On the top of your head, can you name just one of the black anime characters you watched in a series? Maybe you can; perhaps you can’t! If you could name a few, you’re a certified anime otaku! And, if you weren’t, don’t be too hard on yourself. With most girls and guys in anime having lighter skin colors, it’s hard to find those that cater to different races.
However, as anime progresses in Japan, we’re seeing more and more black representation in Japanese media. Many anime shows feature characters with dark skin tones, and these characters play a significant role in the series.
Our list below discusses the most popular dark-skinned anime characters from several anime titles. How many of the names below do you know? Tally your scores as you read through our list, and let me know how you did at the end of the article!
Best Black Anime Characters in 2023
40. Kaname Tōsen (Bleach)
Considered the Commander of Aizen’s Arrancar Army and former Captain of the 9th Division in Soul Society, Kaname Tōsen is a man of few words. Kaname knows the pain of losing someone dear, so he takes Aizen’s side, thinking it’s the right choice that will bring good in the end. He has a strong sense of justice and believes it will prevail until the bitter end.
The former Captain of the 9th Division has rich brown skin and dark brown braids that fall to his upper back. He has been blind since birth and wears a pale lavender band over his eyes. Wherever his leader Aizen is, you’re sure to find Kaname close by, ready to protect his boss.
39. Aoi Asahina (Danganronpa)
If there’s one thing Aoi Asahina from Danganronpa can do well, it’s physical activities. Exercising is this young girl’s passion to the point that she feels she’s not complete without it. Whether it be volleyball, track, basketball, or tennis, you name it, and she can do it. Her all-time favorite sport, though, is competitive swimming.
Aoi is considered the shorter one among her friends, standing only around 5 feet 3 inches. She has an athletic build, brownish-red skin tone, and light blue eyes. Aoi likes to tie her dark brown hair up in a high ponytail, and she uses a paperclip to keep her bangs from falling on her face.
38. Kilik Rung (Soul Eater)
Seen mainly with a scowl on his face, Kilik Rung from Soul Eater is a 13-year-old with a knack for fighting. Kilik is considered one of the top three student fighters in Death Weapon Meister Academy. Soul Eater’s writer Atsushi Ōkubo created the character Kilik drawing inspiration from a Western African folktale.
The hot-blooded fighter wields the twin weapons, Fire and Thunder. He has a cool brown complexion and a very cool hairstyle. His short black hair is styled into stubbed dreadlocks that sit upright on his head; the sides of his head are lined with cornrows.
37. Rock Lock (My Hero Academia)
The Pro Hero, Rock Lock, is a man who sees the potential in every single child; he knows the risks of what they’re doing and doesn’t treat it lightly. In My Hero Academia, Rock Lock, whose real name is Ken Takagi, has an ability that allows him to paralyze any nonliving thing he comes into contact with.
Rock Lock has an average height of 5 feet 8 inches and a deep yellowish-brown skin tone that matches his dark brown eyes. His short black hair looks like a pineapple’s head, his hero costume consists of a yellow eye mask, and he’s also seen wearing padlock earrings.
36. Canary (Hunter x Hunter)
Canary is a loyal butler of the Zoldyck Family and will do everything she can to keep her masters safe. Portrayed as a ruthless fighter, Canary is not one to beat around the bush to get things done. In the latest chapters of Hunter x Hunter, the apprentice butler is in her early teens.
Canary has average height, sepia-colored skin, and thick dark purple afro hair tied into separate branches. Her hairstyle slightly resembles a famous Japanese food called Ebi Tempura from afar.
35. Carol Stanley (Carol & Tuesday)
Passionate about music and with a dream to create and perform her own songs, Carol Stanley from Carol & Tuesday is an easy-going 17-year-old girl living on Mars. Carol is an orphaned refugee from Earth who dreams of becoming a musician. Because of her sharp tongue, she leaves many of her part-time jobs and ends up performing on a bridge.
The aspiring musician has light brown skin and dark brown hair, which she wears in a high ponytail. Her hair is thick and appears spiky on top of her head. Carol has almond-colored eyes that sparkle whenever she’s playing the piano with her friend Tuesday.
