Asking Black People Tough Anime Questions at Anime Los Angeles 2024

[@TheBlackExJp]

Thanks for watching! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nothing to see down here... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seriously, no need to keep scrolling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . You are at the end. Nothing more exists beyond this. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . What are you looking for? There is nothing else here. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OK, since you are persistent.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Might as well just subscribe to the channel bro 😂 👉goo.gl/BToqWv

[@LionOfJudah613]

I went to a majority Black high school during the anime boom of the early 2000's and I remember asking a Black friend of mine why the Black kids all loved DBZ so much even though there were no Black people* in it. He told me it was cool to watching something that, unlike basically everything else in America, was not made by and for a specifically white audience, and it didn't really matter that none of the characters were visually Black because it was still way easier to identify with them than shows where the characters are all either specifically white or tokenized versions of other races... and also Piccolo is Black. *we don't talk about Mr. Popo

[@Echo-nn8dt]

There are a few black characters in dragon ball going back to OG and even in Super (manga version) but I get what you mean. I think there are many reasons we related to db but the show was just that exciting to see as a kid it didn’t matter the race. I mean, Goku is a damn alien lol.

[@treacherousjslither6920]

But the superior form of the saiyans have blonde hair and blue eyes...

[@Echo-nn8dt]

@@treacherousjslither6920 fun fact. Toriyama only made Super Saiyan blonde due to laziness and wanting to save on ink.

[@alaenamcdonald1877]

“There is no offense when you have good intentions.” I ❤️ that, and so true. Love your work as always, and thanks to all the interviewees!

[@VaughanRoderick]

"The road to hell is paved with best intentions."

[@igodreamer7096]

Anime is just something else, bro. After growing up watching Disney's classic animated movies, with Mickey and his shenanigans in morning shows. Seeing Dragon Ball, Saint Seiya/The Knights of Zodiac, Yu Yu Hakusho and Akira of all things, I just completely fall in love and never looked back! HAHAHHAHAHHAHA ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@TheAwesomeAccount]

The last point was facts. DBZ got a lot of black kids into japanese culture. I feel like the whole Saiyan story was kinda relatable and the fight hype was super fun.

[@CaptainCart00ns]

I love that you're visiting LA! I currently live in San Diego and I've been following your channel since I was stationed in Okinawa back in 2018. Your channel continues to inspire me to obtain my degree and pursue my dream of living in Japan. Thank you so much! 🤙🏿

[@Covers-and-Commentary]

Love your interviews!!!!!

[@sockobottoh]

I love how everyone in this video is so passionate about anime and Japan in general. And not even just the Shonen animes. Alot of good emotions in this video.

[@KurosakiLuvar01]

Japanese video games is what got me interested in Japanese culture. Then I watched ‘Ninja Scroll’ at 8 years old and the interest deepened. I had the biggest crush on Picolo as a kid when he was first introduced in the series. Loved him ever since lol I’m offended no one said Yu Yu Hakusho. My absolute favorite anime. It’s also still a HUGGGEEEE deal in Japan. All of my fashion taste was inspired by that anime and Japan’s fashion.

[@DailyDoseOfInternetFUNNYDOGS]

I'm glad someone mentioned Killer Bee, one of the best characters in the series, and also let's not forget Darui most of the Kumo village characters are well-written even compared to some of the Stone villages for example. Naruto the series does it justice.

[@KathyakaNina]

Great interviews Ranzo! Still crazy that we met after these interviews. Safe travels for you as you go back to Japan

[@mkelly4400]

I really enjoyed hearing everyone’s perspective on Anime and Japan. All the interviewees responses to your questions Ranzo were very interesting. My eldest son loves watching Anime so as a family we sit and watch together so I was happy that I recognized some of the Anime’s mentioned. Keep up the great work BEJ ❤️🙏🏾🤲🏾🤗.

[@D0NDIDO]

This brudda said AoT was overrated and didn’t keep upping the stakes/quality 😂

[@yonico_]

he said he didn't know if it was the case lol

[@christhechilled]

He was spitting regardless, he just didn’t know it.

[@laynajonakhi8442]

Wonderful interview! Great questions with authentic and well articulated responses. All of them have peaked my interest in Anime. I hope these young people make it to Japan very soon and you are able to reconnect with them on their visit. I’d love to see that interview as well.

