The Japanese and their Obsession with Bloodtypes

[saladesu]

It's mentioned sometimes in anime and manga, but the Japanese have this really strange obsession with bloodtypes. They believe a person's bloodtype says a lot about their character, so bloodtype is actually something they take into consideration when looking for a life partner or employees. It is practically a part of their culture (hence why this is in Otaku Culture ), and sort of like astronomical signs (Virgo, Sagittarius etc) in the west.

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

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

Type AB
Best traits: Cool, controlled, rational, sociable, "split personality"
Worst traits: Critical, indecisive, forgetful, irresponsible

Type O
Best traits: Agreeable, sociable, optimistic
Worst traits: Vain, rude, jealous, arrogant

Does this table describe you? Would you consider stereotyping based on bloodtype a sort of scientific racism? Is it just pseudoscience, or do our bloodtypes really affect our personalities?

As for myself, I am an AB. I actually think the description above fits me rather well, especially for "best traits". Maybe I'm just in denial but I don't think "worst traits" really describes me that well - I'm actually quite responsible

I wouldn't say it is scientific racism, but that depends on to what extremes one takes it. If it's just for fun, that's fine, but if an employer were to refuse to employ an otherwise perfectly capable person, then that's taking it too far and could be considered "scientific racism". I don't think bloodtype has a very big impact on our personalities, but it could be one of many factors that do affect our characters.

[perroloco]

In spite of me being Virgo and being fairly like the stereotypical Virgo, I consider each and every form of classification by x dumb, specially the Chinese Zodiac which categorizes people in a whole year!
I mean, maybe, just maybe the zodiac signs might be acceptable since a month isn't that much of a gap, but a whole year is, and I do know that a whole year *365 days* is nothing in an universal point-of view, but we all know people aren't the same in a generation so the Chinese Zodiac's accuracy is out of question.

As for blood types, I can't understand why are japanese so obsessed with them.. I have seen them in several manga character profiles in some tankoubons.

EDIT: Also, having studied some psychology, NLP and what-have you I heard/read that these kind of things, fit in the cold read category fairly well, and in fact they become self-fulfilling prophecies

What I mean is, I don't personally know you but there are certain universal experiences, ideas, feelings, traits that every people feels in his/her life.

I.e. I could tell you that you might remember having spend joyful days playing with your friends. Now, that's VERRYYYYYYY general, it probably wouldn't surprise you at all, but if I were in front on you and analyzing your body language, speaking, traits, etc. I could do something more specific.

Zodiacs and these bloodtype classifications fit in the traits description, categorizing people with having certain good/bad traits and most likely than not you will fit in either or both the good/bad traits of your certain sign/blood type, because after all these type of "personality tests" (So to speak) are designed that way so that most people (like 99%) match with at least 1 or 2 traits.

TL,DR I think any classification is bs, why are japanese so facinated by it.. Dunno.

BTW sorry for turning the thread 180* LOL, it is, after all meant to be related to Japan/Otakus and I changed it to a psychology debate, sorry about that.

[Asarii]

My bloodtype is A, and just for the kicks, my RH is +. I agree with its stereotypical traits such as being fastidious and punctual. I often tend to panic when I'm (going to be) late. I also have a fondness of rewriting my notes and colour code them. I'm also reserved and prefer my own company instead of being surrounded by a crowd.

If blood types are dealt in real-life situations as a light-hearted thing, it should be fine. After all it's only a physical component of ourselves. It should never be taken seriously.

[Crude]

While I generally don't belive in this sort of thing (how does your bloodtype affect your personality anyway ?), it was interesting that I did share some of the features that belong to my bloodtype. My bloodtype is O, and I am agreeable, optimistic, somewhat vain and also jealous !

[saladesu]

Well, it's all genetics... So it might well be that some coding that codes for your blood type also has some effect on your personality... It's nothing definite, of course, but it is definitely interesting when the traits listed seem to fit for some of us Though often I think we're misleaded by the fact that since some fit, we think, "wow this is interesting! It actually describes me!" when in fact there are a good number of parts that don't

These should never be taken seriously, of course... Like I said, not employing someone just because of blood type would be just wrong. But it's fun to compare bloodtypes and personalities Just like it is with horoscopes and the like~

[Noriyasu]

I am type AB! True I am very cool!!!

[Kotaku]

Yes, we Japanese liking talk about blood type very much. Last time, I ask for job at the pizza shop. But they no want employ me because they say I type B is irresponsible. They say I drop the pizza or no deliver to customer. They very bad, you think? I think they very bad!

[Tamotsu]

japan people love people with b+ blood. I am b+ blood.

[IchiMizu]

I am Type A. I think blood type is true and we find match using blood type. But sometimes I feel like I am Type AB more close.

[Tamotsu]

see you A me B, meen AB haven want us togathar

[IchiMizu]

Haven?
ごめん I don't understand. I think my best would be Type O.

[Zeltrax]

.....

Uh, well. I'm O.

Type O
Best traits: Agreeable, sociable, optimistic

True, true, a little true.

Worst traits: Vain, rude, jealous, arrogant

True, not really true, a little true, true.

But I'm only arrogant towards some people tho..I wonder..

Nice to find out about this and also
Sala have split personality !

[kewl0210]

Ya know, a lot of those things, blood types and astrological signs and stuff, are setup in a way that they could basically apply to anyone. Or "a few things only sort of apply" because most people have all those traits at one point or another.

But as per the blood type thing, I don't know mine. I think in Japan they kind of see it as a form of stereotyping.

[Googlez_kun]

I was always wondering why the heck they are showing the blood types in databooks or when a character makes his first appearance and it's shown in a little box along with the name.It's been puzzling me for quite a while,so thanks for clearing that up saladesu.

I think my bloodtype is 0 and the descrition kind of fits me,even though i don't know about the negative features.
Bloodtype AB would be better fitting.I don't know if your blood type really says something about your personality.I'm not too familiar with the human body on a cellular basis,but i'm leaning toward the opinion that it does not influence our personalities and if yes,then it's only a minor influence.

I don't really care anyway.Here in Germany most of the people don't even know their bloodtype,so i'm kind of surprised that it's that important in Japan.

[k-dom]

Stupid question why all the people in Medaka Box are of AB type ? Is that a joke of the mangaka ?
As for myself, I'm completely the opposite of my theoretical type...