#5-The Freemans (The Boondocks)
Ok, yes The Boondocks isn’t technically Anime. It’s so heavily inspired by Anime (especially
Samurai Champloo, the confirmed all time fav from series creator Aaron
MacGruder) that it would be tough not to shout out to this dysfunctional family
unit. Each member of the Freeman family
represents an aspect of African American culture in the US: Robert, the old man
set in his way; Riley, the hip hop loving rebel; and Huey, the kid who doesn’t
like what he sees overall and might just want to start a revolution. Their budding personalities make for some of
most hilarious moments in TV history.
However, it’s when the walls break down and you see the more tender
moments that show these three are indeed family and are there for each other
that the Freemans truly shine.
#4-Claudia LaSelle (Super Dimension Fortress Macross)
It’s extremely refreshing to see a woman of color on the
bridge of one of the most powerful ships in all of Anime. Claudia LaSelle (Or Claudia Grant as she’s
known in Robotech), is in charge of weapons and navigation aboard the Super
Dimension Fortress MAcross…that means this girl is in charge of flying the
titanic battleship through any enemy fleet or hard to navigate crevice in
space, damn impressive. Plus Claudia
serves as a pretty integral figure in the storylines of several characters:
most notably being the best friend and confidant of Misa Hayase and the
girlfriend of eternal Veritech bad ass Roy Focker. Spoiler alert, her relationship with Roy
wouldn’t last since he dies midway. But
the fact that an interracial relationship was an important plot point to one of
the most game changing Anime of all time is definitely worth a shoutout.
#3-Dutch (Black Lagoon)
If Black Lagoon is supposed to be a love letter to excess
and 80s action films, Dutch is the much more serious Terry Crews from The
Expendables. As leader of the Lagoon
Company, Dutch doesn’t take any crap from anyone and he barely has to say a
word to make that know. Just glimpse
this tower statue of a man with blacker than black sunglasses and a shimmering
bald head and you know who’s in charge in the room. Dutch is an excellent negotiator,
businessman, slayer of Neo Nazi’s and one of the few who can keep loose cannon
Revy in line. He might value his crew
but he wont hesitate to pull rank, and his gun, if things get a bit too out of
hand. Basically, he’s the best boss
ever.
#2-Afro Samurai (Afro Samurai)
He’s a lone samurai warrior with an Afro who just so
happens to be a Samurai. He’s a literal
Afro Samurai. In a way, Afro feels like
the character every kid came up with in their head at one point after watching Dragon
Ball Z or Rurouni Kenshin: a stylish and deadly black bad ass with a killer
sword, unrivaled skill and no penchant for BS.
Pair that dream design mentality with the character arc of an old school
gunslinger and give him the voice of Samuel L. freaking Jackson and you’ve got
the perfect fan response to the violent Anime genre: a character we all wish we
could have made on our own and are glad we got one way or another.
#1-Jet Black (Cowboy Bebop)
Jet is a great many things in Cowboy Bebop: grizzled ex
cop; owner and chief pilot of the Bebop itself; older brother figure and best
friend to Spike and Faye. We all love
him for being a bad ass with a cool head and a cooler robotic arm. But Jet’s also one of the wisest friends
everyone needs in their life: the counterbalance to impulsiveness and the guy
we want watching our backs when going after any dangerous bounty head. Plus, he cooks a mean Bell Peppers and Beef…even
if there isn’t any Beef. Jet Black, the
best big brother and bounty hunter you never knew you needed until you heard
him voiced by Beau Billingsley.
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