Ask John: What Ethnic Stereotypes Does Anime Use?

Question:
Almost any American mature enough to understand the concept of being “politically correct” can, no doubt, spit out a listing of “foreign stereotypes.” What I’m particularly interested in, however, is how the Japanese depict foreign stereotypes in their anime and manga. Over the years, I’ve noticed relatively few examples: speaking in English, speaking in broken Japanese, being big (as in muscular), or having large breasts. Does this listing more or less cover the gamut of stereotypes, or have I perhaps missed some? Note that this is not intended for use with any kind of racism or hateful purposes; just personal curiosity.

Answer:
Entirely for the purpose of intellectual curiosity I can list several of the racial and ethnic stereotypes that appear in anime, but doubtlessly there will be some that I forget, or am not familiar with. For better or worse, the concept of “political correctness,” attempting to minimize any potential for stereotyping or offense, hasn’t really reached Japan or its anime industry. Japan has its own traditional variety of social etiquette which is patriarchal and insular, and lies contrary to many of the social and moral conventions of American society. It’s exactly this Japanese perspective that makes anime unique, revolutionary and controversial in the perspective of mainstream Americans. To cite a few examples,

Indians, both citizens of India and indigenous Americans, are frequently portrayed in anime as peaceful, spiritual people in search of, or closer to enlightenment than average people. I can cite as examples the Indian goddess of curry that makes a cameo appearance in Gokujo Seitokai, Dhalsim in both the Street Fighter movie and television series, and Namu from Dragonball. Native Americans in Wolf’s Rain, Cowboy Bebop, Dragonball, and Gun Frontier appear as spiritual guides or as noble, honorable and caring people.

Americans are frequently depicted in anime as being, for lack of a better work, exuberant. The blond American girls in Arcade Gamer Fubuki and the adult anime Gosenzosama E are both extremely cheerful, physical, and affectionate. Carol, the American cameo character in Ground Defense Force Mao-chan episode 21, is likewise loud and slightly obnoxious. American men in anime are often self assured, and even aggressive, as seen in the first episode of Beck, American soldiers in Zipang and 801 T.T.S., and American characters in numerous Lupin the 3rd movies.

Germans usually seem to appear in anime as Nazis or Neo-Nazis. I can cite, as examples, the second Urotsukidoji and Angel Corps adult anime series, Shin Kujaku-Oh, and Ring ni Kakero. The one exception may be the half-German Asuka Langely of Evangelion, who still has a marked superiority complex.

Black characters actually aren’t stereotyped in anime as much as Americans may suspect. Black characters are sometimes drawn with very dark skin tone and large, inflated lips, as is the case with Dragonball’s Mr. Popo, Sergeant Zim in the Starship Troopers anime, and the black mercenary trio of the Area 88 OAV series. But while Cowboy Bebop characterizes its black characters as villains or comic characters, other black characters such as Tap (from Metal Armor Dragonar) and Pony (from Gall Force: Eternal Story) are illustrated and treated no differently than any other average characters.

Chinese characters are frequently personified as proud and self absorbed. This stereotype applies to Shampoo of Ranma 1/2, China from Spirit of Wonder, Lynn Minmei of Macross, and Retsu Kaioh from Grappler Baki: Saidai Tournament Hen.

As I mentioned, there are doubtlessly other ethnic stereotypes in anime that I’ve either forgotten to mention, or may not have consciously recognized. It’s not my intent to point out these stereotypes to cite racism or lack of empathy in either Japanese culture or the animators that make anime. I don’t think that these stereotypes reoccur in anime with malicious intent. I believe that these stereotypes appear in anime because Japanese creators don’t consciously notice them. The American emphasis on “political correctness” makes Americans more consciously notice trends in the way ethnic groups are portrayed than seems to be the case with average Japanese citizens. But although these may be stereotypes, there are exceptions to every rule. These conventions contribute to the unique identity of Japanese animation, and being aware of them can allow for interesting comparative analysis and discussion of anime.