Kiridere

"Kiridere" is a term for a character who usually has a dignified, crisp, and sharp serious side in public, but suddenly becomes deredere and shows a more emotional and overly affectionate side when they are alone with their love interest. They are serious and enthusiastic about their work and studies so they walk around with a strict crisp and dignified posture and a sharp expression on their face which gives them an unapproachable atmosphere. However, in contrast to the way they behave while working they will act really cutely and emotionally when they are alone with their love interest, wanting to receive lots of affection from them and not worrying about keeping up dignified appearances.
== Etymology ==
=== Meaning of the Term ===
Kiridere (キリデレ) comes from "kiri" (キリッ), a mimetic word for "a crisp expression", and "deredere" (デレデレ), a mimetic word for "being lovestruck".
The word "kiri" (キリッ) is derived from the word "kirito" (きりっと), meaning "having a crisp appearance", "stiffly", or "in a manner that is not relaxed". This term is used to refer to someone who has a serious or sharp expression on their face. Basically, they put effort into their eyes and eyebrows, close their mouth, and look ahead.
=== Origin ===
The term originated in 2009 during a let's play for the game Dream Club to describe how differently the character Nao acted versus when she's working and when she's alone with her love interest. It was named as such because of the gap between Nao's deredere state and her dignified crisp work mode.
The first known use of "kiridere" in an official media was in the 2018 web novel series Police Department・Haruka Izumi where it was used to refer to the titular character Haruka Izumi.
== Personality ==
Kiridere are characters who have a dignified, crisp, and hardworking serious side normally (kiri), but become overly affectionate and loving when they are alone with their love interest (deredere). It refers to a serious student council president-type character who has a spoiled amae attitude towards their love interest.
=== Kiri Side ===
Their first side is the one they show around most people when they are in public. They walk around with a strict crisp and dignified posture and serious sharp expression on their face. They are very enthusiastic about their work and studies so they take up a serious attitude that gives them an air of unapproachability that is not necessarily 'unfriendly' but is not 'friendly' either. They are not emotional, but intelligent. They act very responsibly and maturely and are often regarded as good, strong, serious leaders so they are usually in some position of authority, such as being the student council president.
=== Deredere Side ===
Their other side is one that they only show in private to their love interest. This side of them is more relaxed and emotional. They will let loose and take up a deredere attitude when they feel like they don't have to be perfect around others since they feel comfortable being their true selves around their love interest. They will behave in cute ways and show an amae side that desires close contact and lots of affection with their love interest. This creates a huge gap in their personality which adds a lot of appeal to the character.
== Difference From Other Archetypes ==
Kiridere is somewhat similar to kuudere in that they both have a serious and stiff appearance on their face while in public and are often very focused on studies, but the main difference is that kuudere are quiet and calm while a kiridere is likely to order others around and demand perfection at their work. A kuudere also has a sharp-tongue that is overly honest and will not hesitate to say whatever is on their mind whether it is good or bad, while a kiridere maintains a professional atmosphere at all times so they will not speak without considering the consequences. They are also similar in that they both become deredere when alone with their love interest.
It is also similar to oujodere in that both have a dignified appearance in public and an undignified appearance when they are alone with their love interest. The main difference, however, is that kiridere have a serious expression that gives them an air of unapproachability while oujodere are the complete opposite being very warm and gentle, even if they don't let people see their true and more vulnerable self.
== Similar Japanese Archetypes ==
* Kuudere: A term for a character who appears calm and expressionless most of the time but becomes cute, loving, and deredere around their love interest.
* Oujodere: A term for a female character who has a strict dignified exterior and behaves with perfect ladylike manners like a true princess in public but turns cute and affectionate when alone with their love interest.
== List of Characters ==
See Kiridere/Japanese Characters to see characters from Japanese media.
See Kiridere/Non-Japanese Characters to see characters from non-Japanese media.
== Gallery ==
Kiridere Gallery.png|link=Kiridere/Gallery
Ameri Azazel kiri from Welcome to Demon School 9.jpg|Ameri Azazel from Mairimashita! Iruma-kun
Ameri Azazel kiri from Welcome to Demon School 11.png|Ameri Azazel from Mairimashita! Iruma-kun
Ameri Azazel dere from Welcome to Demon School 6.jpg|Ameri Azazel from Mairimashita! Iruma-kun
Ameri Azazel dere from Welcome to Demon School 5.jpg|Ameri Azazel from Mairimashita! Iruma-kun
Eli love live.gif|Eli Ayase from Love Live School Idol Project
Umi Sonoda Sigh.gif|Umi Sonoda from Love Live School Idol Project
== References ==
Category:Kind