10 Greatest Black Manga Characters Ever

The manga industry is not particularly known for its representation of Black characters. This is true, even though Black communities around the world are some of the industry’s most dedicated and ardent fans of the genre. While ignoring and even upsetting a key fan base might not have seemed important to creators and industry leaders when manga was predominantly a Japanese-only market, with manga’s growing global influence, a failure of manga to be more effectively representative would cause issues.

However, it would appear that manga creators increasingly recognize and understand what a lack of representation means for their profession. More and more mangaka are not only speaking out about the need for more diversity in manga characters, but some have taken positive steps to bring about change in their own titles, introducing black characters that have an impact on the wider story and serve as a positive representation and ambassadors.

10

Canary – It’s Not Where You’re From That Defines You

Hunter x Hunter by Yoshihiro Togashi

While not a primary character in the fan-favorite action series Hunter x Hunter, Canary nevertheless plays a key role as a member of the Zoldyck family’s team of butlers. The butlers, in the context of the Zoldyck family, were more than just servants tasked with overseeing household affairs; they were also the family’s private security team. Of course, protecting a family whose members are as overpowered as the Zoldycks, meant that butlers were extremely deadly in their own right.

Canary proved her prowess early on when, before fully entering the butler’s service, she was able to defeat a black-list hunter and his team that sought to infiltrate the Zoldyck estate. While her strength, skill, and intelligence are unquestioned, her most important impact in the story is through her role as Killua Zoldyck’s protector, confidant, and ultimately, friend. She facilitated his natural positivity and helped his transformation from cold and calculated to friendly and caring and, in the process, helped herself overcome her own inner demons.

9

Miyuki Ayukawa- Friends Don’t Leave Friends Behind

Basquash! by Kawamori Shouji, Thomas Romain, and Hayashi Tetsuya

Miyuki is a key character in Basquash! – the sports mecha manga series chronicling the adventures Dan JD, a former street punk who pivots into becoming one of the best Basquash players in Rolling City. Basquash is a modernized form of basketball where the contestants compete by operating a “Big Foot”, huge humanoid mechas made from cars. As Dan’s childhood friend and romantic interest, Miyuki loses touch with Dan for a while when her family has to move away.

Reacquainted several years after she moves back, Miyuki turns Dan away from his street punk habits after she gifts him a Big Foot of his own. In their years apart, Miyuki has become a skilled Big Foot mechanic, and after he sets up his own Basquash crew, Miyuki agrees to join the team and take care of their Big Foots. Known for her technical prowess, and unwavering support for Dan – whom she still has feelings for – Miyuki is the glue that keeps the team together, the Big Foot’s running, and Dan’s eyes on the ultimate prize.

8

Mika – The Quietly Effective Manager Of Top Assassin Talent

Lycoris Recoil by Yasunori Bizen

Mika is a main character in Lycoris Recoil – which explores the work of Direct Attack, a super-secret government crime prevention and counter-terrorist organization whose all-female force of field agents have a “license to kill” all threats to the public’s safety and security. While most of Direct Attack’s operations are run out of its central headquarters, Mika oversees an undercover “off the books” operation out of a friendly neighborhood café.

Mika serves as the handler, mentor, father figure, and all-around “adult in the room” for former top agent Chisato Nishikigi and badass new arrival Takina Inoue. Chisato might be the best Direct Attack agent ever, but her pacifist tendencies, among other issues, forced her to transfer to Mika’s operation. Takina was transferred there due to her insubordination. Under Mika’s tough but loving, stern but not-too-oppressive style, both Chisato and Takina flourished beyond all expectations. Indeed, without his thoughtful approach, Takina, and especially Chisato, might never have saved Tokyo – and most importantly themselves.

7

Muhammed Avdol – The Veteran OG Stand Using Pro, Carries The Young Star

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure by Hirohiko Araki

Muhammed Advol serves as a primary ally of Jotaro Joestar and his grandfather Joseph in Stardust Crusaders – the third part in the Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure saga. Arriving in Japan with Joseph to help Jotaro deal with the first appearance of his Stand, Avdol agrees to help the two find and take down the old Joestar family nemesis DIO, who has suddenly reappeared despite being buried at the bottom of the ocean decades ago.

An experienced and versatile Stand user whose moral compass tends towards justice, honor, and loyalty to your family and friends, Avdol proved to be a stalwart partner and an essential element in the Joestar’s effort to put DIO away “once and for all”. On more than a few occasions, Avdol’s presence, standing-using skills, and fearlessness in helping out his comrades were the difference between life and death for Jotarao and other members of the team. Moreover, Avdol’s knowledge and understanding of Stands provided a vital source of information and a key knowledge base for Jotaro and other members who had never manifested a Stand before.

6

Ogun Montgomery – Burning Dedication To “Protect And Serve”

Fire Force by Atsushi Ohkubo

As a member of Fire Force’s special fire brigades, Ogun is tasked with protecting society from Infernals – those humans with the ability to spontaneously combust and who use that ability to commit crimes or otherwise harm society. Unlike many of his colleagues, Ogun takes his role as a “firefighter” more seriously. As a result, Ogun is more likely to take point in a confrontation – even when facing a more powerful foe – as a way of shielding his teammates from harm.

