Tsundere

**Sub-Pages:*** **Tsundere**
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Taiga Aisaka from "Toradora!"

### Personality

Jealous, self-denying, emotional, worrywart, temperamental, angry, close-minded, flustered, rude, harsh, strict, hypocritical, kind, mean, hot-blooded, violent, lovestruck, cynical, immature, insensitive, hostile, alert, deceptive, tricky, shy, vengeful, dramatic, self-destructive, venomous, bittersweet, irritated, distant, cranky, grumpy, arrogant, prideful, blunt, pessimistic, concerned, obsessed

***"Tsundere"*** (*JP*Japanese: ツンデレ

Romaji: Tsundere) is a term for a character who acts rude, cold, and hostile towards their love interest in order to conceal their warm and caring feelings.

## Meaning of the Name

*Tsundere* (ツンデレ) comes from the words "tsuntsun" (ツンツン), a mimetic word meaning "irritable" or "not friendly or forthcoming", and "deredere" (デレデレ), meaning "lovey-dovey". When applied to a person, *tsuntsun* refers to "keeping someone at a distance", "being mean to someone", "giving someone the cold shoulder" or "being hard to handle".

### Alternate Spelling

*Tsundere* is occasionally written in Japanese as つんデレ using hiranaga for "tsun" instead, but this is much less common.

### Terminology

A widely used definition of *tsundere* is a character who has an aggressive attitude towards others, but is really kind on the inside. This plays out as the *tsundere* character acting rudely towards the main character, being very critical towards them in some way. When they eventually fall in love or simply warm up to them, though, they will be unable to deny their feelings any longer.

The author of the manga *Excel Saga*, Rikdo Koshi defines *tsundere* as "hard on the outside, soft on the inside", associating it with Misaki Matsuya, a character from the series.[*citation needed*]

## History

### Early Inspirations

Comiket organizer Koichi Ichikawa described Lum from the 1978 manga *Urusei Yatsura* as being the first *tsundere* character, as well as the first *moe* character.

Manga critic Jason Thompson cited the character Madoka Ayukawa from the 1984 manga *Kimagure Orange☆Road* as being the root of the *tsundere* archetype.

With this in mind, it could be said that Lum was the model for the *deretsun* type while Madoka was the model for the standard *tsundere* type.

### Origin

The term "tsundere" was created to describe the character Ayu Daikuuji from the 2001 video game *The Eternity You Want* (*JP*Japanese: 君が望む永遠

Romaji: Kimi ga Nozomu Eien). The term was first coined on August 29, 2002 when a user on the Japanese forum site Suspicious World made a post referring to Ayu's personality as being "tsuntsunderedere" (ツンツンデレデレ). The term *tsuntsunderedere* began circulating on the site as a popular term and many people on Suspicious World started using the term to refer to her. Eventually, the term spread to another Japanese forum site 2channel where it was soon after shortened to simply "tsundere" (ツンデレ).

### Widespread Popularity

Although the term "tsundere" had been semi-popular on the internet since 2002, it was not until the year 2006 that it began to gain widespread popularity as a recognized term in the entertainment industry.

The first instance of this was when a maid cafe known as *Nagomi* starting to have *tsundere* events in March 2006, along with the release of several *tsundere*-themed products. Over the years the concept of a *tsundere* maid cafe continued to grow in popularity with even more being created.

It perhaps reached its peak in popularity when it was included as a new term in the 2006 edition of the *Imidas* (*JP*Japanese: イミダス

Romaji: Imidas) dictionary released by the largest manga publishing company in the world, Shueisha. It was also nominated for the *Ryukougo Taisho* (Buzzword of the Year) award later that same year.

Anime companies also soon capitalized on this popularity, with the first known use of the term being used in a series found in episode 10 of the 2007 anime series *Lucky☆Star* (*JP*Japanese: らき☆すた

Romaji: Raki☆Suta) during the "Lucky Channel" segment at the end of the episode. In the segment, the character Kagami Hiiragi is introduced as a "tsundere" by Akira Kogami which prompts a discussion and explanation of the definition of "tsundere" by Minoru Shiraishi. During his discussion he passionately exclaims that the definition of a *tsundere* is someone who starts *tsuntsun* and then becomes *deredere* and therefore Kagami is 'not' a *tsundere*. After being prompted with the question "then what term is she?" he begins thinking and suggests "deretsun" as a possible term to describe characters who start *deredere* and then become *tsuntsun*.

## Characteristics

*Tsundere* characters are usually depicted as being female, but there are many male examples of the trope as well.

