An Asian Superstition
Those of you who are into anime may already know a bit about this. In Japan blood typing is a common practice, similar to Astrology in the Western countries. It's also a big superstition that is often taken to extremes. There are many examples this in Japanese society. For instance, during World War II the Japanese army was divided into groups according to blood type. Some schools even divide their pupils in this manner, and teach them in a way that is said to be successful for their blood type.

On the lighter side, characters in many Japanese stories are given blood types so one can determine their inherent strengths and weaknesses, and even for the purpose of pairing them up properly. (An O/A match is considered ideal.)

Because blood types are classified using a list of specific traits, and because there are only four to choose from, it's easier to ascribe a blood type to characters like Dekar who didn't get one, as opposed to finding their Sun signs in Astrology. The following are descriptions of the four blood types, compiled in part using information from this site:

» Type A ("farmer"): The conformists. Outwardly calm, inwardly uptight, conservative, introverted, reserved, patient, punctual, perfectionist, obsessive, stubborn, sensitive, sneaky, cautious and careful.

» Type B ("hunter"): The individualists. Creative, passionate, animal-loving, strong personality, optimistic, flexible, easy to get along with, adventurous, forgetful, irresponsible, and self-centered.

» Type AB ("humanist"): The thinkers. Well aware of his or her surrounding environment, cool, controlled, rational, introverted, critical, indecisive, aloof, and unforgiving.

» Type O ("warrior"): The doers. Strong sense of purpose, ambitious, athletic, robust, self-confident, romantic, proud, loyal, natural leaders, easily influenced, arrogant, insensitive, and ruthless.

Though no blood type is a perfect match, the one that suits Dekar best is the O type. Although he never gets the title of party leader, his behavior is typical of such: the scene-stealing, the daring rescues, the solving of party problems. During his travels with Maxim and team, it seems like there are two characters leading the party!

You can easily see that A and AB wouldn't work for him at all. B types are seen as loose cannons; while they appear to be outgoing and leader-like, they are really far too fond of freedom to accept the burden of responsibility. In contrast Dekar doesn't seem to be thrown off by responsibilities at all. For instance, while he acknowledged to the king of Bound that chasing after Prince Alex was growing tiresome, he never neglected to carry out that duty.