Below is a list of all the known dere types in alphabetical
order with a quick description. Maybe you can equate one of these types to your
favorite character! More have been added thanks to the comments below.
Nothing is more anime than the “-dere” archetypes. They are
short-hand character models that are easily recognizable by fans and can be
plugged into any story situation to inject romance.
First off, the “dere” refers to being love struck. These
characters will always be a romantic candidate for the main character, no
matter what. Now, let’s looks at the different types of dere templates.
1. Tsundere (Type A)
The tsundere is one of the most popular types. They switch
between a tsun (harsh) state and dere (love struck) state. You’ll know if a
character is tsundere if they keep saying “baka” or they try to cover up a good
deed.
There are two types of tsundere – Type A and Type B.
Type A: The “tsun” state is their default personality. They
tend to verbally and physically abuse their object of desire, get embarrassed
when complimented, and use “baka” as every other word.
Popular examples: Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière
(The Familiar of Zero) / Chitoge Kirisaki (Nisekoi) / Taiga Aisaka (Toradora!)
2. Tsundere (Type B)
Type B: The “dere” state is their default personality. They
have a friendly public face and are usually generous. Their “tsun” state
appears when their love interests does something to upset them (usually
something perverted).
In short, Type A tends to be off-putting with everyone until
a love interest breaks their shell, while Type B tends to be friendly with
everyone except for their love interest due to not knowing how to express their
feelings.
Popular examples: Winry Rockbell (Fullmetal Alchemist) /
Yamada (B Gata H Kei) / Levy McGarden (Fairy Tale)
3. Yandere
Yandere characters are really sweet on the outside. They
range from being cheerful and friends with others, or can be really shy. A bond
with the main character will form quickly.
However, their friendly nature masks a dark side. Yandere
characters are very possessive and controlling. Most will kill the people
around their love interest or will isolate them from society. They do not take
rejection well (which has a 90% chance of happening).
The Yandere (ヤンデレ)
type refers to a character who starts out nice and sweet but eventually becomes
dark and obsessive over the one they love. They become stalkers and use
violence on, and possibly even murder, any person who gets close to their love
interest — even if they’re too shy to simply speak with that person they have a
crush on.
This word is a portmanteau of Yanderu (やんでる) which means to
be mentally or emotionally ill and Deredere (デレデレ) which means lovey dovey.
Popular examples: Yuno Gasai (The Future Diary) / Anna
Nishikinomiya (Shimoneta) / Lindo (Dance with Devils)
4. Dandere
Quiet, shy, and harmless. Dandere characters typically wear
glasses and are always buried in books. However, they can become talkative when
around their love interest.
The Dandere (だんデレ) type refers to a character who is often
silent and to themselves. It may be due to shyness or just because they’re the
quiet type. However, when alone with the person they are attracted to, they
usually come out of their shell and become more loving.
This word is a compound of Danmari (だんまり) which means silent
and Deredere (デレデレ) which means lovey dovey.
Popular examples: Urara Shiraishi (Yamada-kun and the Seven
Witches) / Shiori Shinomiya (The World God Only Knows) / Onodera Kosaki
(Nisekoi)
5. Kuudere
Emotionless, cold, and distant. On the rare occasional that
a kuudere does speak, they tend to be very blunt and cynical. A blank face and
a flat voice is a must. Despite their icy nature, kuudere characters are
capable of caring and forming romantic bonds.
The Kuudere (クーデレ), sometimes written Coodere or Kūdere,
type refers to a character who is often cold, blunt, and cynical. They may seem
very emotionless on the outside, but on the inside they’re very caring — at
least when it comes to the ones they love.
This word is a compound of Cool (クール) and Deredere (デレデレ)
which means lovey dovey.
Popular examples: Eucliwood Hellscythe (Is this a Zombie?) /
Kanade Tachibana (Angel Beats!) / Mashiro Shiina (The Pet Girl of Sakurasou)
6. Deredere
The most cheeful, hyper, and loving of the “-dere”
archetypes. Deredere characters are constantly smothering their love interests
with affection.
The Deredere (デレデレ) type refers to a character who is
completely kind, happy, and energetic. No matter what may happen, they quickly
revert to their cheerful self.
