Typing the Main Characters of The Demon Girl Next Door with MBTI

Analysis#

Shamiko’s dominant function is likely Fe (Extraverted Feeling).

Her wish that “everyone gets along” is textbook Fe. Furthermore, her adept emotional fluency is also very Fe. Not only is Shamiko exceptionally expressive with her own feelings, but she is also remarkably skilled at considering the feelings of others.

If her dominant function is Fe, then her inferior function would be Ti (Introverted Thinking), which also fits. At the beginning of Season 2, Shamiko couldn’t figure out how to solve the problems she faced efficiently, and Ancestor ended up taking over that role.

From there, it’s just a matter of determining whether her middle two functions are Si (Introverted Sensing)-Ne (Extraverted Intuition) or Ni (Introverted Intuition)-Se (Extraverted Sensing).

Personally, Ni feels like the right auxiliary function for Shamiko.

Shamiko has no trouble making new friends; in fact, she consciously works to expand her network as a sole proprietor demon. That doesn’t feel like Si.

Therefore, her cognitive function stack becomes Fe-Ni-Se-Ti. In other words, Shamiko is an ENFJ.

ENFJ Characteristics#

Protagonists radiate authenticity, concern and altruism, unafraid to stand up and speak when they feel something needs to be said. They find it natural and easy to communicate with others, especially in person, and their Intuitive (N) trait helps people with the Protagonist personality type to reach every mind, be it through facts and logic or raw emotion.

With a natural confidence that begets influence, Protagonists take a great deal of pride and joy in guiding others to work together to improve themselves and their community.

16Personalities

That definitely sounds like Shamiko.

Compared to the stereotypical ENFJ, Shamiko might not look brimming with self-confidence at all.

However, as Mikan pointed out in an episode corresponding to Volume 7, Shamiko actually has a mentally robust, fearless streak. She’s the type who fires up even more when facing a crisis.

ENFJ Characters#

According to the Character Personality Typing Thread Summary Wiki, here are some examples.

I only pulled out the ones I’m familiar with.

It’s fascinating to see Nausicaä on this list. I haven’t read nearly enough books on this yet, but apparently there’s a common storytelling archetype where a female protagonist brings blessings to the world through the power of healing, and Nausicaä is said to be a classic example of that.

Shamiko also spreads emotional healing to everyone around her, so perhaps they’re similar in that regard.

Analysis#

There is little doubt that her dominant function is Ti and her inferior function is Fe. That is precisely why Momo’s emotional, irrational decision in Season 2 Episode 6 had such impact—it was something she would never normally do.

So what about her auxiliary function? Between Se and Ne, I’d say Se. Seeking physical toughness and buying mass quantities of Tamasakura-chan merchandise feels very Se.

Her cognitive function stack thus becomes Ti-Se-Ni-Fe.

In fact, Momo feels like a pretty textbook ISTP. She demands realistic, rational solutions to problems, and at least until she met Shamiko, she maintained a lone-wolf stance.

And interestingly enough, if Shamiko is an ENFJ, the distance between Momo and Shamiko is a complete inversion—every single letter is different. Perhaps they truly are two completely symmetrical opposites.

ISTP Characteristics#

Virtuosos have a particular difficulty in predicting emotions, but this is just a natural extension of their fairness, given how difficult it is to gauge Virtuosos’ emotions and motivations.

Often mechanics and engineers, Virtuosos find no greater joy than in getting their hands dirty pulling things apart and putting them back together, just a little bit better than they were before.

16Personalities

That definitely feels like Momo. In fact, her inability to read Shamiko’s feelings properly caused Shamiko to retreat into her Mind Barrier Form.

Also, obsessing over quality as a vessel craftsman and constructing barriers makes her feel like a magical engineer through and through.

ISTP Characters#

According to the Character Personality Typing Thread Summary Wiki, here are some examples.

I only pulled out the ones I’m familiar with.

Seeing Tsuchinoko, Nanachi, and Rin Shima compared to Momo makes an incredible amount of sense.