34. Akira Hayama (Shokugeki no Souma)
Give Akira Hayama a whiff of any spice, and he’d be able to name the exact herb instantly. The confident and composed winner of the 43rd Annual Tōtsuki Autumn Election, Akira Hayama, is the master of using spices. He has an incredible sense of smell that he uses to get the upper hand in competitions in Shokugeki no Souma.
Akira has emerald eyes, a warm beige skin tone, and silvery-white hair. He’s relatively tall, around 5 feet 8 inches, and considered a handsome young man. When Akira wears his dark blue chef uniform, his white hair and green eyes pop. He’s mainly seen with his tied in a messy ponytail.
33. Sol Marron (Black Clover)
In Sol Marron’s eyes and words, “men are idiots.” The misandrist 3rd Class Intermediate Magic Knight from Black Clover likes to get things done on her own without the help of men. Suppose a man commanded her to do something; Sol will outright refuse. She’s part of the Clover Kingdom’s Blue Rose Squad, an all-girl squad of mages.
Sol has beautiful dark chestnut-colored skin, light blue eyes, and unkempt short black hair. The 18-year-old is pretty tall, standing at 5 feet 9 inches. Although she’s only a supporting character in Black Clover, she has a lot of bearing whenever she’s on.
32. A – Fourth Raikage (Naruto Shippuden)
One of the most well-known black anime characters, The Fourth Raikage, A, is a level-headed middle-aged man that doesn’t let himself get pushed around. Before becoming the Raikage, A was stern and boastful; however, he softened up when he took his spot in power. Now, he knows how to listen to people’s advice.
The Fourth Raikage has a bodybuilder’s physique, reddish-brown skin, and blonde hair. He ties his blond hair back in a sleek and clean look. His beard is cut at a sharp angle, while he has two symmetrical patches of hair for a mustache.
31. Miyuki Ayukawa (Basquash!)
The sweetheart Miyuki Ayukawa from Basquash! has a personality that draws people to her. She’s loyal to her childhood friends Dan and Coco and is the appointed mechanic of Team Basquash. Although she has apparent feelings for Dan, he is oblivious to it.
Although Miyuki is still a young girl, she has quite a curvy figure for her age. She has taupe-colored skin, lovely magenta eyes, and thick dark brown dreadlocks that she ties in twin tails. With a heart of gold and a drive to fix anything broken, Miyuki becomes an irreplaceable team member.
30. Dutch (Black Lagoon)
The Vietnam War veteran Dutch from Black Lagoon is an experienced soldier who never panics during a fight. He holds the position of the leader of the Lagoon Trading Company. After the Vietnam War, Dutch left, traveled to Thailand, and ended up working as a mercenary. Shortly after, he founded the Lagoon Company.
Despite his turbulent background, Dutch is an approachable and friendly leader. He has dark mocha skin and a completely bald scalp. His beard is neatly trimmed and shaped like the letter U. Dutch’s eye color is unknown, for he constantly wears sunglasses and is African-American with a muscular physique.
29. Bob Makihara (Tenjou Tenge)
Bob Makihara is a born fighter hailing from South Africa. Although his surname is Japanese, he’s deemed the resident foreigner at Toudou Academy. He is part of the Juken Club, formed by Shin Natsume, Bob’s friend. Bob loves to assert his dominance through fighting.
He has espresso-colored skin, dark brown dreadlocks, and bright blue eyes. Despite being only 15 years of age, Bob has a body fit for a professional bodybuilder, and at first glance, people wouldn’t think that Bob’s still in high school.
28. Marik Ishtar (Yu-Gi-Oh: Duel Monsters)
Leader of a covert group comprised of thieves, rouge duelists, and con artists, the 16-year-old Marik Ishtar is a cruel boy who doesn’t care about the people under him. He uses the Millenial Rod to do his dirty work; cheating and stealing became his pastime. It’s said that his name Marik comes from the Arabic name Malik, meaning “owner.”
The cruel dictator has dull, light brownish-yellow skin, purple eyes, and gold hair. His neck is adorned with three gold neckbands that match his diamond-shaped gold earrings. Marik has shoulder-length hair that parts in the center and his front bangs resemble wings in flight.
