Yandere, Tsundere, Kuudere, and Other -dere Types

Yandere, tsundere, and kuudere are the 3 most well-known types of -dere personalities in anime characters. However, there are actually many other -dere types. 

In this article, we explain what the yandere, tsundere and kuudere personality types are like and also what other -dere types there are. And, of course, an article like this will definitely need to introduce some of the most representative characters of each -dere type. 

Table of Contents

1. What is “-dere”?
2. 5 Most Well Known Dere Types
3. Other Dere Types You Haven’t Heard Of 
4. To Close 

What is “-dere”?

“Tsundere”, “dandere”, and other “-dere” are terms you’ve come across, but what actually does “-dere” mean, and why do Japanese people identify characters as “-dere”?

”-dere (〇〇デレ)” comes from the word “dere dere (デレデレ)” which can mean “loving” in Japanese. “-dere” characters refers to a character that acts differently from usual when expressing affection. This can include all types of affection including romantic, familial, and friendship, the point is its different and may be in different degrees of difference. The “usual” is expressed in the front of -dere, for example “tsundere” is a character that is usually tsun, from tsun tsun (ツンツン) meaning cold or aloof, but becomes “dere” at certain times. 

“How many dere types are there?” you may be wondering. The answer is unlimited. Dere types are internet slang terms so new ones can always be made. Below, we introduce quite a number of ones that exist but there are plenty more around, and even more to come. 

Writer's Pick

10 Must-See Japan Autumn Festivals

Japanese Culture

Discussion on the Hassles of Visa Renewal in Japan: "No.1 Most Relucta...

Life in Japan

Introducing Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan - What is it like in Kumamoto...

Life in Japan

A 3-Day Kyoto Itinerary to See Kyoto Autumn Leaves

Travel in Japan

[Company Spotlight: Skylark Holdings] JLPT N4 is Enough to Work at Fam...

Work in Japan

5 Most Well Known Dere Types

The 5 most well known, or we can even say main, dere types are Yandere, Tsundere, Kuudere, Deredere, and Dandere characters. 

Yandere ヤンデレ

Twitter Link

「ユッキーは私の生きる希望。でも、それも叶わないのなら…せめてユッキーのために死ぬわ」「そして死んでも私は…ユッキーを追い続ける」
“Yuki is my hope in life, but if it won't come true then I will die for Yuki, and even in death I will chase after Yuki.”

 - Yuno Gassai from Mirai Nikki 

Yan comes from「病む yamu」meaning to fall ill, to suffer from something (e.g. disease, mental sickness). 

Yandere is a character with an unhealthy romantic obsession. Extreme obsession and possessiveness are the key characteristics of a yandere. Yanderes generally do not care about how their actions will affect those around them, sometimes not even the person they hold affection for. 

Yandere characters may display obsessive behaviours like stalking, worshipping, manipulation, gaslighting, domestic violence, and even murder or suicide. It really depends on how the character is written and the direction of the story, but there is a broad range of personality traits that yandere characters can exhibit and how they act. The fact is that yanderes are negative character types. 

Female Yandere Characters : 

• Yuno Gassai / Mirai Nikki (Future Diary) - the face of Yandere, literally as she has been memed

• Kotonoha Katsura & Saionji Sekai / School Days 

• Amane Misa / Death Note

• Kirishima Shoko / Baka Test 

• Nishikinomiya Anna / Shimoneta: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn't Exist)

Male Yandere Characters 

• Tsukiyama / Tokyo Ghoul

• Rolo Lamperouge / Code Geass

• Kishitani Shinra / Durarara!!

• Alois Trancy / Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler)

• Shinkawa Kyouji / Sword Art Online 

Tsundere ツンデレ

© 竹宮 ゆゆこ／アスキー・メディアワークス／「とらドラ！」制作委員会

Tsun comes from「ツンツン tsun tsun」meaning cold, aloof, stuck-up, or standoffish.