[@JP-jd8wr]

Shout-out to Blair! I love everything he said and agree with him. Idk SAO being underrated but the hate is weird and only became a thing because it was trendy to hate. Honestly it's weird to hate in anime because you don't like it.

[@omimg]

GREAT VIDEO!! honest great answers and questions

[@noahlomax1]

The initial pull of what brought me into Japanese culture was indeed anime. The language along with the artistic capabilities of Japan brought me full circle into wanting to know more about the culture, the people and the food. Voltron was that anime that caught me in the 80's. It didn't matter that there wasn't Black representation, I was already sold on the art and language.

[@ebonyangel951]

The one time I didn't go to Anime LA, Ranzo was there!? lol. Gonna have to run into him in Tokyo.

[@krmendozaa]

My heart stopped when he said Fruits Basket was overrated 😭 I say that as someone who doesn’t care about action anime at all hahaha. But also LB is my hometown! I miss living/working there, hope you enjoyed it & got to explore a bit outside of the convention center :) Fun fact: the scene in FF Tokyo Drift where he’s drifting in a circular parking structure was filmed in downtown Long Beach near the convention center!

[@jonanderson4280]

11:44 you should have inquired for more info about that😂😂😂

[@chuck6290]

I hope you had fun in Long Beach!

[@blackmennewstyle]

Amazing interviews Ranzo 🔥🚀 Are you heading to CES 2024 as well? Enjoy the rest of your week and stay safe in MERICA 🙏🏽

[@TeeBalen]

Healer Girl and the Precure series are amazing. If you have the time, please check them out.

[@kreamnetwork]

The fact Killer b is a rapper is pretty sad being the first black naruto character, still yet he's one of the few black people not depicted with giant tube lips or disproportionate facial features to make them look less human. Look how pronounced the facial features on all the black characters in samurai champloo. EVery time there's an actual black character in dbz they're drawn with large pink tube lips, except with popo who is an actual reference to the eunuchs from the arabian slave trade, even in shows like death note there are glimpses of black characters drawn in a mocking manner. Japanese culture is fundamentally anti-black

[@Allplussomeminus]

Oh yes! Changing things up. I like this. Thank you for all your work.

[@telawsonartzy6880]

Great interviews my friend with really interesting answers 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@yisaacpengchung2931]

I really likes the black guy that interviewed & said: "I'm a black person just in anime style", loving anime but at the same time also proud of being as a black people.😊🙌💪 Showing my support as a Asian Guy👊🤜🤛🤘

[@jbjbklyn]

Great episode, and great idea to get opinions on the black opinion of Japanese culture in a setting of adornment.👏🏾🙂

[@megannovotny1887]

Just discovered your channel! Love your content!

[@eio1971]

Nice Interview.

[@SJETV]

Bro said "my favorite anime is Prince of Tennis" and I had to stop the video and look at the camera like Jim from The Office

[@nobodyexceptme7794]

Damn dude got passionate about that sword art online. Is it that good?

[@crybabydemonboy]

Not really. The expectations it set were high, but the creator doesn’t get game design and development, nor does he know how to not write a girl in a creepy way with circumstances that make it worse for her.

[@Banks2Legit]

Is it the worst show ever? No Is it the best show ever? No Is it an acceptable watch? Yes Like he said, its one of those things that blew up really fast, had valid criticisms around it that the masses ran off with and now is heavily joked about in "lol at least its not Sword art" way. But, did have a major role in popularizing video game Isekai anime .

[@jmkos86]

“There is no offense when you have good intentions.” I think that’s an underrated statement but it’s true. I have to say that when most people mention one “stereotype” character they forget to mention others as well, a lot of the lightning clan in naruto are black, Ay, Darui, Omoi, Karui…sometimes I think if anime was made realistically cto mimic daily life and real people it wouldn’t be as loved. Same thing with games. But I did love what he said.

[@raijin7707]

I love how the last guy said Picolo is not black but we all know he's black, man I felt this to my core because I always felt Picolo was black even though he wasn't black 😂😂😂 Edit: Thanks for the likes, to clarify for you future commenters, concerning Piccolo being black is a head cannon thing. Don't run to the moon with it on either side of him actually being black. Assume every race in this story that is racially ambegus humanoids are assumed Asians because it isn't always clear and it is a safe assumption because it is a fictional Japanese story where the world is basically Japan even when it's not because DBZ is weird like that.

