#smahell talks

A point that’s intrigued me at first was the fact that his character song contains largely rap verses, as well as most other songs that he has a part in. (It's obviously not due to Koba being bad at singing, he's just doing what's asked of him) Rap is embedded in African American culture, originating from the Bronx, and it was used to address issues faced by the marginalized communities that lived the “black” experience. I don't think this is a mistake or coincidence; Mammon singing about his true emotions towards MC mirrors the love for community and the respect black rappers have for those within their community. Maybe it's a stretch, but there's more.

By design, he has darker skin than the rest of his brothers. Though it isn't the fact that he has darker skin that makes him black, but the context surrounding him; most people who come from Asian or African decent have some degree melanin. (I REPEAT. ASIAN AND BLACK PEOPLE CAN HAVE DARK SKIN.)

the way he talks, WACK. (...) me, i'm tight as fuck!!

miscellaneous gameplay screenshots from google..

I don't speak any Japanese, but have you ever noticed the AAVE in the English translation? Of course, it's meant to reflect the fact that he doesn't speak the standardized Tokyo Japanese, but it mimics the dialects and phrases of real African American communities. My research gave me this comment on Reddit.

"..Mammon goes to the sketchiest places too, and he tends to hangout wherever money can be made. He’s always hustling.."

I like the use of the word "hustle" here, because the word "hustle" used to have negative connotations, especially in regards to blackness and laziness; "hustling" even now is what many black people use as an opportunity to get by to catch up to their white counterparts. The work of hustling too, whether that was selling drugs, gambling, thieving, reminds of a particular white-haired character.. not sure though. He's probably just embodying his sin. Totally.

His sin itself of greed did remind me of this forum post of how greed is used to "contain" black people:

As a black person; I found this humorously stereotypical (I don't even own a car!!) but extremely jarring — a message like this is full of genuine contempt.

The way black people have been regarded to in such a demeaning and subhuman manner, like they can barely think for themselves was utterly disturbing. But the stereotypical nature of greed and selfishness within black communities was indeed brought up as a way of why black progress is "inhibited" -- which is why Mammon's sin of greed is arguably harmful to black communities. Black people being seen as small-mind and impulsive when coming to their finances has long been dismissed by real financial statistics; black people comparatively don't have as much disposable income anyways.

Furthermore, does nobody find it strange that the only "black" character in the HoL is the thief that everyone consistently punches down? No? Just me?

This entire essay is a stretch, but I find his treatment so odd: used as a punching bag by his other brothers, called "dumb" and "stupid" - such reasons and assumptions used to justify the enslavement and imprisonment of black people. Perhaps they subconsciously treat him differently; whenever Leviathan sends him death threats, or Lucifer hangs him upside down, it it merely just for comedic purposes, or is there an agenda being pushed here? In every single family, is there truly always a punching bag? And if so, why Mammon?

Subtle cultural hegemony which comes across within these scenes; perhaps the other brothers are (metaphorically) asserting their "white-ness¹", maintaining this dominance and power imbalance though he is the second most powerful brother.

From another perspective, it reveals this issue of accommodation. Leviathan has online lessons in order to accommodate for his insecurity and bad social skills (which intrinsically stem from his envy), and the household is always bought more food to accommodate for Beel's voracious appetite.

Mammon is yet to be accommodated for; rather consistently punished and berated for even showing his sin, even though characters such as Leviathan and Asmodeus (especially within the first season of obey me) openly express these traits to the point of almost killing MC (Leviathan, Satan). Satan throughout the story, actively suppresses his sin in order to fit in with his brothers; perhaps he has seen the reprimands that his older brother has received and taken notes.

Perhaps the most interesting point I’ve seen when discussing this is the introduction of other characters with dark skin too: what about Diavolo, Simeon or Mephisto? Are they also people of colour, and if so, if the portray of POCs has been stereotypical, why do they not exhibit the same qualities as Mammon.

For one, let's separate Simeon and Diavolo from Mephisto as they were technically created years apart. I also find it interesting that the two also share a sense of ineptitude: Simeon is seen as an "airhead" and struggles with basic technology, the writers are unable to give Diavolo a coherent personality and waiver between "daddy dom" and childish prince who is much too trusting. (Or perhaps those are just contrivances which fit my argument, don't take this too seriously)

What I see them as is model minorities. Though their dark skin puts them at a disadvantage (due to the connotations of dark skin; colourism) the way they can overcome this is the absence of their accent and any showcase of sin in general; they have assimilated to their majority “white” cast.

