10 Amazing ISTJ Anime Characters

#1 – Giyu Tomioka from Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba)

“Feel the rage. The powerful, pure rage of not being able to forgive will become your unswerving drive to take action!” – Giyu Tomioka

Giyu is driven by a powerful sense of justice and conviction. On top of that, he’s highly practical. He thinks quickly on his feet, showing zero hesitation when faced with terrifying, powerful demons. Like most ISTJs, he’s a man of very few words, his feelings are expressed through his internal thoughts more than his external expressions. In his first encounter with Tanjiro and Nezuko, he appears insulting and harsh on the outside while his inner words are soft and empathetic. This is something that ISTJs often relate to; their inner worlds are often more emotionally rich and nuanced than their outside expressions reveal. When it comes to his decisions, Tomioka tries to stay practical and logical unless enough physical evidence reveals that he should step outside the rules (as evidenced when Nezuko protects her brother rather than devouring him).

#2 – Tenya Iida from My Hero Academia

“How is having a goal to support your livelihood not admirable?” – Tenya Iida

Tenya Iida, like most ISTJs, is driven by a sense of responsibility and duty. More than anything, he wants to excel at his quirks so that he can live up to his older brother’s example. He may be a rule-follower, but he’s also willing to break the rules when it comes to protecting the legacy of the ones he loves most. He is deeply devoted as a friend and brother, and his discipline and hard-working nature make him a source of strength for his entire UA class. His detail-oriented perceptiveness enables him to notice when anything is out of synch or dangerous, and his pragmatic nature enables him to come up with strong plans of action when everyone else is panicking. His hunger for efficiency, his loyalty, and his attention to detail all make him a strong ISTJ character.

#3 – Violet Evergarden from Violet Evergarden

“Dead people receive more flowers than living ones because regret is stronger than gratitude.” – Violet Evergarden

A former soldier who was enlisted in the Leidenschaftlich army, Violet Evergarden is one of the more exaggerated forms of ISTJs in the anime world. Dedicated, persistent, and dignified, every decision she makes is deliberate- she must understand the meaning of the words “I love you,” spoken to her by her dear friend Gilbert. Like most ISTJs, Violet is direct, blunt, and honest, but there’s more to her than obeying orders and speaking truth. She has empathy and feels responsible for other people’s suffering; something that many people ignore when writing ISTJ type descriptions. She is driven by her convictions, even if it makes her seem tactless, strange, or even eccentric.

#4 – Aki Hayakawa from Chainsaw Man

“You’re a devil, so just be grateful that you weren’t killed. We’re devil hunters after all.” – Aki Hayakawa

Aki Hayakawa gives us an excellent example of the two contrasting sides of the ISTJ personality type. In public, he appears no-nonsense and even stoic. Yet when he is alone, he displays a softer, more sensitive side. ISTJs tend to appear much more tough and direct with others than they actually feel on the inside. On the inside they can be quite sentimental and deeply feeling. That said, Aki Hayakawa is no shrinking violet. He craves revenge and will work with steadfast determination to kill the Gun Devil himself. Everything Aki does is very methodical, thought out, and intentional. He has the dependability and detail-oriented nature that ISTJs are famous for.

#5 – Kento Nanami from Jujutsu Kaisen

“I hate overtime, so let’s just finish this quickly.” – Kento Nanami

Prepared for anything, Kento Nanami displays incredible tactical skill and composure during battle. In typical ISTJ fashion, he abides by schedules, rules, and logic rather than allowing his emotions to get in the way. At the same time, he wants his life to have a meaningful impact on people which is why he returned to Jujutsu sorcery. Nanami is direct and blunt, often to the surprise of Itadori and Satoru. He believes in making the most effective use of every moment so that he can adhere to his timeline. He’s turned off by optimism or impracticality because it frankly doesn’t seem wise or “realistic.”

#6 – Teru Mikami from Death Note

“In this world, there is only good and evil, that was the first universal truths I grasped from observing the world around me when I was a child. Every human being without exception ends up falling into one category or the other.”

