The only Black character in Dragon Quest History

Square Enix

The Dragon Quest series, a titan in the world of JRPGs, has long been praised for its intricate worlds, colorful characters, and compelling stories. But when it comes to Black representation, the series has consistently fallen short, with only one Black character appearing across the main titles.

This character, found in Dragon Quest VIII, is a minor NPC—a Templar guard at Maella Abbey. While the game’s world is rich with diversity, Black characters are nowhere to be found, and the Templar guard is the only exception, making his existence all the more significant.

The absence of meaningful Black characters in Dragon Quest isn't just a missed opportunity; it's indicative of a larger issue with the franchise’s approach to racial representation. Let's dive into who this Black character is, why he stands as a symbol of the lack of inclusion, and why it’s critical to understand the wider implications for the series and gaming as a whole.

A Minor NPC, Yet a Major Symbol

The Black Templar guard in Dragon Quest VIII is insignificant in terms of narrative—he doesn’t speak, he has no storyline, and he plays a background role in the game. He is simply a rehash NPC, much like other guards or villagers who populate the game world. Yet his existence is notable because he is the only Black character in the Dragon Quest universe.

Visually, this character has the same big red lips and somewhat angular features that Akira Toriyama is known for using when designing Black characters, much like the character General Black from Dragon Ball.

However, this Templar guard is lighter-skinned than General Black, which might suggest a more "mixed-race" appearance rather than pure Black ancestry. Still, the design choices—big lips and a minor, voiceless role—show a trend in Toriyama’s portrayal of Black characters.

Akira Toriyama and the Issue of Black Representation

Toriyama's history with Black characters is complicated. While he’s responsible for creating beloved franchises like Dragon Quest and Dragon Ball, his portrayal of Black characters often comes under scrutiny. Toriyama has been criticized for his racially charged design choices, with Black characters often depicted through exaggerated physical traits such as large lips and stereotyped features.

The Templar guard is no exception. Though he is a Black character, he is barely acknowledged in the game. His design follows the same patterns established by Toriyama in his earlier works, which have been critiqued for reducing Black characters to racial tropes rather than giving them depth.

Instead of being a fully realized character, the guard's sole purpose is to stand as a background element. And his appearance in the game is brief—a forgotten figure in the sprawling world of Dragon Quest.

Square Enix

Black Representation—A Notable Absence in the Series

What makes the absence of Black characters in Dragon Quest even more apparent is the fact that the series has historically included a range of other people of color.

From Dragon Quest XI’s diverse NPCs to the varying ethnic influences in Dragon Quest XII, there are many races and cultures represented in the series—except for African or Black civilizations.

While Dragon Quest XII features characters inspired by various global cultures, such as Middle Eastern, Asian, and European influences, the series continues to overlook Black representation on any significant level.

This is particularly striking when considering that the Dragon Quest universe is known for its wide array of unique characters and the inclusion of multiple civilizations throughout its history.

 However, there has never been any representation of a distinct African civilization or any Black NPCs who are given depth, complexity, or significance in the story.

Why the Absence Matters

The logical explanation for this absence lies in Toriyama’s reluctance—or outright refusal—to draw Black characters with the same level of care and respect as characters from other racial backgrounds. Instead of embracing diversity and creating fully realized Black characters, Toriyama has chosen to either leave them out or depict them as caricatures.

The lack of Black characters in the series can be seen as an ongoing legacy of racial underrepresentation in the franchise. While characters from many other races and cultures are introduced and given rich backstories, the African diaspora and Black experiences are left unexplored.

The Importance of Representation in Gaming

Representation is a vital issue in the gaming industry, and it goes beyond just including characters of different races—it’s about creating characters with depth, agency, and stories that reflect the diversity of our world.

The absence of Black characters in Dragon Quest is part of a larger trend in the industry that has long ignored or sidelined Black representation.

As Dragon Quest moves into its latest installment, Dragon Quest XII, there’s a real opportunity for the franchise to address this lack of diversity.

If the series can embrace a more inclusive approach to its characters and explore the richness of African cultures, it could pave the way for better racial representation in the genre and beyond.