### Moe Factor

Manga artist Ken Akamatsu says that *tsundere* is a unique case for *moe* characters, or characters who make the reader feel affection and adoration towards them. In his article, he defines three conditions for *moe*:

1. No suggestive actions or messages.
2. The person feeling *moe* must be stronger.
3. The *moe* feeling must make the current state desirable.

While at first the definition of *tsundere* might seem to be at odds with *moe* due to *tsundere* characters almost always being in a position where they are seen as "stronger" than their love interest, the *moe* traits come when they start to show their "dere" side. A *tsundere* character's tendency to switch between moods is often an expression of internal turmoil and most people have a natural tendency to feel sorry for those who are insecure, which instills the "protection" feeling of *moe* toward these characters. *Tsundere* also acts as a source of wish fulfillment. The idea of a character who seems very rude at first but becomes sweet when you manage to crack their shell can make someone feel satisfied as if they had a hand in their personality change.

A *tsundere* character's attractiveness has two sides to their appeal. On one side, they are strong and independent characters who refuse to back down while on the other side they are awkward and insecure about their relationships, hiding any weakness with aggressive language and actions. *Tsundere* show that even the toughest characters have a soft side.

*Tsundere* characters are often *tsundere* for the sake of the show. If a *tsundere* confesses they will still act harshly towards their love interest even though they have nothing left to hide. This is done because of how popular the *tsundere* archetype is. If the *tsundere* character stopped being *tsundere* they would lose what made them so attractive in the first place, so they cannot change.

In harem media, the author wants to include as many types of *moe* characters as possible to widen the scope of their audience. *Tsundere* are among the typical lineup of these characters since the conflicts that arise from their arrogance are good proponents for both comedic and dramatic moments.

## Personality

### General Behavior

*Tsundere* are characters who pretend not to be interested in someone, even though their liking is very obvious. They will do things for their love interest such as making them lunch or buying them stuff, but will insist that they don't like them and make up cheap excuses to try and save face.

*Tsundere* are not honest with themselves, or at the very least, will refuse to be honest with others so as to not damage their pride. They will refuse to hear what others have to say often saying things like "hmph!" or "tch!" and turning away, but they will eventually turn back out of love for the other person.

A *tsundere* will often say things like:

* It's not like I did \_\_ because I like you or anything! (*JP*Japanese: 別にあなたのために○○じゃないですから!

Romaji: Betsuni anata no tameni \_\_ janai desu kara!)
* It's not like I like you or anything! (*JP*Japanese: 別に好きじゃないんだから!

Romaji: Betsuni suki janai n da kara!)
* Don't get the wrong idea! (*JP*Japanese: 勘違いしないで!

Romaji: Kanchigaishinaide!)
* Dummy! (*JP*Japanese: 馬鹿!

Romaji: Baka!)

*Tsundere* are very prideful, carrying themselves with a "holier than thou" attitude at most times. They might act like this because they come from a legitimate place of power, such as being a part of a rich family or being a part of the student council, but many of them do not have a good reason for their ego. From a psychological standpoint, their behavior can be considered an example of "splitting", a coping mechanism in which someone idealizes and undervalues others.

A *tsundere* is not a character who plays hard to get. Characters who act like that deliberately choose not to get with their love interest until they know for sure that they truly love them, whereas a *tsundere* is in denial and will hide their already existing feelings to protect their pride.

### Tsuntsun Side

When a *tsundere* is first starting to develop feelings for their love interest, they will be very rude to them. As the story progresses and they become more fond of their love interest these tactics will start to be used less often and be replaced by the *deredere* side.

* **Cold Shoulder:** They will act very cold towards their love interest, ignoring what they have to say or only talking in short snappy sentences in order to make them feel unwanted and unloved.
* **Superiority:** They will act superior and controlling toward their love interest. They will put down their love interest to make themselves feel like they are above them. This may stem from them wanting to rid themselves of their feelings believing they shouldn't be in love with someone who is beneath them.
* **Taunts:** They will hurl insults at their love interest, such as calling them a "dummy" (baka) or telling them to "shut up" (urusai) to enunciate their point. They will sometimes even insult their love interest in their most sensitive areas, making them feel terrible and causing conflicts within their relationship.
* **Violence:** They may even sometimes resort to the use of violence to get their point across. When they are set off, they might punch, slap, or kick their love interest for saying something that embarrassed them in order to keep their feelings hidden.

### Deredere Side

As they fall more and more in love a *tsundere* will start wanting to be sweet and do something nice for their love interest. However, they are often too embarrassed or prideful to be outright with their feelings so they will instead try to hide them with excuses.

