10 Best Animated Series With Black Protagonists (That Arent Anime)

10 Best Animated Series With Black Protagonists (That Aren’t Anime)

Shows like Static Shock and Proud Family have proven the popularity of animated shows featuring Black protagonists.

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There used to be a time when even reputed animation studios like Walt Disney and Hanna Barbara aired cartoons bearing stereotypically offensive caricatures of BIPOC.

Over the years, a more nuanced and accurate approach is being relied upon with Black characters starring in their own animated shows, ranging from children’s shows like The Proud Family and Doc McStuffins to edgier productions like Spawn and The Boondocks. From the 80s onwards, even prominent black celebrities have spawned their own cartoons, MC Hammer and Mister T being prominent examples in this regard.

10 Static Shock (2000-2004)

Created by iconic comic-book writer Dwayne McDuffie, Static Shock dealt with the teenage experiences and heroic exploits of the DC superhero known as Static who fights with his electromagnetic powers. 14-year-old Virgil Hawkins (Phil LaMarr) made for an instantly likable protagonist akin to other teenage protagonists in the genre like Spider-Man and Flash.

The show is also historic for being the first broadcast animation series to feature an African-American superhero. Static Shock ran for 4 seasons with an adult version of the character re-appearing in Justice League: Unlimited.

9 The PJs (1999-2004)

The adult stop-motion comedy The PJs depicts the life of inhabitants in the fictitious Hilton-Jacobs housing project. At the core of its narrative was Thurgood Stubbs, the hot-headed superintendent of the project. Eddie Murphy voiced Stubbs while also serving as the show’s creator and executive producer.

With a limited three-season run, The PJs was easily eclipsed with Eddie Murphy’s box-office hits in the early 2000s with voice roles in films like Mulan and Shrek. It makes for an underrated watch while also offering an early glimpse of Phil Morris’ voice-acting talents (who voiced Stubbs towards the final episodes). Morris later gained popularity with roles in Smallville and Doom Patrol.

8 Black Panther (2010)

The Wakandan king T’Challa aka Black Panther has had a stellar run in Marvel comics along with a monumental cinematic debut. However, before the 2018 film, he starred in his own six-part miniseries that largely went under the radar. A part of the Marvel Knights line of motion comics, Black Panther was produced by BET as a mature take on the hero’s story as he seeks to solve his father’s murder while making new enemies.

With Academy Award-nominee Djimon Hounsou voicing the titular hero, Black Panther offers an adrenaline-fueled binge that would serve as a break from the usual cliches of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

7 The Boondocks (2005-2014)

Racial relations and satire intertwine in this Adult Swim classic that was based on the comic strip of the same name. Regina King lends her voice for the rebellious Freeman brothers who move to a dominantly white neighborhood in Chicago. The culture clash that ensues forms the rest of the story.

With its anime-like animation style and socio-political commentary, The Boondocks easily stands out as a unique adult cartoon. At the same time, the show’s over-the-top humor has also drawn polarizing responses. Still, its legacy persists and The Boondocks has acquired the status of a modern cult classic.

6 Fillmore! (2002-2004)

Fillmore, unfortunately, had a very brief run but its popularity has increased despite its cancellation. A Disney production, Fillmore revolves around a seventh-grader called Cornelius C. Fillmore (Orlando Brown) who takes his responsibility as the school’s Safety Patrol a little too seriously. After gaining notoriety for crimes such as ‘back talking’ and ‘milk counterfeiting,’ he turns into a dedicated law enforcer to find a new purpose in life.

Given its preteen approach towards the law, each episode interestingly parodies a particular crime. These crimes can range from assassination attempts to chemical terrorism.

5 The Proud Family (2001-2005)

The Proud Family plays around family sitcom tropes in a delightfully fresh manner. Kyla Pratt plays the teenager Penny Proud who explores her teenage years while dealing with her supportive yet embarrassing family. The feel-good comedy aside, a stand-out element is also the show’s opening track, performed by Solange Knowles and Destiny’s Child.

Like many other short-lived Disney cartoons from the early 2000s, The Proud Family has had a cult following through reruns and streaming. In 2020, Disney+ even announced a revival that’s scheduled to release next year.

4 Black Dynamite (2012-2015)

The Michael Jai White-starring Black Dynamite was a flashy tribute to the blaxploitation cinema of the 1970s. This cultural influence is carried on in the follow-up series with Michael Jai White reprising the role of the titular CIA agent. The Adult Swim original dealt with the outrageous escapades of Black Dynamite and his partners.

Given the era in which it is set, the protagonist also encounters pop-culture icons like Michael Jackson, James Brown, Bob Marley, and Richard Pryor. If that wasn’t all, former American President Richard Nixon is his arch-enemy, who also appeared in the original film.

3 Doc McStuffins (2012-2020)

As Doc McStuffins’ demographic clearly comprises young children, the show’s eponymous lead made for a really calm and understanding role model. Dottie McStuffins aspires to be a pediatrician like her mother. Her passion for medicine drives her to become a doctor in her own imaginary world as she fixes toys and dolls.

For this purpose, Dottie uses a magical stethoscope that allows stuffed toys to interact with her and tell her about their health issues. Each 11-minute episode is filled with these childish medical games along with educational songs. By the final season, the ‘Doc’ forms a Pet Rescue Team of toys that help pets in need.

2 Mister T (1983)

With major roles in The A-Team and Rocky III, Mr. T became a cultural icon. It’s not just his acting but his entire persona and fashion sense (including a mohawk and gold jewelry) that contributed to his fandom. With his fame at its zenith in the 1980s, he even appeared in his own NBC animated series.

As was the norm with other Sunday cartoons, each episode was driven by a moral for children to emulate. Similarly, Mr. T played a gymnastic teacher embarking on global adventures with his students, teaching them life lessons on the way. Often seen as the archetype of a ‘tough guy’ it’s amusing to find Mr. T in the role of a caring mentor.

1 Todd McFarlane’s Spawn (1997-1999)

Todd McFarlane’s Spawn seems to be a trendsetter when it comes to comic book adaptations intended for mature audiences. Even though the series has its fair share of gory violence, the plot also benefits greatly from an introspective take on the then-formulaic superhero genre.

Once a merciless Marine, the late government assassin Al Simmons (Keith David) is brought back to life as Spawn, a Hellish being endowed with powers. Spawn walks through Earth to find out the reason behind his death while also attempting to rekindle his relationship with his wife. As the show takes a darker tone with every episode, the mental complexities of its lead character are all the more evident.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/best-animated-series-black-protagonists-not-anime/

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