NFLX0.15% (988.25)
COKE0.25% (1387.5)
MRNA0.15% (33.87)
ETH/USD0.01% (2523.83)
LTC/USD0% (116.27)
DOGE/USD0.03% (0.21)
BTC/USD0.05% (92448.8)
ZM0.23% (81.05)
SPOT0.03% (601.49)
AMC0.3% (3.36)
SHOP0% (115.48)
GME0.11% (25.02)
NFLX0.15% (988.25)
COKE0.25% (1387.5)
MRNA0.15% (33.87)
ETH/USD0.01% (2523.83)
LTC/USD0% (116.27)
DOGE/USD0.03% (0.21)
BTC/USD0.05% (92448.8)
ZM0.23% (81.05)
SPOT0.03% (601.49)
AMC0.3% (3.36)
SHOP0% (115.48)
GME0.11% (25.02)

Showing 17 results for:

anime

All results

17
Black Creator LeSean Thomas Lands His Anime Series Starring LaKeith Stanfield On Netflix

A Black-led anime series starring Oscar-nominated actor LaKeith Stanfield is making its way to Netflix this week. Netflix’s “Yasuke,” which tells the legendary story of the first Black samurai in feudal Japan, follows the titular character — voiced by Stanfield — as he navigates life following his violent past, until he is tasked with bringing a mysterious child who’s wanted by dark forces back to safety. According to Complex, the series is inspired by real-life samurai Yasuke, who many believe to have traveled from Africa to Japan back in 1579. In an interview with the outlet, the series’ creator LeSean Thomas — credited for animated series such as “Boondocks” and “Black Dynamite” — detailed his sentiments about creating and leading the charge for this revolutionary project. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Netflix “There is a serendipitous nature about this project, how an African-American man goes to Japan to live and work amongst the very best in Japanese anime to create an anime about...

Apr 27, 2021

Voice Actors Anairis Quiñones and Zeno Robinson are Helping Redefine Blackness in Anime

Black people have always loved anime, whether their fandom began with “Sailor Moon” and “Pokémon” or they cut their teeth on “Naruto” and “Dragon Ball Z.” But much like other creative mediums, the relationship between the Japanese animation medium and its Black characters has been one in need of more accurate and diverse representation. Over the years, award-winning Funimation voice actors Anairis Quiñones and Zeno Robinson — best known for their roles as Mirko and Hawks in “My Hero Academia”— have seen more progression in anime away from its problematic beginnings. “‘Cyborg 009’is a legendary series from the ’80s, and its character Pynuma’s portrayal from the ’80s till now has drastically changed,” said Robinson, who has studied under greats like Phil LaMarr, Ginny McSwain, and Tony Oliver. “His first portrayal had big lips and exaggerated features, but as time progressed, his character design changed to look more like an actual human being. It’s a testament to the times.” Quiñones...

Feb 24, 2021

Idris & Sabrina Elba Ink Crunchyroll Deal to Executive Produce Afro-Futuristic Sci-fi Anime Series

Talk about a dynamic duo! Idris and Sabrina Elba are set to executive produce a new animated series for Crunchyroll — the global anime-streaming service that will soon be sold to Sony’s Funimation group, Variety reports. The working title “Dantai” is the couple’s first anime title set to be produced through Sabrina’s Pink Towel Pictures and her hubby’s Green Door Pictures. According to Crunchyroll, “Dantai” is an Afro-futuristic sci-fi series set in a city where an ever-widening gap between the haves and the have-nots is the result of a rise in biotechnology. “We’re really excited to be announcing this deal on our first anime,” said the Elbas in a statement, according to Variety. “We’re both fans of the genre and see a huge opportunity to create something unique for a powerhouse like Crunchyroll. The story of ‘Dantai’ is our first collaboration as producers together and is one that is close to our hearts.” Per Variety, the Sony group agreed to acquire Crunchyroll from AT&T’s...

Feb 4, 2021

D’ART Shtajio is Japan's First Major Anime Studio Owned by Black Animators

Black creators are versatile in every way both inside and outside of traditional Black culture. Two Black background artists, Arthell and Darnell Isom, alongside animator Henry Thurlow, founded D’ART Shtajio — a 2-D animation studio in Tokyo — making it the “first major anime studio created by Black animators” in Japan, CBR reports . The three animators created their studio infusing American culture with Japanese anime, and in the process have worked on some huge anime projects. According to CBR, prior to opening the studio, Arthell Isom worked under animation studio Ogura Kobo as a background animator on shows such as “Bleach,” “Gintama,” “Black Butler,” “Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine and Naruto.” He also worked with his mentor, Hiromasa Ogura, known for being a background animator on “Ninja Scroll” and “Ghost in the Shell.” Thurlow worked as an in-between animator and key animator previously, but always expressed his frustrations never having his creative input taken...

