black women watch animé: don’t even try to pigeonhole us

By Camille Teape*, AFROPUNK contributor

A few months ago, Michael B Jordan took to Twitter sharing his interest in anime, which sparked into a viral conversation that women don’t really watch anime, particularly those who would be interested in Michael B Jordan (presumably, Black women).

But what if I told you there was? That they exist and yes, #Blackgirlswatchanime. Are you surprised by this? Is this really THAT uncommon? Perhaps.

When I reflect on my pre-teen years, it was filled with romantic fan-fictions, listening to J-Pop, while clenching into an Arthur Fist at Naraku getting away once again. Japanese pop culture was a large influence in my life, which often to this day comes as a surprise to many. I remember Japanese animations, also known as anime- aiding toward my creativity, imagination, and curiosity in art and design.

However, socially I found myself having to subdue or play down the fact that I had these interests. It didn’t fit my social circle. During teenage years most girls were interested in latest boy bands, newest dance moves while entering their first relationships. And, awkwardly- I didn’t care about it. I cared more about beating Kingdom Hearts II, and playing Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3. Add in the fact that I am a Black female, and my once genuine interests left me feeling quite isolated. In an article from Psychology Today, it shares that Black women are often disadvantaged socially because of invisibility. Further elaborating that Black women often have to work harder then their fellow counterparts (i.e. Black men, White women) to share their own voices or opinions. Culturally I felt like I had this ‘role’ to play, almost as though my personality couldn’t expand outside societal expectations of me, which were often rooted in racist stereotypes associated to Black women.

So that’s what I did for a while. I kind-of played this role of what I thought I should be, rather then just being, me.

And perhaps this conversation regarding women and its relationship with anime (and by extension video-games) are beyond just race. For years, the conversation surrounding the lack of inclusion for female video-game developers, as well as well as the way women are often problematically perceived and illustrated in anime continue to be discussed to this day. So the issue isn’t that women aren’t watching anime, they are. Perhaps its time we socially dismantle the idea that particular anime is restricted to just men, or just women. A woman can enjoy Dragon Ball Super, Yu-Gi-Oh or even One Punch Man, just as a male can enjoy Fairy-tail, Sailor Moon or even Yuri on Ice.

Thankfully, I’ve evolved from where I once was. Last year, in addition to creating a YouTube channel focusing on anime reviews, I released my first fan fiction which gained over 3,000 views. Its exciting to explore your creative interests- which I encourage to those reading today. And beyond the conversation of anime, with shows such as Chewing Gum, Scandal and Insecure, its pulled the veal to revel that Black women are beyond our stereotypes. We’re dynamic, expressive, and harbour such range of depth within our personalities. It’s really just the beginning.

But in the meantime, my DM’s are open Michael.

*Follow me on twitter, _animechickk and YouTube.