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.

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 Nihongo|"tsuntsun"|ツンツン, and Nihongo|"deredere"|デレデレ. "Tsuntsun" is defined as "aloof, morose, pointed", and "deredere" is defined as "exhausted, lovestruck".citeweb|url=http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/edict.html|title=EDICT |accessdate=2007-01-06] Nihongo|"Tsunderekko"|ツンデレっ娘 is a related noun, referring to a girl with a "tsundere" personality. Like "nekomimi", "tsundere" is considered a moe-inspiring character trait.cite web |url=http://matthew.animeblogger.net/archives/2005/07/20/wednesday_notes_akamatsu-sensei_talks_moe.php |title=Wednesday Notes.... Akamatsu-sensei Talks "Moe" |accessdate=2006-03-29] The concept has received increasing attention in Japan, with a tsundere cafe opened in Akihabara ["In Tokyo's Akihabara district there is already reportedly a "tsundere cafe", and the word "tsunderera", which resembles the Japanese for "Cinderella" in katakana, was nominated for a prize in the 2006 fashionable word awards, indicating that "tsundere" culture may become more prominent in the future." February 2, "Toymaker introduces portable TV with harsh audio guidance that gradually gets kinder" in the "Mainichi Times". ] and tsundere-themed products released (like Tomy Co.'s portable television set), ["Toy manufacturer Tomy Co. has come up with the world's first "tsundere" portable television set, which gives audio guidance with a harsh voice that gradually becomes kinder as the user gets used to the set....'Tsundere' is a word for a type of feminine personality that is initially uptight and cold, and then kind and loving. It is well known among Japan's otaku community, and ranks in popularity with the word 'moe', which signifies an enthusiasm or fetish for something, especially in connection with anime." February 2, "Mainichi"] 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" classifying the characters according to tsundere-ness. "Tsundere" is the antonym of "yandere", where a person is initially loving, then combative, often brutally so.

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 sometimes become physically aggressive towards the lead males.

References