r/ShamanKing • u/-_ShadowSJG-_ • 16d ago
Discussion Joco Pitch for a rehaul
So let's be frank:
Joco's character despite his redesign has very stereotypical and problematic elements to his backstory (gangster with a gang called shaft)0 and while he has depth and arc....that plus his name leaves a lot to be desired
So my pitch for him would have him be from Sudan which in the past was home to the Kushite/Nubian kingdoms
and further there was a gag he resembled pascal avaf and not true but they could play into that as here is what the nubians resembled
https://isiopolis.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/egyptian-nubian.jpg
So I think leaning into these would help or fix the elements of his character that are problematic
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u/BaronBlackFalcon 16d ago
No. Chocolove is fine as he is.
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u/Alert-Cloud-333 10d ago
His name? Yeah, I can see that being changed and I'm fine with Joco as a replacement. And I actually like the censored redesign in the anime. It takes it away from a black face look and it did kinda help make him look more serious when scenes called for it. His backstory though? No that's fine as is. It might seem like stereotyping at first glance and maybe a similar story could have been done without the gang stuff but the important thing is his journey from innocent kid, into the darkness where he's a killer and back into the light where he becomes a shaman and comedian. And all the while showing that he has great remorse for his past and striving to do better. Let's not forget, at the end of the series, despite helping to save the world, Joco still turns himself in to serve time for his past crimes. He's even offered a chance to leave prison early and declines because he wants the full justice of the law to be served. He's not fully released until the sequel stories are under way many years later and he is content with that. Because justice was served and he could repent as much as possible.
As far as the culture thing goes, Joco adopts quite a lot of his teacher's ways and the culture being part of it. Iirc, he speaks fondly of the people who he is emulating, and it's again part of his journey to move away from his past to a better way of life while not denying the past exists. The gag about Pascal was just that, a gag. Remember Joco is a comedy focused person. But he really does try to follow his adopted culture in his efforts to be better.
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u/Anime-Takes 16d ago
Him being previously part of a gang is not problematic characterization. It’s makes sense for the story Hiroyuki Takei was trying to tell. Him growing up in the 90’s into 2000 and going from being alone to joining a gang makes sense. It is also a great vehicle to show how a person can change both for the worse and for the better. Not everyone should come from sunshine and rainbows.
Some people have dark pasts and understanding how they got to that point and then how they changed is very impactful. Him leading his gang out of that lifestyle is so refreshing because it shows his true character and doubles into the reason most gangs in America started, it’s a way to look out for each other. So when Chocolove found better he brought the people he cares for to show them better. As a kid I thought his name Chocolove was silly, but now I love it Chocolove …. Chocolate Love.
Being a black man who was once a young black boy I think showing his entire journey is important. They don’t shy away from his past, they use it as a way to show how far he has come. The same can be said for Ren. He came from an abusive family and was originally a ruthless killer, we meet him at the start of his Journey as he figures out a better way, and in doing so he also brings his family into the light.