「seek a way out 」

Summary Statistics

Total number of responses: 1263

By Gender:

67.6% female

6.7% male

16.0% non-binary

9.7% other

By Age:

40.9% are between 13-18 years of age

40.3% are between 19-24 years of age

15.8% are between 25-30 years og age

2.4% are between 31-36 years of age

0.6% are older than 37, with the highest age noted being 42

By Region:

54.9% from North America

20.0% from Europe and Central Asia

14.1% from East Asia and Pacific

8.7% from Latin America and Caribbean

1.1% from Middle East and North Africa

0.8% from South Asia

0.4% from Sub-Saharan Africa.

By Keeping up with JP:

64.5% play EN

26.3% play both EN and JP

9.2% play JP

By Knowledge of Japanese:

96.4% do not know Japanese

3.6% know Japanese

By Main Source of Translation:

35.3% use video translations

32.5% use the EN game

21.0% use written translations

5.5% use summary threads

3.0% use machine translations

2.6% use word of mouth

By Years Playing:

12.6% five years

7.9% four years

32.5% three years

21.5% 2 years

13.8% 1 year

11.8% less than 1 year

By Story Quality:

34.1% rate it Excellent

53.9% rate it Good

11.8% rate it Okay

0.2% rate it Poor

By Relatability (to OB boy):

72.6% say yes, OB boy is relatable

27.4% say no, OB boy is not relatable

Most frequently selected favorite OB boy:

Leona (18.4%)

Riddle (17.4%)

Malleus (16.8%)

Idia (16.3%)

Azul (11.6%)

Vil (10.5%)

Jamil (9.0%)

Most frequently selected LEAST favorite OB boy:

Leona (17.5%)

Jamil (16.3%)

Azul (16.0%)

Malleus (15.3%)

Vil (13.3%)

Idia (11.5%)

Riddle (10.0%)

When evaluating our data, we must keep in mind that it is largely representative of:

self-identified women (~68%)

those aged 13-18 (~41%) and 19-24 (40%)

those from North America (~55%) and Europe + Central Asia (20%)

those who play EN (~65%) or both EN and JP (~26%)

those who overwhelmingly do not know Japanese (~96%)

those who mostly use video translations of the JP game (~35%) or play the EN game (~33%)

those who mostly keep up with JP updates (60%)

those who have played Twst for two (~22%) to three years (~33%)

those who rate the Twst main story “good” (~54%) or “excellent” (~34%)

those who say the OB boys are relatable (~73%)

In other words, this survey is NOT representative of the Twst JP fanbase or even of the international fanbase; it is concentrated on the lens taken by the young English-speaking women of North America and Europe/Central Asia.

Methods, Results + Discussion (Personality of Respondents vs Favorite OB Boy(s))

The method of collecting responses we used is known as convenience sampling, which gathers data from participants who are the easiest to reach. We, the researchers, sacrifice random and representative selection for speed and cost-efficiency.

To measure personality traits, we asked that each participant take the Big 5 or Five Factor Model (FFM) personality assessment and provide their resulting overall scores across 5 dimensions. Those 5 dimensions, commonly referred to by the acronym OCEAN and each existing on a spectrum, are as follows: 

Openness (to experience) — measures imagination, curiosity, and willingness to try new things.

Conscientiousness — measures goal-directed behavior, planning, and self-discipline.

Extroversion — measures how much an individual is energized by social interactions.

Agreeableness — measures empathy, willingness to cooperate, and ability to trust in others

Neuroticism — measures emotional instability, such as anxiety, hostility, and impulsivity.

We chose to use the Big 5 because it is widely accessible (i.e. free to the general public), widely recognized, and, most importantly, widely researched. Many languages and cultures use this test, leading to Big 5’s validity and reliability to be demonstrated many times over in several peer-reviewed studies. It is considered the “gold standard” in personality psychology.

For the purposes of this report, we will be using a significance value of 0.05. In hypothesis testing, the p-value is used to determine whether an observed result is likely due to chance or a true effect. 0.05 will be our marker, or threshold. In this case, a p-value HIGHER than 0.05 means the results are not statistically significant (i.e. these results are due to random chance). A p-value LOWER than 0.05 means the results are statistically significant (ie these results are due to a true effect, NOT random chance).

