Responses
Idk I feel like people are missing a key factor here
If any of these traits were thoughtlessly applied to an African American or European, it would be unquestionably racist.
But Luca is from a native African tribe.
This story isn't about African Americans or African Europeans or their culture. It's about African culture. Specifically Kenyan and Maasai culture.
I understand the people who are uncomfortable with the stereotyping . . .
However, I really don't think it's as bad as people think. While a lot of the tropes involved in Luca's character are associated with tropes of African people, the author did actual research. A lot of the references are directly to the Maasai people (not just vague African tribal culture).
And then! The author challenged Makoto's own preconceived notion of this exotic tribal African warrior by showing that he lives between both his native village and a larger city with its own culture. His life, while lived in a very different setting than Makoto's, actually has a lot of similarities. And they actually talk about the differences between their cultures in specific ways.
I think it's really interesting, and just looking at it on the surface, pretty well researched.
And btw, he didn't joke about eating the rabbit just because he's African. He states plainly that mutton and rabbit are some of his favorite food. It was a joke because there is a clear distinction between the type of rabbit that is bred to be eaten vs the specific kind of fluffy bunny house pet that Makoto has. It went over Makoto's head because not only has he never hunted or prepared his own food, culturally he doesn't typically eat rabbit meat.
There's more to it than just some thoughtless racist trope. (At least that's how I see it)