Tsundere is a character that is rude or hostile to hide their affections for someone. This could be because they are shy, or an involuntary action due to being too excited, which is the cute part of tsunderes. There are certain phrases that are commonly said by tsundere characters:

• 勘違いしないで！
  Kanchigaishinaide!
  - Don’t get the wrong idea! 

• しょうがないから、今回だけ。
  Shougai kara, konkai dake.
  - It can’t be helped, just this one time. 

• べ、別にあんたのことなんて好きじゃないんだからね！
  Be-betsu ni anta no koto nante sukijanain dakara ne!
  - It’s n-not like I like you or anything! 

Female Tsundere Characters : 

• Aisaka Taiga / Toradora 

• Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière / Zero no Tsukaima (Familiar of Zero)

• Shana / Shakugan no Shana 

• Tohsaka Rin / Fate Stay Night

• Kirisaki Chitoge / Nisekoi 

Male Tsundere Characters

• Sohma Kyo / Fruits Basket

• Lee Shaoran / Cardcaptor Sakura

• Fushiguro Megumi / Jujutsu Kaisen

• Tomioka Giyuu / Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer)

• Killua Zaoldyeck / Hunter x Hunter

Kugimiya Rie (釘宮 理恵) is a Japanese voice actress who has voiced many tsundere characters. Her tsundere roles include Aisaka Taiga, Louise Francoie and Shana that we mentioned above, and also Nagi from Hayate the Combat Butler and Aria from Aria the Scarlet. Her many tsundere voice rules has earned her the nickname “Tsundere Queen” from anime fans. If you are not familiar with these characters, she is also the voice behind Kagura from Gintama. In the Gintama Movie : Be Forever Yorozuya, a grown-up Kagura becomes a tsundere character to which Gintoki proclaims she’s using her voice actress to the fullest. 

Kuudere クーデれ

© VisualArt's/Key © VisualArt's/Key/Angel Beats! Project

Kuu comes from「クール」, the Japanese loanword of “cool” from English, meaning calm and collected. 

Kuudere characters are always calm and collected, never showing much emotion. In extreme cases, they may even lack any emotions. This could be for many reasons including to hide their true feelings, a coping mechanism from backstory trauma, or just because they're that cool. The unexpected switch from cool and collected to embarrassed can only be described as “gap moe”, and is a heart-throbbing scene.

Female Kuudere Characters:

• Tachibana Kanade / Angel Beats - the face of Kuudere for the longest time

• Ayanami Rei / Evangelion

• Kirishima Touka / Tokyo Ghoul

• Akemi Homura / Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica

• Mikasa Ackerman / Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titans)

Male Kuudere Characters:

• Todoroki Shoto / Boku no Hero Academia (My Hero Academy)

• Yuno Grinberryall / Black Clover

• Kiyotaka Ayanokoji / Classroom of the Elite

• Haruka Nanase - Free

• Sai / Naruto Shippuden

Deredere デレデレ

Can you guess what type of personality deredere characters have? The hint is in the double deres, dere meaning “lovable”. That’s right, deredere type characters are sweet and loving, and usually quite energetic. They can be described as cheery and full of positivity, their presence usually brightening up the atmosphere. A character type that you simply can’t hate. 

Female Deredere Characters:

• Tsukino Usagi / Sailor Moon

• Kousaka Honoka / Love Live! School idol project

• Honma Meiko / Anohana

• Kinomoto Sakura / Cardcaptor Sakura

• Fujiwara Chika / Kaguya-sama: Love is War 

Male Deredere Characters:

• Shouyou Hinata / Haikyuu!!

• Gon Freecs / Hunter x Hunter

• Sohma Momiji / Fruits Basket

• Midoriya Izuku / Boku no Hero Academia (My Hero Academy)

• Uzumaki Naruto / Naruto 

Another personality trait shared by deredere characters is their ability to bounce back to their cheerful selfs after something gets them down. In other words, they are resilient. 