Jun 10, 2020

Seko Varner Launches The Hampton Roads Greenbook, A Website And App Featuring An Array Of Black-Owned Businesses

Publisher Seko Varner is making connecting with Black-owned businesses in the Hampton Roads area easier than ever. Varner, a multifaceted leader who serves as president and financial consultant for the entertainment and consulting company Positive Vibes Inc., has introduced The Hampton Roads Greenbook, a directory that spotlights and supports Black-owned businesses in the region. The Hampton Roads Greenbook was inspired by Victor Hugo Green’s Negro Travelers’ Green Book. Green, a postal carrier in Harlem, originally created the guide to help Black travelers navigate safely during segregation. Green’s original guide served as a crucial resource for Black travelers during the Jim Crow era, listing businesses, restaurants , gas stations, and lodging where individuals could safely stop without facing discrimination, the National Park Service reports. It remained widely used until the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed “discrimination on the basis of race, color,...

Feb 3, 2025

From a Hot Girl Summer to a Grind Girl All Year Round for Megan thee Stallion

It’s not your imagination. Hot Girl Summer has turned into Grind Girl Summer for Megan “Megan Thee Stallion” Pete in the past few years. The Houston, Texas native has been on her grind and popping up everywhere, including introducing her “Hottie Sauce” in 2021 on First We Feast’s “Hot Ones” and sharing her Amazon Prime Day favorites in July of this year. Listed in Forbes “30 Under 30” in 2023, the 29-year-old reportedly made a guesstimated $13 million in 2022 from a combination of royalties, ticket sales, endorsements and merchandise. Clearly, this femcee is looking to be known for more than just music. Here are more details about her latest ventures and Megan Thee Stallion’s net worth. Popeye’s Partners With Megan Thee Stallion In 2021, the popular chicken franchise and the southern rapper created a chicken nugget and crispy chicken sandwich dipping sauce. (If you were around for the chicken war , you know about Popeye’s fried chicken sandwich already.) Even if you can’t get ahold...

Sep 13, 2024

How Coco Gauff Is Maintaining Her Growing Net Worth While Enjoying The Fruits Of Her Labor Thanks To Financial Advice From Her Father

Black Girl Magic is real, and Coco Gauff is evidence of this phenomenon. Born in 2004, Cori Dionne “Coco” Gauff is an American tennis player who comes from an athletic family. According to PEOPLE, her parents, Corey and Candi, were on the road to becoming professional athletes as well. Gauff’s dad, Corey, played college basketball at Georgia State University, while Candi was an accomplished track and field star at Florida State University. Though the two don’t take full credit for Gauff’s athletic prowess, they acknowledge that their own experiences as athletes provided a solid foundation for understanding the dedication and discipline required to perform at a high level. Their support and guidance have been instrumental in creating the atmosphere for her to succeed. “I think it helps parents when they have played as high as college or even pro,” Gauff’s father told The New York Times in 2019. “You better understand the process and so you don’t get too jittery about it. You don’t...

Jul 11, 2024

Founder Jason B. Ryan Aims To Champion Diverse Characters Through His Media Company Odd Ninja

Jason B. Ryan was often infatuated with the anime and comic world long before he decided to venture into the industry. Courtesy Photo

Oct 28, 2022

Kadeem Hardison Recalls His Mom Saying He Taught Her The Power Of 'No' — 'You Knew Your Worth And Wouldn't Go In And Take Less Than This'

The term “blerd” refers to the Black nerd. From anime culture to the infatuation with shows like “Game of Thrones,” the uptick of Black people being involved in and profoundly supporting what is considered “nerd culture” is growing. And because none of this is particularly new, many can pinpoint the fictional character “Dwayne Wayne” of “A Different World” as the 90s blerd of the decade. Kadeem Hardison is the man behind it all. From the flip-up glasses to the fascination with technology, Hardison’s character gave representation to those who may not have seen themselves on screen often. His ability to act out the range of nuances Hardison’s character represents made the opportunity to find a deeper community at an HBCU even more appealing. Another significant facet of “Dwayne Wayne” was his on-screen romance with “Whitely Gilbert,” portrayed by Jasmine Guy. Their love story is often termed as relationship goals, and no matter what you think about them in that regard, their on-air...

Sep 27, 2022

This Married Couple Is Behind A First-Of-Its-Kind Black-Owned Animation Network

The world of animation doesn’t have much color, and this couple is on a mission to change that. Jermaine and Whaketa Hargrove are making history with a first-of-it’s-kind Black-owned animation network, The Animation TV Network, per a report from ESSENCE. “We are using Animation TV and exclusive content to bring awareness to the lack of diversity and inclusion in the animation industry,” said Jermaine in an official news release. “By offering distribution to global animation creators, we will amplify the voices that sometimes go unheard. Structuring a theatrical partnership with a major film Studio for some of our stronger animation IP’s is also a goal of Animation TV. We are currently looking to finance, develop and distribute all forms of animation content(2D/3D) from creators all over the world.”