The "suppression" of his sin may not be in relation to his black-ness, but black people can relate to it. My older sister has had to suppress her anger towards customers in order to not be seen as the "sassy black lady" at work. I've seen my brother unable to wear his favorite hoodie because he doesn't want to be profiled as a gangster whilst he goes to school. It is strange, that Mammon of all characters is unable to seemingly "assimilate" with to his power and reputation as the second brother, but such isolating and prominent experience be a source of projection for black people.

so i asked black obey me fans - do you relate to mammon? the results (may) shock you.

' i don't personally relate to him , - anon c

' just barely , - anon j

' I don’t relate to Mammon as a character and I doubt that even as I read into later lessons that I ever will , - anon v

None of them did.

..Which is fine! Black experiences are different. Anon J later cited his 'impulsive nature' and 'being laughed at and not with' as clearer points of connection.

It's also humorous that most of the people I talked to about this never stated he was black-coded but vehemently pushed towards the fact that he was black entirely, resembling real black people they might have seen before.

' He's 1000% black I don't care what anyone says Bro is black ' - Anon M

' I knew that was NAWT a pasty white boy [with] the way he carries himself (...) [the way Mammon dresses] personally does link to [having to dress] or carry yourself in a certain way as a black person so stereotypes and caricatures won't be placed on you , - Anon C

' i say this every time.. that is a man from the bay area istg. i peep a lot of his words and while town speak has inevitably reached other people—and though this mf is originally from the celestial realm (...) [his fashion sense] screams ‘oakland nigga’. , - Anon J

' I’d say [Mammon is] black without thinking [but], I’m gonna have to go with black coded , - Anon V

So Mammon resembles real black people, but does he resemble the caricatures of them too?

' ion think he fits in sone “black caricature” category which is a good thing, [but] they could’ve did more with mammon , - Anon J

' It is incredibly obvious that he was made using harmful stereotypes (...) One of those being the entire gimmick of his character. He steals stuff constantly and is always being shunned for it. (...) the fact that he’s the only darker skinned brother and does these things just irritates me , - Anon V

Contrasting opinions, but there's a subtle consensus that not enough it being done with his character; most if not all that I talked to felt as if Mammon's identity and cultural implications could be given more depth.

' give that nigga locs , - anon j

I felt bad about interviewing so many DEI hires.. so I interviewed a white person instead.

do you think mammon is black, black-coded, or something else entirely? why/why not?

' I think Mammon is black with his (not great) use of aave (the fact solmare has been kinda weird about his skin color too doesn't help) , - Anon L

what's your opinion on black characters being represented in asian media

' I think it's important to represent black people in Asia media (the way they're portrayed now is not great.. Solmare is also guilty for calling Mammon a gorilla once) , - Anon L

is there any character that you can relate to personally within obey me?

' probably Satan.. Mainly because of cats tbh , - Anon L

..thank you, anon L.

in modern day western media, there's not much need for "black-coded" characters; many creative directors have seen how crucial awareness on representation and diversity is when considering their audience. However, in many East Asian countries, such as Japan, such representation is yet to be shown to the west due to the harsh anti-immigration and foreigner stance many in Japan have taken. Mammon's black-coded-ness is a step somewhere, but not free from being seen as a caricature. However, Mammon could be seen as a more freeing countertype of the "cold and brutish" black man, showing vulnerability and love even when masked with stubbornness and subtle humor. It isn't copy paste; Mammon is popular for a reason(s).

Mammon is not just a character, he's the culmination of a writers thoughts of black people, and ideas of what would make a good love interest for the audience of Obey Me. To respect the game and its creativity is one thing, but to acknowledge the harmful stereotypes a character can carry is another thing entirely. Mammon is obviously not a black character for the sake of being black, and that is a good (and relieving) thing in the year of our lord 2025. To embrace a character for being black is one thing, but critiquing how said blackness is expressed is the foundations of universal understanding, and the deconstruction of prejudices.

¹ - whiteness as in colorism, not people from the mountains of caucasus /ref

thank you to all anons for your help and opinions, and thank you to vee and eryn for giving my ideas to format this into the semblance of coherency, and for shedding alternative third-party perspectives on the matter.

sources that could be useful to read/helped me write this:

Kendrick Lamar - GNX

Blackness in Animation

Creating Black-Coded Characters