Why The Boondocks Isn't An Anime (Despite The Creator's Love For It)

Summary The Boondocks is not classified as anime due to being created by American companies, despite anime influences in its visuals.

Aaron McGruder drew inspiration from iconic anime series like Samurai Champloo, enriching The Boondocks with cultural themes and hip-hop influences.

Moi Animation's involvement in the second season elevated The Boondocks' animation quality, bringing a richer visual experience in line with authentic anime standards.

The Boondocks, a show steeped in controversy and praise alike, stands out not only for its incisive social commentary but also for its unique visual style, which borrows heavily from Japanese animation, but The Boondocks isn't anime. Created by Aaron McGruder, the series follows the adventures of the Freemans, particularly the two young brothers, Huey and Riley, a Black family who moves from the inner city to the predominantly white suburbs. The Boondocks blends satire, racial politics, and the clash of cultures.

Throughout its run, the show not only captivated audiences with its edgy content but also sparked discussions on its artistic inspirations. McGruder's appreciation for anime is evident throughout the series too, featuring dynamic action sequences and a distinct art style that mirrors the aesthetic of the best Japanese animation. This blending of cultures and styles makes The Boondocks a standout piece in contemporary animated television, distinctly separate yet familiar in its artistic homage. However, the specific animation style doesn't technically mean that The Boondocks is an anime.

Related 10 Hidden Details Everyone Completely Missed In The Original Boondocks Series The Boondocks was a smart, politically savvy, and funny cartoon series. These are some small details you might have missed!

The Boondocks Isn't An Anime Because It Wasn't Created In Japan

Creator Aaron McGruder Was Inspired By Anime & Manga Series Like Samurai Champloo

Close

Despite its anime-inspired visuals and narrative techniques, The Boondocks cannot be classified as an anime — a term specifically reserved for Japanese animation. As anime refers exclusively to animation created in Japan, and while The Boondocks showcases many stylistic traits typical of anime, such as expressive character animations and detailed fight sequences, it was conceived and produced entirely by American companies. This distinction is crucial in understanding the cultural and artistic boundaries of the term "anime." McGruder himself commented on The Boondocks' place in anime, explaining (via Comics Alliance):

Anime obviously was a big influence; anime is really Japanese animation directors imitating American cinema, so it all ties together in a sense.

McGruder himself has openly expressed his admiration for anime, drawing inspiration from iconic series such as Cowboy Bebop and the prequel series Samurai Champloo, particularly in crafting the show's ambitious fight scenes and its stylistic first season-opening sequence, which is a clear homage to Samurai Champloo. His goal was ambitious, aiming to elevate the animation quality to match the dynamism and visual impact found in his favorite anime, blending hip-hop culture with samurai ethos—an approach McGruder adapted to explore Black cultural themes.

Related 10 Canceled Animated TV Shows That Desperately Need A Revival While it's common for animated TV shows to be canceled in the industry, many series would greatly benefit from a reboot.

The Boondocks' Animation Improved When A South Korean Studio Got On Board

Moi Animation, Known For Its Work On The DC Universe, Took Over For Season 2

A significant leap in the animation quality of The Boondocks was achieved when the Emmy Award-winning South Korean studio, Moi Animation, took over the production duties starting from the second season. Moi Animation is renowned for its high-quality work on various other animated series and features, bringing a level of craftsmanship that significantly boosted the visual appeal of The Boondocks. McGruder looked back on the leap in the show's quality between seasons 1 and 2 (via UGO):

We didn't get anywhere close to where we wanted on the first season, but when you see the animation in the second season, it's a big step up and that gives you the freedom to pull off sequences that have some visual impact. We went in that direction because we felt we were able to pull it off. I was impressed with some of the fight sequences of season one and knowing how much we learned, I felt like we could really push that in the second season and we did and it worked out really well.

Moi Animation has also worked on several DC Universe animations, including Justice League: War and Justice League vs. Teen Titans.

The collaboration with Moi Animation introduced more detailed and polished animation, refining character designs and backgrounds to create a richer visual experience that was closer to the authentic anime style McGruder admired. This enhancement was not just cosmetic but also allowed for more complex and fluid animation sequences, particularly in the action scenes that are so central to the show's appeal. The partnership not only elevated The Boondocks' aesthetic but also aligned it more closely with the anime genre's standards.

Sources: Comics Alliance, UGO