Disney Jr.’s Captain Durag Sparks Online Race Debate Over Character Design

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I was really excited to see Disney Jr. introduce a new superhero, Captain Durag, on their show Hey A.J. during Black History Month! But it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster since then. While a lot of people were happy to see representation, the character’s design has sparked some debate online, and now some folks are even saying it’s actually disrespectful. It’s definitely gotten people talking!

Disney is facing significant criticism from the Black community regarding a new children’s show on Disney Jr. The show features Captain Durag, a superhero who wears a durag as a mask while flying, and many are upset by its portrayal.

Many Black Americans feel…

— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) February 16, 2026

As a movie fan, I’ve been seeing a lot of debate about this character. It’s gone from people questioning if his design gets things wrong culturally, to a bigger discussion about how much a character’s background and identity should matter when writers are creating someone new. It’s a really interesting conversation, honestly.

Captain Durag’s Origin

Hey A.J. is an animated series inspired by books written by Martellus Bennett, a former NFL player who started writing children’s books in 2016. Disney+ describes the show as a funny and musical family comedy about a creative girl and her stuffed bunny. Together, they use their imaginations to turn everyday experiences into something special.

The eighth episode features Captain Durag, a brand-new character not found in the original books. He’s a superhero created by A.J.’s imagination who fights “trash monsters” and promotes positive habits like tidiness. Captain Durag is instantly recognizable by his gray durag—a close-fitting head covering often used to maintain hairstyles and, for many, represents cultural pride. The durag cleverly serves as both his cape and mask, complementing his classic purple superhero outfit.

Captain Durag’s lessons are positive, but his appearance is considered offensive by many, sparking another round of discussion about Disney’s creative decisions.

Critics Speak Out

In a recent video, YouTube personality Derek Anderson questioned why someone would use the nickname “Captain Durag” – a term he believes relies on and reinforces harmful stereotypes about Black people – and then be surprised when others criticize it.

Comic book writer Eric July has observed that some creators overly focus on a character’s cultural background, letting it become their primary characteristic. He argues this creates characters defined by their race, rather than simply characters who happen to be a certain race. According to July, this emphasis on culture stems from creators prioritizing impressing colleagues or those who share their beliefs, rather than focusing on entertaining the audience.

Captain Durag and the Black Character | This Take May Surprise You

— Eric July (@EricDJuly) February 18, 2026

July wasn’t sure if this applied to Captain Durag specifically, but he believes it highlights a wider issue in creative works. Often, characters aren’t developed through struggles and challenges, but instead are built solely on their perceived identity.

Creators Respond while Disney Remains Silent

Camille Corbett, the creator of Captain Durag for the show Hey A.J., addressed the criticism by simply saying, “Watch the show.” The Jamaican-American artist and comedian also explained that she only speaks about things she’s personally experienced, adding, “As a scholar, I’d never speak on anything I’ve never experienced.”

I recently came across a fascinating statement from artist MR TOMONOSHi, whose work centers around a character called Captain Durag. He explained that the idea behind Captain Durag is really about celebrating everyday items that are important in Black culture – specifically, the durag. He also pointed out the character’s design is intentionally based on A.J.’s father, and then asked a really compelling question: why can’t a durag be the source of someone’s power, considering how long it’s been a symbol of confidence and change for so many?

Disney took down some video clips featuring Captain Durag from its YouTube channel. It’s unclear if this was simply part of their regular video updates or a reaction to negative feedback. Either way, the removal has led viewers to ask what happened.

It’s still uncertain if Captain Durag will get his own show, or if he’ll eventually be left behind. But the discussion surrounding him highlights larger issues about how characters are created and who they represent in kids’ programming.

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2026-02-22 18:57