We determined that this data set has homogeneity of variance and for normality. For the oneway ANOVAs, we only considered the characters that respondents marked as their favorite (1). This was done for every dimension. Where relevant, Fisher’s LSD multiple comparison test was used to determine if the difference between two scores within the same dimension were statistically significant.

Openness:

The Openness scores were not significantly different from each other (p-value=0.2858). The scores were generally clustered together without one being an outlier. 

Those who ranked Jamil as (1) were the highest in terms of Openness (mean=89.98, sd=8.79)

Those who ranked Riddle as (1) were the lowest (mean=87.50, sd=8.97).

Using Fisher’s LSD multiple comparison test, we can see that Jamil likers and Riddle likers were significantly different from each other in terms of Openness scores (p-value=0.0271).

Since the Openness scores were not statistically significant, this means fans of all OB boys were roughly the same in terms of Openness. This makes sense, as the concept of Twisted Wonderland itself invites curiosity and imagination for a world that reinterprets classic Disney characters. Those attracted to Twst’s world and characters would have to be open to a decent degree to get invested and stay invested.

If we examine the two characters who are notably different from one another, Jamil likers were the most open and Riddle likers were the least open. This reflects the personalities of the two OB boys. Jamil desires his freedom and can act unhinged when he lets himself cut loose, whereas Riddle is notoriously uptight. Fans of these respective characters may share these characters’ respective traits, which would explain the scores.

Neuroticism:

The Neuroticism scores were statistically significant from one another (p-value=0.0074). At least one of the scores was different enough from the rest.

Those who ranked Idia as (1) were the highest in terms of Neuroticism (mean=90.96, sd=13.83).

Those who ranked Leona as (1) were the lowest (mean=86.13, sd=13.91).

Using Fisher’s LSD multiple comparison test, we can see that Idia likers were significantly different from Vil (p-value=0.0464), Azul (p-value=0.0130), and Leona (p-value=0.0003) likers in terms of Neuroticism scores.

Leona likers were significantly different from Idia, Riddle (p-value=0.0033), and Malleus (p-value=0.0366) likers.

Idia likers scored the highest in Neuroticism, whereas Leona likers scored the lowest. Again, I believe this reflects the tendency for fans to gravitate to characters that are similar to themselves. Idia is extremely anxious but can swing between periods of extreme confidence and extreme meekness. Leona, on the other hand, can usually keep his cool and does not act impulsively; he plans for the long term.

Agreeableness:

The Agreeableness scores were significantly different from each other (p-value=0.0449). At least one of the scores was different enough from the rest.

Those who ranked Malleus as (1) were the highest in terms of agreeableness (mean=89.80, sd=11.87).

Those who ranked Jamil as (1) were the lowest (mean=86.14, sd=12.04).

Using Fisher’s LSD multiple comparison test, we can see that Malleus likers were significantly different from Riddle (p-value=0.0087), Vil (p-value=0.0099), Idia (p-value=0.0052), and Jamil (p-value=0.0122) likers in terms of agreeableness scores.

Jamil likers were only significantly different from Malleus likers.

Malleus likers scored the highest in agreeableness, meaning they are the most empathetic and willing to cooperate and trust in others. Jamil likers are the opposite, having scored the lowest. This, too, reflects the characters, whom the fans may see themselves in. Jamil is highly distrustful of others and assumes the worst of them. On the other hand, Malleus can be on the naive side and there’s a whole subplot in the main story about how he overcomes loneliness, learns to be more open with others, and makes new friends. He is also shown to be empathetic, especially when he relates to others’ loneliness (like in Endless Halloween Night; he was sad for the ghosts who had missed the party).

Extraversion:

The Extraversion scores were significantly different from each other (p-value=0.0142). At least one of the scores was different enough from the rest.

Those who ranked Vil as (1) were the highest in terms of Extraversion (mean=63.52, sd=13.41)

Those who ranked Idia as (1) were the lowest (mean=59.32, sd=13.17).

Using Fisher’s LSD multiple comparison test, we can see that Vil likers were significantly different from Azul (p-value=0.0218) and Idia (p-value=0.0031) likers in terms of Extraversion scores.

Idia likers were significantly different from Vil, Riddle (p-value=0.0056), Malleus (p-value=0.0135), and Leona (p-value=0.0141).

