Anime Know-How: What Is Tsundere?

When it comes to anime characters, there are dozens of types floating about.

There are brash characters, and then there are gentle souls. You can find ditzy heroines and obtuse heroes with ease. If confidence is what you are into, then there are dozens of leads out there who embody leadership qualities through-and-through. Within the anime fandom, terms have cropped up over the past decade which help fans describe the exact type of character they are fond of.

So, if you are not familiar with the term tsundere yet, then don’t worry; ComicBook has your covered. You can find a crash-course to all things tsundere below!

Do you have any anime questions? Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed by the otaku fandom? No worries! Hit up Twitter @ComicBook or @meganpeterscb to get all you anime know-how answered fast!

Definition

The literal translation of tsundere is a hard one to pin down given its combination roots. The Japanese term is made from the fusion of two phrases: tsun tsun and dere dere. The first phrase means ‘to turn away in disgust’ while the second means ‘to act lovey dovey.’ So, when put together, the term tsundere is used to refer to someone who alternates between those two polar-opposite behaviors.

History

The term tsundere has changed greatly since it was first popularized years ago. In the start, the term generally was used to refer to a character who acted coldly but eventually came to reveal a softer side of themselves. These days, tsundere has become associated with characters who are more manic with their behavior changes. A so-called ‘Modern Tsundere’ is often a heroine who alters between being a tomboy and girly-girl while ‘Classic Tsundere’ characters slowly alter their personalities.

Hallmarks

While all tsundere characters express their changeable personalities differently, there are a few common traits assigned to such leads. Characters who are designed to be tsundere often have volatile emotions because of some unresolved emotional trauma or even an unrequited love. As for their behavior, tsundere characters can act predominantly harsh or gentle depending on their basic disposition. Tsundere leads are either more ‘tsun’ or ‘dere’ depending on their role in a series.

Examples

Here is a list of some of the most popular tsundere characters in the anime world today:

• Kyou Sohma – Fruits Basket
  Aisaka Taiga – Toradora
  Makise Kurisu – Steins;Gate
  Rin Tosaka – Fate/stay Night