Anime with non-Japanese Asian representation
Anime
Anime that have significant non-Japanese Asian characters and settings. At least at the level of arcs or significant supporting characters.
Arslan Senki (TV)
The Heroic Legend of Arslan
TV, 2015,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:-
The show is based on a Persian folk epic.
Oemojisangjuui
Lookism
ONA, 2022,
8 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Anime about modern youth culture in South Korea.
TV, 2012,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Fantasy adventures inspired by Arabian and Persian stories and tales.
Kusuriya no Hitorigoto
The Apothecary Diaries
TV, 2023,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:9
The show is inspired by Chinese medieval palace culture.
ONA, 2024,
4 eps
Me:-
Author:7
This is a formal spin-off, so I'll risk adding it separately. This time we have a new protagonist Jay and his ex Bingyan who are Taiwanese Chinese. Perhaps future episodes will somehow expand on their ethnic background, but for now the show is simply presenting them as Chinese from Taipei.
Shoukoku no Altair
Altair: A Record of Battles
TV, 2017,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Fantasy adventures set in medieval Turkey.
Fate/Grand Order: Zettai Majuu Sensen Babylonia
Fate/Grand Order: Absolute Demonic Front - Babylonia
TV, 2019,
21 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Adaptation of a stage of the game based on ancient Iraq and Babylon.
TV, 2022,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Kokoro’s homeland is not directly named, but it is implied that most likely Thailand.
ONA, 2022,
6 eps
Me:-
Author:7
The main character's love interest is a Chinese girl, while his "best friend" and rival is from South Korea.
TV, 1986,
153 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Considering that this is science fiction with aliens, it is quite difficult to talk about ethnicity, but in general the entire story and setting is heavily inspired by the Chinese folk epic about the Monkey King.
TV, 2021,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
One of the most significant characters is a Bangladeshi boy, Rajdhani.
TV, 2006,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Set somewhere in Southeast Asia, the female lead is Chinese-American.
Kidou Senshi Gundam: Suisei no Majo
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury
TV, 2022,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
The exact ethnicity is never stated, but it is implied that Suletta's father is Indian or Pakistani.
Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei
TV, 2007,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
The character Maria is the epitome of satire on the situation of migrants from poor Asian countries in Japan.
Lupin III: Part 5
Lupin the Third Part 5
TV, 2018,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Amy's classmate is Dolma Sinha, the princess of a fictional Persian-inspired Middle Eastern country.
JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Part 3: Stardust Crusaders
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders
TV, 2014,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:8
It has the significant character Muhammad and a second season entirely dedicated to Egypt.
Shokugeki no Souma
Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma
TV, 2015,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:9
As usual, the exact ethnicity is not stated, but the flashback of Akira Hayama's childhood and ability to masterfully use spices most likely implies Indian origin.
Kuroshitsuji
Black Butler
TV, 2008,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Significant side character Soma Asman Kadar, a Bengali prince.
TV, 2013,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
One of the main subplots is dedicated to Choi Mochimazzi, the princess of a fictional Thai-inspired South Asian country.
NegaPosi Angler
Negative Positive Angler
TV, 2024,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
One of the friends of the main trio is a Thai cosplayer and model. Her younger brother also appears in the show.