Riddle likers were significantly different from Azul (p-value=0.0437).

Vil likers scored the highest in Extraversion, while Idia likers scored the lowest. Vil, being a celebrity, is constantly in the public eye and interacting with fans, whether indirectly (social media, films, etc.) or directly (in-person events). Additionally, his character revolves around the idea of beauty, being seen, and being confident in outward expression of his gender. I could see this pulling fans who similarly want to be seen or to express themselves in the same ways that Vil does. Idia, meanwhile, tends to keep to himself and be a loner, which may attract fans who behave similarly.

Conscientiousness:

The Conscientiousness scores were significantly different from each other (p-value=0.0142). At least one of the scores was different enough from the rest.

Those who ranked Azul as (1) were the highest in terms of conscientiousness (mean=76.94, sd=13.68), while those who ranked Idia as (1) were the lowest (mean=71.98, sd=14.30).

Using Fisher’s LSD multiple comparison test, we can see that Azul likers were significantly different from Riddle (p-value=0.0428), Leona (p-value=0.0308), Vil (p-value=0.0188), and Idia (p-value=0.0009) likers in terms of conscientiousness scores.

Idia likers were significantly different from Azul and Malleus (p-value=0.0229) likers.

The conscientiousness scores were statistically significant, meaning respondents are different in their goal-directed behavior, planning, and self-discipline. Twisted Wonderland is a free-to-play gacha game, in which players can earn currency to roll on banners by completing various tasks. However, there are limited ways for players to earn this currency, especially if they have been playing for years. This incentivizes paying money to acquire more rolls, which funds the game. Because banners–particularly event banners and birthday banners–are limited time, this feeds into FOMO (fear of missing out), furthering the pressure to not save or plan for future banners, but to spend on the current one. This data seems to suggest that fans of some OB characters (such as Azul) are better at long-term planning, including saving rolls for gacha banners, than fans of other characters (such as Idia).

Azul likers having the highest conscientiousness score makes sense, given that this is also true of the character. Azul often schemes and prepares for situations far in advance, and a perfect example of this is his ascension to dorm leadership. He implies that he worked hard to get into the good graces of his previous dorm leader to earn the recommendation to succeed him.

Idia likers are the least conscientious, but my best guess as to why this is the case… maybe his explosive and sudden anger? Or his ability to tackle any problem on-the-spot with the skills currently at his disposal? Perhaps it’s that he prefers to maximize efficiency?

By highest percentage:

15% of Jamil likers ranked Riddle as their least favorite OB boy

28.4% of Riddle likers ranked Leona as their least favorite OB boy

22.9% of Vil likers ranked Azul as their least favorite OB boy

23.3% of Malleus likers ranked Jamil as their least favorite OB boy

19.1% of Idia likers ranked Vil as their least favorite OB boy

17% of Leona likers ranked Idia as their least favorite OB boy

28.3% of Jamil likers ranked Malleus as their least favorite OB boy

Most common rankings

When Riddle was ranked 1 (n=218), the most common OB Boy chosen at each other rank was:

2: Azul (22.5%)

3: Azul (19.3%)

4: Idia (21.1%)

5: Vil (21.1%)

6: Malleus (22.5%)

7: Leona (28.4%)

When Leona as ranked 1 (n=230), the most common OB Boy chosen at each other rank was:

2: Jamil (23.5%)

3: Malleus (20.0%)

4: Riddle (20.0%)

5: Riddle (22.2%)

6: Azul (21.3%)

7: Azul and Malleus (19.1% each)

When Azul as ranked 1 (n=145), the most common OB Boy chosen at each other rank was:

2: Riddle (24.8%)

3: Vil (20.7%)

4: Malleus (22.8%)

5: Vil (20.0%)

6: Leona (22.1%)

7: Leona (27.6%)

When Jamil as ranked 1 (n=113), the most common OB Boy chosen at each other rank was:

2: Leona (22.1%)

3: Riddle (27.4%)

4: Leona (23%)

5: Idia (21.2%)

6: Idia (23%)

7: Malleus (28.3%)

When Vil as ranked 1 (n=131), the most common OB Boy chosen at each other rank was:

2: Riddle (26.7%)

3: Malleus (21.4%)

4: Leona (22.1%)

