The growing trend of race-swapping in anime has sparked heated debates within fandoms, and Dandadan has found itself caught in the middle of this controversy. A fanart depicting the main characters Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura as Black has ignited a fierce backlash from some fans, while others have rallied in support. What was meant as an artistic reimagination has turned into a battleground over race and representation in media, particularly within the global anime community.
The fanart, which reimagined Momo and Okarun as Black characters, faced significant criticism from some quarters, with detractors accusing it of “blackwashing.” This controversy deepened when A.J. Beckles and Kari Wahlgren, the voice actors for Momo and Okarun, publicly voiced their support for the artist behind the fanart, Lynn Thorex. While the voice actors’ solidarity was meant to encourage inclusivity and respect for the artist’s intentions, Beckles’ outspoken stance sparked further outrage and even racial slurs, leading to the deletion of his social media account.
The issue of race-swapping has been contentious in the wider media for years, but anime has become a focal point for debates over representation. While many have embraced the idea of reimagining popular characters in diverse ways, others feel that these changes undermine the authenticity of the original works. The Dandadan fanart controversy underscores the complexities of this issue, particularly when it involves characters from cultures that are already underrepresented in mainstream media.
Dandadan’s Race-Swapping Controversy: A Fanart Sparks Debate on Blackwashing and Hypocrisy in the Anime Community
The fanart that reimagined Momo and Okarun as Black characters was meant to celebrate diversity and promote the visibility of Black representation in anime. However, some anime fans, particularly those of Japanese descent, viewed the reimagining as an appropriation of their cultural heritage. The term “blackwashing” was used to describe the fanart’s transformation of the characters, further fueling the divide between fans who supported the artwork and those who felt it misrepresented the original characters.
The controversy highlights a growing hypocrisy in the debate surrounding race-swapping. On one hand, many fans and creators have criticized the casting of white actors in roles originally meant for people of color (PoC), but the same level of support or acceptance is not always extended to Black or Asian reimaginings of characters. In the case of Dandadan, some critics of the fanart argued that such reimaginings would be unacceptable if it involved the opposite—recasting Black characters as white—pointing to what they perceive as a double standard in how race-swapping is handled.
This contradiction underscores a larger issue within fandoms: while race-swapping is often celebrated when it adds diversity to predominantly white media, it can quickly become a source of contention when it challenges the racial identities of characters from marginalized groups. In many ways, the Dandadan controversy reveals the tensions between those advocating for more diverse and inclusive media and those who feel that such changes undermine the integrity of original works.
Beyond the racial debate, the situation has also drawn attention to the darker side of fandom culture—cyber abuse. Beckles, in particular, was subjected to online harassment after voicing his support for the fanart. Racial slurs were hurled at him, and his online presence became the target of toxic commentary. This abuse led Beckles to delete his social media account, a move that only fueled the anger of his critics.
The reactions to the fanart, both in support and against it, have brought the complexities of online fandoms to light. What started as an artistic tribute to Black representation in anime became entangled in the politics of race, with both sides using the issue as a platform for deeper ideological battles. In the process, the true purpose of the fanart—as a tribute to diversity—was overshadowed by the divisive rhetoric and cyber abuse.
The Dandadan fanart controversy highlights the challenges of navigating race, representation, and respect in anime fandoms. While reimagining characters as Black or Asian can serve to promote diversity and inclusion, it also brings to the forefront complex questions about cultural appropriation, authenticity, and the importance of understanding context.
The heated debate surrounding the fanart serves as a reminder that while the desire for inclusivity is important, it must be balanced with a respectful understanding of the original work and its cultural significance. As fandoms continue to grapple with these issues, the conversation surrounding race-swapping in anime will likely remain a contentious topic for years to come.
