Meta The World Might Not Need
Ok, thanks to a certain individual writing Sailor Moon drabbles, I've stumbled across a long-sought-after explanation of the Japanese Bloodtype theory and decided to test it. On Oofuri.
Even if you don't believe (well, it seems to be a matter rather of believe than of science) that personality is connected to one's bloodtype, it's interesting to see (and compare) what kind of bloodtype (and associated characteristics) an author would choose for his/her fictional characters.
Ok, Ready? Go!
Slightly Abe-biased, as always.
There are 4 bloodtypes. I've assorted the Oofuri characters in groups according to them (referencing from here, which seems partily wrong *SWEATDROP*... I hope, Abe, Tajima, Hanai and Mihashi are still right, since I couldn't check them with the manga data):
A - Oki, Suyama, Hanai, Nishihiro(in the manga listed as A)
B - Tajima, Mizutani, Momokan(in the manga listed as B)
0 - Abe, Sakaeguchi, Izumi, Nishihiro, Momokan
AB - Mihashi
Ok, going last to first:
Mihashi as the only one of AB type? I think, that's rather interesting. I don't know about the certain bloodtype distribution in Japan (although A is supposed to be the most common bloodgroup there with around 40%), so if AB is rare it's curious that the main character of an anime series gets it.
AB is actually according to this website seen as the "worst type" in Japan and often used for anime villains(!).
For instance, they are both shy and outgoing. They easily switch from one opposite to another. AB people are trustworthy and responsible, but can't handle it when too much is asked of them. ...
They're known to be sensitive and considerate-at times-but it just isn't enough to balance out the flaws in this blood type.
Wikipedia also lists as positive traits "calm and controlled" and negative ones "indecisive".
I guess, more detailed theories can be found in Japanese sources. Anyway, even if specific traits are not simply "copied" or "included" in his character, I think the general idea of AB characters as being rather ambivalent in their behaviour fits Mihashi quite well.
Even with being generally shy and soft-spoken (or rather: hesitant-spoken), he can be stubborn and non-yielding at times. Several characters describe him as "hard to deal with", even if he gets along quite well after a while with most of his teammates - in Japanese theory the AB type is believed to fit with all other types.
0 is the bloodgroup a large part of the team seems to have. Again - I don't know how the distribution in Japan is, but I know it's rather rare in Germany.
At first I felt a bit dumbfounded since Wikipedia listed as 0 characteristics:
Agreeable. Socialable. Optimistic.
And then we get Abe(!) and Izumi in this group. Sakaeguchi seems to fit in quite well, but Abe "agreeable, socialable" and Izumi "optimistic"? Good joke XD
Looking at the negative traits, it seemingly becomes more fitting: Both of them are ruthless on occasion.
General 0 seems to be seen as the "best" bloodtype in Japan due to its "averageness".
Perhaps we can exchange that with a better word: "straight-forwardness".
As whisper132 ingeniously put it: "I ♥ Abe. He's nice and simple, but not stupid."
If we compare all five characters in this group all of them are rather honest and outspoken. Sakaeguchi (and Izumi, since he likes to speak with his own mind rather than with other people) tend to hesitate meditate more when voicing their opinions, but they DO voice what they really think when they feel the need arise. Abe is a perfect example for the most distinctive characteristic of 0 types: (Extreme) self-confidence which sometimes causes harshly honest comments.
I also noticed that all 3 of them tend to think (plan/scheme) A LOT. For me they seem a bit like the "intellectuals" in the team. I didn't find any clues in the descriptions of the bloodtypes but it seems related, doesn't it?
0, btw, only seems to get along with other 0 or AB.
Which I find... rather interesting, seeing how Abe doesn't get along THIS well with Izumi AND Mihashi. I wonder which bloodgroup Haruna is... Oh wait! *goes to look it up*
AB!! *cracks up* Although they are listed as getting along well, I think AB and 0 are sometimes opposite due to AB's ambivalence between A and B characteristics and 0 straight-forewardness.
