices either "shut up and get over it" or "don't have black people". Is it really too much to ask to have black characters be drawn in a more respected way?

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Dutch from Black Lagoon
Afro Samurai
Killer Bee from Naruto
Sid or Kilk from Soul Eater
Bear Walken from Gungrave



Class is Pain 101. Your instructor is Casey Jones

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It's certainly not intentional but it's an odd stylistic choice. Perhaps it's their way of discerning the blacks from other dark-skinned ethnicities such as Indians.

I think they'd look better if their lips were a darker brown instead of pink. That's just my personal preference, though.

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