5: Azul (21.4%)

6: Idia (22.1%)

7: Azul (22.9%)

When Idia was ranked 1 (n=204), the most common OB Boy chosen at each other rank was:

2: Malleus (26.5%)

3: Azul and Vil (19.6% each)

4: Riddle (20.1%)

5: Azul (20.6%)

6: Jamil (23.0%)

7: Leona (21.6%)

When Malleus was ranked 1 (n=210), the most common OB Boy chosen at each other rank was:

2: Idia (26.7%)

3: Riddle (24.3%)

4: Vil (21.4%)

5: Jamil (22.9%)

6: Jamil (24.3%)

7: Jamil (23.3%)

The trends observed are:

Riddle likers usually also liked Azul 

Riddle likers usually disliked Malleus or Leona

Leona likers usually also liked Jamil

Leona likers usually disliked Azul

Leona likers are conflicted about Malleus; some like Malleus while others consider him to be their least favorite of the OB boys

Azul likers usually also liked Riddle

Azul likers usually disliked Leona

Jamil likers usually also liked Leona 

Jamil likers usually disliked Malleus or Idia

Vil likers usually also liked Riddle or Malleus

Vil likers usually disliked Azul or Idia

Idia likers usually also liked Malleus or Vil

Idia likers usually disliked Jamil or Leona

Malleus likers usually also liked Idia or Riddle

Malleus likers usually disliked Jamil

Overall comments on personality + favorite OB boy:

Noting the important differences between highest and lowest scores:

Jamil likers scored high in Openness

Riddle likers scored low in Openness

Idia likers scored high in Neuroticism

Leona likers scored low in Neuroticism

Malleus likers scored high in Agreeableness

Jamil likers scored low in Agreeableness

Vil likers scored high in Extraversion

Idia likers scored low in Extraversion

Azul likers scored high in Conscientiousness

Idia likers scored low in Conscientiousness

The trend seems to be that one’s favorite OB boy correlates with shared personality traits. This is observed over 4 (Neuroticism, Agreeableness, Extraversion, conscientiousness) of the 5 dimensions of the Big 5 personality test, with the remaining 1 (Openness) being insignificant, as the concept of Twst itself depends on the fans to have an open mind to begin with.

Leona was most often chosen as the favorite OB boy, and Jamil was the least often chosen as the favorite OB boy. It’s ironic, because both Leona and Jamil are the top two most often cited as the LEAST favorite OB boy(s). Leona seems to be a point of contention among respondents; he is simultaneously liked and disliked.

Results + Discussion (by Other Metrics)

Favorite OB boy by time spent playing Twst:

Those who have been playing for 5 years or more showed a preference for Idia

Those who have been playing up to 4 years showed a preference for Riddle

Those who have been playing up to 3 years showed a preference for Leona

Those who have been playing up to 2 years showed a preference for Malleus

Those who have been playing up to 1 year showed a preference for Malleus

Those who have been playing less than 1 year showed a preference for Leona

Inexperienced players seemed to like Leona or Malleus, which is interesting given that Leona notoriously has a disliked main story book early on and Malleus has little relevance early in the story. Based on the word analysis, it seems like many people were initially drawn to Twst due to the visual appeal of Malleus and Leona.

Fans of 2-3 years have been playing for about the same length of time as EN has been out. This is around when we’d anticipate the preference for Malleus and Leona transforming into more of an appreciation for their characters, as 2-3 years is time to acclimate to the latter parts of the story.

Players of 4 and 5 years like Riddle and Idia, respectively. This may be because, deep in the story, they are very important characters. Riddle has a substantial segment towards the end which adds more depth to the nature of his family, earning him much attention and empathy from fans. Idia plays a pivotal role in saving the day in book 7.

Favorite OB boy by region:

East Asia and Pacific: Idia with 18.7%

Europe and Central Asia: Malleus with 20.8%

Latin America and Caribbean: Leona and Idia with 18.9% each (color only reflects Leona)

Middle East and North Africa: Vil with 28.6% (small sample size 4/14)

North America: Riddle with 19.2%

South Asia: Leona with 30% (very small sample size 3/10)

Sub-Saharan Africa: Malleus with 40% (very small sample size 2/5)

The most popular character varies by region due to cultural values and traditions differing. For example, Europe + Central Asia have lore about spirits, fae, and/or dragons, which may boost Malleus’s popularity, since he is a dragon fae.

