How Anime Characters Think - Neurotyping Basics #1

Overview

What begins as a critique of MBTI develops into a two‑axis taxonomy for “how anime characters think.” The creator (Digibro) argues MBTI misunderstands personality because thought is contextual. Instead he proposes a “neurotyping” chart you can apply by reflecting on how you think along two axes:

• Linearity — single, step‑by‑step trains of thought versus lateral/multiple simultaneous trains.
• Lexicality — whether you need clear words/concepts (lexical) or you think impressionistically/non‑verbally (non‑lexical).

He also tags each character with an estimated IQ and a temperament (relaxed / neutral / intense), calls them “neuro cards,” and walks through 16 distinct thinking‑types. The video mixes analysis, jokes, and self‑promotion (subscribe, donate, his light novel Kickstarter).

Highlights and memorable bits

• Opening joke: “I’ve got a bone to pick with MBTI.” He riffs on why introversion/extraversion are behavioral symptoms, not root causes.
• The two axes (linearity and lexicality) form the backbone of the system—applied simply by “thinking about the way you think.”
• Each type is often framed with a “patron saint” (a clear high‑IQ exemplar) and a “working hard” (lower‑IQ but earnest) exemplar—helpful for seeing extremes.
• Explanations are punctuated with sharp, often funny anime examples and cultural observations (e.g., Japan’s lexical emphasis shaping certain impressionistic characters).
• Running gags include “middle managers” as rule‑obsessed enforcers, the “nagging girlfriend” trope, and recurring pitches to subscribe/buy/read his work.

“Think about the way you think.” — the basic application advice repeated throughout the video.

Structure and tags

• The system is explicitly about ways of thinking, not full personalities—temperament and environment still matter.
• Each character is represented as a “neuro card” with:
  • Estimated IQ
  • Temperament (relaxed / neutral / intense)
  • Position on the linearity × lexicality chart

Quick tour of the 16 neurotypes (one line each)

1. Middle Managers — very linear, very lexical. Rule‑obsessed; enforcement over improvisation.
   • Patron saint: Akane (Psycho‑Pass)
   • Examples: Winry, Chiri, Yoko
2. Brooders — fairly linear, very lexical. Quiet, able to distance themselves from actions.
   • Patron saint: Light Yagami
   • Examples: Mob (Mob Psycho), Kiritsugu, Sasuke
3. Technicians — fairly lateral, very lexical. Juggle several threads while thinking in clear terms; common among creators.
   • Patron saint: Kurisu (Steins;Gate)
   • Examples: Ritsuko, Black Jack, Kobayashi
4. Human Calculators — very lateral, very lexical. Data‑processing geniuses who can seem autistic.
   • Patron saint: L (Death Note)
   • Examples: Shiro, Yuki Nagato
5. Reasonable People — very linear, fairly lexical. Straightforward, practical, focused on the moment.
   • Patron saint: Saitama (One Punch Man)
   • Examples: Yusuke, Ichigo
6. Caretakers — fairly linear, fairly lexical. Empathetic organizers who bridge other types.
   • Patron saint: Misato (Evangelion)
   • Examples: Ryuji (Toradora), Asuna, Brock
7. Quick‑Witted — fairly lateral, fairly lexical. Conversationally clever and playful with ideas.
   • Patron saint: Holo (Spice & Wolf)
   • Examples: No‑kun, Lupe III, Tomoko (low‑IQ variant)
8. Analysts — very lateral, fairly lexical. Form impressions then codify them—excellent tacticians.
   • Patron saint: Sora (No Game No Life)
   • Examples: Lelouch, Senku, Okabe
9. Clear‑Sighted — very linear, fairly impressionistic. Strong emotional/non‑verbal understanding; often shonen heroes.
   • Patron saint: Mikuru (Haruhi)
   • Examples: Naruto, Madoka, Chihiro
10. Room Brighteners — fairly linear, fairly impressionistic. Cheerful, emotionally nourishing types. - Patron saint: Nyanta (Log Horizon) - Examples: Minmei, Kazuma (Konosuba), Yuno
11. Shadow Caretakers — fairly lateral, fairly impressionistic. Supportive from the background and often misunderstood. - Patron saint: Asuka/Oscar (Evangelion context) - Examples: Akatsuki (Log Horizon), Homura
12. Fascinators — very lateral, fairly impressionistic. Opaque, magnetic, usually reserved. - Patron saint: Senjougahara (Monogatari) - Examples: Griffith, Motoko, Tsumugi
13. Pure Instinct — very linear, very impressionistic. Live in the moment; act instinctively but can excel situationally. - Patron saint: Gon (Hunter × Hunter) - Examples: Guts, Luffy, Goku
14. Impressionists — fairly linear, very impressionistic. Crafted personas, difficult to explain—Spike Spiegel archetype. - Examples: Revy (Black Lagoon), Ryuko, Vash
15. Aestheticians — fairly lateral, very impressionistic. Deep, lateral artistic/intuitive thinkers who clash with lexical norms. - Patron saint: Kamina (Gurren Lagann) - Examples: Taiga (Toradora), Accelerator
16. New Types — very lateral, very impressionistic. Often incomprehensible to others; written as “mysterious genius/idiot.” - Patron saint: Serial Experiments Lain - Examples: Mayuri, Yui (K‑ON!), Shinji (male example)

Notable meta points & recommendations

• The chart focuses on cognitive style, not full identity—temperament and situation still shape behavior.
• Genre/show pairings often line up with clusters:
  • Technicians/Analysts → Fullmetal Alchemist, Steins;Gate, Log Horizon
  • Impressionists/Aestheticians → Works by Shinichirō Watanabe, Masaaki Yuasa
  • New Types → Serial Experiments Lain, Neon Genesis Evangelion
• The video suggests anime‑analysis creators whose commentary resonates with each cluster.
• The creator closes by inviting viewers to map people they know onto the chart and help refine the system, then finishes with standard promotional asks.

Tone and delivery

• Analytical but conversational, with wry humor, pop‑culture digs, and self‑aware snark.
• Part taxonomy, part character guide, and part fanlist—useful as a framework for why anime characters “feel” a certain way.

List of the thinking‑types (for quick reference)

• Middle Managers
• Brooders
• Technicians
• Human Calculators
• Reasonable People
• Caretakers
• Quick‑Witted
• Analysts
• Clear‑Sighted
• Room Brighteners
• Shadow Caretakers
• Fascinators
• Pure Instinct
• Impressionists
• Aestheticians
• New Types

Extras mentioned

• The creator offers possible follow‑ups: a condensed quiz version of the chart, a cheat‑sheet mapping favorite anime characters into these types, or a printable poster.