Haruna, as well as Mihashi, are both characters who often surprise in their behaviour. While Haruna comes across as rude and pushy at first, we learn that he also got a rather childish and "simple" approach to many things. Mihashi seems to come from the other side of the range, with appearing unassertive and fidgy at first glance, but showing a lot of maturity and intuition on occasion. But I'm starting to ramble...
Only two people on the team have bloodgroup B: Tajima and Mizutani (and, very interestingly, also Kazuki!)
Bloodgroup B is described as wild, cheerful, with a hang towards irresponsibility.
The wikipedia definition seems to fit easily this time. But let's have a deeper dig into the matter, because my personal goal for this essay is to learn more about what Higuchi Asa might have intended (or even planned!) for her characters.
B is described as individualistic. The "my pace" sort of guy I guess, which - as far as I noticed - can both mean compliment or a critique in a Japanese environment. It just says that someone sets their own rules, their own pace and way in doing things. It also implies that one has to set their own rules and do things out of their own motivation since they don't seem to respond so well to outer stimuli.
Tajima does great in concentrating on his own goals and following through with them. But he's also so focused on his own goals, that he sometimes lacks empathy or simply understanding of others' feelings. For example with Hanai - he doesn't comfort him or motivates him emotionally, he edges him on. He doesn't hesitate in using others, even if he doesn't seem to be able or willing to "manipulate" like Abe does XD
Mizutani on the other hand is a very lively example of what happens when you are "my pace" but lack the idea of what your actual "pace" is. In this way "my pace" becomes a simple translation for "lazy". Being unable to follow other people's paces and without your own goals and motivation you just hang around. Anyway (he's still cute) he seems to have gotten some serious motivation lately, so let's hope the best for him ;)
Again, we have two interesting examples which take opposite places on the scale one bloodtype can offer.
I think it's interesting that B-type Kazuki has become a catcher (Daiichi is also B type).
But I guess it fits his later appearances, especially together with Roka (thus together with a senpai). It's interesting how his blood type already indicated some traits which later came surprising for many readers.
Btw, B gets along with other B and AB.
Last one - A bloodtype.
I wonder why the former "side character trio" of Oki, Suyama, Nishihiro all got A.
But if you look at the characteristics it's not this surprising: Earnest, with tendency to over-earnesty, sensible, calm. Also - confrontation-avoiding and polite.
At first Hanai seems to fit in as well and in a way not. Hard-working, yes, earnest, yes, polite, yes (remember the "Ii hito da!" scene of both Mihashi and Mihashi's mum?) - the perfect son-in-law. But then - he also drops his politeness quite often, especially around Mihashi, Tajima or his own mum. His outward self-confidence and out-spoken behaviour also seem to contradict the "confrontation-avoiding" characteristic of the A type. But A is also credited to be quite ambitious and perfectionistic and suddenly it makes sense:
On the inside Hanai is seriously wishing to go to Koshien, too. But he always fails in voicing confidently what he really wants. Thus avoiding any confrontation which might spring from uttering or following through with his own wishes.
Same with his rivalry with Tajima - he's unnerved by it, but also has a hard time to gather the guts to really challenge him! He's green by envy, but until Momokan really pushes him he doesn't take any action himself.
Sensivity and seriousness vs. carefreeness and ruthlessness - Hanai and Tajima make for an interesting contrast. It's interesting how Higuchi Asa drafted this basic conflict in their personalities already in their bloodtypes.
And yes again, A bloodtypes are said to get along well with other A types or AB.
I feel compared to Western Zodiac signs the bloodtype theory is quite vague and allows a lot of interpretation. It seems to depend more on general concept/idea and contrasts between the types than on certain, clearly identifiable characteristics, which is both a strenght and a weakness in my opinion. In any case for me it introduced new ideas how to see and compare characters, especially with the ambivalence vs. directness of the AB vs. 0 bloodtypes.
I really wonder how much of this bloodtype theory Higuchi had in mind while creating the characters or if they just developed "naturally" and she later picked the bloodgroup which she deemed the most fitting for a certain character. Anyway - I think it tells us quite much about how she herself sees them.
~FINITO~ ~OWARI~ ~FINISH~
Everyone who finds where I used "threads" instead of "traits" gets a cookie. *headdesk*
I feel the whole "research topic" was just an excuse to dive headfirst into Oofuri character analysis.