Dandere ダンデれ

©オダトモヒト・小学館／私立伊旦高校

Dan from 「黙り」meaning silent, keeping quiet. 

Dandere characters are known for their aversion to social interactions and are usually quiet and timid characters. Dandere characters may be afraid to talk, too shy to talk, or simply choose to not talk because they are introverts. 

A similar dere type to dandere is "hajidere", which is a character that becomes shy around someone they like, which is completely natural if you ask me. The difference between dandere and hajidere is that dandere are quiet all the time, while hajidere are usually fine around other people. 

Female Dandere Characters:

• Hyuuga Hinata / Naruto

• Komi Shouko / Komi-san wa, Komyushou desu (Komi Can’t Communicate)

• Kuronuma Sawako / Kimi ni Todoke 

• Furukawa Nagisa & Fujibayashi Ryou / CLANNAD

• Nagato Yuuki / Haruhi Suzumiya

Male Dandere Characters:

• Kageyama Shigeo aka Mob / Mob Psycho 100

• Gojou Wakana / Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru

• Kaneki Ken / Tokyo Ghoul

• Kirishima Toru / Kumichou Musume to Sewagakari (The Yakuza's Guide to Babysitting)

• Ishida Shoya / Koe no Katachi (A Silent Voice)

You may find Kaneki Ken an unusual choice for the dandere category. However, if you remember what Kaneki was like before he met Rize, then it makes sense. He was a shy bookworm with a gentle nature who Touka looked down on at the beginning. Kaneki’s character went through many chances, but in the earlier volumes of Tokyo Ghoul, he could only be described as a dandere character. 

Other Dere Types You Haven’t Heard Of 

As we mentioned previously, there is no limit to the amount of dere types there can be. Below, we have gathered some interesting dere types to know, and will introduce some characters that are that dere type. You may be surprised to find out what category a character you know will fall into. 

Kiredere キレデ レ

©吾峠呼世晴／集英社・アニプレックス・ufotable

From「切れる kireru」, kiredere characters are known for snapping at their loved ones, but usually with good intentions to get them to improve themselves. They are akin to trainers, and are harsh because they care.

Kiredere Characters: Chidori Kaname (Full Metal Panic), Urokodaki Sakonji (Kimetsu no Yaiba / Demon Slayer)

Himedere 姫デ レ

Hime (姫) is “princess” in Japanese, himedere characters are regal like royalty. Their arrogance, or need to keep up formalities, makes it difficult for them to show how they feel. Think of them as tsunderes that are princesses. 

Himedere Characters : Nakiri Erina & Nakiri Alice (Shokugeki no Souma), Noelle Silva (Black Clover), Houshakuji Renge (Ouran High School Host Club), Eris Boreas Greyrat (Mushoku Tensei)

Oujidere 王子デレ

Twitter Link

The prince (王子 ouji) version of himedere. Basically the same, except princes and male characters. Likewise, think of them as tsundere princes. Not limited to just princes, but nobles, rich male characters, and male characters that want to be treated like royalty. 

Oujidere Characters : Ciel Phantomhive (Kuroshitsuji / Black Butler), Suou Tamaki (Ouran High School Host Club), Lelouch vi Britannia (Code Geass), Damian Desmond (Spy x Family)

Kamidere 神デレ

©吾峠呼世晴／集英社・アニプレックス・ufotable

From 「神」, kamidere are characters with a God complex. Their level of arrogance goes one or several steps higher than himedere and oujidere characters. They are usually narcissistic who think themselves as the perfect beings, or want to play at being God. 

Kamidere Characters : Yagami Light (Death Note), Yato (Noragami), Aqua (Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!), Kibutsuji Muzan (Kimetsu no Yaiba / Demon Slayer), Kayaba Akihiko (Sword Art Online) 

Goudere 豪デレ

Ⓒクール教信者・双葉社／ドラゴン生活向上委員会

From「豪豪 gou gou」, which means loud and boisterous. Goudere characters are devoted to their special someone. They are willing to go above and beyond for their love interest, and at times may overlap with yandere type characters, though not to such a scary extent. 

