MBTI Personality Analysis of Characters in Film, Television, and Anime

Film and television series or animation is an artistic form full of expressiveness and creativity. They present various character images through different audio-visual means. Characters are the soul of film and television series or animation. Their character traits, psychological activities, emotional changes, etc., all affect the audience's understanding and evaluation of the works. Therefore, analyzing the character of the characters in film and television series or animation is an important method to improve the viewing level and aesthetic ability.

So, how can we accurately analyze the character of these characters? The MBTI theory may provide us with a unique perspective and method.

Key Points of Character Analysis Based on MBTI Theory

MBTI, namely the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, divides people's characters into 16 types and distinguishes them through four dimensions: Extraversion (E) and Introversion (I), representing the way people obtain energy; Sensing (S) and Intuition (N), reflecting people's preferences for collecting information; Thinking (T) and Feeling (F), indicating the basis for people's decision-making; Judging (J) and Perceiving (P), showing people's attitudes towards life and the outside world. When we use the MBTI theory to analyze the characters in film and television series and animation, we can start from the following aspects:

1. Behavior Pattern and Energy Acquisition: Observe the behavior of the characters carefully to see how they respond in the face of pressure and challenges. When interacting with others, are they proactive and enthusiastic (Extraverted E) or more inclined to be introverted and thoughtful (Introverted I)? For example, Luffy in One Piece is always full of vitality, rushing to the front, actively making friends and challenging powerful enemies, which is a typical extraverted personality. While Gaara in Naruto was alone in the early stage and was used to burying his thoughts and emotions deep in his heart, which is a representative of the introverted type.
2. Internal Motivation and Information Collection: Consider the deep motivation and goals of the characters. Do they act based on the specific needs of reality (Sensing S) or rely on the longing for future possibilities (Intuition N)? Like Conan in Detective Conan, he pays great attention to the clues and evidence details at the crime scene during the investigation process, which is the embodiment of the Sensing type. While Allen in Attack on Titan is determined to explore the truth of the world outside the wall and pursue the future of human freedom, full of intuitive exploration of the unknown.
3. Interpersonal Relationship and Decision Basis: Pay attention to the performance of the characters in interpersonal relationships and observe whether they rely more on logical analysis and objective judgment (Thinking T) or pay more attention to emotional resonance and the feelings of others (Feeling F) when getting along with family, friends, and colleagues. For instance, Zhen Huan in Empresses in the Palace is full of emotional care when dealing with the relationships with her sisters, but shows rational strategies when facing enemies. Mei Changsu in Nirvana in Fire plans the revenge cause completely based on rational layout with meticulous thinking.
4. Contradiction Complexity and Life Attitude: Explore the contradictions and deep problems in the character's character, as well as the influence of their past traumas or experiences on their current behavior and character. At the same time, see whether they tend to arrange things in a planned and organized way (Judging J) or enjoy being flexible and going with the flow (Perceiving P) in life. Take Professor Snape in the Harry Potter series as an example. Behind his complex emotions and contradictory behaviors is a painful past. While Sheldon in The Big Bang Theory has strict life rules and guidelines, which is a typical Judging personality.
5. Growth and Change and Personality Development: Focus on the character's growth and change in the story process and see if they have experienced important turning points, which have triggered the transformation of personality types or the strengthening of different traits under the same type. For example, Hua Qiangu in The Journey of Flower gradually grew from an innocent girl to a resolute and courageous demon goddess with a world in her heart, and her character has undergone a huge change. Taiyi in Digimon Adventure continuously strengthened his brave and responsible character traits during the adventure.
6. Symbolic Significance and Personality Mapping: Think about the symbolic meaning and symbol represented by the characters in the works. How their character and behavior echo the theme and information of the works and what kind of MBTI type characteristics this echo reflects. For example, Sun Wukong in Black Myth: Wukong, his bravery and rebellious spirit map the traits of ENTJ (Commander Personality), constantly challenging the rules and pursuing the realization of self-worth, which is in line with the theme of breaking the routine and pursuing freedom conveyed by the works.

Through these analysis perspectives based on the MBTI theory, we can understand the character and behavior patterns of the characters more comprehensively and deeply, injecting new vitality into the analysis of the characters.

Take a test: 9 pictures reveal your personality traits and psychological character

Specific Steps of Analyzing Character Using MBTI

If you want to accurately analyze the character of the characters in film and television series and animation with the help of the MBTI theory, you may follow the following steps:

