Matchmaking players and love interests: the pseudoscience behind our archetype preferences – introverts’ edition

It’s time for another heavily otome focused article! Today, we’re going for a more unusual approach. We’re honing in on if there is any correlation between our archetype preferences and our own personality types. We’ll be using the Myers-Briggs’ personality type and type compatibility tests for our findings, but do take our research with a grain of salt, since it won’t be fully concrete or 100% accurate. The test itself is considered to be pseudoscience rather than “true” psychology, so just bear in mind that this is all a bit of fun that might help us understand a bit more about ourselves and our favourite husbandos!

Before we get into it, be sure to assess your own personality type and see if they line up with your archetype preferences! Try to do this more than once and at most four times to get a result which appears two or more times to get a solid, reliable result. This is necessary due to the survey being fully self-assessed.

For example, I had three consecutive ISFP results using different website tests, and can now feel comfortably validated in crushing on multiple mature love interests in the genre with these findings. It’s even better knowing that me and Kaoru Rindo (Café Enchanté) or Gilbert Redford (Piofiore: Fated Memories) would actually function as a legit couple!

Don’t know what I’m talking about? Let’s get into it! I referred to the personality database alongside my own opinion of each love interest used as examples of each personality type. This article will cover the eight introverted personality types of love interests; in a subsequent article, we’ll look at the extroverts. Feel free to use Ctrl-F to quickly scan the article and locate which type you might match up with once you’ve assessed yourself.

ISTJ: The Logistician

Otome archetypes: ISTJ
Dante (Piofiore: Fated Memories)

First up, the ISTJ. These characters’ personalities are centred around being patient, hard-working and honourable. They are easily misunderstood and difficult to approach initially, but have a strong sense of integrity. They are organised, stand by facts and logic, appreciate traditions, and can usually be described as loyal, driven, serious, calm and reserved. At the same time their pitfalls can be seen as stubbornness, always going by the book, and having a sharp tongue that can make their words sound harsher than intended.

From my research, it seems that ISTJ makes up an overwhelming amount of love interests — more so than almost any other personality type. This is quite fitting, considering this type is one of the more common personalities in the general population. As such, we have quite a selection of examples for this one, consisting of but not limited to Sousuke (7’scarlet), Saito (Hakuoki), Yanagi (Collar x Malice), Van Helsing (Code: Realize series), Kent (Amnesia series), Mozu (BUSTAFELLOWS), Lance (Nameless ~The one thing you must recall~) and Dante (Piofiore: Fated Memories). As we can see, that’s a lot of “dere” types, especially kuuderes.

Their best romantic matches are either ESTP or ESFP. The latter is due to ESFPs’ attraction to ISTJs’ loyalty and confidence, whilst the former is due to ESTPs bringing spontaneity to an ISTJ’s regimented lifestyle.

ISTP: The Virtuoso

Otome archetypes: ISTP
Shin (Amnesia series)

ISTP is a person who is analytical yet spontaneous. They adapt easily, and are very hands-on and inquisitive. They have an interest in understanding, and are upstanding individuals who are positive and giving. This type is usually very relaxed and are not easily fazed when a challenge is presented to them, or when they are involved in a crisis. They do, however, have a tendency to be unpredictable and impulsive, and can become easily bored, extremely private, and speak without thinking.

Examples of these characters within otomes consist of Shin (Amnesia), Akito (Norn9), Hanzo (Nightshade), Axel (OZMAFIA!!) and Lugus (Psychedelica of the Ashen Hawk), making for a healthy dose of varying character archetypes in this one personality type, although most can neatly fit into being the silent, mysterious and stoic type. This probably is no surprise considering how they are rational and deep thinkers.

Their best matches are with a ESFJ or ESTJ partner. The former is due to an ISTP being attracted to their approachable personalities with better social skills, whilst the ISTP grounds the ESTJ.

INTP: The Logician

Otome archetypes: INTP
Ulrik (Steam Prison)

The INTP personality type is deemed as the most logical of the personalities, being brilliant observers who have very active brains with an eye for detail. They are extremely independent and laid-back individuals who are not the best with providing emotional support, mostly due to how others tend to be more illogical and irrational compared to how they think — this can easily stump them. They are quizzical, objective and always curious, but tend to be disconnected from their environment due to their brain working overtime.

Otome love interests who seem to belong in this category will likely be obvious. I suspect many otome fans could easily rattle off a list before I tell you – but for what it’s worth, some great examples are Sanan (Hakuoki), Astrum (Period Cube ~Shackles of Amadeus~), Ulrik (Steam Prison), NakedToaster (Blooming Panic) and Rod (Cinderella Phenomenon).

Their best matches are ENTJ and ENFJ, with both respecting the INTP’s intelligence. ENTJs would make the most of an INTP’s ideas through using their creativity to compliment them, and an ENFJ has an openness and attraction to their way of thinking.