* **Advice:** They will listen when their love interest has a real issue, and even offer sound advice from time to time.
* **Defender:** They will help their love interest out if they are in a dangerous situation and defend them. Even though it's very obvious they did this purely out of a genuine concern for the well-being of their love interest, they will often deny any real involvement such as claiming they "just happened to be passing through".
* **Gifts:** They will give their love interest a gift, such as chocolate on Valentine's Day or White Day, but will often claim that they only did it because they "felt sorry for them" or "they happened to have extra and didn't want it to go to waste", desperately trying to deny any romantic undertones. In reality, they feel very happy when their love interest says they loved the gift and may even start blushing when they are next in private.
* **Helper:** They will help if their love interest is struggling with something, such as homework or cooking, but will often try to justify it by saying things like "If you're going to be around me anyways then I might as well help you so you don't embarrass me". Secretly, they love helping their love interest but would never dare to admit it.
* **Nurse:** They will get very worried about their love interest when they fall ill or hurt themselves. They will sit by their bedside and help however they can to make them recover faster though they will make cheap attempts to hide their worry, usually by making fun of their love interest for getting hurt or sick in the first place. If their love interest falls asleep while they are helping they will drop the harsh exterior altogether and express their feelings openly, saying things they couldn't bring themself to say to their love interest's face.

### Development

A way to show that a *tsundere* has accepted their feelings despite their pride is to have them shift from acting *tsuntsun* to acting *deredere*. They may still retain many of their typical *tsuntsun* traits, such as acting evasive about their newfound relationship with others, but it will be in a more mellow and infrequent way. As they start trying to come to terms with their feelings they will go through a process that changes their personality from "tsun" to "dere".

Their character development has four main steps:

1. **Tsun (ツン) -** Their default personality. They will act harshly towards their love interest, completely hiding any feelings they have for them.
2. **Confused (困惑) -** As they start to fall in love they will begin to act kinder towards their love interest but will try and hide their true intent, even trying to convince themselves that they don't really feel that way.
3. **Embarrassed (照れ) -** Eventually their feelings will become so strong that they start to break through their harsh shell. They will start to more openly worry about their love interest if they don't show up for class or try their best to do something nice for their love interest. They will continue to deny their feelings for their love interest, but it won't be to nearly the same level of harshness as before.
4. **Dere (デレ) -** Once their feelings of love have become too strong to contain their feelings towards their love interest will start to mean more to them than their pride and they will come to accept their feelings. If their love interest says something romantic to them they will be too overwhelmed by the feeling of being loved by someone who means so much to them to hide their feelings any longer. They will start openly blushing, telling their love interest how much they mean to them or even saying romantic things back, though they will often quickly revert to hiding their feelings once they realize what they were doing since this is still new to them. As time progresses they will start caring less and less about keeping up the ruse and will just be honest with their feelings all of the time. Though they might still use harsh-sounding words on occasion their actual emotions are now very obvious.

When their development is first happening a *tsundere* might temporarily regress to previous steps, but they will always get back on track.

## Different Types of Tsundere

There are several variations of *tsundere* that have a slightly different formula from the original kind:

### Default Mood

Different characters have different levels of "tsun" and "dere". Characters can be divided into two main types based on their default mood:

**Tsundere (ツンデレ):** *Tsundere* characters are harsh by default. These characters are very rude at first, calling others names and refusing to hear what they have to say. They can't seem to control their temper and will lash out for any sort of reason. Only someone who is very close to them will be able to bring out their loving "dere" side.

**Deretsun (デレツン):** *Deretsun* characters are sweet by default. They are kind and caring people who have a suppressed "tsun" side that only comes out when they are embarrassed or annoyed with their love interest. They sometimes feel awkward around feelings and conversations about love, acting self-conscious about their own feelings and lashing out because of it. They may also just be overprotective of their partner, lashing out if they feel like their love interest or relationship is threatened.

### Variations

See the main pages for full details.

