Black Women/WoC in Japanese Anime and Manga II
Since I last posted the first piece in this series, I must admit that I've gained a bit of a deeper appreciation for anime (although I still hate the exaggerated cleavages and ridiculously short skirts on many of the female characters). I'm already into the second season of Bleach, and although Yorouichi has yet to reveal herself in her human form, I'm really enjoying the journey so far. The story is compelling, surprisingly funny, and the fight scenes are fifty kinds of awesome.
And as an aside, I can see why the fandom ships Yorouichi with ex-Soul Reaper Urahara--he's one bad mofo. (If I thought I could write a decent fic about them, I'd certainly give it a try.)
But I digress...here we go...
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Character: Claudia Grant
Anime: Robotech
History: As the SDF-1’s Chief Communications Officer, Claudia Grant bears a great many responsibilities aboard the SDF-1. In addition to facilitating the interaction between the some 15,000 crewmembers aboard the battlefortress, it’s Claudia’s responsibility to coordinate the various departments that keep operations running smoothly throughout the immense ship. (more: Robotech)
Fun Facts:
~ Robotech is an American adaption of three different Japanese anime: The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, The Super Dimension Calvary Southern Cross and Genesis Climber Mospeada.
~ In Macross, her name was Claudia LaSalle.
~ Claudia was romantically involved with pilot Roy Fokker (Roy Focker in Macross) until his death from wounds he sustained during combat.
Character: Judia
Anime: Ragnarok the Animation
History: A hunter who has developed a relationship with Iruga. At first, Judia (ジュディア, voiced by Minako Arakawa) is a terrible hunter, but after a chance encounter with Iruga, she improves a great deal. She has incredible skills with her bow by the time of the anime.
She is also apparently able to read tarot cards like a Minstrel or Gypsy. She falls in love with Iruga and comes to understand what he's trying to do in fighting Keough as he is. When she teams up with Roan's group, she gets jealous after Yuufa holds his hand and keeps calling him "Brother Iruga". By the end of the anime, she has Iruga's child which was the product of giving her life force to Iruga when he was injured with a sword which is enchanted with poison (can be seen in the end of episode 17 and the beginning of episode 18). (source: Wikipedia)
Fun Facts:
~ Judia's skills: Double Strafing; Arrow Shower; Charge Arrow; and Blitz Beat.
~ The series only ran from April 6, 2004 - September 28, 2004 (26 episodes).
Character: April
Anime: Darker than Black
History: Not much is known about her background, but it is safe to assume that she has been working with November 11* and July* for a while, due to the fact that they seem to know each other well and work flawlessly as a team.
She has the ability to create localized hurricane weather conditions. This including high velocity winds and large amounts of precipitation. She can focus the ability with fine manipulation. This ability matches up perfectly with November 11's as it coats everything in water that November 11 in turn can freezes. The two of them make a deadly combination, with the two of them using their power in conjunction to overpower an enemy. (more: Darker than Black Wiki)
*Fellow agents at MI6.
Fun Facts:
~ She works for the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6).
~ She is a Contractor, "individuals who have gained superhuman powers due to the appearance of the Hell's Gate and Heaven's Gate."
~ Contractors must "pay" for the use of their powers (remuneration or Obeisance). April's remuneration is her great fondness for alcohol, namely beer.
Character: Pirotess
Anime/Manga: Record of Lodoss War
History: Pirotess is a dark elven noble considered to be one of the more prominent figures in her people's society. Like most dark elves, she worships Fararis and calls the Forest of Darkness on Marmo island her home. She is the younger sister of Altas, a member of the quest of Rod of Dominatus, eventually cheated by the chief leader of all dark elves, the powerful Ruchiev, who had decided to recreate the kingdom of his kindred. Since she believed that the useless human Ashram should be the one to pay for her beloved brother's death, she joined the mission of killing the general of Dark Knighthood. (more: Wikipedia)
Fun Facts:
~ It was hinted that she and warrior Ashram were in love, though the two never openly admitted their feelings for one another. (The couple is shipped heavily within the fandom.)
~ She is skilled with a rapier and the use of magic.
Character: Nadia la Arwall
Anime: Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water
History: Nadia is a 14 year-old African circus performer of Kenyan descent. She is stubborn, short tempered and a strict vegetarian. After Jean rescues her from the Grandis Gang, she sets out on an adventure with him to determine the origin of the "Blue Water", the jewel that beckons the criminals to her.
The series centers around Nadia, a young girl of unknown origins, and Jean, a young French inventor. Early in the story, the two protagonists are chased by Grandis Granva, Sanson, and Hanson, a group of jewel thieves who pursue Nadia for the blue jeweled pendant she possesses. After being rescued by Captain Nemo and his submarine, the Super Sea Cruiser Nautilus, the jewel thieves and the young protagonists join forces and participate in the struggle against the Neo-Atlantean forces, who seek to dominate the world. (more: Wikipedia).
Fun Facts:
~ The anime was inspired by the works of author Jules Verne.
~ The show only ran from April 15, 1990 - March 16, 1991 (39 episodes).
To be continued...
*Cross-posted at The Blasian Narrative.