27. Tier Harribel (Bleach)
Tier Harribel, an Arrancar with a quiet disposition, is not one to start a fight. Unlike the rest of her bloodthirsty peers, Tier doesn’t immediately resort to violence unless necessary. In Tite Kubo’s series Bleach, she is the third-ranked member of Espada, Aizen Sousuke’s Arrancar army.
We only see Tier step out of her taciturn shell when Aizen betrays her. She even went against her beliefs and attacked him. Tier is a gorgeous young woman who stands about 5 feet 9 inches. She has messy blonde hair, olive skin, and light green eyes. From below her nose down to her neck is solid bone, a defining feature of all Arrancars.
26. Muteba Gizenga (Kengan Ashura)
The Congolese blind mercenary, Muteba Gizenga, finds pleasure in manhunts. During the Kengan Annihilation Tournament in the Kengan Ashura series, Muteba fought and represented Iwami Heavy Industries. His background as a mercenary in multiple African conflicts made him perfect for the role. Despite his complete blindness, he can see more than an average man.
Muteba stands a whopping 6 feet and 6 inches tall. His muscular physique makes him even more dominating than he already is. He has tawny-colored skin filled with tribal tattoos. He doesn’t have any hair but has markings all over his scalp. The fighter only wears speedos throughout the series and doesn’t bother with anything else.
25. Apachai Hopachai (Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple)
On the outside, Apachai Hopachai from Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple looks like he could break anyone’s arm into two; however, that’s only on the outside. The 6-foot-5-inch Thai “God of Death” is an animal and children lover with the unique ability to speak to animals. He’s also quite loyal to his friends and will protect the people he loves.
Apachai has umber-colored skin and short spiky silver hair, and his go-to outfit is a fitted yellow tank top and red shorts. The fighter’s hands and ankles are wrapped with bandages. Often, Apache is seen acting like a child and talking about his dream of living in a hamburger steak kingdom.
24. Ogun Montgomery (Fire Force)
Ogun Montgomery, a Second Class Fire Soldier, is one of the best black anime characters from a new anime series, Fire Force. From a young age, Ogun was driven by the unspoken responsibility of protecting the people of Tokyo.
He placed this task on himself and strived to uplift it whenever given a chance. He is full of compassion and fights well in a team. Because of these traits, he was appointed to Special Fire Force Company 4.
Ogun has rich bronze-colored skin, orange eyes with swirls as irises, and short black hair styled into cornrows. He has a well-built physique and stands at 5 feet and 9 inches. Like the rest of his team, he’s mainly seen sporting the orange Special Fire Force jumpsuit.
23. Karako Koshio (Deadman Wonderland)
Before residing in Deadman Wonderland, a privately-owned prison made to contain Deadmen, Karako Koshio worked as a nurse. The young lady is compassionate and kind yet resilient. Her Deadman power allows her to freely manipulate her blood cells, encasing her fists and body with hardened cells for extra protection.
Karako is a beautiful young lady with light brown skin, golden eyes, and silver hair. She’s never seen without the small bell she wears around her neck. In the Deadman Wonderland series, Karako’s clothing has some Indian themes.
22. Andrew Gilbert Mills (Sword Art Online)
Andrew Gilbert Mills, known as Agil in the gaming community, is an African-American merchant who runs a shop in Algade. Before getting trapped in Sword Art Online, Agil ran a coffee shop/bar in Okachimachi. He is a reliable merchant who always looks out for lower-level players.
Agil has golden brown skin, dark brown eyes, and a goatee. He is tall and quite muscular. On the battlefield, Agil wields an axe and fights on the frontlines. If he is not out fighting in the field, you’ll find him at his store mixing cocktails.
21. Atsuko Jackson (Michiko & Hatchin)
Atsuko Jackson, one of the famous black anime characters, is a hardcore policewoman with a strong sense of justice. Although some people tend to misunderstand her strong character as being standoffish, the young woman is only doing her job. In the series Michiko & Hatchin, Atsuko was able to arrest protagonist Michiko Malandro, the Afro-Brazilian diva.
