The Let's Play Archive

Hatoful Boyfriend

by ChorpSaway

Part 118: Supplementary Lesson #3: The Doctor Archetype


Previous Analysis: Childhood Friends

Doctors are an untapped market in otome games. There are a couple of nurse characters scattered around, but none of them really do their job or have their route defined by their profession.
So instead, since it was suggested in the thread, let’s discuss how characters are given their personalities.






Japanese media uses two big concepts in order to define characters, particularly in things like JRPGs and dating simulation games: the Greek Zodiac and bloodtypes. Both of these are believed to apply particular traits to people and help to give insight into a person’s character.






Partially based in racism and Nazi experiments, the Japanese pseudoscience behind blood type personality traits began in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s based around an attempt to breed perfect soldiers as well as an experiment to see why Taiwanese people were so cruel and violent. Interest died out as the unreliability of these studies became more evident. However, the theory was revitalized in the 1970’s by Masahiko Nomi, a reliable source given that he had no medical background and based all of his findings on the anecdotal evidence of people he met while working as a lawyer. While the psychological community at large has disregarded Masahiko’s work, it has become a rather large part of their society.
On morning television shows, blood horoscopes are given, similar to the astrological horoscopes found in the newspaper. Online matchmaking services include a blood type parameter, and many people use blood types to choose their prospective boyfriends or husbands. People of different blood types are recommended different diets and exercises for staying healthy. People are occasionally discriminated because of their blood type. Potential employees are often asked for their blood type during interviews. Some companies even separate people by their blood type when making teams for a large assignment. Even one of the Japanese Reconstruction Ministers, Ryu Matsumoto, when forced to step down from his position, blamed many of his actions on his blood type.
Given the amount of weight that this bit of pseudoscience is given, it also tends to show up in Japanese media. In anime, manga and video games, characters are often given a blood type, which helps to define their character and make it easier to understand a character’s role.
Also, a majority of Japanese people have type A blood, so many of their more revered traits are present there.


Type A
People who have type A blood are generally kind and generous. They consider things very carefully, not expressing themselves in order to avoid conflict and doing things at a slow pace to make sure they are satisfied. They stay calm in most situations and always take responsibility, desiring to work hard both for themselves and others.
However, these traits often cause people with type A blood to be fastidious, becoming overearnest and stubborn in their role and their efforts.

Characters that have type A blood
Relationship Chart for thost that have type A blood


Type B
People who have type B blood are free-spirited, often going against standards and ignoring the consequences. They are optimistic and cheerful, and are very friendly and playful towards everyone. They love to fall in love and have less attachment to it, making it easier to overcome heartbreak. They don’t tend to follow any sort of goal or dream for long, preferring to bounce around.
Unfortunately, these traits tend to make people with type B blood unpredictable and erratic, and are often considered irresponsible. They fear being alone and losing company, acting selfish among their friends.

Characters that have type B blood
Relationship Chart for thost that have type B blood


Type AB
People who have type AB blood always stay calm and collected, and tend to be introverted. They are rational and inventive, and tend to have numerous hobbies to keep themselves entertained. They often chase after their own ideals and dreams, and are known to pursue great knowledge.
These people also tend to be indecisive and irresponsible. They are sensitive and easily hurt, and are critical of both their own and others’ actions. They are also referred to as having a complicated or “split” personality, where it can be difficult to find out what a person with type AB blood is truly like on the inside.

Characters that have type AB blood
Relationship Chart for thost that have type AB blood


Type O
People who have type O blood are ambitious and devoted to their cause. They tend to be confident and self-determined, and stand strong in the face of adversity. They are good with leadership, and act cautiously. They don’t focus on the small things, but rather they focus on a wider perspective of life.
However, people with type O blood also tend to act self-centered and cold. They are sometimes seen as unpredictable, and can often take their devotion to a workaholic or monopolized state.

Characters that have type O blood
Relationship Chart for thost that have type O blood
So if you take anything away from this, understand that Naruto/Sasuke is canon and that Cloud/Tifa is better than Cloud/Aerith.






Rather than the Eastern zodiac, the Western zodiac is commonly used to develop characters in Japanese media. This is often the preferable method because many character casts are within a small range of birthyears (particularly in games that take place in high school), so more character diversity is available when the traits are based on a month-like scale rather than a yearly scale.
Characters tend to have astrological signs that play into their blood type personalities, to further emphasize particular character traits. Occasionally their sign is chosen to counteract their blood type and cause inner conflict and development, though this is definitely a minority of characters.



