In anime, tsundere is short for two abbreviations, tsuntsun and deredere. These abbreviations can be described as the moods of a tsundere character: the ‘irritable’ mood (also known as Tsuntsun) and the ‘lovestruck’ one (Deredere). These people would appear rude or mean, but they are huge softies inside.
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However, they only show this soft side to their love interests (and those they care about). A tsundere personality in anime can range from mean, dramatic, lovestruck, and many, many more. It depends on the way they were raised and how much it affected their childhood. For fans who love tsundere anime characters, then they shouldn't miss out on these people.
Hetalia: Axis Powers has been left out since it has so many tsundere male characters that picking one is difficult. That said, characters like Germany and England are fun examples of this archetype.
Updated on February 12, 2025, by Mark Sammut: Male tsundere anime characters are somewhat part of the Winter 2025 lineup, although not to that huge of an extent. The most obvious example is probably Honey Lemon Soda's Kai, who is fairly abrasive toward Uka but generally has her best interests at heart. Medaka Kuroiwa is Impervious to My Charms' eponymous character could also qualify, although he is unique since his actions are driven by the fact he is training to become a monk and has to reject human temptation, which comes in the form of Mona. Blue Exorcist: The Blue Night Saga's Shirou is also a good example of a traditional tsundere. These characters might be added to this discussion once the season ends, but it is too soon for them to make an appearance.
In the meantime, a character from one of the best romance anime has been added.
15 Takumi Aldini – Food Wars
A Drive For Success Hides A Kind Heart
Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma
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- April 4, 2015
- Japanese Title
- Shokugeki no Souma
- Studio
- J.C.Staff
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Yūto Tsukuda
- Streaming Service(s)
- HIDIVE, Hulu
Takumi Aldini is a supporting character in the Shokugeki No Soma (Food Wars) series. Takumi and his brother, Isami Aldini, came from Italy to study at Tōtsuki Culinary Academy. In the end, his hard work and effort paid off as he joined the Elite Ten Council and became the seventh seat.
At first, Takumi gives the impression of a serious person who only thinks about winning a Shokugeki. But after spending time with Takumi, his friends realize this is just a facade to hide his Tsuntsun side. Because once everyone gets to know him, they witness how Takumi Aldini cares about them and encourages them to do their best. Sometimes he even helps his self-proclaimed rival, Yukihira Soma.
14 Katsuki Bakugo – My Hero Academia
Loud And Abrasive But Committed To Being A Hero
My Hero Academia
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- 2016 - 2025-00-00
- Japanese Title
- Boku no Hero Academia
- Studio
- Bones
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Kōhei Horikoshi
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu, Crunchyroll
Katsuki Bakugo has to be one of the most violent, blunt, loud, and rude characters to ever exist in My Hero Academia. He likes to make fun of his peers, especially Midoriya by calling him ‘Deku’, and prefers to work alone since he believes he’s the strongest. This caused many problems either with his classmates or teachers.
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Although he has many bad traits, there are equally good traits. He starts to slowly open up to those around him in U.A and eventually earns their respect. Bakugo will sometimes even help his friends with unimportant things like cooking while yelling at them, revealing his dere side while keeping the composure of a tsun.
13 Vegeta – Dragon Ball Z & Super
A Saiyan Prince Who Goes From A Killer To A Hero
Dragon Ball Z
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- 1989 - 1996
- Studio
- Toei Animation
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Akira Toriyama
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Honestly, Dragon Ball has quite a few characters with tsundere tendencies, covering both genders (and multiple races). Piccolo is a prime candidate, especially during the early parts of DBZ, but Vegeta is arguably the more famous one. Putting aside all his murderous rampaging as a villain, the prideful Saiyan prince is pretty much constantly unwilling to show affection or appreciation, not only for his "friends" like Goku but also for his family.
Now, to be fair, Vegeta evolves into a decent husband and father by Dragon Ball Super, and he might be quite a bit warmer at home than he is prepared to show in public. However, the anime rarely spotlights that part of the Saiyan's life, so he still comes across as someone who prefers to keep people at a distance.
12 Yuki Rurikawa – A3!
Off-Putting Personality That Softens With Time
A3!
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- January 14, 2020
- Studio
- P.A. Works, Studio 3Hz
- Based On
- A3! Game by Liber Entertainment
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu
Yuki Rurikawa is part of the Summer Troupe and one of the first characters to join this troupe in the Mankai Theater. He usually comes off as blunt and rude due to how people mistreat him because of his unique style. As a defense mechanism, Yuki often fights with others and doesn’t mind getting his word across, even if it hurt.
Later on, the designer starts to show more of his kind and caring side to the other members, especially if they are getting bullied. Yuki can also be very headstrong and stubborn in defending his friends as he starts to care about them in a very tsundere style, by ending it with a ‘Don't get the wrong idea!’, which is a very tsundere move.
