Tsundere
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Tsundere (ツンデレ?) is a Japanese character archetype describing an initially combative personality, which eventually becomes loving and emotionally vulnerable, normally found in Japanese anime and manga. TerminologyThe definition of the term has evolved to apply to not only characters who change from harsh to gentle but who are cold on the outside and kind internally. Tsundere is a combination of the two words tsuntsun (ツンツン?), and deredere (デレデレ?). Tsuntsun is defined as "aloof, morose, pointed", and deredere is defined as "exhausted, lovestruck".[1] Tsunderekko (ツンデレっ娘?) is a related noun, referring to a girl with a tsundere personality. While the term is most often applied to women, it is gender-neutral and can be applied to men as well. While tsunderekko are not exclusive to Japanese entertainment, the term tsundere came about as a result of the need to describe the many tsunderekko found in games and harem anime. 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. ExamplesImage:Small rin.JPG
Rin Tōsaka has many traits akin to a tsunderekko.
Two of the better known examples are Madoka from Kimagure Orange Road, and Kyoko from Maison Ikkoku. While both are generally kind, they are initially resistant to accept romantic overtures and turn cold when the lead male starts showing interest in other girls. 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 (this is more apparent in the manga than in the plot-reduced anime). Another is Louise from Zero no Tsukaima may also be in this category as well, but since she actually likes to hurt Saito Hiraga, the male lead, on a moments notice without any remorse, she may not fit the accurate definition. That, and unlike others she uses a whip (first a horse then a bull type) to inflict pain on him while others punch, kick, etc. Whether or not Haruhi from the The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya or Asuka Langley Soryu from Neon Genesis Evangelion should be considered tsundere is hotly debated by fans. Other examples include Akane Tendo from Ranma ½, who is initially (and through much of the series) very antagonistic towards Ranma Saotome, 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 recent times, the character Rin Tōsaka from the popular visual novel Fate/stay night has become a well-known tsundere. Rin initially comes off as a serious girl who, with her Servant Archer, intends to be the victor in the fifth Holy Grail War out of her own competitive desire. Eventually after becoming partners with Shirō Emiya, she begins to lose her tough outer exterior and develops feelings for him. Other examples of a tsunderekko that appeared in 2007 include Shana from the Shakugan no Shana series, Louise from Zero no Tsukaima, and Nagi Sanzen'in from Hayate the Combat Butler, all three of which are incidentally voiced by the same voice actress, Rie Kugimiya, often typecast as a tsundere character. References
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