Embrace Authenticity: A New Voice for Black Characters in Anime

A Highly Anticipated Debut: Gachiakuta's Promising Start

As one of the most eagerly awaited anime releases this season, 'Gachiakuta' has so far lived up to the high expectations set for it. However, what truly caught audiences by surprise was the impeccable casting of Kenneisha Thompson for Semiu's English dub, a decision that has been widely celebrated for its perfect resonance with the character.

Introducing Semiu: The Heart of Cleaner HQ

Episode 4, titled 'Cleaner HQ' and released on August 3rd, marked the official introduction of Semiu, voiced by Kenneisha Thompson. Semiu, a receptionist at Janitor Headquarters, also serves as a 'Sponsor Giver,' tasked with evaluating potential recruits before their official induction. Givers are individuals who harness mysterious energy from the toxic surface world, using specialized instruments to combat 'Trash Beasts' and neutralize criminal elements residing there. Semiu embodies efficiency, confidence, and professionalism, making her a beloved character in the manga known for her direct approach. Her dedication to her role is unwavering; she's consistently at the Cleaners' desk at dawn and promptly responds to every call.

Breaking Stereotypes: Semiu's Authentic Representation

In the world of anime, characters with dark skin are frequently lightened or presented as merely 'tan.' Semiu, however, is unequivocally portrayed as a Black woman, a fact further solidified by her voice actress's delivery. Black characters in anime and video games often fall into the trap of being either overly stereotypical or whitewashed, stripping them of any genuine cultural essence. Historically, characters like Usopp from 'One Piece' began with darker complexions that gradually lightened, while prominent tanned figures such as Yoruichi from 'Bleach' are often associated with feline attributes rather than distinct Black features. Yet, Thompson masterfully delivers a Black anime character who genuinely sounds and acts like a Black person. The authenticity shines through her vocal cadence and specific word pronunciations. Moreover, Thompson flawlessly conveys the alluring tones fans had envisioned for Semiu.

Acknowledging Neglected Details: The Nuance of Character Design

A subtle yet significant detail that often goes overlooked by animators when creating Black characters is the accurate coloring of their palms. 'Gachiakuta' impressively gets this right with Semiu, further cementing its commitment to genuine representation.

Overwhelming Praise: Fan and Creator Reactions

The positive reception to Semiu's anime debut has been overwhelming. One social media user enthusiastically remarked, 'Just remember Gachiakuta has a canon lesbian who’s Black and she’s also the coolest character in the series.' Another viewer wrote, 'Kenneisha Thompson's (@/KenneishaT) VA performance of Semiu in the Gachiakuta English dub is PHENOMENAL. She deserves all the flowers for both bringing the character to life, and making the line delivery feel so natural. I'm gonna have to watch this series in both dubs now…' A third fan confirmed the sentiment, stating, 'Anime rarely ever gets black/darker skinned characteristics right. And a lot of the time end up doing pretty racist and annoying stereotypes. They're also saying here that her design is good. Which it is, Semiu is the GOAT.' The outpouring of praise even prompted Thompson to respond on X, expressing her gratitude: 'WOOOOWWW!! Y’all really know how to make a Sistah feel special. Thanks for all of the love.' Even the official Crunchyroll account recognized the appreciation, posting a tribute to Semiu.

From Manga to Screen: The Genesis of Gachiakuta

The anime series is an adaptation of Kei Urana's 'Gachiakuta' manga, which has been serialized in Kodansha's 'Weekly Shonen Magazine' since 2022. This marks Urana’s first complete series following her earlier one-shots, 'Nokase' (2018) and 'Shikido' (2019). This year, Bones Films, the studio behind 'Vigilante: My Hero Academia ILLEGALS,' brings the story to life as an anime. With the series still in its early stages, now is an excellent opportunity for new viewers to dive in and experience it.