Another interesting one is Rollpanna, the original “fallen to darkness” character. Maybe ISTP characters are just prone to turning evil. Which means the Shamiko-Momo pairing parallels the Anpanman-Rollpanna dynamic in Anpanman.

And there are an awful lot of Touhou Project characters in the mix. Is Gensokyo’s public safety so bad because it’s crawling with ISTPs?

ESFJ Characteristics#

Discussing scientific theories or debating European politics isn’t likely to capture Consuls’ interest for too long. Consuls are more concerned with fashion and their appearance, their social status and the standings of other people. Practical matters and gossip are their bread and butter, but Consuls do their best to use their powers for good.

Supportive and outgoing, Consuls can always be spotted at a party – they’re the ones finding time to chat and laugh with everyone!

16Personalities

That definitely feels like Mikan. Her use of SNS like Twittar is exactly like this.

Furthermore, in Volume 6, she says: “I want to talk more about romance and have a real youth.”

ESFJ Characters#

According to the Character Personality Typing Thread Summary Wiki, here are some examples.

I only pulled out the ones I’m familiar with.

A lineup of chatty, quintessential high school girls.

Out of all these, Komari-chan from Non Non Biyori feels the closest to Mikan.

Asgore from UNDERTALE appeared in Shamiko’s section as well, but that’s because opinions are divided. ENFJ and ESFJ have a distance of only 1, so it’s probably easy for opinions to split.

Analysis#

Ancestor is a bit trickier to nail down. Although she frequently talks about world conquest, whether she actually desires that from the bottom of her heart is another story. If anything, she seems to be thoroughly enjoying the current peaceful world. She is merely putting on a persona and acting the part of the Ancestor of Darkness; in reality, she has a philosophical maturity fitting her ancient age, feeling that as long as Shamiko and the others are happy and healthy, that’s all that matters. I want to analyze her with that in mind.

Lilith’s dominant/inferior function pair appears to be Se-Ni.

When Lilith was given a life-sized vessel that was more fragile than a cicada, her eagerness to travel around and experience various things firsthand felt very dominant-Se.

As for her auxiliary/tertiary functions, I think they are Ti-Fe.

When Lilith offers advice to Shamiko and the crew, her input feels less like brand-new insights or flashes of inspiration, and more like sharing knowledge backed by long years of experience.

Moreover, the way she steps up in critical moments as a dependable [Mentor] can be nicely explained by auxiliary Ti.

Thus, her cognitive function stack is Se-Ti-Fe-Ni.

ESTP Characteristics#

Perhaps the most perceptive, unfiltered observers of all personality types, Entrepreneurs have a unique knack for noticing small changes. Whether it’s a shift in facial expression, a new wardrobe choice, or a break in habit, people with this personality type pick up on hidden thoughts and motives where most types would be lucky to pick up anything specific at all. Entrepreneurs use these observations immediately, calling out the change and asking questions, often with little sensitivity.

Inspiring, convincing, and colorful, they are natural group leaders, pulling everyone along the path less traveled, bringing life and excitement everywhere they go.

16Personalities

That definitely feels like Ancestor. Ancestor is great at picking up on subtle nuances in emotion; in fact, near the end of Volume 3, she attempted to point out Momo’s feelings toward Shamiko (which was thwarted when Momo remotely hijacked her vessel). Even before Volume 3, she had probably noticed the dynamic between Shamiko and Momo quite early on.

To begin with, the Clan of Darkness itself inherently deviates from the rules of the world—which is to say, walking the path less traveled—making this feel like a perfect match for Ancestor.

ESTP Characters#

According to the Character Personality Typing Thread Summary Wiki, here are some examples.

I only pulled out the ones I’m familiar with.

Now that it’s mentioned, Arai-san being similar makes total sense. On Niconico, Fennec was always kicking her across the screen, wasn’t she?

What’s really fascinating is Nadeshiko Kagamihara—meaning the relationship between Lilith and Momo is equivalent to the “NadeRin” ship in Laid-Back Camp. When you think back to that chapter where Ancestor took over Shamiko’s body and went out to hang out with Momo, they really do share a similar dynamic.