Read on Twitter
Been thinking yet again about how different cultures and media interpret and portray the concept of mixed race children.
Here is Ann Tamaki a character from a Japanese made video game next to Kei Kawade, a character from an American made comic.
Both are half Japanese, half White
Here is Ann Tamaki a character from a Japanese made video game next to Kei Kawade, a character from an American made comic.
Both are half Japanese, half White
Which of these two characters is the “most authentic portrayal of a mixed person”? Well, if you follow me, you already know that both are visually possible https://twitter.com/yoshisquared/status/834304790192467968
What’s honestly more interesting to note is what these cultures WANT a hafu to look like. Japanese anime almost universally portrays mixes as blonde and blue eyed. And in America, half Asian characters almost always have black hair and epicanthal folds
Everyone wants mixes to ‘look as foreign as possible’ but ‘not too foreign’. Mixes should still relatable to the dominant culture, understanding that culture innately, but they have to be different enough as to be instantly recognizable as Other.
I think often about the uproar around the casting of Emma Stone in the movie Aloha. Most of the anger was centered around the fact that her character claimed to be part Asian, but “she didn’t look it” American commenters spoke of white-washing, & suggested full Asian replacements
Obviously there are a lot of problems around Aloha in general, but it really struck home what Americans think half Asians should look like.... someone who’s fully Asian. But I have to wonder if in another culture, Emma Stone is their perfect mixed character casting
How the story always goes: *stunning visual reveal of character* everyone swoons, they’re so beautiful! How is this possible? Oh! They are half foreigner, how EXOTIC 
It’s never, *heres your visually uninteresting friend who’s always been here* oh yeah, they’re half.
It’s never, *heres your visually uninteresting friend who’s always been here* oh yeah, they’re half.
Mixed race characters are so often created as a sort of fetishized cultural ideal. Someone who is relatable, but also *Exotic* And you get that tragic backstory of not fitting in if you want to exploit that too. Ppl think they can do less cultural homework and still get “flavor”
Racially mixed people are just like any other sub group, we are nuanced with unique experiences that we all experience differently. We often have real identity struggles that last our entire lifetimes. So it can be disappointing to be so often reduced to Hot Diet Foreigner
To revive an old thread— I’ve been thinking again about this complex topic — and the movie To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
The movie very casually has a mixed Korean/white family. They cast the main character as the full Asian actress Lana Condor (again, visually possible!!!)
The movie very casually has a mixed Korean/white family. They cast the main character as the full Asian actress Lana Condor (again, visually possible!!!)
The TATBILB movie is a pure delight— but it’s again another instance that shines light on what America thinks a half Asian should look like— a full Asian actress.
Interestingly, the MCs 2 sisters are played by two actual mixed race actresses. So the supporting roles represent
Interestingly, the MCs 2 sisters are played by two actual mixed race actresses. So the supporting roles represent
