The story of Naruto features a colorful cast of characters of all types, from the lovable "himbo" Might Guy to the inspiring shonen protagonist Uzumaki Naruto and the shy but kind Hyuga Hinata, who won over Naruto fans everywhere with her sympathetic character arc and sweet personality. She definitely ranks among anime's best dandere characters.
However, there are more ways to describe Hyuga Hinata than that. She isn't just a dandere -- she is a strong-willed and compassionate kunoichi whose personality can be best described with one of the sixteen Myers-Briggs personality types, and that personality type can dive into Hinata's character with more nuance and explore who she really is.
Hyuga Hinata's MBTI Type: INFP-T, The Mediator
Hinata is best described as a turbulent Mediator -- one of the gentlest and kindest MBTI types along with the Defender and Advocate -- and its code is INFP. That stands for Introverted Intuitive Feeling Perceiving, describing a sensitive and imaginative person who always keeps their mind open to the wonderful possibilities of the future, usually for the sake of others. Despite being introverted, Mediators like Hinata are typically altruistic and selfless, although it's conceivable for team-oriented villains to have this personality type too, such as My Hero Academia's Shigaraki Tomura.
As intuitive and feeling-oriented individuals, Mediators like Hinata have strong imaginations and colorful inner lives, even if they don't show it with their quiet and shy exteriors. They don't connect with others too easily, but they are eager to help the people around them in any way they can, and they don't need to be put on a pedestal or showered with praise.
Like their Defender cousins, Mediators reject the Protagonist personality type's flashy and showy ways, since they believe that when it comes to aiding people in need, hard work is its own reward. Mediators are also known for their strong sense of personal authenticity, strong empathy, and nonjudgmental and accepting nature. They believe that everyone has a good side that must be nurtured, and that no one is beyond saving.
Mediators are beloved and valued for their strong empathy, endless compassion and constant drive to help other people, and this makes them likable, reliable and trustworthy individuals who can be counted on at any time. It also helps that INFP Mediators are so honest and nonjudgmental, meaning anyone can feel safe opening up to them about their problems, even people who have difficulty trusting others. Mediators are also loved for their creative, imaginative and optimistic ways, and they can inspire anyone with their kind words and heartfelt support.
On the downside, Mediators tend to burn themselves out helping so many other people -- a problem that Defenders also have -- and Mediators pay too little attention to their own needs. INFPs may also be self-critical and emotionally vulnerable at times, which can destabilize them and weaken their ability to help others. Mediators might even be taken advantage of or fooled if someone unscrupulous crosses their path -- something the ultra-trusting Mediators must watch out for.
Hyuga Hinata As A Mediator In Naruto
In her youth in the traditionalist Hyuga clan, Hinata didn't get many chances to demonstrate her INFP nature aside from her self-doubt and emotional vulnerability. In her youth, Hinata was a disappointment as a main branch ninja despite having the Byakugan eye, and she quickly internalized the disapproval that was sent her way.
Mediators like Hinata thrive on the emotional connections they build and their approval from others, but that works against them when people criticize, doubt or mock them. Mediators are delicate, and Hinata was trampled flat by her own family. This low self-esteem persisted when she joined Team 8, led by Yuhi Kurenai, until the chunin exam arc began. At least the young Hinata sympathized with Naruto, and the two of them realized they had something in common when they met. An INFP like Hinata would never leave Naruto to suffer alone.
As a true INFP, Hinata was inspired when Naruto shouted some encouraging words to her during the Hinata vs. Neji battle, and Hinata took the fight to her bitter cousin Neji with renewed vigor. Hinata may have lost that match, but her growing bond with Naruto was impossible to deny, and as a sensitive Mediator, Hinata found great strength in Naruto's kindness towards her.
That helped Hinata blossom into a respectable ninja by the time Naruto Shippuden began, and she even stood up for Naruto against the Six Paths of Pain, eager to repay his kindness and proclaim her undying love for him. Imaginative INFPs like Hinata are always dreamers who are open to new possibilities, and sure enough, Hinata reinvented herself into someone her crush Naruto could be proud of.