The stout policewoman is tall with a slender yet well-toned physique. She has a rich dark brown skin tone and grey eyes. Atsuko has afro blond hair that she leaves unstyled and parted in the center. She often uses her feminine charm in line with her work as an officer in the field.
20. Edward (Cowboy Bebop)
The free-spirited expert hacker from Earth, Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV, or Edward for short, is one of the central protagonists in the series Cowboy Bebop. The gangly teenager who’s sometimes mistaken for a boy enjoys behaving like a wild animal. She’d rather walk barefoot than put on shoes or walk on her hands than on her feet.
Edward appears to be around 13 years old. Her bright copper-colored skin matches her unkempt red hair. The skinny child typically wears bicycle shorts paired with a sleeveless white shirt. Edward is never seen without the trusty green goggles she uses to “dive” into the internet.
19. Villetta Nu (Code Geass)
Villetta Nu from the series Code Geass proves that, in the end, love prevails. The pilot of the elite Knightmare Frame, humanoid war machines created by the Holy Britannian Empire, is a young woman with a burning loyalty to her empire. Villetta tends to look down on others, not her kind. However, her personality completely changes when she loses her memory and becomes “Chigusa.”
The elite pilot is tall, slender, and ladylike. She has ginger skin, light steel blue hair tied into a high ponytail, and yellow eyes. Her silver locks are long and fall to her waist. She keeps a small part of her hair resting on the side of her face. After Villetta lost her memory and lived as Chigusa, she let down her luscious hair.
18. Biscuit Oliva (Baki)
What kind of person do you imagine when you hear the name Biscuit? Whatever you thought of, it’s not Biscuit Oliva from the Baki series. The 5 foot 11 inches African-American assassin is deemed the strongest individual in America with an invincible iron body. He can also manipulate his muscles to form a sphere that swallows enemies. Yikes!
Biscuit has a rich chocolate skin tone, a military crew cut hairstyle, and a thin mustache. At first glance, people tend to think Biscuit is overweight when he has clothes on because of his mass; however, upon taking a closer look, they see that the mass is, in fact, well-toned muscles.
17. Jet Black (Cowboy Bebop)
Contrary to his gruff outward appearance, Jet Black from Cowboy Bebop is soft at heart. The 36-year-old bounty hunter is wise and regularly advises his crew members. He’s the group’s father figure, even if he rejects the idea and finds it offensive as he’s still relatively young.
One of Jet Black’s aliases is Black Dog. One of his famous quotes is: “I’m the Black Dog, and when I bite, I don’t let go.” The Captain of the Bebop has a warm ivory skin tone and black hair similar to Wolverine, and he has a noticeable scar on his right eye.
16. Simon Brezhnev (Durarara!!)
Semyon Brezhnez, called Simon by his peers, is a Russian immigrant working in Ikebukuro at a sushi restaurant. Towering above the locals at the height of 7 foot 3 inches, Simon has a gentle and welcoming nature that he uses to help his store attract customers. His favorite phrases are “Sushi good for you” and “Eat Russian sushi.”
Simon has a light brown complexion and light grey eyes. He has shaved grey hair under the sushi chef hat he always wears. The Russian chef is mainly seen outside his workplace handing out flyers. His main outfit includes the typical chef uniform of a white jinbei paired with white trousers.
15. Michiko Malandro (Michiko & Hatchin)
Michiko Malandro is the titular character of the anime series Michiko & Hatchin. She is a free-spirited, tough-as-nails woman who has spent most of her life on the run. Her abrasive personality gets her into fights, and she has been imprisoned multiple times. Michiko is relentless in her pursuit of freedom and has a take-no-prisoners attitude.
Michiko has chestnut-colored skin, dark grey eyes, and a curvy figure. She likes to wear her long dark brown hair down or in a high ponytail, leaving a few stray strands of hair on her forehead in either hairstyle. The free-spirited woman often wears tank tops and shorts, showing off her tanned skin.
14. Afro Samurai (Afro Samurai)
After his father’s death, the ruthless samurai Afro became a changed man. His smile disappeared from his face and was replaced with an emotionless stare. The only thing keeping this samurai alive is his burning desire for revenge. No one and nothing can stand in his way, and if they do, they’re immediately killed. Afro is a man of few words and only aims to avenge his father’s death.