Aries, the Ram (March 21-April 19)
Aries are generally adventurous and energetic. They are confident in themselves and act boldly and courageously. However, they also tend to be selfish and impulsive, acting rash and foolhardy, with little concern for themselves.

Characters who are Aries


Taurus, the Bull (April 20-May 20)
Tauruses are practical and patient, staying calm in the toughest of situations. They are persistent in their actions and are warmhearted to others. They love security and feeling safe. However, the also act jealous and possessive. They are inflexible in their ways and act in self-indulgent manners.

Characters who are Tauruses


Gemini, the Twins (May 21-June 20)
Geminis are intelligent and communicative, sharing their knowledge and wit with others. They are adaptable and act youthful and lively. However, they tend to become nervous and tense. They are also very cunning, and tend to focus on superficial aspects. Geminis are often referred to as having a “split” personality.

Characters who are Geminis


Cancer, the Crab (June 21-July 22)
Cancers are sensitive and emotional, which gives way to their protecting nature. They are intuitive and imaginative, but also cautious. They tend to act moody and overemotional, prone to clinginess.

Characters who are Cancers


Leo, the Lion (July 23-August 22)
Leos are charismatic and enthusiastic, faithful to their cause. They tend to be broad-minded and creative.
However, their abilities also cause them to become pompous and bossy, acting intolerant of others they don’t agree with.

Characters who are Leos


Virgo, the Virgin (August 23-September 22)
Virgos are modest and shy, but are reliable people. They are practical and analytical, meticulous in their actions and highly intelligent. They also tend to be perfectionists, prone to worry and acting overly critical.

Characters who are Virgos


Libra, the Scales (September 23-October 22)
Libras are charming, idealistic and sociable. They act diplomatically and fair, and are often very peace-loving. However, they also are indecisive and easily influenced by others, and tend to make decisions self-indulgently.

Characters who are Libras


Scorpio, the Scorpion (October 23-November 21)
Scorpios are loyal and passionate, are are forceful in their actions. They act on intuition and are exciting, naturally attracting others to them. They also tend to be secretive and resentful. They are compulsive and obsessive over the things that interest them.

Characters who are Scorpios


Sagittarius, the Archer/Centaur (November 22-December 21)
Sagittariuses love freedom and adventure, and act very straightforward. They are intellectual and philosophical, but also honest and good-humored. However, they often tend to be careless and irresponsible, acting tactless and blindingly optimistic.

Characters who are Sagittariuses


Capricorn, the Goat (December 22 - January 20)
Capricorns are hard-working and ambitious, but are also careful and patient. They tend to be reserved, but also humorous. They also tend to be pessimistic about themselves and grudging when it comes to changing plans or ideas.

Characters who are Capricorns


Aquarius, the Water Carrier (January 21-February 19)
Aquariuses are intellectual and inventive. They are loyal and friendly, and act honestly. They are independent and original. They also tend to act detached and unemotional, occasionally becoming unpredictable and contrary to suit their needs.

Characters who are Aquariuses


Pisces, the Fish (February 20-March 20)
Pisces are imaginative and intuitive, selfless and compassionate. They are sensitive and sympathetic. However, they also tend to be escapist and secretive. They are overly idealistic and weak-willed, being easily led by others.

Characters who are Pisces




The pseudoscience of blood types and zodiac signs plays a surprisingly large role in Japanese culture, which further spreads into their media, in particular video games. While fewer modern games have tended to include this kind of information from character bios, it still shows up often in dating sim character bios. One of the main points in this is compatibility; given how the various blood types tend to get along, it becomes important to keep blood type in mind when pursuing a romantic interest, virtual or otherwise. Since this kind of information is widespread knowledge in Japan, it gives players an easy reference of character that will help them quickly understand a character’s main traits. The Western zodiac also plays into compatibility, though the compatibility chart for zodiac signs is more complicated, so blood type is still the most common relationship metric. This kind of thing does not translate particularly well in the West, however, where this sort of superstition is generally frowned upon or ignored, so fewer Western games include this type of information or give a lot of thought to any kind of larger meaning when assigning things like birthdays to characters.

Next Analysis: Chuunibyou