This week, we’re looking at the type called the craftsmen, the virtuoso, or the mechanics – in other words, the ISTP! The cognitive functions of ISTP are Ti, Se, Ni, and Fe.
The ISTP type is usually quiet, individualistic, keenly in tune with their senses, lives in the moment, seeks an exciting or adventurous life, and can be impulsive. This type is known for having amazing physical skills. They are very interested in doing what makes the most sense to their internal logic systems, even if that means suddenly taking a totally different direction in life. ISTPs can be insensitive and prone to losing their tempers.
In anime, there are typical ways in which the 16 types are presented. These are mostly simplistic stereotypes. For example, the INFP is usually a timid and anxious protagonist. An ENFP is a brave, quirky, and emotionally invincible hero. INTJs are evil masterminds. ISTJs are sticks in the mud who only care about duty. And so on.
For the ISTP, which we’re looking at today, the stereotype for them is to be complete bad-asses. Some are grumpy and stubborn, but they all have amazing skills and a great sense of independence. So without further ado, here is my list of the bad-asses in anime.
Alucard van Hellsing (Hellsing Ultimate)
Alucard is the vampire protagonist of Hellsing Ultimate and other Hellsing works. Despite being an ancient and extremely powerful vampire, he serves a human master and fights evil vampires under her command. Alucard is always enthusiastic in battle, often looking overjoyed to be in violent fights. However, when not in action, he’s quiet and will barely say a word to anyone. He is amazingly loyal.
Canaan (Canaan)
The titular protagonist of Canaan is a mercenary who is quick to take action. She is master of guns, knives, CQC, and acrobatic movement. Canaan is also a loyal and sensible companion who will risk her life to ensure the safety of her best friend.
Dutch (Black Lagoon)
Dutch is the leader of the Black Lagoon mercenaries and the one who drives the boat all the time. Compared to some crazy people in his crew, this man is practical, sensible, and mature. But he still does things his own way and won’t take bullshit from anyone. Dutch has excellent skills with operating vehicles and using guns.
Guts (Berserk 1997)
Guts is possibly the best sword-wielding warrior in anime. He focuses on reality and the senses, disliking hypotheticals and not understanding lofty idealism. Additionally, he’s sometimes impulsive, and often fails to comprehend the feelings of others. Though Guts keeps an emotional distance from people, he typically has the best of intentions.
Itaru Hashida / Daru (Steins;Gate)
Daru is a tech genius and master of hacking. Compared to the usual computer nerd type, he is much more down-to-earth as well as productive. He might be constantly horny, but he uses good logic and reasoning.
Jotaro Kujo
(JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
Jotaro is the third “JoJo” and the protagonist of Stardust Crusaders. Compared to both previous JoJos, Jotaro is quiet and antisocial. Although he eventually warms up to his grandfather and new friends, he starts off treating them with hostility. By nature, he is defiant and stubborn. However, he can also be loyal and practical, with impressive skills. Jotaro is a good example of a young, rough ISTP who has a lot of growing up to do, but whose heart is already in the right place.
Kazuto Kirigaya / Kirito
(Sword Art Online)
Kirito is the protagonist of SAO. Compared to most of the entries on this list, Kirito is more considerate and has a quiet kind of charm. For that reason, he’s a great example of an ISTP with a likeable, less hostile personality. I call it the social subtype of the ISTP. Kirito shows unmatched talent with wielding swords in VR games.
Levi Ackerman (Attack on Titan)
With an amazing record of killing Titans, Levi is a high-ranking member of the Survey Corps. He is similar to Jotaro in terms of being aloof, intimidating, or even hostile. Despite sometimes behaving like a street punk, Levi is mature and dedicated, caring greatly about the people who follow him. This impressive man also has a private but intense loyalty to Commander Erwin. Levi is the perfect example of the antisocial subtype of ISTP.
Minene Uryuu (Future Diary)
Minene is the Ninth Diary Owner in the survival game to determine the next God. Long before she was chosen for that role, she was a terrorist who was frighteningly proficient with explosives. Excellent physical capabilities and skills combine with a logical, adaptable mind, making this woman the master of escape artists. Minene is also pragmatic, stubborn, and prone to losing her temper.
Roronoa Zoro (One Piece)
A talented swordsman and pirate, Zoro is loyal to his friends. Though independent and individualistic, he will follow a leader he believes is worthy.
Saitama (One Punch Man)
The main character of One Punch Man, Saitama is a superhero who became amazingly strong through training and willpower. The process was so intense that he lost his hair. But now, he can defeat any enemy with just one punch. Saitama is laidback, level-headed, and a little deadpan – unless you piss him off, of course.
Shiki Ryougi (Garden of Sinners)
The protagonist of Garden of Sinners, Shiki is a complex character. This girl is scarily good at fighting and killing. She often uses knives, but is extremely versatile in her battle skills. Not interested in anything abstract and oblivious to others’ emotions, Shiki is hard to get to know and fiercely independent. She is a great example of a female character with the antisocial ISTP subtype.
Shinra Kogami (Psycho-Pass)
Kogami was once a successful young detective and police inspector. But after his partner was brutally murdered by a mysterious serial killer, Kogami changed. He was now willing to enforce “justice” at any cost – even if it means becoming a vigilante and outlaw. Kogami is a good example of an ISTP who follows his own “logic,” or what he believes he should do, even if it means disregarding society and the life he had built up previously.
Soul Evans (Soul Eater)
As the strong and cool protagonist of Soul Eater, this character has remained popular since 2008. Soul is weapon spirit who can take a human form. His duty is to help his wielder harvest sinful souls. Soul is still a kid, so he’s a little vain or arrogant sometimes, and very concerned with being perceived as cool. But besides that, he is quite mature for his age, showing good sense and dedication to his wielder.
Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop)
Spike is the beloved main character of the classic 90s anime, Cowboy Bebop. He is a bounty hunter who captures criminals and gives them to the authorities for money. Spike needs to live a unique, exciting life where he makes the rules. He is somewhat impulsive and unpredictable. Like Kirito, Spike is a “social subtype” whose general attitude is laidback and friendly. He has a devilish charm about him.
Takashi Morinozuka / “Mori”
(Ouran High School Host Club)
Possibly the most introverted ISTP on this list, Mori rarely speaks. He is an excellent martial artist and his strength and height make him useful to have around. Although he’s silent most of the time, Mori is friendly in his own way, often doing random but sweet things for others. He also has a close attachment to Mitsukuni (Honey), another boy in the club. This has led many to see Mori as a gay or bisexual character. Either way, he is an example of an ISTP who is a lot gentler than he may look at first.
Touka Kirishima (Tokyo Ghoul)
Touka is a young member of Anteiku, a group of ghouls that attempt to coexist with humans and avoid preying on them. Her best friend is a human, so she wants to protect them. However, Touka is also very practical and down-to-earth most of the time. She is a fairly skilled fighter, but is prone to intense anger. In other words, while her heart is in the right place, she definitely has an attitude problem. That’s the stereotypical young ISTP.
Tsume (Wolf’s Rain)
Don’t touch. He bites.
Tsume is a gray wolf in a universe where wolves have supernatural abilities, including the power to generate an illusion that makes them appear human. Despite being grumpy most of the time, he’s practical, logical, and useful in a fight. Tsume doesn’t believe in the Paradise that the other wolves seek, but he still works with them to find his place in the world.
Thank you so much for reading and have a suteki na hi (wonderful day).
(Original post edited on July 9th 2023.)
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