Black Celebs Who Voice Iconic Anime Moms and Villains

The world of anime has expanded significantly over the last few decades, bringing a diverse range of talent to the recording booth to bring iconic characters to life. While heroes often get the spotlight, the mothers and villains of these series provide the emotional depth and formidable stakes that make the stories memorable. Black voice actors and Hollywood celebrities have increasingly lent their voices to these complex roles, delivering performances that resonate with fans globally. From terrifying antagonists in classic films to nurturing yet fierce mothers in long-running shonen series, these performers have left an indelible mark on the medium. This list highlights the incredible contributions of Black talent behind some of the most memorable moms and villains in anime history.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson brings his legendary intensity to the title role in ‘Afro Samurai’ (2007) and its sequel ‘Afro Samurai: Resurrection’ (2009). While Afro is the protagonist, he walks a morally grey path of vengeance that often paints him as a villain in the eyes of those he slaughters. Jackson also voices Ninja Ninja, the chatterbox sidekick who serves as a manifestation of Afro’s internal psyche and doubts. The actor’s distinct cadence and commanding presence elevate the gritty, hip-hop-infused aesthetic of this cult classic series. His performance anchors the show’s violent and stylish narrative, making it a standout crossover hit between Western culture and Japanese animation.

Giancarlo Esposito

Known for playing chilling villains in live-action, Giancarlo Esposito lends his calculating demeanor to Faraday in ‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ (2022). Faraday is a fixer with four eyes and a manipulative streak who serves as a primary antagonist for the crew of edgerunners in Night City. Esposito’s voice work is understated yet menacing, perfectly capturing the corporate coldness required for the setting. He portrays the character as a man who views others merely as assets to be used and discarded for profit. This role solidified Esposito’s ability to translate his terrifying screen presence into the medium of animation.

Keith David

Keith David provides the English dub voice for the corrupted boar god Okkoto in Studio Ghibli’s masterpiece ‘Princess Mononoke’ (1997). Okkoto is a tragic figure, a proud warrior consumed by hatred and transformed into a demon that threatens the forest and the humans alike. David’s deep, resonant baritone captures the ancient wisdom and the encroaching madness of the blind god. The performance commands respect and fear, grounding the supernatural conflict in a palpable sense of loss and rage. His work in this film remains one of the most memorable celebrity cameos in a Ghibli dub.

Cree Summer

A legendary figure in voice acting, Cree Summer voices the villainous Witch Haggar in ‘Voltron: Legendary Defender’ (2016–2018). Haggar is the high priestess of the Galra Empire and serves as the primary magical threat to the Paladins throughout the series. Summer uses a raspy, ancient tone to convey the character’s centuries of dark alchemy and obsession with quintessence. As the series progresses, her performance evolves to reveal the tragic mother figure beneath the villainy, adding layers of complexity to the role. Her portrayal makes Haggar one of the most formidable and persistent adversaries in the franchise.

James Avery

Best known as Uncle Phil, the late James Avery voiced the savage antagonist Fang in the 1986 movie adaptation of ‘Fist of the North Star’. Fang is the leader of a wolf-worshipping clan who clashes with the hero Kenshiro in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Avery’s performance is ferocious and imposing, utilizing his natural deep register to intimidate both the characters and the audience. This role showcased his range beyond the fatherly figures he was famous for, dipping into pure villainy. It remains a deep cut for anime historians who appreciate the golden era of gory martial arts animation.

Danielle Nicolet

Danielle Nicolet voices Karui in ‘Naruto: Shippuden’ (2007–2017) and continues the role as a mother in ‘Boruto: Naruto Next Generations’ (2017–Present). Originally a hot-headed kunoichi from the Hidden Cloud Village, Karui matures into a stern but caring mother to her daughter, Chocho Akimichi. Nicolet balances the character’s aggressive outbursts with moments of genuine maternal concern and discipline. Her interactions with her husband Choji and daughter provide comedic yet heartwarming family dynamics in the sequel series. This role highlights the transition of a legacy character from a warrior to a parent.

Kevin Michael Richardson

Kevin Michael Richardson creates a terrifying presence as the demon Trigon in the ‘Teen Titans’ (2003–2006) animated series. As the father of Raven, Trigon serves as the ultimate evil force seeking to enslave the earth and destroy his daughter’s spirit. Richardson’s voice is modulated to sound deep and demonic, projecting an aura of absolute power and cruelty. He portrays the character not just as a monster, but as an abusive patriarch who manipulates his child. This performance is widely considered the definitive voice for one of the DC universe’s most powerful magical entities.

Adetokumboh M’Cormack

Adetokumboh M’Cormack voices the complex forgemaster Isaac in the Netflix animated series ‘Castlevania’ (2017–2021). Isaac begins as a loyal general to Dracula, driven by a hatred for humanity, before embarking on his own philosophical journey of conquest and self-discovery. M’Cormack imbues the character with a soft-spoken intensity and a surprising amount of gentleness, despite his command over night creatures. His arc transforms him from a secondary villain into one of the show’s most compelling anti-heroes. The performance is praised for its emotional nuance and the dignity M’Cormack brings to a character seeking purpose.

Beau Billingslea

Beau Billingslea provides the voice for Ogremon in the original ‘Digimon: Digital Monsters’ (1999–2003). Ogremon starts as a recurring villain and rival to Leomon, serving the dark masters before eventually finding his own path. Billingslea uses a gruff, gravelly voice that fits the monster’s brute strength and aggressive personality perfectly. Over time, his performance softens slightly to reflect the character’s grudging respect for the heroes and his eventual turn to an ally. He captures the essence of a classic tough-guy rival who operates by his own code of honor.

