Bleach: Kaname Tosen (INFP)

Unfortunately, Kaname Tosen didn’t get a whole lot of in depth development and focus, so we were a bit hesitant with this one. However, we do think INFP fits the best, and we’ll do our best to explain why. We will begin with a quote (with added function descriptors) that we feel demonstrates his INFP functions pretty well…

“What was she lacking? Is believing in peace and justice not enough to attain them? (Ne) In that case, I want power. I want the power to impose peace. (Te) If wanting justice is not enough, I will become justice itself, and then I will sweep away the evil of the world like clouds. (Ne) I will put my sense of justice to the test. (Fi)”

Fi:

“Unfortunately, yes. I’m going to have to enter this fight whether I like it or not. Abstaining from battle is always best but it seems things aren’t going to be so easy this time. Ah. If it weren’t for fighting, we could avoid so many misunderstandings, so many ugly emotions brought to the surface, so many ugly tragedies.”

“I’m sorry, but for the sake of peace, I must terminate you.”

“With no moral foundation behind it, killing is nothing more than murder. But on the other hand, killing with purpose is justice.”

“I am afraid. I had the same fear for a hundred years, the fear of assimilating and dying as a Soul Reaper.”

Kaname appears to be an Fi dominant, as opposed to an Fe user which many believe him to be. He makes his values very clear, and frequently states his objections to things he disapproves of. He hates fighting of any kind, yet sees it as a tool for justice, and ergo is willing to participate if absolutely necessary. He’s loyal to Aizen’s cause, and obeys completely. He’s even mockingly called “boy scout” by another Arrancar. At one point, he makes a statement essentially saying that the cause guides his actions, which demonstrates an Fi mentality. He makes it clear that it’s evil to allow victims to go unavenged, to kill needlessly, and etcetera.

Kaname holds justice to the utmost importance, even to the point that he desires to “become” justice, essentially adopting it into his identity or sense of self. (Once again, this demonstrates an Fi mentality.) He also expresses a fear of losing himself among the Soul Reapers and “assimilating”, which suggests an individualistic mentality (and lack of Fe).

Kaname has very high and absolute standards for himself, such as not considering one of his strikes as a hit due to it not fulfilling its intended purpose (to cut off everything above the left eye).

Ne:

“You should open your mind. There is meaning in Wonder Weiss’ sounds.”

“What was she lacking? Is believing in peace and justice not enough to attain them?”

“But what is justice?”

“Justice isn’t something that’s seen with your eyes. Justice is something that mere words can’t completely describe.”

Kaname Tosen Ne can be hard to see, due to little screen time and possibly some Fi-Si looping. However, there are times it shows itself. Kaname holds to principles and concepts like peace and justice. In the middle of a battle with Sajin, he’s shown questioning what justice is, and speculating about it. He ultimately describes it as something that words can’t describe, and that can’t be seen. In addition, during his revealed backstory, while mourning his friend’s death, he’s shown asking if believing in peace and justice is not enough to attain them. This default focus of belief rather than action, suggests Ne rather than Se.

Lasty, when Wonder Weiss first makes an appearance during the battle for Karakura, he starts making obnoxious noises. Gin is deeply bothered, but Kaname sees meaning in Wonder Weiss’ sounds. He suggests that Gin open his mind.

Si:

Kaname wraps up his ideals in duty, which is a common theme for those with both Fi and Si in their stack. He also lives for revenge, and joined the Soul Reapers purely for revenge. Granted, he suffered a tragedy, so this is weak, but it could be viewed as failure to move on from the past. He struggles deeply with bitterness, and is incapable of letting go. Kaname also takes a more cautious approach to battle, teaching that fear is a requirement. Another example would be teaching to always be in the position to sidestep an attack when drawing one’s sword.

There is one other potential example that we feel shows Kaname’s Si. During his battle with Sajin, Kaname regains his sight. Shortly after, he slanders Sajin, commenting that he looks much much uglier than he imagined. This attempt at an insult falls flat, and has markedly little impact. Later, he admits that he had only said that because he specifically remembered Sajin stating that he was uncomfortable with his appearance. This whole exchange seemed like weak Si (insult based on specific, stated recall, yet failing to grasp underlying meaning).

Te:

“You show me disrespect! Now I can see how ugly you really are!”

“I simply believe that anyone who disrupts the peace should have to pay for it. It’s not personal.”

“Is believing in peace and justice not enough to attain them? In that case, I want power. I want the power to impose peace.”

Kaname is very decisive when it comes to his principles. He’s quick to mete out justice when his principles are violated. At times, this results in him displaying the harsh persona of a Te user. He also hates being disrespected, and openly proclaims this. When he loses his friend, he decides that he wants power in order to impose peace, which is a very Te-esque mindset. One of the indications for us that Kaname isn’t a higher Te user was in how he appeals to a higher authority when rebuking other Arrancars. At one point, he invokes Aizen’s authority rather than using his own to demand that Grimmjow sit back down and wait for orders.