Charles

Honestly, finding people like Alfred and David really opened my eyes to the fact that we don't have a lot of research or at least don't put a lot of stake into the importance of Black fandom.

especially as it pertains to things like anime and how Black people's perception of it, how Black people receive it, sort of shape the ways in which they think about their identity in relation to each other, but also the wider world. But when you go outside the norm, you know, there's always going to be a little friction.

especially as it pertains to things like anime and how Black people's perception of it, how Black people receive it, sort of shape the ways in which they think about their identity in relation to each other, but also the wider world. But when you go outside the norm, you know, there's always going to be a little friction.

especially as it pertains to things like anime and how Black people's perception of it, how Black people receive it, sort of shape the ways in which they think about their identity in relation to each other, but also the wider world. But when you go outside the norm, you know, there's always going to be a little friction.

And we heard that from Black fans at Anime NYC as well.

And we heard that from Black fans at Anime NYC as well.

And we heard that from Black fans at Anime NYC as well.

Oh, 100%. This is not an anime is the cure to Western media's racism take at all. But if we are going to talk about racism in anime, I think I have to bring up an example. We have mentioned Dragon Ball Z already, but... Oh, I think I know where this is going. Do you know Mr. Popo? Uh-huh. Brittany, would you mind describing Mr. Popo to our listeners?

Oh, 100%. This is not an anime is the cure to Western media's racism take at all. But if we are going to talk about racism in anime, I think I have to bring up an example. We have mentioned Dragon Ball Z already, but... Oh, I think I know where this is going. Do you know Mr. Popo? Uh-huh. Brittany, would you mind describing Mr. Popo to our listeners?

Oh, 100%. This is not an anime is the cure to Western media's racism take at all. But if we are going to talk about racism in anime, I think I have to bring up an example. We have mentioned Dragon Ball Z already, but... Oh, I think I know where this is going. Do you know Mr. Popo? Uh-huh. Brittany, would you mind describing Mr. Popo to our listeners?

Listen, Mr. Popo has been the center of a lot of controversy and rightfully so. But David had an interesting take on Mr. Popo I had never heard before.

Listen, Mr. Popo has been the center of a lot of controversy and rightfully so. But David had an interesting take on Mr. Popo I had never heard before.

Listen, Mr. Popo has been the center of a lot of controversy and rightfully so. But David had an interesting take on Mr. Popo I had never heard before.

Wait, so- Mr. Popo isn't meant to be Black? Listen, I don't know what Mr. Popo is, except very strange. But based on Dragon Ball Z lore, he is a genie. But David had an interesting idea about how Mr. Popo's depiction may be more complicated than we thought.

Wait, so- Mr. Popo isn't meant to be Black? Listen, I don't know what Mr. Popo is, except very strange. But based on Dragon Ball Z lore, he is a genie. But David had an interesting idea about how Mr. Popo's depiction may be more complicated than we thought.

Wait, so- Mr. Popo isn't meant to be Black? Listen, I don't know what Mr. Popo is, except very strange. But based on Dragon Ball Z lore, he is a genie. But David had an interesting idea about how Mr. Popo's depiction may be more complicated than we thought.

Let me be very clear here and say that this debate doesn't negate the fact that Mr. Popo still is offensive to people. Like, this is not a get out of jail card. No, absolutely not.

Let me be very clear here and say that this debate doesn't negate the fact that Mr. Popo still is offensive to people. Like, this is not a get out of jail card. No, absolutely not.

Let me be very clear here and say that this debate doesn't negate the fact that Mr. Popo still is offensive to people. Like, this is not a get out of jail card. No, absolutely not.

But I do think David's point does, I guess, not add a wrinkle to Black fandom, but it does make it important to realize sort of your position as a fan when you engage with these things.