Tsundere

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tsundere (ツンデレ, Tsundere^?) is a Japanese character archetype that describes a conceited, spikey, combative personality that later on turns to being modest and loving. It can also describe a personality that is good-willed, but its attitude and actions often contradict its nature. Originally found in Japanese bishōjo games, the word is now part of the otaku moe phenomenon, reaching into other media such as anime, manga, novels, and even mass media.

[edit] Terminology

Tsundere is an Internet slang word that has a remarkable subdivision structure; usage rules vary accordingly. Therefore, the term is not elaborately defined as to what character types can be described as tsundere; the term transcends gender and species. The definition is often subjected to the creator's point of view.

Tsundere is a combination of the two words tsuntsun (ツンツン, tsuntsun^?), and deredere (デレデレ, deredere^?). Tsuntsun is defined as "aloof, morose, pointed", and deredere is defined as "exhausted, lovestruck".^[1] Tsunderekko (ツンデレっ娘, Tsunderekko^?) is a related noun, referring to a girl with a tsundere personality. Like nekomimi, tsundere is considered a moe-inspiring character trait.^[2] The concept has received increasing attention in Japan, with a tsundere cafe opened in Akihabara^[3] and tsundere-themed products released (like Tomy Co.'s portable television set),^[4] and the concept increasingly reflected in recent anime, from an extended discussion of the meaning of the concept and its origin on the internet in Lucky Star's Lucky Channel segment to merchandise for The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya classifiying the characters according to tsundere-ness. Tsundere is the antonym of yandere where a person is initially loving, then combative, often brutally so.

[edit] Examples

One of the earliest examples of a tsundere is Sayaka Yumi from Mazinger Z, and other well-known examples are Madoka from Kimagure Orange Road, and Kyoko from Maison Ikkoku. While the three are generally kind girls, they are initially resistant to accept romantic overtures and turn cold when the lead male starts showing interest in other girls, and both Sayaka and Madoka are known to become physically aggressive towards the lead males sometimes.

Another well-known example is Naru Narusegawa from Love Hina. Naru often acts violent towards Keitaro Urashima, despite having romantic feelings for him. Another example by the same author, Ken Akamatsu, is Asuna Kagurazaka from Negima!: Magister Negi Magi who seems to hate Negi Springfield, but actually has great affection and respect for him. Urumi Kanzaki from Great Teacher Onizuka is another, who initially goes head-on against the primary protagonist, Onizuka, but ends up infatuated with him. Other examples include Kaname Chidori from Full Metal Panic!, who is easily and often frustrated by Sousuke Sagara's misunderstanding-fueled antics, Sakura Haruno from Naruto who is initially antagonistic towards Naruto Uzumaki, and Sango from InuYasha who is very kind yet is a frightening opponent when in combat. In addition, Ibara Junko—generally portrayed as outwardly cynical, combative, and on occasion literally violent, but who has also shown that she has a shy, caring and even compassionate side—might be considered and example of tsundere in the original English-language manga Megatokyo.

[edit] References