Summary of "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)

Middle Managers — very linear, very lexical. Rule‑obsessed; enforcement over improvisation.
- Patron saint: Akane (Psycho‑Pass)
- Examples: Winry, Chiri, Yoko
Brooders — fairly linear, very lexical. Quiet, able to distance themselves from actions.
- Patron saint: Light Yagami
- Examples: Mob (Mob Psycho), Kiritsugu, Sasuke
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
Human Calculators — very lateral, very lexical. Data‑processing geniuses who can seem autistic.
- Patron saint: L (Death Note)
- Examples: Shiro, Yuki Nagato
Reasonable People — very linear, fairly lexical. Straightforward, practical, focused on the moment.
- Patron saint: Saitama (One Punch Man)
- Examples: Yusuke, Ichigo
Caretakers — fairly linear, fairly lexical. Empathetic organizers who bridge other types.
- Patron saint: Misato (Evangelion)
- Examples: Ryuji (Toradora), Asuna, Brock
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)
Analysts — very lateral, fairly lexical. Form impressions then codify them—excellent tacticians.
- Patron saint: Sora (No Game No Life)
- Examples: Lelouch, Senku, Okabe
Clear‑Sighted — very linear, fairly impressionistic. Strong emotional/non‑verbal understanding; often shonen heroes.
- Patron saint: Mikuru (Haruhi)
- Examples: Naruto, Madoka, Chihiro
Room Brighteners — fairly linear, fairly impressionistic. Cheerful, emotionally nourishing types. - Patron saint: Nyanta (Log Horizon) - Examples: Minmei, Kazuma (Konosuba), Yuno
Shadow Caretakers — fairly lateral, fairly impressionistic. Supportive from the background and often misunderstood. - Patron saint: Asuka/Oscar (Evangelion context) - Examples: Akatsuki (Log Horizon), Homura
Fascinators — very lateral, fairly impressionistic. Opaque, magnetic, usually reserved. - Patron saint: Senjougahara (Monogatari) - Examples: Griffith, Motoko, Tsumugi
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
Impressionists — fairly linear, very impressionistic. Crafted personas, difficult to explain—Spike Spiegel archetype. - Examples: Revy (Black Lagoon), Ryuko, Vash
Aestheticians — fairly lateral, very impressionistic. Deep, lateral artistic/intuitive thinkers who clash with lexical norms. - Patron saint: Kamina (Gurren Lagann) - Examples: Taiga (Toradora), Accelerator
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.