11 Kyouya Sata – Wolf Girl & Black Prince
Kind Of A Reverse Tsundere Who Hides His Awful Tendencies Behind A Princely Mask
Wolf Girl and Black Prince
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- October 5, 2014
- Japanese Title
- Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji
- Studio
- TYO Animations
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Ayuko Hatta
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
The main male protagonist in the anime Wolf Girl & Black Prince, Kyouya Sata is considered a ‘prince’ in his school because he treats everyone with sweet and polite manners. What everyone may not know is that it’s a mask to hide his sadistic nature. This side of him only comes out in the presence of Erika Shinohara. It all started when Erika asked him to pretend to be her boyfriend, and he agreed on one condition, she had to become his ‘wolf girl’.
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At first, Kyouya Sata only used her to pass time and didn’t reciprocate her feelings. However, after spending a lot of time together, he developed a protective attitude towards Erika whenever she associated with other guys. He would often get jealous and only show his soft side to her. Eventually, Kyouya ‘promoted’ her from his ‘pet’ to his actual girlfriend and confessed his feelings.
10 Zero Kiryu – Vampire Knight
Hates Vampires But Loves Yuki
Vampire Knight
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- 2008 - 2008-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Studio
- Studio Deen
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Matsuri Hino
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu, Tubi
Zero Kiryu is both a Vampire Hunter and an Ex-Human Vampire, as well as one of the main leads in the anime Vampire Knight. He harbors great resentment towards vampires, Pureblood in particular, because of his past. Therefore, he is always seen protecting Yuki Kuran, his love interest, when the Night Class emerges, as most of them are vampires. Additionally, she is the only one who is treated as a friend by Zero, since most of the time he reveals his genuine emotions to her.
Usually, Zero emits a scary aura that makes the Day Class wary of him. However, Zero Kiryu fights relentlessly to protect humans as a Vampire Hunter and his cold personality is probably to push everyone away for their protection.
9 Inuyasha – Inuyasha
Built A High Wall Due To Suffering Multiple Tragedies
Inuyasha
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- 2000 - 2004-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Studio
- Sunrise
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Rumiko Takahashi
- Streaming Service(s)
- Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, The Roku Channel, Tubi
The main protagonist of Inuyasha is the son of a human mother and a great demon father, making him a half-demon. Because of his mixed breed, Inuyasha suffered a lot during his childhood and grew up to be cynical and trusted no one. Nonetheless, after meeting Kagome Higurashi and gaining friends, he opened up his heart and entrusted his life to them.
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Because he lost many people (due to him being shunned) as a kid, Inuyasha rarely expresses his actual feelings. Despite his toughness, he forged strong bonds with his comrades and couldn't hide how deeply he cares about everyone and considered them a family. Each of them, in their own way, saved Inuyasha from his loneliness, and vice versa.
8 Naoki Irie – ItaKiss
Looks Down On Kotoko, But Eventually Begins To Appreciate Her
ItaKiss
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- 2008 - 2008
- Showrunner
- Osamu Yamasaki, Yukie Koyake
- Directors
- Osamu Yamasaki
- Japanese Title
- Itazura na Kiss
- Studio
- TMS Entertainment
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Kaoru Tada
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Naoki Irie and Kotoko Aihara are the main protagonists in the Itazura Na Kiss (Playful Kiss) series. It is rumored that Naoki has an IQ of 200, which is why he is placed number one in Japan. Because of his intelligence and constant success, he considers life boring and has no hopes or dreams, until he met Kotoko.
At first, Naoki considered her dumb and treated her coldly. Later on, after Kotoko moved in with her father to the Irie household, Naoki gradually started warming up to her until he fell in love. His tsundere personality shines through when he’s with Kotoko as he seems indifferent in front of her. But in reality, he cares deeply about her and expresses his feelings privately.
7 Miyuki Shirogane – Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War
Generally Nice, But Stuck In A Seemingly Endless (And Pointless) War With Kaguya
Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War
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- 2019 - 2023-00-00
- Japanese Title
- Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunousen
- Studio
- A-1 Pictures
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Aka Akasaka
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
Miyuki Shirogane is the Student Council President at Shuchi'in Academy in the anime Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War. The funny thing about Miyuki is that he doesn’t try to hide his tsundere side and doesn’t mind showing it. The idea about this anime is that the main characters are both tsundere and refuse to confess their feelings to each other.
Although the Student Council President appears indifferent, prideful, and very self-confident on the outside, Miyuki is actually quite selfless and doesn’t mind helping other students solve their problems.
6 Takishima Kei – Special A
Keeps Most People At A Distance
Special A
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- 2008 - 2008-00-00
- Studio
- Gonzo, AIC
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Maki Minami
Takishima Kei is the lead in the anime Special A. He is ranked number one in the entire school and is the top student in S.A. Takishima is considered a prodigy and won many intellectual prizes which allowed him to help his father in running a company. Because he is a prodigy, many people don't want to be friends with him as they see him as different. This causes him to do everything by himself, at least until Hikari Hanazono shows up. She is his childhood friend, and he fell in love with her when they were six. Currently, she is ranked number two.
Takishima often teases her by addressing Hikari as ‘Miss Second Place’ or ‘Number Two’ to get a reaction out of her. He usually has a cold and stoic personality unless he’s talking to her. Takishima later becomes more friendly and happy, and it is confirmed by his friends that it is due to Hikari’s influence.