By age:

The most popular OB boy for ages 13-18 is Riddle

The least popular OB boy for ages 13-18 is Jamil

The most popular OB boy for ages 19-24 is Leona

The least popular OB boy for ages 19-24 is Jamil

The most popular OB boy for ages 25-30 is Leona

The least popular OB boy for ages 25-30 is a tie between Jamil and Vil

The most popular OB boy for ages 31-36 is Azul

The least popular OB boy for ages 31-36 is a tie between Jamil and Vil

The most popular OB boy for ages 37-42 is Riddle

The least popular OB boy for ages 31-36 is a tie between Leona, Azul, Jamil, Vil, and Malleus.

It’s possible that minor fans (13-18) like Riddle due to relatability; children may relate to not enjoying having a helicopter parent micromanage their life (preferring to rebel or leave the situation) and may sympathize with Riddle’s situation.

Leona is liked by ages 19-24 and 25-30, and that may indicate a “maturation” of the fan. He has ambitions and the skill/talent to realize them, like the fans who are now adults and are preparing for or have careers at this point. These adult fans may also relate to his stance on children (as studies show that adults are now having families later and later in life) or respect his involvement in politics, as they are now at the age where they are actively thinking about how it affects them.

Jamil in general may not be liked because (given that most responses come from the west), the ideas of filial piety + carrying on the family legacy and staying trapped in an abusive system are a challenge for westerners to understand. These are more normalized concepts and practices in the east.

Vil may not be liked by 25-30 year olds because this age group is aging and/or getting to a point where they do not care as much for aesthetics (which Vil is big on). They are generally more focused on adult responsibilities rather than putting all their energy and effort into looks like Vil does.

I will not comment on ages 31-36 and 37-42, since the sample sizes for those were too small.

By relatability:

All the OB boys were viewed as more relatable than not relatable. However, Jamil (63 vs 50) and Vil (75 vs 56) have the smallest gaps between “relatable” and “not relatable”. This may be because not many fans can relate on a literal or direct level to being trapped in servitude or being a famous but typecasted actor/model/celebrity. Idia was rated the most relatable, with a gap of 181 vs 23 (relatable vs not relatable). This may be because fans relate to his anxiety, which, as you’ll see in the word analysis portion, frequently comes up in reference to him.

Results + Discussion (Word Analysis)

Frequently cited reasons as to why respondents liked or disliked certain OB characters include:

Character’s personality/arc/background

Character’s design

Personal attachment for a particular Disney film

Relatability

Like more/less compared to the other OB boy options

First exposure

Factors unique to each OB boy were:

Riddle:

+ Likes Alice in Wonderland/Heartslabyul aesthetic 

+ Relatable relationship (with mother)

- Preferred calmer characters

- Boring (compared to the others)

Leona:

+ Complexity; need to be able to read between the lines

+ Actually cares about others

- Book 2 makes him look bad

Azul:

+ Fun to watch his interactions with others

+ Love glasses and/or moles

Jamil:

+ His dynamic with Kalim

+ Enjoy his dynamic with others

+ Interesting/well-written

+ Voice

- Don’t like manipulative people

- Dislike his OB design

Vil:

+ Well-written

+ Resonate with him always being in second place

+ Breaks gender norms

+ His ethics and dedication

- “Rubs me the wrong way”

- Dislike the way he treats others and/or Epel

Idia:

+ Social anxiety (is relatable)

+ Fun to draw

+ Love his relationship with Ortho

- Cringe

- Not into otaku characters

- Boring

Malleus:

+ Relate to his fear of losing people and/or change

+ Like dragon and/or fae characters

+ Relationship/dynamic with Yuu/MC/Player

- Not interested in his role in the main story

- First Halloween event (I assume Endless Halloween Night, which is actually the second event?) made him look bad