1. Careful Observation of Words and Deeds: When observing the words and deeds of the characters, pay comprehensive attention to the language style, movement habits, expression and manner, and behavior of the characters. From the perspective of MBTI, an extraverted character may have rich language expressions and more body movements. An introverted character may have concise words and relatively restrained movements. A Sensing character pays attention to details when describing things, and an Intuitive character prefers abstract generalization. A Thinking character has strict language logic, and a Feeling character's words are full of emotional colors. For example, Phoebe in [Friends], her words and deeds are full of whimsy and often has some unexpected actions and words, which is in line with her ENFP (Campaigner Personality) lively, cheerful and creative characteristics.
2. Deep Analysis of the Inner World: While understanding the external words and deeds of the characters, it is crucial to deeply explore the inner world of the characters. With the help of the MBTI theory, we can start from the emotional tendencies, psychological states, and inner contradictions of the characters. For example, characters of INFJ (Advocate Personality) often have a rich inner world, with a strong sense of idealism and mission. Their emotions are deep and introverted, and their hearts may often struggle between reality and ideals. Like Yagami Light in [Death Note], he desires to create an ideal world without crime in his heart, but in the process of achieving this goal, he is caught in a high-IQ contest and moral dilemma with L.
3. Comprehensive Comparison of Character Relationships: When analyzing the character, it is an indispensable link to compare the relationship between the character and other characters. Through the MBTI theory, we can observe the chemical reactions generated by the interaction of characters of different personality types. For example, characters of ESTJ (Executive Personality) often play the role of leaders in the team, paying attention to order and rules. While characters of ISFP (Explorer Personality) are better at establishing emotional connections with others and paying attention to the emotional needs of others. In [Game of Thrones], Cersei, as an ESTJ personality, is strong and decisive in the power struggle and tries to control everything. While Sansa, after experiencing many hardships, gradually grew from an innocent ISFP girl to a person who understands power and strategy. The relationship between the two is full of contradictions and conflicts.
4. Accurate Matching of MBTI Types: After completing the analysis of the previous three steps, combined with the characteristics of the 16 personality types of MBTI, accurately match the most suitable type for the character. But it should be remembered that the MBTI type is only a classification system. Although it can help us grasp the general tendency of the character's character, it cannot fully cover all the complexity of the character's character. For example, Kamado Nezuko in [Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba], she is gentle, kind, tough and brave, always thinking of others. Judging from the MBTI perspective, she is likely to be ISFJ (Defender Personality), but the strong willpower and explosive power she shows when protecting her brother in the face of danger exceed the typical characteristics of the traditional ISFJ personality.

With the help of the MBTI theory, observing and analyzing the characters in film and television series and animation from multiple perspectives can enable us to understand the character characteristics and behavioral motivations of the characters more thoroughly and feel the charm of the works.

Example: Character Analysis of Ye Wenjie in "Three-Body Problem"

Take Ye Wenjie in "Three-Body Problem" as an example and conduct a character analysis using the MBTI theory:

1. Observation of Words and Deeds: Ye Wenjie is rational, tough and decisive. Her words are concise and powerful, her expression is calm, her actions are resolute, she is good at solving problems, and she is passionate and persistent about science and technology. From the MBTI dimension, this rational, calm and inner-thinking performance reflects her Introverted (I) characteristics. Her persistent pursuit of science and technology is more inclined to think about cosmic problems from a macro perspective rather than being confined to realistic details, showing the trait of Intuition (N).
2. Analysis of the Inner World: Ye Wenjie has a firm heart, is well aware of the cosmic crisis, and is fearless in seeking solutions. She has experienced the Cultural Revolution and has inner pain and guilt, hoping that the future of mankind will not repeat the same mistakes. When she makes decisions, it is more based on her thinking and judgment of the fate of mankind rather than personal emotions, which is in line with the characteristics of Thinking (T). And for the ideal in her heart, she resolutely sends a signal to the universe, seeking the possibility of changing the fate of mankind, showing the trait of Judging (J), with a clear goal and direction of action.
3. Comparison with the Relationship with Other Characters: Her relationship with the Trisolarans is contradictory and she has a sense of responsibility for the fate of mankind. Her relationship with characters such as Luo Ji is complicated, but they still cooperate for the common goal. In her interaction with others, she always maintains her independent thinking and judgment and is not easily influenced by others, which is also the embodiment of the Introverted Thinking personality.
4. Analysis Combined with MBTI Type: Based on the above analysis, Ye Wenjie is a typical INTJ (Architect Personality). People with INTJ personality are rational and independent, good at analyzing, reasoning, summarizing and solving problems, and have strong logical thinking and forward-looking for the future. Ye Wenjie, with her wisdom and persistence in science, has become a key figure in promoting the development of the "Three-Body Problem" story, and her behaviors and decisions all reflect the characteristics of the INTJ personality.

Want to know your MBTI type? Immediately participate in the free MBTI personality test. PsycTest also provides the MBTI personality database, where you can query and vote for the MBTI personality types of your favorite anime characters, historical figures, celebrities, film and television characters, literary figures, etc. Whether you love anime games, are obsessed with historical figures, or chase after celebrity gossip, it provides you with comprehensive MBTI personality type information. The MBTI personality database allows you to have a deeper understanding of your favorite characters and celebrities!

Conclusion

Through this unique perspective of the MBTI theory, we can deeply interpret the characters in film and television series and animation in a new way, bringing more fun and depth to the appreciation of the works. Of course, the analysis method is not static. Different works and characters have their own unique charm, and we need to flexibly apply the MBTI theory and continuously innovate the analysis ideas to explore more wonderful stories and deep connotations behind the characters' personalities.