Kuudere

Kuudere (クーデレ, pronounced [kɯːdeɾe]) is a Japanese term for a character who appears to not have emotions. They are often stoic and expressionless, and they remain calm in stressful situations.^[1]

2B, a popular kuudere character

In contrast to tsundere and yandere characters, whose archetypes revolve around change in their behavior, kuudere characters often keep the same core traits throughout a narrative. Other kuudere characters traits include being aloof, being level-headed, and serving as the voice of reason during conflict.^[1]

The word is derived from the words "cool" (クール, kūru) and "affectionate" (デレデレ, dere dere).^[2] The term refers to one of four popular Japanese character types, the others being tsundere, yandere, and dandere.^[3] Rei Ayanami of Neon Genesis Evangelion is thought to have played a major role in the popularization of kuudere.^[4]

Relation to tsundere

In his 2008 paper on the tsundere character archetype, Professor Junichi Togashi of Daito Bunka University mentioned that tsundere characters who do not use standard tsundere expressions could be classified as kuudere.^[5]

In the book "Basic Knowledge of Modern Terminology 2007", it is stated that sunao kuuru (素直クール) ('honest cool') can be thought of as the opposite of tsundere. The term is used to refer to characters who casually mention strange topics in a calm and irreverent manner, causing embarrassment to the listener. This term has since been used to refer to both kuudere and tsundere characters.^[6]

Examples in media

• Rei Ayanami from Neon Genesis Evangelion^[7]
• C.C. from Code Geass^[7]
• Minami Iwasaki from Lucky Star^[8]
• Yuki Nagato from Haruhi Suzumiya^[7]
• Kanade Tachibana from Angel Beats!^[8]
• Akame from Akame ga Kill!^[9]
• Takara Shiga from Takara's Treasure^[10]

See also

• Anime and manga portal

• Apathy
• Extraversion and introversion
• Reduced affect display
• Glossary of anime and manga

References

1. Ayars, Samantha. "Authenticity vs. Cultural Conformity: The Interpretation of Norse Literature for a Japanese Audience" (PDF). University of Oslo. pp. 18–19. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
2. "Tsundere, Yandere, Kuudere, Dandere - Meaning". Japanese with Anime. July 21, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
3. Eisenbeis, Richard (August 20, 2013). "How to Identify Popular Japanese Character Types". Kotaku. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
4. Robert Hutton (September 5, 2021). "How Neon Genesis Evangelion Changed Anime Forever". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
5. "ツンデレ属性と言語表現 ―役割語的アプローチとケーススタディ― *1 冨樫純一(大東文化大学)" (PDF). Retrieved February 3, 2023.
6. 現代用語の基礎知識2007. 自由国民社. 2007.
7. Kokoro, Kaiya (January 25, 2015). Starting Out: Complete Anime Lifestyle Guide. SunCloud Design.
8. "クーデレ美少女アニメキャラ". VOYAGE MARKETING. July 16, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
9. Hagstrom, Ashley (January 29, 2022). "10 Strongest Anime Kuudere, Ranked". Comic Book Resources.
10. "鈴丸みんた「タカラのびいどろ」TVドラマ化　クーデレな先輩と天然後輩のBL" [Takara's Treasure by Minta Suzumaru gets a drama adaptation, features a BL story between a cool senior with a kind heart and a naive junior]. Natalie (in Japanese). May 14, 2024. Retrieved August 4, 2024.

Further reading

• "Kuudere, Dandere & Emotionless Girls Lovers". MyAnimeList. Retrieved February 7, 2023.