May 16, 2022

Keenan Kelley's For The Culture NFT Project Was Designed Specifically With The African Diaspora In Mind

A Black developer has crafted a project intended for the culture! Keenan Kelley is the founder of For The Culture, created to encourage the Black community to take root in the ever-growing world of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and take back ownership of their traditions. Kelley was compelled to release the collection after recognizing there were very few Black pioneers in the Web3 space. “When I came into the space last year, I did not see a lot of representation from us. Not only do we not have as many artists and developers building out these projects, [but I also] noticed that there was a lot of cultural appropriation and undertones of racism in some of these projects that were coming out because there was a lack of Black representation,” Kelley told AfroTech. Kelley is now creating a pathway to diversify the NFT space and the founder encourages more Black creators to control their narratives on the blockchain. For The Culture honors Kelley’s stance through its 2,021 unique profile...

Apr 18, 2022

How One Streamer Uses His Passion For Video Games To Raise Money For Sickle Cell

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited red blood cell disorder in which there aren’t enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen through your body. A person inflicted with the disease has red blood cells that are shaped like sickles, instead of the round shape that healthy cells have. Treatment options are different for anyone living with sickle cell, and for many patients, there is no viable cure. African Americans are at a relatively high risk of having the disease, with 1 in 13 babies being born with sickle cell. We sat down with a streamer named Ryan who is using his passion for gaming to help raise money to advocate for people affected by sickle cell conditions! Streamer Beginnings Two Average Gamers: How’d you get into streaming? Ryan: I was introduced to it by a friend. After watching her stream, it looked really cool and she recommended that I try it out. I started out really simple with the Twitch app on my Xbox One and have continued to improve my setup since then. TAG: Why...

May 14, 2021

Award-Winning Journalist Sunny Hostin To Launch Production Company Focused On Inclusivity

Sunny Hostin, a legal analyst best known for her co-hosting duties on “The View,” has announced that she’s launched a social justice-focused production company. Variety exclusively broke the story, and they revealed that the company — Roots & Wings Productions — will “spotlight characters neglected by Hollywood.” Roots & Wings will produce both films and television shows, and their stories will focus on social justice issues currently at the center of news stories in the United States. “I want to make sure that someone watches and knows that seeing an Afro Latina journalist on screen is a possibility,” Hostin told Variety. “I’m humbled to have the backing of a company like Disney. We’re going to create really intentional premium and diverse content together that centers on women and people of color, as well as people in the LGBTQ+ community — stories that I think, will be fresh and that you haven’t seen before.” Sunny Hostin also confirmed that the first production up for proffer by...

How Edu-tainment Startup Kukua Normalizes African Superheroes In Cartoons With 'Super Sema'

When it was announced that Oscar-winning actress Lupita N’yongo would be teaming up with edu-tainment startup Kukua to serve as an executive producer of a new animated series, it didn’t take long for the news wires to light up with excitement. But according to the company’s chief operating officer, Vanessa Ford, the partnership with the “Black Panther” starlet was a natural one. “Lupita, as you may know — she’s a big vision type of a person,” she told AfroTech. “And initially, when we pitched her the idea, we thought she’d only be interested in getting involved on a surface level. But, you know, she was so in love with the idea of “Super Sema” that she asked to become a shareholder of the company, and it grew from there.” Billed as “Africa’s first kid superhero series,” “Super Sema” follows the adventures of the titular Sema and her brother, MB, who use their “tech-novating” powers to save their town of Dunia from a heartless robot uber-villain. From their “Secret Lab,” they code...

South Africa's First Woman-Led Animation Studio Gears Up For First Release

Black women are continuing to create solutions to problems that have nearly been ingrained into society. One of the latest to do so is Thandiwe MIauli, founder and CEO of Studio Yezi, a South African development and animation studio on a mission to challenge Hollywood’s models of animation. According to their website, the name is inspired by the isiZulu word “inkanyezi” which means “Star.” Thus the company aims to be a “symbol of hope and light [and] serve the world with our storytelling.” She tells IOL News she feels the current landscape of the South African animation world does not accurately represent its audience. As a teenager, she fell in love with Japanese animation and “wanted something to connect her to [the characters].” “Black people have been fans of fantasy, superhero, comic-book inspired stories,” she said. “And yet writers seem to forget us when they create.” MIauli decided to create a whimsical fantasy adventure animation titled “SOLA” starring a brown-skinned, afro...

Aug 20, 2020

Download the AfroTech App