[@M0053yfate]

Even my white ass grew up knowing Piccolo's black lol. I love that last dude

[@kreamnetwork]

@@M0053yfate There's actual black people in dbz tho and they're used in scenes to make krillin look good, literally drawn with giant fat pink tube lips to look less human. They edited out a lot of those scenes in kai

[@raijin7707]

@@kreamnetwork I hated the way they made black people look in Dbz, they don't even look like people they look like clown things lmfao. Honestly I always felt it was midkey racist on the artist to make black people look like a subspecies but I tolerated it because I was a big DBZ fan.

[@Ganon999]

Piccolo is a green alien from another planet lol

[@User.Joshua]

Even as a child, I knew that Piccolo was black. I also knew that they were on some BS with Mr. Popo 😂

[@kojo7485]

❤🎉Back in Nigeria 🇳🇬 🙌 👏 My classmates in Boarding school 🏫 used to tease me and my twin brother 😢 about us watching 👀 cartoons all the time ⏲️ from 1995-1998 🇳🇬 🇳🇬 🇳🇬 🎉❤and now I am 40 years old, and I live in the United States 🇺🇸 🇺🇲 😢 💔 😀 💙 🇺🇸 🇺🇲 where internet access and 🖥 💻 🖥 💻 🖥 has made it possible to watch ⌚️ cartoons and anime 🎉❤all the time ⏲️ 😅🎉❤ I think 🤔 it's good 👍 😀 💙 karma 😀 🎉❤

[@addicted2saving203]

Every Anime isn’t for everybody 🤷🏾‍♀️😩 🤣

[@YoungLion449]

Its fine if their rare...It makes them all the more cool when they show up (Nagoryuki)

[@rasdiggle]

@BEJ what is your favorite Anime if you ever watched one? My favorite Japanese anime is the film Ninja Scroll from Studio Madhouse.

[@Yuki.Hinode]

Wow. U went old skool. That was my first authentic anime that I watched in 94 (I don't count Voltron or Transformers).

[@TheBlackExJp]

Yuyu Hakusho.

[@DragonSlayer-qg2sc]

Underrated seven deadly sins, fairy tale, sword art online HANDS DOWN.

[@nakitaknight957]

Ninja scroll original movie, Chainsaw man, Samurai champloo, Akira ,Ghost in the Shell, Fist of the Northstar, Dorohedoro, DBZ, Legend of the Overfiend, Cowboy bebop, Spy x Family, Tokyo Ghoul, Claymore 😂so Many!

[@TheOldskoolVideoGamer]

Now you mate..... have got masterful anime taste indeed. Some of those are from the golden years. I'm going to add Patlabor, Cyber City ODO and Goku Midnight Eye to that list - some 90s cyberpunk bangers. Cheers.

[@nakitaknight957]

@@TheOldskoolVideoGamer 🤣phu@kin AWESOME!

[@MrInuhanyou123]

As a black person it's hard to understand a homogeneous society, especially when we were taken away from ours. But I think through art and expression we can understand a little bit of how the Japanese think even if it's warped by being overly exaggerated

[@hannah60000]

You mean as a black African American person. Many black people in this world live in homogenous (albeit sometimes multi-ethnic aka black diversity) societies. I say this as the owner of this channel isn’t even American, so to assume and project an American view on black people is grating to day the least! Peace.

[@yujabes]

Hold up, did someone say JJK is underrated. JJK is under the definition of ''Overrated''

[@apredator4gb]

this was fun and informative. Nice work!

[@Maartun]

5:58 random chopper and nico robin in the background

[@TC-xh5wp]

I've been watching anime since the early 70s. I've never watched an episode of dragonballz. Just know that the Japanese have serious image issues. They straight up do not even draw themselves in tons of anime. Just like if Spike Lee were to only make movies with blonde haired blue eyed people. There are, however, many good animes out there that are saturated with African American culture, samurai champloo being one of the best. But, also, there are many animes out there where race is not an issue either..and the characters many not look Japanese, they have to be cuz they're in Japan. I don't see the appeal of Dragonball, there are so many better animes out there

[@MistaIncognito]

I always enjoy your videos! I'm sure you noticed that the word "like" is way overused here which (to me) is super annoying! I really appreciate the fact that you can articulate yourself without speaking the way the interviewees speak. I am a fan of anime & there were quite a few good anime mentioned. Have a safe time while here in the states & a safe trip when you head back to Japan! Looking forward to the next hitchhiking in japan video...I'm hooked!

