yea, i think it was a misunderstanding. I too had to take a second look when I heard the remark about dark women. It maybe just because the subs move really fast when he says it. But if you go back like i did (cause i was pissed) and look at the writing the guy was actually saying that he was into darker skinned women rather than lighter skin but this little woman was quite despite the fact that she was no dark like his type.
Im a black man. It would have been a downer if that were a bigoted remark but it was more of racial commentary which seemed relevant and pretty harmless.I think one of the things that made this so anime so good that the writing involved well developed, believable characters that were a bit more than there stereotypical role in society.
The two stable characters throughout the series was Junko-chan and partner. I think their hairstyles represented that they were of ethnic decent but somehow in anime they hardly ever make dark-skinned characters. I think that is flawed. Hachi's sister was darker than them but somehow they called it a tan, which also seemed distasteful and out of place.
I really did like that the two ethnic characters were not comic relief and were depicted in the round and caring, thinking, individuals with dignity.I REALLY LIVED THIS ANIME. IT WAS EXCEPTIONAL.
WATCHED THE WHOLE THING OVER THE WEEKEND.

also I'm actually female and this is my boyfriends account lol.

Junko's boyfriend actually said that he was normally attracted to darker skinned girls. He was commenting on how Shoji's mistress was so cute, that even though he was normally only drawn to darker girls, he was still attracted to her even though she was very fair. Petite and fair-skinned is Shoji's type ^_^. "Well, I'm more for the dark-skinned big girls like you, but... but even I find her cute." Quoted directly from episode 11 ^_^. This is not intended as something to spark and argument, I was only hoping that this would turn something that previously almost ruined the anime for you into something positive, but I understand if your feelings remain the same.