Anairis Quinones

Anairis Quiñones voices the Witch of Greed, Echidna, in ‘Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World’ (2016–Present). Echidna is a morally ambiguous figure who offers knowledge and aid to the protagonist but acts with a chilling lack of human empathy. Quiñones delivers a performance that is intellectual, seductive, and unsettlingly calm. She perfectly balances the character’s role as a “mother” to the artificial spirits and a manipulator of the living. This role established Quiñones as a major talent capable of handling dense, dialogue-heavy scenes with subtle menace.

Greg Eagles

Greg Eagles voices the Espada Zommari Rureaux in the long-running series ‘Bleach’ (2004–2012). Zommari is a villain who possesses the ability to control the limbs of his opponents, and he holds a deep arrogance regarding his power. Eagles gives the character a distinct, resonant tone that emphasizes his self-righteous attitude during his battle with Byakuya Kuchiki. The performance shifts from calm superiority to desperate fanaticism as the battle turns against him. Eagles manages to make a secondary villain memorable through vocal distinctiveness and emotional intensity.

James C. Mathis III

James Mathis III voices the unchained Biscuit Oliva in the hyper-violent martial arts series ‘Baki’ (2018–2020). Oliva is a massive American convict who lives in luxury within prison walls and serves as a major antagonist and rival to the main cast. Mathis brings a smooth, confident swagger to the role, reflecting the character’s immense physical strength and laid-back attitude. His delivery contrasts sharply with the frantic energy of other fighters, making Oliva seem even more untouchable. The performance captures the absurdity and power fantasy that defines the ‘Baki’ franchise.

Imari Williams

Imari Williams takes on the role of Hol Horse, a recurring gun-wielding mercenary in ‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders’ (2014–2015). Hol Horse is a cowardly villain who prefers to fight with a partner, often providing comedic relief amidst the high-stakes battles. Williams plays the character with a mixture of bravado and panic, perfectly suiting the mercenary’s “No. 2” mentality. His chemistry with his partners and his desperate attempts to survive make him a fan-favorite antagonist. The performance leans into the western cowboy tropes that inspired the character’s design.

Bill Butts

Bill Butts voices the deranged surgeon Cioccolata in ‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind’ (2018–2020). Cioccolata is one of the most depraved villains in the series, taking pleasure in tormenting his patients and enemies alike. Butts delivers a performance that is appropriately unhinged, capturing the sadistic joy the character feels while inflicting pain. His dynamic with his pet-like partner Secco adds a disturbing layer to the portrayal. The role requires a vocal range that can handle manic laughter and creepy, intimate whispering, which Butts executes flawlessly.

Zeno Robinson

Zeno Robinson voices Pepe Waccabrada in ‘Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War’ (2022–Present). Pepe is a Sternritter with the ability to control others through “love,” using his powers in grotesque and manipulative ways. Robinson leans into the character’s bizarre and repulsive nature, creating a voice that is intentionally grating and overly affectionate. The performance effectively makes the audience uncomfortable, which is exactly the intended reaction for this specific villain. It showcases Robinson’s versatility in playing characters that are far removed from the heroic archetypes he often voices.

Major Attaway

Major Attaway voices Queen the Plague, one of the three lead performers of the Beast Pirates in ‘One Piece’ (1999–Present). Queen is a flamboyant, funk-loving scientist who is as deadly as he is ridiculous. Attaway brings a high-energy, theatrical quality to the role, often singing and dancing vocally while committing atrocities. The character requires a balance of comedic timing and imposing menace, which Attaway navigates with charisma. His portrayal makes Queen one of the most entertaining villains in the Wano Country arc.

Gabe Kunda

Gabe Kunda voices the demon Qujappat in ‘Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation’ (2021–Present). Qujappat is an arrogant warrior of the Demon Continent who crosses paths with the protagonists during their journey. Kunda utilizes his deep, booming voice to give the character a sense of physical weight and intimidation. Although the role is that of a minor antagonist, Kunda’s distinct vocal texture makes the character sound ancient and powerful. He excels at voicing non-human characters that require a monstrous yet intelligible quality.

Gary Anthony Williams

Gary Anthony Williams voices Uncle Ruckus in ‘The Boondocks’ (2005–2014), one of the most controversial and iconic antagonists in Western adult animation. Ruckus is a self-hating man who serves as a recurring foil to the Freeman family, often acting as an agent of the antagonistic forces in society. Williams creates a distinct, raspy voice for the character that has become instantly recognizable in pop culture. The performance is a fearless satire of internalized racism, requiring Williams to deliver outrageous dialogue with absolute conviction. While the show is an anime-influenced comedy, the character remains a premier example of a recurring villain.

Toks Olagundoye

Toks Olagundoye voices the vampire general Zamfir in the final season of ‘Castlevania’ (2017–2021). Zamfir is a stern and somewhat unhinged leader of an underground court who clashes with the main heroes while trying to protect her charges. Olagundoye portrays the character with a regal but frayed dignity, suggesting a mind that has snapped under the pressure of leadership. The performance balances the character’s authoritative presence with the clear signs of her delusion and desperation. She serves as a tragic antagonist who believes she is doing the right thing despite her brutal methods.

Kimberly Brooks

Kimberly Brooks voices Jasper in the anime-inspired series ‘Steven Universe’ (2013–2019). Jasper is a quartz soldier from Homeworld who serves as a primary physical threat to the Crystal Gems for much of the series. Brooks delivers a powerhouse performance, using a gravelly, aggressive tone that conveys the character’s obsession with strength and hierarchy. Jasper is a relentless bully with a deep-seated inferiority complex, and Brooks captures every ounce of her rage and eventual unraveling. It stands as one of the most intense vocal performances in modern animation.

We’d love to hear which of these performances stands out to you, so please drop your favorite character from the list in the comments!