Aran Ojiro News Today

Kambole Campbell reflects on what feels fresh — and what doesn't — in Netflix's new series about a Black samurai.

Japan’s tennis champion Naomi Osaka, who is biracial, was depicted in early cartoon representations with white skin and light-colored hair, causing an uproar from Japan to Australia. But now, with a new comic that celebrates her exploits – and better portrays her features – Ms. Osaka joins the crowded pantheon of strong female characters and a small but growing gallery of Black characters in Japanese manga. Creators of manga, and its movie counterpart anime, have all too often relied on ...