Hunter X Hunter: Leorio Paradinight (ESFP)

Leorio is often typed as an ESFJ, but in our opinion, that contradicts the evidence. I’m going to lay out a case for ESFP below, that I hope you’ll give fair consideration too.

Se:

“This may not be my fight, but I can’t sit back and pretend nothing happened. That’s not my style. See the thing is… I can’t run away!”

“It’s progress. I’d say that calls for a little celebration.”

Leorio is an extremely impatient, and even reckless, individual. He is not fearless, which I think confuses a lot of people, since fictional ESFPs are often portrayed as fearless. However, from the start of the show, he proves himself to be impulsive and hasty, prone to acting (or speaking) before thinking. This can lead to bouts of courage, but it can also lead to just creating problems around him. The very first arc that he shows up in actually demonstrates this, since he spends a lot of time yelling at and provoking everyone around him. Of course, his impulsive nature is demonstrated time and time again, from little matters like yelling at a taxi driver to losing a match in the Hunter exam on purpose for lust.

However, the 13th Hunter Chairman Election arc actually shows an excellent example of his dominant Se. Leorio, distraught over the condition of Gon, bursts into a public forum and openly attacks Ging. He asks Ging, in front of everybody, why he hadn’t visited his son in the hospital, and punches him in anger.

Leorio is opportunistic. He excels at reading a situation, and recognizing how to profit from it. The arm wrestling scheme is a good example of this. He figures out a way for Killua and Gon to make money quick, and helps them implement it. Leorio generally views the world in a material or concrete way, which is how he frames his goal as a Hunter. He hides his personal motivations initially, and just claims to be in it for the money.

Leorio is good at enjoying the present moment. For instance, he’s often the one to suggest celebrating the small victories. He falls into some of the common ESFP stereotypes in regard to this. While upset over Gon’s condition after the Chimera Ant arc, Leorio talks about all the time he wasted partying and on the internet while Gon was off fighting.

Fi:

“More importantly, you demonstrated admirable empathy and kindness by continuing to reassure me that my wife would be okay. It’s clear to me that your compassion makes you worthy of taking the Hunter’s exam.” – about Leorio

“If I become Chairman… I’ll use the Association for my own personal ends!! My first order to all of you will be to do something to save Gon!!! Right now!”

Leorio is a compassionate and caring individual, which is ultimately what is driving him to be a hunter. He wants to offer free medical services to everyone because of a loss he suffered. He demonstrates a high capacity to be both caring and loyal, especially when it comes to his friends. Many people like to make selfless the sole characteristic of Fe users (or FJs), but that is simply not the case. Leorio specifically uses reasoning consistent with Fi, rather than Fe.

Leorio frequently acts in a way that is unabashedly selfish. I’m in no way saying that an FJ couldn’t be selfish, but it’s all in the framing. FJs frame their actions as selfless, whether or not they are. FPs will frame their actions in a more personal way, which can be misconstrued as selfish, whether or not they are. Leorio does the latter. For instance, he openly presents a selfish motivation for becoming a Hunter, and only later admits to his true, altruistic reason. Similarly, when giving a speech for the election, he openly admits that he intends to use the new position for personal reason, to save Gon. He also admits to selfish motivations when taking on an opponent by himself in the Hunter exam.

Leorio’s tendency to scream and yell at those around him, with little regard to any potential emotional reactions also contradicts dominant Fe. He generally seems unconcerned with harmony. If he was, he’d be a little more careful or calculated when interacting with others.

Te:

Leorio’s assertive nature, especially when he feels he’s not getting the respect that he deserves, is characteristic of tertiary Te. His desperate need for respect, and overly aggressive actions as a result, specifically shows low Te and insecure Fi. This is why he gets so caught up on being referred to with a specific title, but immediately drops it when he gets recognition for his actions. Once validated, he no longer cares about formalities or titles. The inconsistency here is a key indicator.

Leorio displays an “us versus them” mentality, which is characteristic of low Te. Leorio feels instantly suspicious of external authorities, and instinctually wants to fight against them. This is shown at the beginning of the show, on the boat, when he refuses to answer the captain’s questions.

Ni:

Leorio’s inferior Ni shows in a couple of different ways. The most obvious was mostly covered in the dominant Se section, since the dominant and inferior pair are inextricably linked. However, to reframe in context of Ni, Leorio often fails to consider the long term consequences of his actions. If they were his top priority, he wouldn’t have lost a match on purpose in the Hunter exam’s tower.

Leorio occasionally falls prey to bouts of paranoia, especially in moments of intense pressure. Now and again, he becomes oddly suspicious of people’s actions and motivations, sometimes for no legitimate reason. In addition, he struggles to read deeper into situations in any kind of effective way. When faced with an impossible question as part of the Hunter exam, Leorio essentially panics. We don’t see him trying to come up with possibilities. Instead, he hits a metaphorical wall and proclaims that there could be no right answer.