One-Punch Man season 2 has been thrilling fans with its expanding world and cast of characters, as well as the series’ trademark mix of epic action and satirical humor. In fact, after all of the early doubt from fans about whether or not One-Punch Man season 2 could live up to season 1, this acclaim for this new season is a major victory.
However, One-Punch Man season 2 is now taking a big hit, after episode 22 debut a new hero named Blackluster – a character that many fans see as yet another racist caricature within the not-so-honorable tradition of anime’s depiction of people of color.
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Scroll below to get a sample of the backlash from One-Punch Man fans, regarding Blackluster’s anime debut:
It’s Offensive
Ayo WTF is up with this BlackLuster character on #OnePunchMan ??? C’mon we still drawing black anime characters like this ๐ pic.twitter.com/sqTvdMyc7a
โ ๏พถ๏พถ2ใบ ๏ฝฒใไน ๅฐบoๅ๏พๅ ใญใใณ (@MM2K) June 18, 2019
Slightly offended by certain anime illustrators and their portrayal of โblackโ characters… One Punch Man was straight disrespectful with this Blackluster guy smh….
โ BrooklynShinobi (@BKShinobi) June 18, 2019
Blackluster is racist looking #OnePunchMan
โ Photo Refugee (@Iycephoto) June 19, 2019
Theseย tweets pretty much lays out the hurt feelings of a lot ofย One-Punch Manย fans, right now. Blacklusterย isn’t going over too well with just about anyone.ย
Anime’s Fault
JC Staff did some terrible contrast lighting on Blackluster. ๐ฑ #OnePunchMan episode 22 #OPM pic.twitter.com/QQLZntzig9
โ Robert (@DemiFiendRSA) June 19, 2019
Here’s how Blackluster looks like in season 1 and the manga to compare. #OnePunchMan episode 22 #OPM pic.twitter.com/D2y9sNDUZr
โ Robert (@DemiFiendRSA) June 19, 2019
This fan makes the case that this arguably racist depiction of Blacklusterย is unique to the animeย only, as theย One-Punch Manย mangaย seemed much more genuine in its approach to drawing a black character. J.C. Staff’s character design and lighting for the animeย looks like it stepped right out of a 1930s blackflaceย cartoon.ย
Let’s Do Better
I love anime. I really do……but what I donโt like are black bodybuilding ass characters with big lips named โBlacklusterโ. Do better, One Punch Man.
โ Profession Snarfblatt Player (@HeyDeeDeeSweets) June 18, 2019
Seriously, theย One-Punch Manย animeย staff may need to reconsider just how popular the animeย is now. The diversity of the fanbaseย is widespread, with many people of color loving the saga of Saitama. Just something to keep in mind.ย
Anime So Racist
God damn Anime can be so racist towards black ppl ๐๐๐
โ Papรญ Chulo (@Whosivan) June 19, 2019
*really racist. Makes them the darkest shade of black nearly every time ๐คฆโโ๏ธ
โ Raulvioli (@Human951) June 19, 2019
Longtimeย animeย fans (especially black fans) are not all that surprised to see this kind of offensive portrayal of blackness. After all, is pretty much par for the course when it comes to the genre.ย
Blackface
iโm sorry, but are we not gonna talk about how blackluster in the new one punch man is literally black face?
โ autumn (@Couronneange) June 18, 2019
Don’t even get me started on the lips…
โ Papรญ Chulo (@Whosivan) June 19, 2019
For a lot of black fans, this depiction of Blacklusterย stirs up some very unpleasant memories of blackface.ย
Is It 2019?
Itโs 2019. There should not be a character called “Blackluster” or that looks like that. What the actual hell ia this? #OnePunchMan
โ Charles Jay (@CharlesFromWork) June 19, 2019
Yep, we’re still dealing with this in 2019 – in real life, in animeย – everywhere, apparently.ย
Where’s the Outrage?
I’m surprised I haven’t seen a news tit along the lines of, “People enraged by the racist character, Blackluster, in the popular anime, “One Punch Man”” or something like that.
โ Psydux๐ป๐ฆ (@Psyduck_Seth) June 19, 2019
No worries, my man. We’re working on it! Spotlight on outrage over animeย racism, coming soon!
ONE
One punch man realy name the only black character โBlacklusterโ lmfaooo. And he got them jumbo lips
โ big baller bahamian (@Pxaul) June 18, 2019
One-Punch Manย has literally just one black character – and this is what they do with him.ย
DONE.
One Punch Man can kick rocks forever. This season was already trash. This Blackluster bit was the turd icing on the shit cake.
โ Charles Jay (@CharlesFromWork) June 19, 2019
For some fans, this is the final straw that breaks their fandom. But then, that’s the risk of presenting these kinds of questionable characters, in this day and age.ย
One-Punch Manย Season 2 is now streaming on Hulu, and on Crunchyroll outside of the United States. The season is directed by Chikara Sakurai (Naruto Shippudenepisode director), for new production studio J.C. Staff. Yoshikazu Iwanami serves as sound director, and Chikashi Kubota contributes new character designs. The second season will run for 12 episodes, and Viz Media has licensed the season for an English release.