Goudere Characters : Tooru (Kobayashi-san Chi no Maidragon / Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid), Albedo (Overlord), Karin (Naruto Shippuden), Juvia Lockser (Fairy Tail) 

Dorodere 

© 藤本タツキ／集英社・MAPPA

From 「ドロドロ 」, meaning to be in a state of confusion, an ugly state of (emotions), a tangled mess of feelings and desires. If you’re thinking “that doesn’t sound good”, you’re exactly right, because dorodere are just as bad, maybe even worse than yanderes. 

Dorodere, perhaps deredoro would be a better arrangement, are characters who are sweet and nice on the outside but are filled with negative emotions like hatred on the inside. In time, those true emotions will reveal themselves. 

The charm of dorodere characters is opposite from other dere type characters. The moments when the usual cheerfully smiling character becomes cold and sinister makes fans thrilled, sometimes scared of them or sometimes finding them cool. It’s that same feeling when a character whose eyes are always closed opens, you know “something” is going to happen. 

Dorodere Characters : Nanami Mami (Kanojo, Okarishimasu / Rent-a-Girlfriend), Hanako (Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun / Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun), Dazai Osamu (Bungo Stray Dogs), Makima (Chainsaw Man)

Shundere シュンデレ

© 谷川ニコ／スクウェアエニックス・「ワタモテ」製作委員会

From 「しゅんとする shun to suru」, a verb meaning to become despondent. 「 シュン」 itself is also used as an SFX in anime and manga to show a character feeling down. Shunderes are characters that are sad or down all the time. 

Shundere Characters : Kuroki Tomoko (WataMote), Misaki Mei (Another), Shirakiin Ririchiyo (Inu x Boku SS), Spinel Sun (Cardcaptor Sakura), Itoshiki Nozomu (Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei)

Utsudere 鬱デレ

©暁佳奈・京都アニメーション／ヴァイオレット・エヴァーガーデン製作委員会

From「鬱」, utsudere characters are characters who are often sad or depressed. The difference between shundere and utsudere is that utsuderes have a past traumatic event or background as a reason for their despair. Utsudere characters have similar traits to kuudere and shundere characters.

Utsudere Characters : Violet Evergarden, Iwatani Naofumi (Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari / The Rising of the Shield Hero), Kousei Arima (Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso / Your Lie in April), Rachel Gardner (Satsuriku no Tenshi), Ishigami Yuu (Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai)

Bokodere ボコデレ

From 「ボコる bokoru」meaning to beat up, bokodere are characters that get violent and beat people up when flustered. Basically, they lose control of their aggressive impulses and start whacking people or things, usually the object of their affections. They are a type of tsundere. The charm of bokodere characters is how they regret and beat themselves up in secret afterwards. 

Bokodere Characters : Inami Mahiru (Working!!), Yor Forger (Spy x Family), Aizawa Tomo (Tomo-chan wa Onnanoko! / Tomo-chan is a Girl), Kitagawa Marin (Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru), Hibiki Ryoga (Ranma 1/2)

Sadodere サドデレ

©八田鮎子／集英社・「オオカミ少女と黒王子」製作委員会

The sado of “sadomasochistic”, sadoderes are characterised by their sadistic tendencies that is reflected by the cruel, at times violent, way they treat someone they like. They are different from yandere characters who hurt people, and their loved one, to prevent being separated from their loved one, a sign of possessiveness. In the case of sadodere however, they do so as a form of pleasure. Best matched with masodere type characters. A kind character that is actually a bully is a popular trope in Japanese anime and manga.