[@ghosttemplar6989]

Most underrated anime of all time Is Hokuto no Ken or Fist of the north star

[@ToonGohan]

Never thought I’d hear someone compare the Matrix with SAO 😂

[@bilalmega3349]

Most underrated anime for me is Hunter x Hunter and Claymore. Both are masterpieces. Hunter x Hunter is on another level though. Along with Beserk. Introduced to anime through Fist of the North Star and DBZ. Most overrated is JJK. It's good but I don't understand the hype. When I think of Japan I think of cultural harmony, aesthetic beauty, a beautiful language, samurai and discipline, great food, and super cute ladies.

[@tubeygoku]

Tengo tenge Afro samurai Michiko & hatchin Dragon Ball Goku. To name some of the best representation of black people in anime.

[@rmmvw]

Don't forget about Fire Force. I think the first Yoruba mention ever in anime.

[@unnamedx2]

jjk as an underrated pick is crazy

[@KyklopesMajestic]

Great Work

[@MarthKoopa]

Red shirt guy has good taste

[@treacherousjslither6920]

Why do people think Yoruchi is black? Maybe she's south asian...

[@grey5626]

Whoa cosplayin a hood version of ストライダー飛竜? Legit.

[@thomasgreene8054]

Can we have Chevalier de Saint-Georges appear in FGO?

[@telluhwatboy]

The Gundam series is the most underrated anime in the west.

[@Scrollskillups]

To me anime is Modern day mythology and that plays a huge role in creating peoples minds in society. But we have only choosing but we need real representation in anime world, no side characters no more sissy men, black people are strong love if caring and Down for each other when they righteous at heart. So I feel we need to make our own types of anime. Our own Company. But that’s for another day I guess.

[@namenlosNamenlos]

🎉🎉🎉

[@christhechilled]

Attack on Titan 3:20 take makes sense! Bro was spitting!

[@ToonGohan]

Wouldn’t say that has any effect on the actual shows quality because it’s big issues has to do with the studio production. Yeah if you were keeping up with it as it came out it was annoying but if you’re watching it now for the first time or even 5 to 10 years from now, you have a complete package with no 5 year wait on a season or any knowledge of studio changes etc.

[@raiga98]

Yeah AOT is one of the GOATs. Very unique story that is very different from other animes and really reflects core aspects of human nature.

[@carolinabluzz]

You could have ask random people on the streets no anime convention about there black experience in America my opinion you need to change it just to the black experience because it's not just in Japan

[@vincentdaniels7818]

⚠I grew up in the U.K and there is a lot of low key self hatred with the black anime fans over here. As much as I like anime, I do not shuck and jive nor live in denial about the racial undertones like a lot of the black anime fans do.

[@brandons2842]

There are so many anime series out there. How do you find them all?

[@Alrucards]

You don't. Just find the ones that appeal to you.

[@brandons2842]

@@Alrucards I meant how do you sort through them all to find one that appeals to you.

[@Alrucards]

@brandons2842 Like movies and books(Also manga), there are many genres and sub-genre of animes from action, horror, mecha, romance, etc. for anyone to explore. To choose is up to you as you can read summaries, reviews, or comments about whatever anime, but it's all on you of what interests you.

[@tubeygoku]

Fist ofnthe north star 1980s series Fate zero Moribito are the 3 best anime of all-time.

[@jawonryan9266]

Pokemon and dragon ball z are the first 2 I've watched

[@nakitaknight957]

I enjoyed dat

[@wtfsamusidk7574]

I love fruits basket

[@AS-Pra1.0]

I appreciate this no peoples or clan-tribe should deny the fact that they are darkskin, you should still know what you are and where it comes from based on clans-tribes and ethnic ties. People who were occupied should stop using colonial terms Caucasian is used to describe white people the wrong people, the Caucasian term should only be reserved for the peoples from the caucuses region by lineage association. Keep things on your own terms not on others. Arya should be used only for sets of Indo-Iranic peoples. Good content man I appreciate this.👍

[@Shizukanexen]

HOMEBOY HAD MY ATTENTION till he said Furuba was overrated and Sword Art Online was UNDERRATED. SAO is SO overrated.