* **Biridere (ビリデレ)**: A *tsundere* who shocks their love interest with electricity when being "tsun". This is usually done in a gag comedy manner.
* **Gandere (ガンデレ)**: A *tsundere* who starts shooting guns at their love interest when being "tsun". This is usually done in a gag comedy manner.
* **Gundere (軍デレ)**: A *tsundere* who turns into a drill sergeant and berates their love interest for not being good enough when being "tsun".
* **Tsun-aho (ツンアホ)**: A *tsundere* who tries so ridiculously hard to act "tsun" towards their love interest that they just end up making themselves look like an idiot instead.
* **Tsundora (ツンドラ)**: A *tsundere* who acts so cold and uninterested in their love interest when being "tsun" that they make it seem like they actually hate them.
* **Tsun-pure (ツンピュア)**: A *tsundere* who is brutally honest with their love interest when being "tsun" but rarely honest with themself.
* **Tsunshun (ツンしゅん)**: A *tsundere* who acts "tsun" with their love interest and then becomes sad because of their actions caused by it.
* **Tsuntere (ツン照れ)**: A *tsundere* who gets shy and embarrassed around their love interest and then act "tsun" towards them because of it.

## Common Tropes of Tsundere

Although not being a variation on the formula, there are several common templates that *tsundere* characters often fall into.

* **Basic:** The kind of *tsundere* that refuses to be honest about their own feelings. They judge their love interest for anything and everything and attacks them at any provocation. They will call them stupid for not understanding the *tsundere* character's feelings, even though they aren't honest about them in the first place. The most stereotypical and cliched kind of *tsundere*.[*citation needed*]
* **Disciplinarian:** A *tsundere* who has been put in a position of power, such as becoming the student council president or the assistant to their company's boss. They are extremely strict about enforcing rules, or whatever they think the rules ought to be. Whenever their love interest does anything even a little bit wrong, they will be quick to punish them for it. This makes their love interest feel singled out, making them develop a dislike of the *tsundere*. However, behind the scenes, the *tsundere* will protect their love interest when it truly matters, such as when they get in trouble for something they didn't do, revealing their softer side.[*citation needed*]
* **Shana Clone:** Because of the popularity of the character Shana from the 2002 light novel series *Shakugan no Shana* (*JP*Japanese: 灼眼のシャナ

Romaji: Shakugan no Shana

Translation: Burning-Eyed Shana) many subsequent *tsundere* characters were modeled after her. They are designed as high school girls with child-like bodies, long waist-length hair that is either unkempt or tied into pigtails, who wear gothic lolita dresses and thigh-high leggings. They are quite harsh and bossy with a noticable temper and a tendency to resort to violence. If they have a weapon it will be a katana or another type of sword. They will refer to their love interest without any Japanese honorifics, which is often a sign of superiority and coldness but also might suggest they feel close to their love interest upon initially meeting them.
* **Tragic Past:** Many *tsundere* characters act so temperamental because of their dark past, making it difficult to express their feelings in an understandable and calm manner. They don't want to get hurt by revealing their kinder side, so they act harshly, either regretting it terribly afterwards or trying to justify it in their head because of how bad they were treated before. Through a whole lot of character development, their hurtful past and romantic feelings may be revealed to someone who is patient and kind enough.[*citation needed*]

## Differences From Other Archetypes

### Acting Tsundere

Since the *tsundere* archetype is so recognizable, there are many parodies of their stereotypical attitude and phrases resulting in characters sometimes "acting tsundere". A character might say something along the lines of "it's not like I like you or anything!" as a short gag, but the character will not be *tsundere* outside of that specific moment. These characters are not actually *tsundere*, they simply parody it for a joke.

### Other Dere Types

*Tsundere* served as the basis and inspiration for most future "dere types". Because of this, many dere types have a harsher side that is used to hide their romantic feelings and "dere" side. Although there are many similarities in this fact, there are also quite a few differences in how this harsher side is presented.

*Tsundere* is a similar term to *himedere*, *oujidere* and *kamidere*, since they are all quite arrogant. However, *himedere*, *oujidere* and *kamidere* characters are much more arrogant than *tsundere* characters, wanting to be treated like princesses, princes and gods, respectively. *Tsundere* characters are more defensive than these more arrogant characters as well, being unable to brush off comments that they take offense to like they could.

*Tsundere* is a close descriptor to *hinedere*, since they are both quite arrogant. However, *hinedere* characters are less short-tempered and more arrogant than *tsundere* characters, not to mention more cynical. *Hinedere* characters want to be the best at everything, while *tsundere* characters just want to look good in front of people they care about.

*Tsundere* is compared to *bokodere*, since they both act aggressively towards their love interest. However, *bokodere* characters are much more shy than *tsundere* characters, only becoming aggressive when they feel embarrassed. *Bokodere* is similar to a combination of *tsundere* and *teredere*.

*Tsundere* is alike to *thugdere*, since they both act aggressively towards their love interest. However, *thugdere* characters are a lot meaner than *tsundere* characters, genuinely bullying their love interest in order to keep their feelings hidden. They won't just hurt their love interest, either, usually having a reputation as a bully or a delinquent among all of their peers.