Afro Samurai has dark brown skin, black afro hair, and brown eyes. He stands a lot taller than most swordsmen in his time, which he uses to his advantage. Afro’s attire consists of a white Japanese kimono which he pairs with blue flared pants.
13. Lille Barro (Bleach: TYBW)
Although Lille Barro hasn’t made an official appearance yet, it’s only a matter of time before he makes his grand entry and assumes his position as one of the strongest characters in Bleach.
Being a Quincy Elite, and one of Yhwach’s Royal Guards, this dark-skinned warrior goes toe-to-toe with some of the strongest Soul Reapers. He is arrogant because of his immense powers, as he thinks he is the man closest to God, and he believes that a Shinigami’s Bankai can’t kill him.
12. Casca (Berserk)
Casca is one of the main characters in Berserk, a former unit commander in the Band of the Falcon, and the love interest of Guts, the main character of the series.
Unlike most female characters, Casca isn’t just an arm candy, as she is as strong as other characters in the series. She can hold her own in battles and easily take down enemies twice her size. Even though she has short hair and a kind-of tomboyish attitude, she’s as feminine as they come. But since she’s living in the world of Berserk, and as she is one of the main characters, her life hasn’t been easy!
11. Charon (Fire Force)
One of the best black anime characters in recent times is Charon, a member of the White-Clad organization from the series Fire Force. He’s one of the more serious figures in the group with a devout loyalty to the Evangelist. He is a cunning warrior known to trick opponents into winning in battle. It is said that he can maim an opponent with one punch. Charon is best not fought in hand-to-hand combat, as you’ll surely meet your end.
The fighter is heavily built with well-toned muscles; he has light brown skin and white hair styled into a crew cut. Charon is primarily seen wearing a white gi, black gloves, a belt, and a white blindfold with a red cross covering his eyes.
10. Aisha Belka (DanMachi)
If there’s one thing Aisha Belka can’t get enough of, it’s strong men. The moment she lays her eyes on a mighty warrior, she’s immediately drawn to them. Aisha is part of the Hermes Familia, an exploration party led by Hermes. Despite her flirtatious personality, she is a skilled warrior on the battlefield and excels in hand-to-hand combat, characterized by fluid motions.
The 21-year-old Amazoness has silky black hair and side bangs covering half of her face. She has piercing purple eyes that match her umber skin tone, and she wears a two-piece and see-through purple loose trousers.
9. Scar (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
Fullmetal Alchemist’s Scar is known for three things: the x-shaped scar on his forehead, alchemist tattoos on his arms, and his burning hatred toward State Alchemists. Hailing from Ishval, Scar shares his people’s dark complexion and red eyes. He’s never seen smiling and walks around with the burden of his people.
Scar is a skilled fighter feared by State Alchemists for his murderous fighting style that can obliterate a human being through one touch. His white hair is cut into a crew cut, with a few strands falling on his face, and the Ishvalan wears shades to hide the color of his eyes.
8. Aokiji (One Piece)
If you battled Aokiji from One Piece in a game of poker, the former Marine Admiral would surely win. Aokiji, whose real name is Kuzan, is an incredibly tall young man who is not surprised by anything. His listless and lazy outlook on life confuses people about how he could achieve a high ranking in the marines.
Standing at an incredible height of 9 feet 9 inches, Aokiji easily towers over the people around him. He has ginger skin, brown eyes, and afro-black hair. Because of his laid-back personality, Aokiji’s enemies tend to underestimate him. However, when the time calls for him to step up, he’ll surprise everyone with his decision-making skills.
7. Muhammad Avdol (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
Muhammad Avdol from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is an Egyptian young man who joins forces with Joseph Joestar to defeat Dio Brando. Avdol is a level-headed individual with a strong sense of righteousness. Although responsible and mature, there are times Avdol digresses from his ideal image and lets his emotions get the better of him.
The fortune-teller has sandy-colored skin, black hair, grey eyes, well-defined muscles, and an average height. Avdol has a unique hairstyle; he styles his hair into stiff cylindrical patches with a gold band keeping the hair upright.
