When it comes to anime, there’s a few characters that seem to pop up again and again. With a little help from Wikia, TVTropes and Mrs. Briggs and Meyers, I’ve set up a Kwanzoo personality quiz to help you figure out which one you most resemble. Descriptions and examples of the various types appear are below the cut. Enjoy!

The Hot-blooded Rebel

The Hot-blooded Rebel shows up a lot as the protagonist of anime for boys, known “Shonen“. In a typical steup, the HBR is a passionate fellow who doesn’t quite fit in with those around him. Despite being somewhat of an outsider, he eventually earns the respect of those around him with sheer guts. When the people he cares about are threatened, his power level goes over 9000.

Naruto of Naruto and Ichigo of Bleach are probably the best-known examples of this archetype right now, but they’re hardly the first.

The Caretaker

This archetype, often female, cares more for those around them then themselves. Reknown for their kindness, they try their best to keep their friends safe and happy. In shonen shows, they’re often the first ones to get kidnapped when the big conflict of the story starts. Orihime Inoue of Bleach is a good example of this.

The many, many Yamato Nadeshiko in anime also fall into this category. The introverted, and usually male, version if this is the Silent Guardian, described below.

The Techie

The Techie archetype in anime is a free-spirited extrovert with a penchant for understanding how complicated things operate. They’re the one backing up the other characters, often with helpful devices.

If James Bond were an animated series, this would be Q. But for some reason, the Techie in anime is almost always female. TVTropes calls the mechanically-oriented type a Wrench Wench, exemplified by characters such as Winry Rockbell of Fullmetal Alchemist or Bulma of Dragonball. (Gadgeteer Geniuses tend to be more introverted, following the classic “mad scientist” character type.)

The Visionary

We can rebuild it. We have the technology.

The Visionary in anime is the character hellbent on constructing a better world, and they’ve probably got the brains and the charisma to pull it off.

The Visionary in anime is sometimes the Well-Intentioned Extremist, in the vein of Gundam’s Char Aznable or Lelouch Lamperouge of Code Geass, or even a Knight Templar. Sometimes they’re the villain and sometimes they’re the hero, and often they’re a little bit of both.

The Effortless Genius

The Effortless Genius is often a supporting character. They’re the ones who are so brilliant that the people around them can barely understand them. Sometimes seen as a Genius Ditz, since they don’t seem to have to work particularly hard at their abilities.

Unlike the Visionary, the Effortless Genius cares little for the world around them. Their main motivation is to keep themselves occupied, and they care little for responsibility. Popular examples include Ed of Cowboy Bebop and Shikamaru of Naruto, though the latter develops significantly in the course of the story. Konata of Lucky Star also exhibits these traits.

The Ronin

The lone wolf, beholden to no one. They exist in the world, but seem to float through it. Where others plan, he simply acts. Ogami Itto of Lone Wolf and Cub could be considered a prototype for this character, though the manga wasn’t made into an archetype.

Though the Ronin may often appear outwardly placid, a glimpse into his true self reveals a sea of roiling emotions, and he often has something he’s running from. The laconic Spike Spiegel of Cowboy Bebop is a prime example, often flying into a rage where his lost lover Julia or his archnemesis Vicious are involved.

The Man with the Plan

This one is a bit like the Visionary, but the Man with the Plan relies on sheer cunning and intellect rather than charisma to accomplish his overarching goals. If he belongs to an organization, only his most trusted subordinates know his true plans. Everyone else will only see him in the shadows if you see him at all. He may be a Chessmaster, or even a Magnificent Bastard. He makes for a good villain.

Gendo Ikari of Evangelion looms large over this category, and Light of Death Note would seem to fit into it if you take what he says at face value. (The convention is occasionaly parodied, exemplified by Ilpalazzo of Excel Saga.)

The Silent Guardian

The Silent Guardian is often mistaken as emotionless by other characters, but this is a mistake on their part. The Guardian cares deeply about something, even though he or she doesn’t wear it on his sleeve. In Shojo anime, that something is usually his friends, and protecting them is the Guardian’s motivation for getting into the battle, though he’s sometimes loathe to do so.

Where the Ronin is independent, this gentle giant is often a supporting member of a team, explicitly taking part to protect his friends. Chad of Bleach and Alphonse Elric of Fullmetal Alchemist are popular examples of this type.

Popularity: 5% [?]