Even if you don't believe (well, it seems to be a matter rather of believe than of science) that personality is connected to one's bloodtype, it's interesting to see (and compare) what kind of bloodtype (and associated characteristics) an author would choose for his/her fictional characters.
Ok, Ready? Go!
Slightly Abe-biased, as always.
There are 4 bloodtypes. I've assorted the Oofuri characters in groups according to them (referencing from here, which seems partily wrong *SWEATDROP*... I hope, Abe, Tajima, Hanai and Mihashi are still right, since I couldn't check them with the manga data):
A - Oki, Suyama, Hanai, Nishihiro(in the manga listed as A)
B - Tajima, Mizutani, Momokan(in the manga listed as B)
0 - Abe, Sakaeguchi, Izumi, Nishihiro, Momokan
AB - Mihashi
Ok, going last to first:
Mihashi as the only one of AB type? I think, that's rather interesting. I don't know about the certain bloodtype distribution in Japan (although A is supposed to be the most common bloodgroup there with around 40%), so if AB is rare it's curious that the main character of an anime series gets it.
AB is actually according to this website seen as the "worst type" in Japan and often used for anime villains(!).
For instance, they are both shy and outgoing. They easily switch from one opposite to another. AB people are trustworthy and responsible, but can't handle it when too much is asked of them. ...
They're known to be sensitive and considerate-at times-but it just isn't enough to balance out the flaws in this blood type.
Wikipedia also lists as positive traits "calm and controlled" and negative ones "indecisive".
I guess, more detailed theories can be found in Japanese sources. Anyway, even if specific traits are not simply "copied" or "included" in his character, I think the general idea of AB characters as being rather ambivalent in their behaviour fits Mihashi quite well.
Even with being generally shy and soft-spoken (or rather: hesitant-spoken), he can be stubborn and non-yielding at times. Several characters describe him as "hard to deal with", even if he gets along quite well after a while with most of his teammates - in Japanese theory the AB type is believed to fit with all other types.
0 is the bloodgroup a large part of the team seems to have. Again - I don't know how the distribution in Japan is, but I know it's rather rare in Germany.
At first I felt a bit dumbfounded since Wikipedia listed as 0 characteristics:
Agreeable. Socialable. Optimistic.
And then we get Abe(!) and Izumi in this group. Sakaeguchi seems to fit in quite well, but Abe "agreeable, socialable" and Izumi "optimistic"? Good joke XD
Looking at the negative traits, it seemingly becomes more fitting: Both of them are ruthless on occasion.
General 0 seems to be seen as the "best" bloodtype in Japan due to its "averageness".
Perhaps we can exchange that with a better word: "straight-forwardness".
As whisper132 ingeniously put it: "I ♥ Abe. He's nice and simple, but not stupid."
If we compare all five characters in this group all of them are rather honest and outspoken. Sakaeguchi (and Izumi, since he likes to speak with his own mind rather than with other people) tend to hesitate meditate more when voicing their opinions, but they DO voice what they really think when they feel the need arise. Abe is a perfect example for the most distinctive characteristic of 0 types: (Extreme) self-confidence which sometimes causes harshly honest comments.
I also noticed that all 3 of them tend to think (plan/scheme) A LOT. For me they seem a bit like the "intellectuals" in the team. I didn't find any clues in the descriptions of the bloodtypes but it seems related, doesn't it?
0, btw, only seems to get along with other 0 or AB.
Which I find... rather interesting, seeing how Abe doesn't get along THIS well with Izumi AND Mihashi. I wonder which bloodgroup Haruna is... Oh wait! *goes to look it up*
AB!! *cracks up* Although they are listed as getting along well, I think AB and 0 are sometimes opposite due to AB's ambivalence between A and B characteristics and 0 straight-forewardness.
Haruna, as well as Mihashi, are both characters who often surprise in their behaviour. While Haruna comes across as rude and pushy at first, we learn that he also got a rather childish and "simple" approach to many things. Mihashi seems to come from the other side of the range, with appearing unassertive and fidgy at first glance, but showing a lot of maturity and intuition on occasion. But I'm starting to ramble...