Sadodere Characters : Yosano Akiko (Bungou Stray Dogs), Yugi Tsukasa (Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun / Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun), Sata Kyouya (Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji / Wolf Girl & Black Prince), Kasumigaoka Utaha (Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata), Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière (Zero no Tsukaima / The Familiar of Zero)

Masodere マソデレ

© 2016 (C)2019 暁なつめ・三嶋くろね／KADOKAWA／このすば製作委員会

The maso of “sadomasochistic”, masodere characters have masochistic tendencies who enjoy being hurt or humiliated. A dere type that is similar to masodere is “undere”; undere characters always say “un” which is Japanese for “yes”, they are yes men or women that will agree and follow everything their love interest says or wants. The best match for a masodere is of course a sadodere character. 

Masodere Characters : Darkness (Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!), Hori Kyouko (Horimiya), Ikishima Midari (Kakegurui), Sarutobi Ayame (Gintama), Grelle Sutcliff (Kuroshitsuji / Black Butler)

Darudere ダルデレ

© ウダノゾミ／スクウェアエニックス・製作委員会はいつもけだるげ

From「だるい」meaning sluggish or listless, darudere characters are lazy and always can’t be bothered to do anything. The dere shows itself when they, usually reluctantly, do something or help someone in contrast to their usual lazy demeanour. Or in some cases, they bring out someone's protective feelings. 

Darudere Characters : Oreki Houtarou (Hyouka), Tanaka (Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge), Gabriel Tenma White (Gabriel Dropout), Sakata Gintoki (Gintama), Kozume Kenma (Haikyuu!!), Nara Shikamaru (Naruto)

Megadere メガデレ

© CLAMP・ShigatsuTsuitachi CO.,LTD.／講談社 © CLAMP・ST・講談社／NHK・NEP © CLAMP・ST／講談社・NEP・NHK

From 「メガネ」meaning spectacles, perhaps in reference to the rose-tinted glasses these characters have. Megadere characters are basically fangirls or fanboys that are healthily, somewhat, obsessed with their love interests. They are considered an extreme form of deredere characters. 

Megadere Characters : Daidouji Tomoyo (Cardcaptor Sakura), Tachibana Marika (Nisekoi), Juvia Lockser (Fairy Tail), Kurihara Yuki (Momokuri), Brock (Pokemon)

Hiyakasudere ひやかすデレ

© イラスト／鍋島テツヒロ

From the Japanese word for teasing and making fun of「冷やかす」, hiyakasudere characters are known for their smugness. They come across as flirtatious or seductive, and have a smug satisfied look whenever they successfully rile up their target. Female hiyakasudere characters are nicknamed “smug girl” by fans. When caught off guard, have the tables turned against them, hiyakasuderes get embarrassed which is cute. 

Hiyakasudere Characters : Holo (Spice and Wolf), Zero Two (DARLING in the FRANXX), Takagi (Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san), Usui Takumi (Kaichou wa Maid-sama!), Osamu Dazai (Bungou Stray Dogs), Gojou Satoru (Jujutsu Kaisen) 

Bakadere バカデレ

©赤坂アカ／集英社・かぐや様は告らせたい製作委員会

From the Japanese insult 「馬鹿」meaning stupid or idiot, bakadere characters are characterised by their clumsiness and naivety which makes them cute. Their ditziness makes people protective of them. Bakadere characters do not all lack intelligence, some of them just act childishly and have innocent reactions. For example, Fujiwara Chika though ditzy and the joke of the school council is actually ranked highly in academics and is a piano prodigy. 

Bakadere Characters : Yoshida Yuuko (Machikado Mazoku), Hirasawa Yui (K-ON!), Honda Tooru (Fruits Basket), Fujiwara Chika (Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai), Okumura Rin (Blue Exorcist), Akihisa Yoshii (Baka to Test), Kon (Bleach), Son Goku (Dragon Ball), Entire Cast of Gintama

Uzadere ウザデレ

©2022 丈／KADOKAWA／宇崎ちゃん2製作委員会

From「ウザイ」that means annoying or noisy, uzadere characters are exactly that. They are loud and overbearing, but lack the awareness of how they affect others around them. Most people find them annoying, even the love interest, but accept them for how they are even coming to find it endearing.

