White Anime Characters

[JadeFox]

I've never quite understood this.

If anime stories are supposed to take place either in Japan or some kind of Japanese fantasy world, then why are so many of the characters blonde with blue eyes?

Is this an attempt from the Japanese animators to appease an American audience?

 

[The Theory]

From what I understand, the Japanese love American culture, and their anime is a strong reflector of that. So when they do stuff like that it isn't because they want to appeal to us, but because that is what they genuinely like doing/watching, etc.

 

[fuzzyjesusfreak]

Mhm, the Japanese love the Americans, just as much as we love the Japanese.

 

[ShinigamiMommy]

A good deal of anime's never state if their world is based on Japan or not. Anime style was actually based and inspired by American cartoons of 1930s-1940s. So there is a definite white influence on anime.

 

[NeoScribe]

Not to mention the fact that many anime characters also come with red, blue, green, white - heck, there's a rainbow of colors for hair and eyes in anime.

Though on occasion, blue eyes and blonde hair are reserved for foreign characters.

 

[DarkLegend28]

They come in a variety of different colors. I like the dudes with white hair best =D (obviously)

 

[meowmix]

Anime was discovered when people were making a cartton but then actually made anime! Thats what i think my anime teacher said.... Lol...But back then when the discovered it it wasent that great...Cause' the first discovered it uhhhhh ya....

 

[AgapeBible]

I like Sailor Moon, and the characters there certainly have a rainbow of colors for hair and eyes. I've heard it's because the Japanese like American culture and blue eyes blond hair or differently colored hair and eyes is what they like.

I'm not sure what you mean Meomix. I heard the first manga/anime artists got the idea for the big eyes from Disney cartoons. Anime means animated.

 

[Unkown Wanderer]

I have yet to see a black or spanish anime char.

 

[TheBeautifulFoxChild]

I have yet to see a black or spanish anime char.

Experience more. Eureka Seven is the best example I can think of at nearly twelve thirty in the morning.

From what I've read, to some extent it does have to do with a fascination with Western culture. But really guys, how interesting is it going to be to create a cast of characters all of whom have basically the same hair and eye colour? Do you want to spend hours on end drawing the same group of brown haired, brown eyed people, or do you want to chuck in as many colours as you can get away with?

Besides, as if you wouldn't! 'Yeah, I'm doing a magical girl/outer space/psychotropic theme, I think they'd be a hit if I styled them to look like accountants'.

Oh, and often nationality has nothing to do with the why they chose a particular skin tone or hair colour. It's more matching colours to personality.

 

[homeofmew]

this is why you don't see a lot of Black people in Anime.
No offense but it is true.
Pokémon never had a black skinned person in the anime other than a 3 second appearance in the beginning opening of Jirachi WishMaker.

 

[DarkLegend28]

There aren't a lot but they're still in there. =P

Barret for the win. Lulz

 

[Aisenai]

Anime is made for a Japanese audience. Manga and Anime are artforms geared to connect with a broad audience, which is why foreigners don't have a strong presence.

Most of the productions are set in an alternative Japan. However, some have a broader canvas and in those, other racial groups do feature.

Tessa of Full Metal Panic is Italian.
Ruri of Nadesico is Western European (I've never been able to determine which part of Europe though.)
There are, of course, a number of Chinese characters.
Two key characters in Planetes are Latin American.

 

[SonicGrllvsJesus(AnimeYa!]

I have no idea. To appeal to the americans. If they were all brown eyed. They'd blend. I think its because they stick out more. My opinion. I'm proud to be white!!! Nothing wrong with black either.

 

[Azureknight 773]

I want to reply to this topic. Indeed there are lots and lots of blonde Japanese anime girls such as:


Sasara Kusugawa from To Heart 2 OVA (Half American)
Eri Sawachika from School Rumble (Half British)
Misa from Death Note

but there are some exceptions to this. Let us take these:

Arturia Pendragon aka Saber from Fate Stay Night, who is a British

Stella Loussier from Gundam Seed Destiny

Rosette Christopher from Chrono Crusade, whom I believe is clearly an American

for examples.

Anime is made for a Japanese audience. Manga and Anime are artforms geared to connect with a broad audience, which is why foreigners don't have a strong presence.

Most of the productions are set in an alternative Japan. However, some have a broader canvas and in those, other racial groups do feature.

Tessa of Full Metal Panic is Italian.
Ruri of Nadesico is Western European (I've never been able to determine which part of Europe though.)
There are, of course, a number of Chinese characters.
Two key characters in Planetes are Latin American.

I believe this is one of them:

Wang Lu Mei from Gundam 00

 

[shinbits]

I onced watched an anime that had an informational section, prior to starting the anime. What they said about this, was that Western style looks and trends were considered fashionable. Since Westernized countries consist mostly of Europeans, the Caucasian look is emulated.

Still, I think it's rather sad that SO MANY anime characters are modeled after caucasians, rather than on Oriental or Japanese people. Their culture has a richness and uniqueness that clearly separates them from other nations, which is why we enjoy their work in anime.

 

[Mankin]

I think it is a mixture of all the mentioned reasons. Also, many anime characters have Japanese facial features but their hair, eye, and skin all come from non Japanese elements.

And yes there are black people in anime

Kaname Tosen from Bleach

Lewis from Blood+

 

[Azureknight 773]

And let us not forget that Black guy from Hungry Heart
here as one of the team:

 

[Netbug009]

I'd guess it has to do with anime often being based on manga? It's a lot easier to draw a chapter a week when you don't have to go around toning everybody's skin constantly.

 

[Mankin]

Don't forget the entire cast of Fullmetal Alchemist. I believe they are all supposed to be German.