This may be the only character type that doesn’t have any
abbreviation with the base Deredere (デレデレ) word, although the definition isn’t
simply lovey dovey like the other types.
Popular examples: Lala Satalin Deviluke (To LOVE-Ru) /
Belldandy (Ah! My Goddess) / Otome Arisugawa (Aikatsu!)
7. Himedere
This archetype is restricted to female characters. They want
to be treated like a princess by everyone, even if they are not actual royalty.
Himedere characters may act stuck up as a mask to hide insecurities. The
classic “ohoho” laugh is their favorite weapon.
The Himedere (ひめデレ) type refers to a character who wishes to
be treated like a princess by the person she loves, even if they aren’t royalty
in actuality.
This word is a compound of Hime (ひめ / 姫) which means
princess and Deredere (デレデレ) which means lovey dovey.
Popular examples: Erina Nakiri (Shokugeki no Souma) / Mio
Aoyama (The World God Only Knows) / Eri Sawachika (School Rumble)
8. Oujidere
The male version of himedere. They want to be treated like a
prince, even if they are not royalty. Usually they have sharp eyes and crazy
awesome fashion.
The Oujidere (おうじデレ)
type refers to a character who wishes to be treated like a prince by the person
he loves, even if they aren’t royalty in actuality.
This word is a compound of Ouji (おうじ / 王子) which means
prince and Deredere (デレデレ) which means lovey dovey.
Popular examples: Lelouch Lamperouge (Code Geass) / Ciel
Phantomhive (Black Butler) / Ayato Sakamaki (Diabolik Lovers)
9. Kamidere
Arrogant, proud, and sporting a god complex. They believe
everyone should treat them as divine beings, and will force their views on
everyone.
The Kamidere (かみデレ)
type refers to a character with a god complex. They’re highly arrogant and
proud, and aren’t afraid to speak their minds and show everyone how right they
are.
This word is a compound of Kami (かみ / 神) which means God and
Deredere (デレデレ) which means lovey dovey.
Popular examples: Mio Isurugi (MM!) / Light Yagami (Death
Note) / Satsuki Kiryuuin (Kill la Kill)
10. Undere
A relatively obscure character type. The undere combines the
deredere, dandere, and a sprinkle of yandere. These character always say “yes”
(un) to their loved ones as a way to stay close to them.
The Undere (ウンデレ) type refers to a character who says yes to
pretty much everything the one they love says. They agree as much as possible
to become as close as they can to their love interest.
This word is a compound of Un (ウン) which is a short way
Japanese people say Yes and Deredere (デレデレ) which means lovey dovey.
Popular examples: Misa Amane (Death Note) / Minami Kotori
(Love Live!)
11. Mayadere
They are characters who begin the series as an antagonist.
Mayadere will fall in love with the main character, but that does not mean they
will switch sides and are willing the kill their love interest if they feel
betrayed.
The Mayadere (まやデレ) type refers to a character who is often
a dangerous antagonist of a series, but switches sides after falling in love
with another character. The character may remain deadly and unpredictable for
the protagonist or other main character in the Anime or Manga.
I do not know the origins of the word Mayadere, as Maya
doesn’t translate into anything.
Popular examples: Esdeath (Akame ga Kill!) / Golden Darkness
(To LOVE-Ru) / Illyasviel von Einzbern (Fate/stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works)
12. Bodere
A relatively new type of character. The bodere combines the
violent nature of the tsundere with the shyness of the dandere. Bodere
characters are usually shy around the opposite sex and lash out to hide their
embarrassment.
Popular example: Mahiru Inami (Working!!)
13. Hinedere
Takes the icy nature of the kuudere and combines it with the
arrogant attitude of the kamidere. Hinedere characters are very cynical and
sarcastic, but will show their soft side when a character breaks through their
shell.
They are a new archetype and may see more popularity if the
anime’s cynical trend continues.
Popular example: Hachiman Hikigaya (OreGairu)
14. Sadodere
Sadistic characters that get off on toying with characters
on an emotional and physical level. If they find a love interest, they better
be a masochist who can take a beating
.
Popular examples: Nemesis (To LOVE-Ru) / Kurumi Tokisaki
(Date A Live) / Kirihime Natsuno (Dog & Scissors)
