Tokyo Revengers is a story about Japanese delinquents and mind-bending time travel -- an unusual but creative combination of story elements for a modern shonen series. The star is Takemichi Hanagaki who, in the present day, regrets his boring and unfulfilled life. Then he hears about his old friend Hinata Tachibana, who died during gang violence involving the Tokyo Manji gang, or Toman.
Takemichi and Hinata's little brother Naoto team up to travel back to 2005, when Takemichi was a middle schooler, and change the past to save the future. Takemichi is now one of the gang among tough-talking punks, but he's no thug. Takemichi is kind, patient and empathetic, and his MBTI personality type reflects that.
Takemichi Hanagaki's MBTI Personality Type: INFP-T, The Mediator
Takemichi's personality type is the Mediator, with INFP-T standing for Introverted Intuitive Feeling Prospecting Turbulent. A mediator is just that: someone who works hard for the sake of others and rarely for themselves. Mediators aren't as extroverted as some personality types such as the Protagonist or Campaigner, but like Takemichi, they do care deeply about other people -- they just don't ask for much in return. Mediators are sensitive and empathetic, quick to address the emotional and personal needs of others. They will gladly provide a shoulder to cry on or give someone a gentle pep talk to empower and inspire them.
In addition, Mediators rarely judge others or contradict their points of view. Instead, Mediators show their diplomatic side by listening to the viewpoints and needs of others to understand them fully before making a move. A Mediator is willing to listen to all sides and gain the big picture, which allows them to be a true mediator between feuding parties. A Mediator will be happy if everyone else is happy too, and someone like Takemichi won't rest until everyone has had their voices heard and their needs taken care of. Mediators are driven greatly by their need to help others, and they may feel directionless or empty if they're isolated from or unable to do so. They might also neglect their own needs or burn themselves out while tirelessly rushing off to help others.
Takemichi Hangaki As a Mediator In Tokyo Revengers
As a 20-something man in 2017, Takemichi felt utterly empty and apathetic, and that his life had amounted to absolutely nothing. He was practically alone aside from his manager at his part-time job, and as a Mediator, he would naturally suffer from being all alone like that. He always thrived on the love and attention of others and had cherished Hinata Tachibana as a friend. Upon seeing the news of her death on TV, his heart was shattered, and he felt there was nothing left for him in this world. When Naoto asked Takemichi to help him save Hinata in the past, Takemichi accepted, and as a true INFP, he soon found purpose and strength in helping others, mainly Hinta herself.
Takemichi returned to his delinquent middle school days in 2005, knowing that he'd have to change everyone's relationships and experiences to avoid the horrible future he had come from. For the sake of the mission and to give himself some purpose, Takemichi began building bridges between different parties, including his wild new friend and boss Mikey and Mikey's no-nonsense companion Draken. Rarely does Takemichi use force or intimidation to get what he wants -- he tends to make emotional appeals and compromise to alter the past and maintain stronger bonds of trust and friendship among Toman's members. Takemichi will even try to win back defectors such as Kazutora Hanemiya from the Valhalla gang, making emotional appeals to them even when he stands little chance of succeeding. Words are his weapons, not his fists.
Takemichi is also a deeply empathetic and comforting person in Tokyo Revengers, never holding grudges. As an INFP, he wants to understand and help everyone around him, even when the adult versions of the Toman members grow up to be bitter, hardened criminals. If someone such as Draken regrets his past actions, Takemichi will gladly accept their request to change the past and help protect the happiness of everyone involved. Any time a friendship is threatened, such as that between Mikey and Draken, Takemichi will rush to try and mend ties. Draken and Mikey soon became exasperated but impressed that Takemichi cared so much and went so far to help them, and they appreciated how he fixed their friendship. In short, Takemichi will do anything to help a friend and prevent them from going down a truly dark road.