Key Recurring Phrases

Depression

Leona: 29 mentions

Idia: 11 mentions

Anxiety

Azul: 1 mention

Idia: 24 mentions

Autism

Vil: 1 mention

Idia: 2 mentions

Malleus: 10 mentions

Yuu/MC/Player

Riddle: 4 mentions

Leona: 11 mentions

Azul: 3 mentions

Vil: 5 mentions

Idia: 6 mentions

Malleus: 24 mentions

(Gap) Moe

Riddle: 1 mention

Leona: 2 mentions

Malleus: 2 mentions

Cute

Riddle: 20 mentions

Leona: 5 mentions

Azul: 7 mentions

Jamil: 2 mentions

Idia: 12 mentions

Malleus: 18 mentions

*PLEASE SEE THE FULL RESEARCH DOCUMENT TO SEE CHARACTER WORD CLOUDS (and other charts/graphs/tables); Tumblr posts have a max image limit of 30 so it is not possible for us to include all images.

Specific points in the main story and/or events weighted Leona and Malleus down. Certain character dynamics enhanced or tore down a few OB boys (for Vil, it’s Epel; for Jamil, it’s Kalim, for Idia, it’s Ortho). Some most unique character traits were a big pro or con as well. For example, Vil’s breaking of gender norms was loved.

Yuu/MC/Player was often mentioned as a reason for liking Malleus. Malleus likers placed high weight on Malleus’s involvement and acknowledgement of Yuu in the main story.

Notably, diagnostic terms such as “depression”, “anxiety”, and “autism” (or variations therein) were frequently recurring for certain characters. Fans attributed these diagnoses to certain characters and cited relatability. For example, Leona had the most mentions with “depression”, Idia had the most mentions with "anxiety", and Malleus had the most mentions with “autism”.

Riddle was most frequently described as “cute”, but Malleus was a close second (2 less mentions). No one called Vil cute.

By maximum/highest word count in open-ended questions section:

FAVORITE

Malleus (963)

Leona (642)

Idia (606)

Jamil (599)

Azul (391)

Riddle (261)

Vil (231)

LEAST FAVORITE

Malleus (587)

Jamil (479)

Vil (460)

Azul (266)

Leona (167)

Riddle (149)

Idia (143)

By average word count in open-ended questions section:

FAVORITE

Jamil (61)

Leona (57)

Vil (48)

Azul (45)

Riddle (44)

Idia (44)

Malleus (43)

LEAST FAVORITE

Malleus (55)

Vil (44)

Jamil (39)

Leona (34)

Azul (33)

Idia (31)

Riddle (25)

Jamil likers had the average highest word count (61) when explaining why responders like him, followed by Leona likers’ average (57). Malleus likers had the average lowest word count (43) when explaining why responders like him.

Malleus dislikers had the highest average word count (55) when explaining why responders dislike him. Riddle dislikers had the lowest average word count (25) when explaining why responders dislike him.

In terms of individual responses with the highest maximum word count for favorite character, that distinction goes to a Malleus liker (963), followed by a Leona liker (642), an Idia liker (606), and a Jamil liker (599). A Vil liker had the lowest maximum word count at 231.

The characters with the highest maximum word count for least favorite character, the top three are a Malleus disliker (587), a Jamil disliker (479), and a Vil disliker (460). An Idia liker had the lowest maximum word count at 143.

We can conclude that:

Jamil likers talk the most on average to explain why they like him

Malleus likers talk the least on average to explain why they like him

Malleus dislikers talk the most on average to explain why they dislike him

Riddle dislikers had the lowest average word count when explaining why responders dislike him.

Malleus likers can yap for the longest to explain why they like him

Vil likers can yap the least to explain why they like him

Malleus dislikers can yap for the longest to explain why they dislike him

Idia likers can yap the least to explain why they dislike him

Weaknesses and the Future

Please see the full document for the complete list. No research project is perfect, and certainly not this one! If we were to do another project like this in the future, we'd take the limitations of this one into consideration.

CREDITS (the minds behind this!)

Survey Design - The Writing Raven

Additional Outside Research - The Writing Raven

Survey Design Feedback - Aya, Aikono, Furoido, Jeido, Kaabii

Data Cleanup - Jeido and the Writing Raven

Data Analysis + Modeling (seriously, big thanks to them for lending the software to make the data crunching possible and efficient) - Jeido

Open-Ended Question Translators - Sky, Vic, Furoido, the Writing Raven

Writing - The Writing Raven

Proofreading + Formatting - Jeido

Editing - Jeido and The Writing Raven

Watermarking - Furoido