Anime and manga are full of fun tropes that keep fans coming back for more. One of the most beloved tropes is the contradictory tsundere. These characters give off a hostile or dismissive vibe toward the people that actually like. The term is a portmanteau of the Japanese words for "to turn away in disgust or rage" (tsun tsun) and "to become affectionate" (dere dere).
Tsunderes' fiery natures are often represented aesthetically by physical qualities like bold hues—especially red—and deceptively adorable faces. Not only are they physically eye-catching, but their loud personalities are also hard to ignore. Sometimes, they are downright frightening. Yet somehow even the most terrifying tsundere can ultimately win the hearts of other characters and fans alike.
10 Kyo Sohma Needs Friends, Not Fights
Fruits Basket
Kyo Sohma from Fruits Basket is a great representation of the tsundere archetype. From the very first episode, Kyo has had a combative attitude, battling Yuki after crashing through a ceiling. He focuses his energy on defeating people instead of building meaningful relationships under the assumption that no one could love him.
However, Kyo's assumption is proven wrong with the introduction of Tohru, a person able to reach him on a deeper level. When Kyo is forced to move in with Tohru, he finally starts addressing his issues. Tohru's kindness remains unwavering despite the fact that Kyo has trouble talking to her and often insults her. With time, she gradually warms his heart and melts away his iciness. This heartwarming connection is sure to stay with fans long after they finish Fruits Basket.
9 Naru Is More Than A Plain Jane
Love Hina
Naru from Love Hina may look like an average girl, but fans shouldn't let her modest appearance fool them; she has an intense fury just waiting to be released. Naru is fiercely independent and never hesitates to defend herself, sometimes with force. She often takes this to the extreme and can be physically violent towards others, particularly the main character Keitaro.
Despite her anti-social tendencies, Naru has many admirable qualities. She is a gifted student who attends Tokyo University, where Keitaro was denied admission. When she's able to put her bad habits aside and open up to others, Naru is a very likable gal that has so much to offer.
8 Louise Is Fond Of A Whip
The Familiar of Zero
While many tsunderes are naturally gifted, others don't have obvious talents. Louise Francoise Le Blanc de la Valliere from The Familiar of Zero struggles with her spellcasting. This earns her the mean nickname Louise the Zero.
When one of her spells goes wrong, she summons Saito, a human boy and her familiar. However, Saito is also the former familiar of Tiffania, and the other girls at Louise's school fawn over him. Not only does Louise outwardly dislike Saito, but now she has to share him. This angers the possessive tsundere, who lashes out at him verbally and with a whip. However, as the series progresses, Louise's hatred toward Saito is revealed as a front for her affection toward him.
7 Yurio Is Harboring A Secret Crush
Yuri!!! On Ice
Yuri Plisetsky, affectionately nicknamed Yurio, is a child prodigy from the smash hit Yuri!!! On Ice. At the tender age of 15, he is a major competitor in the Grand Prix ice skating competition. He is extremely ambitious but is also impolite and irritable. The audience first meets Yurio in the pilot episode when he corners the title character Yuri Katsuki in the bathroom.
Yuri Katsuki had a terrible performance and Yurio takes advantage of the situation. He berates Yuri for his incompetence and calls him names like "baka." As the series progresses, his competitiveness and hostility toward the other Yuri never abate, and he ends up losing his coach Victor to Yuri. About halfway through the season, Yurio's fixation on Yuri is shown through a series of photos on his phone. Although he is in direct competition with Yuri, Yurio also secretly admires him.
6 Vegeta Is A Likable Villain
Dragon Ball Z
Despite being one of the main antagonists in Dragon Ball Z, Vegeta is a likable character. Not only is he ridiculously strong and a triumphant fighter, but he also has many layers to his personality. He's not just a villain, but also a tsundere with a soft spot for a blue-haired gal named Bulma.
Like so many tsundere characters in anime, Vegeta's pride often overpowers his common sense. Bulma is the only person who is able to reach him on a deeper level, and she knows how to knock some sense into her man. Likewise, Vegeta may not always know how to show it, but he is very protective of Bulma. When Beerus slaps Bulma, he becomes enraged, screaming, "That's my Bulma!"
5 Taiga Is The Queen Of Self-Sabotage
Toradora!
Toradora!'s Taiga is a quintessential tsundere. Her violent outburst and eagerness to blame others for her problems are very typical for this trope. This immaturity shows in Taiga's failed encounters with Kitamura, her longtime crush. Her friend Ryuuji even tried to help her out by creating opportunities for the two to be alone, but Taiga rejects them all fiercely. She even blames Ryuuji anytime she fails to talk to Kitamura.
Despite this, it's easy to sympathize with Taiga. Shyness and fear of rejection from someone important are very relatable and difficult experiences to go through. It's obvious that her lack of self-worth prompts these negative tendencies. Fans can't help but want Taiga to see how great she can be if she stops the self-sabotage.
4 Faye Valentine Mixes In The Femme Fatale
Cowboy Bebop
Most often described as the femme fatale of Cowboy Bebop, Faye Valentine also possesses many qualities of the tsundere. She is bratty, and harsh, and she oftenputs up a cool front. When she meets Spike, Faye leans into her femme fatale persona. However, when he fails to give her his last chip at the blackjack table, her mask starts to crack, giving audiences the first glimpse at Faye's real personality.
As Cowboy Bebop progresses, the audience learns of Faye's trust issues, which stem from a doctor taking advantage of her. This is then compounded when her former boyfriend shows up. He too was a con man out to swindle her. Like so many tsundere characters, Faye's life has been plagued by a string of unfortunate events, and her anti-social behavior is a direct result of her emotional pain. Jet acknowledges that her bad attitude is just an act, and even Spike warms up to Faye.
3 Inuyasha Is A Demon
Inuyasha
Some people may complain that their boyfriend is a demon. Well, Kagome's love interest in Inuyasha actually is one. This ordinary teenager finds herself transported to the 16th century, where she stumbles across Inuyasha, a half-demon who hates people.
However, the audience learns that this temperamental cat boy has trust issues that stem from a past betrayal. His first love, Kikyo, bound him to the Tree of Ages, which sealed Inuyasha in the Feudal Era. Inuyasha only dislikes Kagome because she reminds him of Kikyo. This couple has their fair share of issues to work out, but love triumphs over past demons for this likable tsundere.
2 Killua Will Literally Steal Hearts
Hunter X Hunter
Arguably the fan-favorite character of the Hunter X Hunter franchise, Killua Zoldyck is as terrifying as he is cute. Killua, who was raised to be an elite assassin, boasts a variety of skills that make him exceedingly lethal. When confronted with a notorious murderer, he simply shrugged and ripped out his heart with his bare hands.
Not only do Kullua's violent inclinations give the audience the shivers, but his disposition is often argumentative. He can be rather haughty and enjoys calling others "baka," especially Gon. However, the audience realizes that Killua pushes people away because he is a hurt child who really wants to be loved. Throughout the story, he opens up to Gon and becomes the ultimate best friend.
1 Asuka Langley Soryu Takes The Crown
Neon Genesis Evangelion’s EVA Unit 2 pilot Asuka Langley Soryu is very talented, like many other tsunderes. A child prodigy with a college degree at age 14, Asuka's proud of her achievements and doesn't mind bragging. However, her bravado masks insecurities.
Asuka would often lash out at the other Eva pilots when she faced criticism or defeat. Shinji was an easy target and often ended up at the receiving end of her vitriol. She called him "baka" so many times, it's hard to keep count. However, the audience learns that Asuka grew up receiving conditional love, and as a result always felt the need to prove herself. Like so many tsunderes, she just craves love and acceptance.