ISTJs tend to see things in black and white terms, especially when they’re at average to unhealthy levels of maturity. Mikami is no exception, which is why he can carry out Kira’s judgments without question or reserve. Like most ISTJs, Mikami has a strong sense of justice and loyalty and detests “lazy people.” He is also fiercely dedicated to his goals and adheres to a strict schedule and routine. He has a very exacting, scheduled way of going through life. For example, he exercises at the gym at the same time on the same days every week, regardless of holidays or extenuating circumstances. Like most introverted sensors, Mikami is very precise, detail-oriented, and regimented in his lifestyle.

#7 – Megumi Fushiguro from Jujutsu Kaisen

“I want more good people to enjoy fairness, even if only a few.”

Secretive and stoic, Megumi Fushiguro may seem impenetrable but he often shows a surprisingly sensitive inner side when he’s alone. Like most ISTJs, Megumi is private about his life and his feelings, only verbalizing things that seem relevant or useful for troubleshooting. Fairness is a driving force for Megumi; he hopes that through his work as a Jujutsu sorcerer he will be able to help humans that are good and kind have more chances at life. This same belief is what drove him to save Yuji Itadori, even though it meant betraying the long-standing rules of the Jujutsu sorcerers.

#8 – Mikasa Ackerman from Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin)

“There are only so many lives I can value. And I decided who those people were six years ago. So you shouldn’t try to ask for my pity, because right now I don’t have time to spare or room in my heart.” – Mikasa Ackermann

Disciplined, serious, and private, Mikasa has the focus of the ISTJ along with the perseverance and loyalty. While her rapid reflexes would indicate some use of Extraverted Sensation (Se) her perspectivve and reactions seem more akin to ISTJ rather than ISTP. She keeps her feelings and motivations deep inside, only revealing them to Eren when it might be their last moment to live. She places loyalty above nearly all other values, sticking by Eren’s side even when others condemn him. Her sense of discipline and her mysterious yet principled demeanor embodies the strengths of the ISTJ personality type.

#9 – Koutarou Amon from Tokyo Ghoul

“If “emptiness” is just another feeling, then it, too, exists. Gazing into that emptiness is painful. It’s hard. But if you can face it, unfaltering, it will eventually give you the answer you seek…How you want to live your life.” – Koutarou Amon

First Class Ghoul Investigator, Koutarou Amon has the strengths that make ISTJs stand out in the workforce. He’s focused, loyal, perceptive, and level-headed. Like most IxTJ personality types, Amon is deeply connected to the introverted feeling side of his personality. He wants to eradicate cruelty and evil from the world; he wants to “save the world.” Many articles talk about the idealism of the Intuitive-Feeling types, but Amon is an excellent example that idealism can thrive in any personality type. He is dedicated to his cause, protective of children, and introspective about his morals, feelings, and values. Amon shows a tremendous amount of growth through the Tokyo Ghoul series, eventually realizing and making peace with the fact that ghouls are individuals with a wide variety of emotions, values, and beliefs.

#10 – Arima Kousei from Your Lie in April

“Even in the depths of the darkest oceans, some light always pierces through.” – Kousei Arima

The relationship between Kousei and Kaori in Your Lie in April exemplifies how much ISTJs and ENFPs can learn and grow from each other. Kousei is dedicated, intelligent, and calm. Kaori is wild, imaginative, and spontaneous. These two types often balance each other out, each excelling in an area where the other is naturally weak. In typical ISTJ fashion, Kousei is attuned to details and works diligently at refining his work and making it as perfect as it can possibly be. His quiet, cautious nature and studious, precise way of handling life are hallmarks of the ISTJ type.

What Are Your Thoughts?

Do you agree with these typings? Are there any other ISTJ anime characters that you love? Let us know in the comments!

Find out more about your personality type in our eBooks, Discovering You: Unlocking the Power of Personality Type, The INFJ – Understanding the Mystic, The INTJ – Understanding the Strategist, and The INFP – Understanding the Dreamer. You can also connect with me via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!

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10 Amazing ISTJ Anime Characters

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