### BST

The western term "BST", might be confused with *tsundere* but the key difference between the two is that BST is a situation, while a *tsundere* is a character.

BST occurs when two characters like each other but don't realize it. They'll act like they don't like each other by insulting each other to try and alleviate the tension, since they don't want to embarrass themselves by admitting their feelings and have the other party turn them down.

*Tsundere* characters are often put into BST situations, but not every character who is put in one automatically becomes a *tsundere*. Many characters in BST situations only act rude in that specific moment, acting much more agreeable in most other situations. A *tsundere* will act irritable in other situations where they feel embarrassed.

## Similar Japanese Archetypes

* ***Bokodere***: A term for a character who gets embarrassed around their love interest and will lash out to hide their feelings.
* ***Bokukko***: A term for a female character who is a tomboy and acts boyish. Many female *tsundere* fall under this.
* ***Roshidere***: A term for a character who is only lovey-dovey when they are speaking Russian to hide their true feelings.
* ***Thugdere***: A term for a character who often mistreats, bullies, and hits their love interest to hide their true feelings.
* ***Tsungire***: A character who is devoid of love and filled with rage and aggressive annoyance instead.
* ***Tsuntsun***: A term for a character who is exceptionally grumpy and difficult to talk to. Can be thought of as a *tsundere* without a "dere" side.

## Characters with this Personality

See Tsundere/Anime Characters to see characters from anime media

See Tsundere/Western Characters to see characters from western media

## References

1. ↑ What is Tsundere. Pixiv Encyclopedia (2024/01/24).
2. ↑ Itocho - Sukune Inugami. Shogakukan (2016/01/29).
3. ↑ Tsundere CHANGE!. Suruga-ya (2015/05/01).
4. ↑ "Tsundere" Meaning, Uses, and Everything to Know. Edopen Japan (2023/01/23).
5. ↑ Love in the Moe Realms – A Concise 'Dere' Guide. Otaku Lounge (2014/04/08).
6. ↑ House of 1000 Manga. Anime News Network (2014/09/11).
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 What is Tsundere. Nico Nico Pedia (2008/05/14).
8. ↑ What’s Wrong With Rude and Abusive Language in Customer Service? Tsundere Cafe Is Here!?. Livedoor News (2006/03/22).
9. ↑ When The Girls Are Mean, The Customers Are Happy. Kotaku (2011/04/22).
10. ↑ The 4 Best Tsundere Maid Cafes in Japan. Anime Impulse (2019/02/28).
11. ↑ Lucky Channel Ep 10 - Tsundere. Lucky☆Star (2007/06/10).
12. ↑ The World and Mind of the Tsundere: Moe and the Gain-loss Effect. Animents (2014/09/21).
13. ↑ Why Do Boys Drool Over Tsundere Girls?. Crunchyroll (2012/03/04).
14. ↑ Tsundere is Popular With Both Men and Women! Features and Charm That You Will Be Addicted To. Wedding Park Magazine (2016/11/30).
15. ↑ What is Tsundere? Characteristics of Men, Women and Love Strategies. Zexy (2019/09/02).
16. ↑ Tsun → Confused → Embarrassed → Dere. Nico Nico Pedia (2009/04/18).
17. ↑ Shana Clone. All The Tropes (2022/07/11).

Biridere ♥
Bokodere ♥
Butsudere ♥
Darudere ♥
Deredere ♥
Dorodere ♥
Erodere ♥
Gandere ♥
Goudere ♥
Gundere ♥
Himedere ♥
Hinedere ♥
Kamidere ♥
Kichidere ♥
Kiredere ♥
Kiridere ♥
Kuudere ♥
Megadere ♥
Nyandere ♥
Onidere ♥
Ojoudere ♥
Rindere ♥
Roshidere ♥
S Dere ♥
Shindere ♥
Teredere ♥
**Tsundere** ♥
Undere ♥
Usodere ♥
Utsudere ♥
Uzadere ♥
Wandere ♥
Yandere ♥
Yoidere ♥
 Variations
Tsun-Aho ♥
Tsundora ♥
Tsun-Pure ♥
Tsunshun ♥
 Western
Byoukidere ♥
Dandere ♥
Kanedere ♥
Kekkondere ♥
Masodere ♥
Nemuidere ♥
Oujidere ♥
Smugdere ♥
Teasedere ♥
 Variations
Dorodere (Western) ♥
 Other