Why Do Anime Characters Look White – The short answer is: anime characters appear to be different nationalities depending on who's watching. According to Abagond, "For them to think it is a woman I have to add a dress or long hair; for Asian, I have to add slanted eyes; for black, I add kinky hair or brown skin.

Why do some anime characters appear to be white rather than Japanese, despite the fact that the anime was created in Japan? Similarly, anime characters aren't meant to be white. Putting all the irrational bullsh*t and agenda-driven comments aside, there are some good points on both.

Putting all the irrational bullsh*t and agenda-driven comments aside, there are some good points on both.

Red and blonde hair and green eyes aren't put in anime to be "white features". In this article, Julian Abagond explains this in detail. Similarly, anime characters aren't meant to be white. The same is true for everyone: anime characters look Japanese to Japanese people.

Which is how anime has come to characterize foreigners. The Japanese say they look Japanese. The Japanese see anime characters as being Japanese.