The Non Stop Racism Against Black Anime Cosplayers, And “Influencers” Staying Quiet As Usual
Black anime cosplayers more than any other group are targeted almost daily. For nothing but the color of their skin.
This happens on platforms like:
- Tiktok
And probably Facebook to some degree, considering the cosplay groups on there.
Usually when this happens, only non-anime
In fact – “racism” across the board is a topic few with any level of audience will touch on in the anime community.
Instead, they avoid it like the plague and pretend the anime community is all a ray of positivity with nothing toxic in sight.
First time doing cosplay kinda nervous pic.twitter.com/RE3MrUYYzl
— ✞Xylochi✞ (@Vaelniel_) November 23, 2019
A prominent example was a black cosplayer who started cosplaying for the first time as Nezuko Kamado (Demon Slayer).
Hours after doing her first cosplay, you can already guess what happened.
These Tweets highlight everything:
So that amazing black Nezuko cosplayer (which was her very 1st time cosplaying btw) had to lock down her Twitter because of racist assholes. Whenever we speak up about the discrimination in the cosplay community, yall say that it doesn’t exist and try to silence us. (1/9)
— Megu 8/13 (@Stardust_Megu) November 25, 2019
Racism is unfortunately pretty common in the cosplay community (both in your face and subtle) and especially towards black cosplayers (and even worse if they’re my shade or darker). Sure we can “ignore it”, but that’s a super tone deaf advise when it’s in our face 24/7. (2/9)
— Megu 8/13 (@Stardust_Megu) November 25, 2019
As pointed out – at the time, the first time cosplayer had to lock down her Twitter account because of the toxic comments and racism.
This incident was back in November 2019, but it still goes on to this day and always has.
me vs animated me pic.twitter.com/0Z9cpNiTnX
— goku (@litdesu) June 29, 2020
In June 2020, during the lockdown that we’re still in, another black cosplayer came out and did a cosplay of Rin Tohsaka (Fate Stay Night).
She even said in her second Tweet “this is my first cosplay, go easy on me”.
And then came the racism and prejudice comments
You do realize that you black right?
— 6lack Rae (@6lack9old) June 30, 2020
man i love being black pic.twitter.com/RN9rTphdqX
— goku (@litdesu) July 2, 2020
I’m not gonna read out or write out the messages. You can do that yourself, it’s there in black and white.
The Insider is the only site (or source with clout) that covered this.
Everyone else stayed quiet as a mouse. The same people who say they “love” and support the anime community. And the same one’s who work within the industry, ironically.
Black Anime Cosplayers still dealing with it in August 2020
watching white cosplayers get praised for wearing 3c/type 4 wigs to “spice up” their characters when black cosplayers are constantly told they’re not canon bc they wear their natural hair…..fucking hate all of u racist bitches
— danganronpa talent poll! (@costtaconcordia) August 8, 2020
it’s actually 2020 are yall still telling black people they can’t cosplay anime characters…GIRL THEY AINT WHITE EITHER????
— lola (@matsuokacult) August 12, 2020
“u cant cosplay this character they’re not black”
“there ARE black characters to cosplay!! u shouldn’t cosplay the japanese ones!”
yeah and there are white cosplayers too but yall dont say they can ONLY cosplay ash or victor? just say u hate black people and go. racist mf..
— mari Ψ (@akechisgf) August 13, 2020
A black girl even says she’s “intimidated” by the idea of cosplaying
This is genuinely one of the reasons why I don’t go through with any of my cosplay…It’s intimidating thinking that you’ll invest
money in an outfit and take pictures and make videos just for someone to come out and say its wrong for me to cosplay because I’m black…— Kly Loves Aoba Johsai✨ (@klynxmi) August 12, 2020
That’s how bad it is in the anime cosplay community. Women are terrified to cosplay because of the hatred, racism and backlash that comes with it.
A reality that doesn’t exist when the shoe is on the other foot.
Ending this post with a positve message
LEAVE BLACK COSPLAYERS TF ALONE!!! Ty have a nice day pic.twitter.com/5MBooxpB52
— (@ChildishEYHU) August 13, 2020
What’s tolerated in life is also what’s promoted. That’s especially true in society.
As long as this bullsh*t continues to go ignored, no one calls out this behavior in large numbers, or racists are “let off the hook”, this is the reality black anime cospayers can expect going forward.
This will (and is) true for anyone who isn’t a western native seeing as that’s where 90% of the racism stems from.
Regardless though, if you’re a cosplayer, do what the F you want and don’t let the haters scare you into not doing it out of fear.
Own your happiness and don’t allow anyone to control it.
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