MBTI: Disney Characters Who Represent ISTP Traits

Which of our favorite Disney characters represent ISTP traits and characteristics? Well first let’s dive into what being an ISTP really means. ISTP stands for “introversion”, “sensing”, “thinking”, and “perceiving”. People with this persona make for some of the most interesting individuals due to their risk-taking courageousness and their intriguing independence.

While people with this personality type tend to prefer being lone wolves, others can’t help but feel naturally drawn to them due to their mysterious charisma.  If you yourself are an ISTP, chances are other people are greatly inspired by your thrilling personality. There are several awesome Disney characters who embody traits of the “virtuoso” personality type, and here are the top 10 listed below!

10 Mulan – Mulan

Leading by Ti as her dominant function, Mulan is an action-oriented individual who is willing to get hands-on in order to see a brighter world. Rather than waiting around at home while her father suffers during battle, this Disney princess takes matters into her own hands.

Mulan disguises herself as a man in order to take her father’s place in the army since he is not in the condition to fight. ISTPs don’t like to be confined by society’s rules which is why Mulan breaks the law and fights in place of her father. She is a classic example of an ISTP Disney character.

9 Megara – Hercules

Everything about Megara screams ISTP from her cold persona to her sarcastic wit. She laughs at the idea of being a damsel in distress because it doesn’t suit her ISTP personality at all. Women who identify with the “craftsman” personality type usually aren’t considered to be classically feminine, at least in the conventional sense, and they might have trouble succumbing to “ladylike” standards brought on by society.

This is clear with Megara who is a risk-taking adventure seeker that refuses to sit idly by while life unfolds around her. When she sings “I Won’t Say I’m In Love” it might as well be the ISTP anthem because this personality type has a hard time being flowery and emotional. They also don’t like following the “monkey see monkey do” approach to life and part of this approach is falling in love. Meg is basically disgusted by the fact that she’s falling for Hercules, but she just can’t seem to control her feelings!

8 Buzz Lightyear – Toy Story

Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story originally seems cold and conceited due to the fact that he thinks he’s a hotshot. In the first film, he is under the assumption that he’s an actual space ranger rather than just a toy.

Yet when he is humbled to find out who he really is, we get to see a more honest version of his character. Buzz is an independent warrior who is trained in martial arts and his physically active/self-sufficient personality is very much akin to the ISTP personality type.

7 Tinker Bell

Tinker Bell is without a doubt an ISTP character. The spunky fairy may be quiet, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t wild-hearted and adventurous. People who identify with the ISTP personality type want to get off their feet and experience all that life has to offer them. They are very in touch with the physical world and they are almost always on the move.

Tink loves Peter so much because he is just as hungry for excitement and adventure as she is. Sure, she sometimes appears to be distant and even rude at times, but this is not intentional by any means. ISTPs just don’t see the point in being all emotional because it’s not practical. And who out there is more practical than the ISTP?

6 John Smith – Pocahontas

ISTPs are natural explorers who like to take challenges head-on. This perfectly describes John Smith who is known for his explorations and voyages around the world.

At first, John is under the impression that the Native Americans are savages who need to be taken down, yet logic persuades him otherwise and he thus takes Pochahontas’ side, swearing to protect her. His stoic, action-oriented persona leads us to believe he is an ISTP.

5 Tarzan – Tarzan

Tarzan is a stereotypical ISTP. People are charmed by his mysterious nature and his willingness to dive headfirst into any challenge that comes his way.

ISTPs are known for being natural improvisers who are able to act on their feet which is why Tarzan is able to so effortlessly swing from vine to vine. He doesn’t have a planned way of moving around, he just does it without hesitation- and it works. He is an ISTP without a doubt.

4 Kristoff – Frozen

Kristoff from Frozen is a practical man. He is very dedicated to his job, and he enjoys his independence. When he meets Anna, he uncovers all kinds of breeches in her logic and this irritates him.

For example, when she says she’s about to marry Hans, a man who she’s just met, he is genuinely perplexed by her poorly constructed actions. Like most ISTP personality types, Kristoff is someone who leads by example. He is willing to climb the highest mountain in order to put an end to Elsa’s eternal winter.

3 Robin Hood – Robin Hood

Robin Hood is a man on the run. He is always up off his feet participating as an active member of society. He is a rule-breaker at heart, yet he only breaks the rules because he doesn’t see any logic in the rules. This is why he steals from the rich and gives to the poor.

His rule-bending antics to serve the greater good is a classic ISTP mentality to have. Some people might scold his actions, yet others will find his work to be honorable.    

2 Merida – Brave

Merida from Brave is all about making things happen. Although a handful of Disney princesses are known for sitting around while daydreaming about their wildest dreams without putting in any effort to make it happen, Merida, on the other hand, takes matters into her own hands and embarks on a wild journey in order to save her mother.

She doesn’t waste time sitting around moping because she’s a logical thinker and she knows that getting emotional won’t help the situation. Classic ISTP.

1 Lightning McQueen – Cars

Although ISTPs are introverts, this doesn’t make them shy. People often mistakingly assume that being an introvert makes you a quiet individual who wants to be as far from the spotlight as possible, yet this is just a stereotype. Lightning McQueen, who represents a handful of ISTP traits, is perfectly content with being the center of attention.

He is ready to tackle any challenge that comes his way with open arms-er-car doors? McQueen, voiced by Owen Wilson, is mechanical, technical, and energetic. Sometimes he can be slightly insensitive when it comes to other’s feelings which is especially evident in the first movie, yet he slowly learns to overcome this.