Ogun’s gung-ho attitude, tactical and strategic intelligence, and elite skill set make him one of the most promising firefighters within his cohort. Outside of his battle prowess, Ogun is also one of the few people able to tamp down the bickering between Shinara and Arthur. Indeed, Ogun’s ability to bring people together despite their differences is an often overlooked “soft power” ability that proves vitally important to the Fire Force’s success as the intensity of the threat mounts.

5

Kilik Rung – Once Is Good, Twice Is Nice, But Three Times Is A Charm

Soul Eater by Atsushi Ohkubo

Kilik Rung is a prominent character in Soul Eater – the supernatural fantasy series that has Death seeking assistance against the witch Medusa and her plan to release Kishin – an all-powerful soul eating demon that is capable of destroying the world. To achieve his goal, Death is looking for talented meister – warriors who can form bonds with sentient weapons.

As one of the top students in Death’s Death Weapon Meister Academy – there are few others more powerful or more capable than Kilik. Knowf for his keen sense of justice, fiery personality, and passion to see the defeat of Medusa. Indeed, Death and the faculty at the academy certainly believe that Kilik and his death weapon, the Demon Twin Guns are fully capable of realizing the promise of their abilities.

4

Dutch – A Big Boss With A Bigger Attitude – “Shut Your Mouth”

Black Lagoon by Rei Hiroe

Even in the wonderful world of fancy that manga is, Black Lagoon’s Dutch is a unicorn. Dutch is one of the few Black manga characters who actually anchors a series. In charge of Lagoon Company, the business that serves as the launching pad or conclusion for many of the series’ adventures, Dutch has a hand in or influence on nearly everything that happens in the story. This is true even when he is not personally in the manga chapter.

When in action, either alone or by himself, Dutch backs up his talk with a fist, bullet, or equally devastating comment. A veteran soldier who has clearly seen a lot of action, unlike his colleagues, Dutch is not fazed by the uncertainties and viciousness of combat. He serves as a solid, even-tempered, reasonable leader for his wild and rambunctious crew. Respected by his colleagues and clients, feared by his enemies, Dutch is a successful leader in a very tough business.

3

Kaname Tosen – The Road That Leads To The Dark Side Will Consume You

Bleach by Tite Kubo

Bleach’s Kaname Tosen is the rarest of rare Black manga characters. He has the fortune – or misfortune – of being both one of the series’ top heroes and one of its most hated villains. As a hero, Kaname served as one of 13 Soul Reaper Captains – a rank which indicates Kaname’s strength and abilities. He also obtained his position despite being blind. Unfortunately, Tosen became disillusioned with how the Soul Reaper system worked and turned against them when presented the chance.

As a villain, he served as Aizen’s lieutenant and leader of his Arrancar Army. From the perspective of prestige, Kaname enjoyed a significant bump in status since he answered directly to the leader while overseeing everyone else, including the ten Espadas. After Hollowfication, Kaname gains additional powers that make him an even more potent opponent.

2

Miguel – The Dancing Sorcerer Who Put Gojo To The Test

Jujutsu Kaisen by Gege Akutami

An intense and gifted sorcerer from Africa – one of the few international cursed energy users seen in Jujutsu Kaisen – Miguel’s appearances in Jujutsu Kaisen have been short but always intense. First appearing in the series prequel Jujutsu Kaisen 0, Miguel made Gojo have to work for a win in a combat situation. Indeed, in Gojo was so impressed with his skills, he convinced him to train Yuta Okkotsu, whom many considered to be his successor.

As fans of Jujutsu Kaisen know, there have been only two instances where Gojo has been forced to work hard in a fight – once against Toji Fushiguro and the other against Ryomen Sukuna. In both cases, Gojo ended up dead. Now, Miguel has returned to the active battlefield and has significantly contributed to the Tokyo and Kyoto schools’ sorcerer’s efforts against the King of Curses. Only time will tell if they will succeed, but in any case, Miguel has stood toe-to-toe with two of the greatest sorcerers ever.

1

Usopp – From Near Zero To Definite Pirate Hero

One Piece by Eiichiro Oda

While One Piece’s Usopp might not immediately strike one as being a Black character, if the story took place in the “Real World”, according to One Piece’s creator, Eiichiro Oda has stated that Usopp would come from Africa. As the son of Shanks’ Red Hat Pirate crew member, Yasopp, Usopp was destined to a life of adventure. Usopp inherited his uncannily accurate marksmanship ability from his father, as well as his desire to be a pirate.

Although Usopp is neither the most powerful member of the crew nor its most courageous, he nevertheless is clearly the crew’s “most improved” member. Forced from an early age to be the “man of the family”, he dealt with his fears and struggles in the most humanly natural way – boasting, lying, and turning tail when the situation got too hot. However, throughout his time with the Straw Hat Pirate, Usopp has succeeded in overcoming all his bad habits to become one of the crew’s bravest and most resourceful members.