Only two people on the team have bloodgroup B: Tajima and Mizutani (and, very interestingly, also Kazuki!)
Bloodgroup B is described as wild, cheerful, with a hang towards irresponsibility.
The wikipedia definition seems to fit easily this time. But let's have a deeper dig into the matter, because my personal goal for this essay is to learn more about what Higuchi Asa might have intended (or even planned!) for her characters.
B is described as individualistic. The "my pace" sort of guy I guess, which - as far as I noticed - can both mean compliment or a critique in a Japanese environment. It just says that someone sets their own rules, their own pace and way in doing things. It also implies that one has to set their own rules and do things out of their own motivation since they don't seem to respond so well to outer stimuli.
Tajima does great in concentrating on his own goals and following through with them. But he's also so focused on his own goals, that he sometimes lacks empathy or simply understanding of others' feelings. For example with Hanai - he doesn't comfort him or motivates him emotionally, he edges him on. He doesn't hesitate in using others, even if he doesn't seem to be able or willing to "manipulate" like Abe does XD
Mizutani on the other hand is a very lively example of what happens when you are "my pace" but lack the idea of what your actual "pace" is. In this way "my pace" becomes a simple translation for "lazy". Being unable to follow other people's paces and without your own goals and motivation you just hang around. Anyway (he's still cute) he seems to have gotten some serious motivation lately, so let's hope the best for him ;)
Again, we have two interesting examples which take opposite places on the scale one bloodtype can offer.
I think it's interesting that B-type Kazuki has become a catcher (Daiichi is also B type).
But I guess it fits his later appearances, especially together with Roka (thus together with a senpai). It's interesting how his blood type already indicated some traits which later came surprising for many readers.
Btw, B gets along with other B and AB.
Last one - A bloodtype.
I wonder why the former "side character trio" of Oki, Suyama, Nishihiro all got A.
But if you look at the characteristics it's not this surprising: Earnest, with tendency to over-earnesty, sensible, calm. Also - confrontation-avoiding and polite.
At first Hanai seems to fit in as well and in a way not. Hard-working, yes, earnest, yes, polite, yes (remember the "Ii hito da!" scene of both Mihashi and Mihashi's mum?) - the perfect son-in-law. But then - he also drops his politeness quite often, especially around Mihashi, Tajima or his own mum. His outward self-confidence and out-spoken behaviour also seem to contradict the "confrontation-avoiding" characteristic of the A type. But A is also credited to be quite ambitious and perfectionistic and suddenly it makes sense:
On the inside Hanai is seriously wishing to go to Koshien, too. But he always fails in voicing confidently what he really wants. Thus avoiding any confrontation which might spring from uttering or following through with his own wishes.
Same with his rivalry with Tajima - he's unnerved by it, but also has a hard time to gather the guts to really challenge him! He's green by envy, but until Momokan really pushes him he doesn't take any action himself.
Sensivity and seriousness vs. carefreeness and ruthlessness - Hanai and Tajima make for an interesting contrast. It's interesting how Higuchi Asa drafted this basic conflict in their personalities already in their bloodtypes.
And yes again, A bloodtypes are said to get along well with other A types or AB.
I feel compared to Western Zodiac signs the bloodtype theory is quite vague and allows a lot of interpretation. It seems to depend more on general concept/idea and contrasts between the types than on certain, clearly identifiable characteristics, which is both a strenght and a weakness in my opinion. In any case for me it introduced new ideas how to see and compare characters, especially with the ambivalence vs. directness of the AB vs. 0 bloodtypes.
I really wonder how much of this bloodtype theory Higuchi had in mind while creating the characters or if they just developed "naturally" and she later picked the bloodgroup which she deemed the most fitting for a certain character. Anyway - I think it tells us quite much about how she herself sees them.
~FINITO~ ~OWARI~ ~FINISH~
Everyone who finds where I used "threads" instead of "traits" gets a cookie. *headdesk*
I feel the whole "research topic" was just an excuse to dive headfirst into Oofuri character analysis.