Uzadere Characters : Uzaki Hana (Uzaki-chan wa Asobitai!), Takeda Harumi (Senpai ga Uzai Kouhai no Hanashi / My Senpai is Annoying), Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece), Inosuke Hashibira (Kimetsu no Yaiba / Demon Slayer), Power (Chainsaw Man) 

Yottadere ヨッタデレ

From 「酔よった」meaning drunk or intoxicated, yottaderes are identifiable by their drinking habits. How they act after becoming intoxicated differs from character to character, from going wild to flirtatious, and sad to cute.

Yottadere Characters : Cana Alberona (Fairy Tail), Yor Forger & Yuri Briar (Spy x Family), Ichihara Yuuko (xxxHolic), Matsumoto Rangiku (Bleach), Margery Daw (Shakugan no Shana)

Nyandere ニャンデレ

©異識・芳文社／あっちこっち製作委員会

“Nyan” is the onomatopoeia for a cat’s meow in Japanese. As such, nyandere characters are always associated with cats. They may be half-cat half-human characters, human characters that are cat-like, cat yokai, actual cats, etc. These characters are the basis for what we know as catboys & catgirls. 

Nyandere Characters : Miniwa Tsukimi (Acchi Kocchi), Sohma Kyo & Sohma Kisa (Fruits Basket), Komi Shouko (Komi-san wa Komushou desu.), Momomiya Ichigo (Tokyo Mew Mew), Neko (K), Killua Zaoldyeck (Hunter x Hunter) 

Wandere ワンデレ

©高橋留美子/小学館・読売テレビ・サンライズ

The dog equivalent of nekodere, “wan” is the onomatopoeia for a dog’s bark in Japanese. Also known as “inudere”, inu (犬) meaning dog in Japanese. 

Wandere Characters : Inuzuka Kiba (Naruto), Denji (Chainsaw Man), Fushi (Fumetsu no Anata e / To Your Eternity), Inugami Korone (Holo no Graffiti), Inuyasaha & Sesshoumaru (Inuyasha), Ruth (Mahoutsukai no Yome) 

Zondere ゾンデレ

© ゾンビランドサガ

From “zombie”, zondere characters are all zombie characters. You may be wondering how can zombies even “dere”? Zondere are usually zombies that have regained intelligence, which makes them cute, despite being a zombie. Body horror may or may not exist. 

Zondere Characters : Main Cast of Zombie Land Saga, Aikawa Ayumu (Kore wa Zombie desu ka.), Sanka Rea (Sankarea), Hoshimura Makina (Shikabane Hime / Corpse Princess)

Onidere オニデレ

©伊藤いづも・芳文社／まちカドまぞく 2丁目製作委員会

Same concept as “zondere”, except characters are not zombies but oni. Oni is a type of demon in Japanese folklore, but in the case of onidere characters, other Western demons, yokai, etc. are also applicable. Onidere characters are characters that although are demons, are actually really sweet. Characters that suffer from chuunibyou and think they are supernatural are also counted.

Onidere Characters : Yoshida Yuuko (Machikado Mazoku), Kurumizawa Satanichia (Gabriel Dropout), Megumin (Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!), Demon Characters in Jashin-chan Dropkick

Shindere シンデレ

© Link 

From「死ぬ」meaning “death”, shindere characters are dead characters who have become spirits, or once dead characters who have been brought back to life - not to be confused with zondere characters who are zombies. 

Shindere Characters : Siesta (Tantei wa Mō, Shinde Iru / The Detective is Already Dead), Yukine (Noragami), Urameshi Yuusuke (Yuu Yuu Hakusho), Natsuki Subaru (Re: Zero), Honma Meiko (Anohana)

To Close

There are these many dere types in Japanese anime & manga pop culture and a lot more. If you notice, some of the characters overlap into other dere types. That’s because some characters exhibit personality traits that are characteristic in several dere types. How to categorise them is entirely up to each fan, and usually based on which most identifying characteristic you think the character holds.