6. Uvogin (Hunter x Hunter)
Considered the physically strongest member of Phantom Troupe, a band of thieves, Uvogin from the series Hunter x Hunter is a headstrong individual with a borderline barbaric personality. He’s freakishly tall, standing 8 feet and 6 inches, and he is the type to jump into a fight without a plan and not hesitate to deliver the final blow.
The giant Uvogin has very tanned skin, unruly grey hair, and a spider tattoo on his lower back. His thick arched eyebrows make it look like he has a perpetual scowl. The only clothes he wears are a bearskin loincloth and matching boots. Other than that, he waltzes around with his bare muscular chest.
5. Archer (Fate/Stay Night)
Despite having a name like Archer, the Fate/Stay Night character fights with dual swords called Kanshou and Bakuya. Ironic, right? Archer is one of the main characters in the series and is a servant of Rin Tohsaka. His personality is difficult to read as he can be seen being kind and caring towards his master or sarcastic and, at times, even cynical.
He has light yellowish-brown skin, short white hair, and light grey eyes. He wears a black bodysuit paired with long red sleeves and a matching red half-open long skirt most of the time, highlighting his muscular physique with well-defined muscles.
4. Rumi Usagiyama aka “Mirko”
Rumi Usagiyama, also known as Rabbit Hero: Mirko, is one of the newest entries on this list, and she is, without a doubt, one of the best black anime characters of all time!
Being the No. 5 Pro Hero in My Hero Academia, she’s one of the strongest characters in the series, and we saw just how strong she was when she went against several Nomus on her own. With a dark-skinned muscular body, long rabbit ears, and flowing white hair, she looks absolutely stunning, but her tomboyish attitude makes her stand out from the crowd!
3. Captain Hibana (Fire Force)
The sadistic Captain Hibana rules the Special Force Company 5 with an iron fist; nothing and no one can stand in her way. She may be one of the most beautiful black anime characters, but she is not afraid to instill fear into lower-ranking officers. She’s an attractive young woman who’s aware of her appearance and will use her feminine charm to get her way.
Captain Hibana has almond-colored skin with shoulder-length light pink hair. Her eyes are light blue, and her pupils are pink and shaped like flowers. The slender young woman has curves in all the right places. Again, she’s not afraid to use this charm by wearing revealing clothes.
2. Killer Bee (Naruto Shippuden)
One of the most recognizable black anime characters of all time, Killer Bee, or Lord Jinchūriki, from the Naruto series, is a shinobi with the power of the Eight-Tails. The overly proud and stubborn shinobi dreams of being a famous rapper. He will write rhymes and share them with everyone, no matter his situation. Even in the middle of a fight, he’d gain inspiration and break into verse.
Killer Bee has a sienna skin tone, blonde hair that is neatly combed back, and a goatee. Killer Bee’s eye color is unknown as he always wears goggle-like shades. Even as a young kid, he was already wearing them.
1. Yoruichi Shihōin (Bleach)
The laid-back and adventurous former Captain of the 2nd Division, Yoruichi Shihōin, is someone you’d want to have as a friend; not a single day will be boring with Yoruichi. Whether she’s in her cat form or her human form, Yoruichi will go the extra mile to bring a smile to people’s faces. Having left her position in Soul Society, the cat-woman helps out in Kisuke Urahara’s shop in the human world.
Yoruichi is a beautiful lady; she’s of average height and has smooth almond-colored skin. Her hair is dark purple which she keeps tied in a high ponytail. She also has chin-length flyaway bangs that frame her small face. Like a cat, Yoruichi has gold irises that sparkle whenever she has something naughty in her mind.
Conclusion
I asked a question initially: how many characters do you know from this list? So, how did you do? Did you get a score higher than 20? Whatever your score is, it’s nothing to worry about or be proud of because now you know all about the black characters in anime.
Although it can be hard to find anime characters with darker skin tones, many are still out there. It all depends on where you look and what anime shows you watch. In the end, I hope you enjoyed reading our best black anime characters list, but if you think I missed out on your favorite character, use the comments section below to let me know!
Also Read: Most Badass Anime Characters in 2023