INFJ: The Advocate

Otome archetypes: INFJ
Shikishima (Bad Apple Wars)

INFJ is said to be one of the most uncommon of personality types – the rarest of the introverts, in fact. They are creative, thoughtful and perceptive. They are usually artistic, reserved and idealistic. They are typically driven to find a purpose in their lives and enjoy contemplating their own existences. INFJs are also great at being both logical and emotional thinkers, being extremely altruistic, and are sensitive to others — so much so that they are good at reading others. They can, however, be their own harshest critics, being overly sensitive with a tendency towards perfectionism.

Considering how rare of a personality type this one is, deciding which love interests fall into this type and how was one of the more difficult ones. From my findings and own deductions, Saint-Germain (Code: Realize), Sakuya (Norn9), Shikishima (Bad Apple Wars), Tei (Nameless ~The One Thing You Must Recall~), Vyn (Mystic Messenger) and Fritz (Cinderella Phenomenon) would seem to be some of the best examples out there.

Their best matches are ENFP and ENTP, the latter being open and eager for deep conversations, and the former keeping them focused and supported.

INFP: The Mediator

Otome archetypes: INFP
Victor (Code: Realize series)

INFP (That’s me! – Ed.) are individuals who want to live their best life for themselves and for others. They are compassionate, friendly, loyal, well-intentioned, generous, empathetic and are good mediators. They want to make everyone and anyone comfortable, and are always looking to avoid conflict as much as possible. They are idealistic, but can be prone to being easily distracted, emotional, self-critical and unrealistic. (Definitely me – Ed.)

In otomes, we can see the type represented in Yoosung (Mystic Messenger), Toa (7’scarlet), Victor (Code: Realize), Yukiya (Wizardess Heart) and Nightmare (Alice in the Country of Hearts). These are undoubtedly not surprising in the slightest, considering each one of them are the cinnamon roll love interests of their respective games. You can always tell that each and every one of them tries their best for others, and especially so for their beloved heroines.

Their best matches are ENFJ and ENTJ, both of which can understand their feelings the best.

ISFJ: The Protector

Otome archetypes: ISFJ
Canus (Café Enchanté)

ISFJ are one of the kindest types of the personality groups, being extremely altruistic, friendly and warm. They have a very generous personality, being considerate of others, and are easily dependable. They are enthusiastic, hardworking, supportive and reliable, but they also have tendencies towards being inflexible and oversensitive, and they are often too humble and kind to a fault.

You’ve probably already got a good idea of who falls into this category, especially if you’re into any sweet and emotionally inclined love interests. Gekkamaru (Nightshade), Scarlet (OZMAFIA!!), Yeonho (Nameless ~The one thing you must recall~), Canus (Café Enchanté), Hiroya (Period: Cube ~Shackles of Amadeus~) and Gill (Cupid Parasite) all, rather unsurprisingly, encompass this type.

Their best matches are ESTP and ESFP. This is due to an ISFJ’s more careful and considerate approaches balancing out with the extrovert’s more spontaneous and carefree attitudes.

ISFP: The Adventurer

Otome archetypes: ISFP
Beelzebub (Obey Me!)

ISFPs are creative and passionate individuals. They are open-minded, appreciative of what they have in life, live in the present and are sensitive to others. They often follow their heart over using their heads, and have a tendency of being indecisive, unorganised and stress easily.

This probably makes up the oddest mix of the bunch of these personality types, and seemed to be the most difficult in successfully deducing and finding 100% votes across the four functions in the character database. We’ve settled on the ISFP type being represented by Beelzebub (Obey Me!), Orlok (Piofiore: Fated Memories), Libera (Period Cube), Hira (Dairoku: Agents of Sakuratani) and Cove (Our Life: Beginnings & Always).

Their best matches are the ESTJ and ESFJ due to both types working well with a more orderly and patient temperament such as the ISFP, who would nurture and compliment their extroverted personalities with their light-hearted and laid-back approach to life.

INTJ: The Architect

Otome archetypes: INTJ
Chikage (Hakuoki)

As another rarer personality type, the INTJs are independent, organised, think ahead, and make any and every action of theirs with reason and intention behind it. They think rationally, are spurred by a desire to enrich their knowledge, but can be arrogant, judgemental, emotionally dismissive and cynical in social situations.

For some reason or another, this type seems to encompass quite a number of bad boys and the more complex love interests in otomes. However, this is probably not a surprise considering how the most villainous of fictional characters tend to be framed after this personality type for their traits. The love interests that encompass this type are therefore probably no surprise, since we have Chikage (Hakuoki), Yune (Steam Prison), Alma (Bad Apple Wars) Hikage (Psychedelica of the Black Butterfly), Ryuki (Cupid Parasite) and Takeru (Collar x Malice). Not all bad!

They would match best with an ENTP or an ENFP, with the former being supportive of their ingenuity, whilst the latter implores them to experience things outside of their comfort zone.

Finishing up

With these eight introvert personality types sorted and compiled, we’ll be tackling the extroverts at a later date. Where do you fit in on the spectrum, and who are your favourite love interests? Let us know down in the comments, via the usual social channels or with a letter for the Rice Digital Friday Letters Page!

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Lilia Hellal
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