Arcane: Violet [Vi] (ESFP)

Arcane’s first season was surprisingly short (only 9 episodes), yet managed to pack in a lot of action. As a result, not all the individual characters get enough focus for us to confidently identify their personality types from season 1 alone. (We’ll hold off on the ones we can’t until season 2, and hope they get enough development then.) With that being said, Vi is one of the characters that gets a significant amount of focus in Arcane’s season 1, which allowed us to identify her as an ESFP. Other personality types besides ESFP that we considered for Vi were ENTJ and ESTP. However, ESFP seems to fit Vi better, and we’re going to explain why below.

Se:

“I see you never learned patience.” – Sevika to Vi

“Throws herself into trouble wherever she can find some.” – Vander about Vi

“We’re not going to get caught. We’ll be in and out before anyone notices.”

Vi is an impulsive individual, eager to throw herself into any situation at a moment’s notice. This is shown right from the beginning of the series, when she’s leading other children to the upper city to raid an apartment. She does this without permission from her parental figure, Vander, who later reprimands Vi for her brash and reckless behavior. He describes her as someone who “throws herself into trouble wherever she can find some.”

Vi is quick to react and adapt to the moment, which can work to both her advantage and disadvantage. For instance, she responds quickly upon hearing the apartment’s owner returning, and barricades the door with a nearby chair. However, she also escalates situations into fights unnecessarily or initiates fights intentionally, because she lacks patience and self-restraint. Ekko even makes a comment that he learned to rush in punching from Vi.

Vi’s desire for action is clear throughout the series, as she follows her every impulsive to fight in spite of the risk. Upon returning to the Lanes for the first time since her arrest, Vi gives Caitlyn minimal guidance, and mostly keeps abandoning Caitlyn to pursue her own agenda. She parkours down into the city with barely a warning, stops for food, and then keeps disappearing to search for her sister. Vi’s nature is anything but passive, which is why Vander’s focus on maintaining the peace frustrates her. Vi spends most of the series rushing into one fight after another, from saving Vander, to attacking Sevika head-on, or teaming up with Jayce to destroy Silco’s shimmer factory.

Fi:

“I’m going. Are you with me or not?”

“We need to fight back. And if you won’t, I will.”

“You filthy traitor.”

Vi is driven by a sense of purpose, and has a strong independent streak. Vi believes those in the upper city are selfish and evil. She frequently passes judgement on those from that area, especially the enforcers, and rationalizes her actions against them based on these judgements. Her eagerness to fight back is often driven by her desire for both independence and justice.

Vi is determined to do what she feels is best, no matter what anyone else says. This often leads to arguing in an attempt to convince the other party, but then striking out on her own when that fails. While she is protective of those she cares about, Vi doesn’t have a strong team focus. (Vander has to remind her to consider others and not just herself.) Vi follows her own values, regardless of who’s in agreement.

While she comes across as rebellious and hardened, Vi is actually very empathetic and caring. She’s extremely close to Powder, and the other kids in her adopted family. When she sees Ekko for the first time (as his prisoner) after years of separation, she quickly shifts from fighting and arguing with him, to suddenly hugging him and saying how much she missed him. When it comes to Powder specifically, Vi has a soft spot for the girl, as her sister, and acts very nurturing and encouraging. She gives her preferential treatment over the others, but does so blatantly and unapologetically, with no attempt to logically rationalize the lack of fairness.

Te:

“So? Why answer to them? These are our streets. Someone should remind them of that.”

“Mylo’s wrong, Powder. You’re stronger than you think. And one day… This city’s gonna respect us.”

Vi is a forceful individual, which is common for extraverts with Te. She desires respect and recognition, which is partially what drives her rebellious actions. Vi can be very controlling of those under her, and naturally adopts a commanding presence when in a leadership role. Although, her controlling nature even surfaces in situations when she’s not the one in control. For instance, as a prisoner in jail, she attempts to dismiss Caitlyn, and order her to send in the other guard to beat her up again.

Vi operates in a very straightforward manner, which is doubly so because of her Te in combination with dominant Se. She’s eager to get results and get tasks done, which can surface as impatience and a general lack of subtlety. For instance, when one of the kid’s is trying to pick the lock to the apartment, she quickly gives up on him and kicks the door down. Her results-oriented nature also surfaces in the way she rationalizes their unsanctioned mission. She tells the kids that Vander would only kill them if they screwed up.

Ni:

Vi’s inferior Ni primarily shows up in her disregard for consequences. She frequently gets herself in trouble for taking action without thinking about the implications. For instance, the mission she takes the kids out on ultimately ends up leading to the deaths of nearly everyone she cares about. Similarly, upon her return to the Lanes, Vi ends up injured and almost dies within the first day, which might have been avoided if she’d just thought things through in advance and acted more strategically.

However, Vi has an extremely singular focus, which is what keeps her constantly on the move. She barely allows for any distraction. She starts off pursuing her sister, and then eventually shifts into more of a vengeance role, intent on getting justice for her family and the Lanes.