Anime Word of the Week - Ketsueki-gata (血液型)

Ketsueki-gata (血液型)

... is an understanding of a person's character made by knowing his or her ABO blood type. Personal statistics for anime, manga, and video game characters will often include blood type as well as age, height, hair color, etc.

It is a popular belief in Japan that a person's blood type is predictive of his personality, temperament, and compatibility with others, and you'll often be asked by new Japanese friends, "What's your blood type?"

Ketsueki-gata blood type/personality traits:

Blood Type A - The Farmer

Speaking broadly, it is said that people with Type A Blood are calm, composed, and very level-headed and serious. They have a firm character, and are reliable and trustworthy (and hardheaded). They think things over and make plans deliberately, and they plug away at things steadily and assiduously. They try to make themselves more like their own ideal of what they should be. A Types may look aloof or distant to others. They try to suppress their own emotions, and because they have continual practice in doing this, this makes them appear strong. But, actually, they have a fragile, nervous side, as well. They tend to be hard on people who are not of the same type, and so they consequently tend to be surrounded with people of the same temperament.

Best traits: Earnest, creative, sensible, reserved, patient, responsible
Worst traits: Fastidious, overearnest, stubborn, tense, conservative

Some characters who are type A: Shinji Ikari & Misato Katsuragi (Evangelion), Aeka Jerai (Tenchi Muyo), Mamoru Chiba (Sailor Moon), Heero Yue (Gundam Wing),

Blood Type B - The Hunter

People with Type B Blood are curious about and interested in everything. That's may be good, but they also tend to have too many interests and hobbies, and they tend to get all excited about something suddenly and then later drop it again just as quickly. But they do manage to know which of their many interests or loved ones are the ones that are really important, the ones they should hold on to. B Types tend to excel in things rather than just be average. But they tend to be so involved in their own world or become so carried away with something that they neglect other things. They have the image of being bright and cheerful, full of energy and enthusiasm, but some people think that they are really quite different on the inside. And it can also be said about them that they don't really want to have much real contact with others.

Best traits: Wild, active, doer, creative, passionate, strong
Worst traits: Selfish, irresponsible, unforgiving, unpredictable

Some characters who are type B: Ritsuko Akagi (Evangelion), Minako Aino (Sailor Moon), Duo Maxwell (Gundam Wing),

Blood Type AB - The Humanist

People with Type AB Blood are said to have a delicate sensitivity. They are considerate of other people's feelings and deal with them with care and caution. On the other hand, though, they are strict with themselves and those close to them. They, therefore, seem to have two personalities: one for those "outside," and another for people on the "inside." They often become sentimental, and they tend to think too deeply about things. AB Types have a lot of friends, but they need time to be alone and think things through, as well.

Best traits: Cool, controlled, rational, sociable
Worst traits: Critical, indecisive, forgetful, irresponsible

Some characters who are type AB: Misa Hayase (Macross), Celvice Klein (Zone of the Enders), Rei Hino & Hotaru Tomoe (Sailor Moon)

Blood Type Type O - The Warrior

Type O Blood people are said to set the mood for a group and to take on the role of creating harmony among its members. Their image is one of taking it easy, of being peaceful and carefree. They are also thought to be big-hearted and benevolent, and they tend to spend money on others generously. O Types are generally "loved by all." But, they also, surprisingly, have a stubborn and strong-willed side, as well, and tend to secretly have their own opinions on things. On the other hand, they have the flexible, adaptable side of readily accepting new things. They are easily influenced by other people or by what they see on TV. They seem to appear level-headed and trustworthy, but they often slip and make big blunders inadvertently. But that is also the point that makes O Types lovable.

Best traits: Agreeable, sociable, optimistic
Worst traits: Vain, rude

Some characters who are type O: Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop), Kaoru Kamiya (Rurouni Kenshin), Vash the Stampede (Trigun), Usagi Tsukino (Sailor Moon), Sasami Jurai (Tenchi Muyo), Gene Starwind (Outlaw Star), Asuka Langly Soryu (Evangelion)



Blood Type A is the most common Japanese blood type. In America, Blood Type O is by far the most prevalent. In Japan, schools carry out thorough physical exams, and so the majority of Japanese people find out their own blood types from the results of these exams. Many Japanese are amazed to learn that a large number of Americans don't know their own blood types. "What's your blood type?" is a question heard much more frequently in Japan than, say, "What's your zodiac sign?" is heard in America. It is sometimes even used in casual self-introductions in informal situations.

Of course, if you are a type AB or O you will probably dismiss all of this blood-analysis out of hand as New Age mumbo jumbo, but the more sensitive type A's or B's may want to discover more!



I'm an AB, which in Japan is generally considered the worst type. Oh well...