[@nekotfarmer]

SAO is cheeks

[@JP-jd8wr]

🙄

[@VonJuve]

I think black people love Japanese culture because it represents how we SHOULD be. How we would have been if we weren’t exposed to western culture. It’s almost like black American culture is portrayed as the antithesis of Japanese culture, and those of us who want to escape the reality of our own American culture find solace in how disciplined, proud and honorable Japanese culture appears to be.

[@thomasgreene8054]

I want to read a Harem Manga with a Black Male Protagonist!! Can anyone please draw it for me??? Pretty please? 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

[@Sentry0]

Black anime/manga fans are the most prejudice fan base towards black independent creators.

[@bluelyon9927]

Once read that a popular Manga/Anime artist said that he would never put black people in his work saying it’s degrading to do so

[@blatherskype25]

Attack on Titan is overrated? He'll no.

[@TheBlackExJp]

What do you like about it?

[@blatherskype25]

@@TheBlackExJp There really are no heroes or villains. It deals a lot with racism and war. The Eldians and the Marley have both done terrible things to one another. The main character who's usually placed as the hero, values his people and where he's from so much he's willing to create mass genocide just so they find peace. He is also willing to be histories greatest villain as long as his people are safe from the rest of the world. Meanwhile Marley has deep rooted hatred for The Eldians for good reason but it has also turned them into racists. Man don't get me started this how deep this show is, I can go on and on a lot of people that don't like it is because they wanted good guy vs bad guy and that's it. This anime was a masterpiece. It had some XMen elements as far as human vs mutants but they went deeper than that. Imagine following the main character and his friends and watching them grow up and suffer and get stronger only for the Main character to lose his way from there point of view and from his point of view he's doing these terrible things to protect them. Now they have to put him down

[@TheBlackExJp]

@blatherskype25 You’re definitely a true fan of AoT.

[@GigiMurakami]

Bruh idk if I can trust anything that Blair says about anime 😂

[@mrmerlin6287]

One Piece needed to die a long long time ago.

[@bilalmega3349]

I found One Piece back in 2014 when my kids were little. Shockingly, I'm the only that still watch it and I love it. My son is 19 now. Crazy how time flies.

[@mrmerlin6287]

@@bilalmega3349 I think I watched it in the 00s as a teenager myself.

[@Ganon999]

Demon Slayer is overrated?! OOF 😂

[@lilypippili]

calling SAO underrated is CRAZY

[@sebastianbolt7886]

Blackness is like whiteness, you represent where you're from, like Asians are not one dimensional they represent where they are from. What does stay black even mean? Represent where you are from... If you want to, if not just be a beautiful human being.. Human.

[@iprakaji]

Stay black is being proud of who you are as a black person. You can enjoy music, languages, and form friendships with people from other cultures while staying connected to your own. You have to remember here in America black people are still piecing together all that was lost. My partner can trace his ancestry back to Taiwan with very little effort, a lot of black folks don't have that luxury so that's why it's so important to hold onto what we do have. I can be proud of my blackness, much like anyone else can take pride in themselves. Whiteness and blackness, are not the same,Human yes, but not the same.

[@CandiOsaka]

@@iprakajiit’s just a color though right ? We are more similar than we try to make different

[@JP-jd8wr]

You probably one of them that get their blackness questioned 😂

[@sebastianbolt7886]

@@JP-jd8wr only crazy people would do that, seeing that I'm not even black 😂

[@mathieul4303]

I’m black but I don’t care AT ALL ABOUT REPRESENTATION NONSENSE. I like good animes

[@moshehtaffe]

can we stop saying piccolo is black/// bro is clearly Indian

[@yonico_]

is this guy crying? lol

[@bilalmega3349]

I think the wind was in his face. It's called out in LA right now and the wind was crazy the last couple of days.

[@korinkahnkahn5868]

Pretty good, better than the more religious content.