The best tsundere anime characters has an incredibly dedicated fan base, and that’s hardly surprising. That’s because the tsundere character type is inherently appealing – who doesn’t like an aloof, aggressive character who gradually reveals a tender heart? After all, one of the best aspects of storytelling is the opportunity to peek behind the curtain and see a character’s hidden weaknesses.
Like popular bishounen anime heroes, typical anime casts often feature tsundere characters, although fans may not even know it. For example, an actor who constantly frowns or sits in a corner but gets flustered when his or her partner talks to them is almost certainly a tsundere. There are many interesting examples of this type of character to explore, for anime newcomers and seasoned fans alike.
10 Kurogan
Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles
Tsubasa’s tough ninja Kurogane is the perfect tsundere. To serve Princess Tomoyo, he only agreed to assist Syaoran’s crew on their journey because she desired it. He has a secret weakness for his ragtag group and often tries to protect the younger members of the group. Most notable is his relationship with the mysterious magician Fai: although they often butt heads, Kurogane cares deeply for him and wants Fai to face his troubled past. In one of Tsubasa’s most climactic scenes, Kurogane cuts off his entire arm to save Fai’s life. Of course, Kurogane shrugged his shoulders as if this sacrifice was nothing, true to his tsundere nature.
9 Shintaro Midorima
Kuroko’s basketball
Midorima of Shutoku High School is one of the strongest characters in Kuroko’s Basketball, and with his neurotic training regimen, it’s no wonder. In fact, he is so dedicated to perfecting his technique that one would hardly think he has time to care about his teammates. Surprisingly, he appears softer towards point guard Kazunari Takao, whose carefree attitude perfectly offsets Midorima’s personality quirks. Takao is one of the few people who sees Midorima’s less calm side, even calling him a “dangerous wild animal” during a game. Fans of Sk8 the Infinity will notice a lot of overlap between Cherry Blossom and Midorima, from his calm exterior to the fire he keeps hidden.
8 Damian Desmond
Spy x Family
As the son of the president of Eden Academy, Damian is used to getting what he wants thanks to his family’s wealth. Despite this, his father showed little interest in him and his loneliness was evident. He and Anya Forger have exchanged a lot of harsh words (and even a few punches), but fans suspect that the two may eventually bond and become friends. After all, they both have reasons to dislike Desmond, Sr. — Anya because of her parents’ duties, and Damian because of his father’s neglect. Season 2 of the hit series debuted earlier this October, and Damian’s complicated relationship with Anya is one of the many reasons why fans keep coming back to the Spy x Family series.
7 Ly Syaoran
Sakura Card leader
CLAMP’s Cardcaptor Sakura is beloved for many reasons, and the cool but socially awkward Syaoran is one of them. Not only is he Sakura’s rival in the Clow Cards, he is also interested in her lover, Yukito Tsukishiro. Besides being a groundbreaking representation of LGBTQ+ anime characters, Syaoran’s confusion towards Yuki also represents peak tsundere behavior. Eventually, Syaoran begins to fall in love with Sakura and pursues her, but his shyness towards her is as evident as it is towards Yuki. For a tsundere with one of the most adorable storylines, Cardpcator Sakura is a must-watch.
6 Yury Plisetsky
Yuri!!! On the ice
Competitive figure skater Yury Plisetsky is called ethereal on the ice, but off the ice he is a grumpy picture of teenage angst. It is revealed throughout the series that Yuuri desperately wants to attract the attention of Viktor Nikiforov, who seems to be more interested in Yury Katsuki (the other “Yuri”). For all his ferocity, Yuuri is quite sweet and loves his grandfather, Nikolai, who has always been his biggest supporter. In fact, his brief chapter focuses on his love for Nikolai, although anyone who speaks incorrectly about this tsundere’s foul mouth will have a hard time believing it.
5 Rei Hino/Sailor Mars
Sailor Moon
The second sailor guardian to be discovered, Rei’s hot-tempered attitude is perfectly matched by her fire powers. Rei is completely different in the manga, but her stubborn personality in the anime creates many amusing petty arguments with Usagi Tsukino. Despite this, Rei is a steadfastly loyal member of the Sailor Scouts, and her insults are, in a roundabout way, a means of expressing affection. It’s clear that this famous tsundere sees Usagi as a younger sister – someone who can command at all times but also protect to the ends of the earth.
4 Kurisu Makise
Steins door
A genius and a member of Okabe’s Future Gadget Lab, Kurisu is usually calm and collected, but her attitude changes dramatically depending on how others treat her. She can be shy, friendly or deeply sarcastic depending on the context – most notably when she’s directing a scathing retort to Daru for a creepy comment. Funny enough, whenever Okabe or Daru called her a tsundere, her reactions only proved their point, ranging from blushing madly to bluntly declaring, “I’m not a tsundere!” No matter what she may claim, Kurisu cares deeply for her team of scientists and even confessed her love to Okabe while drunk.
3 Inuyasha
Inuyasha
Half-dog demon Inuyasha is a textbook tsundere. His lover, Kagome, can be just as stubborn as him, further complicating what is already a strange dynamic (she is the reincarnation of his past love, Kikyo). He is also at odds with his estranged half-brother, Sesshomaru, and the jealousy and resentment between the two deepens. Over nearly 200 episodes, Inuyasha’s relationship with both characters has mellowed a bit – his love for Kagome even becomes one of the best romances in shounen anime. After all, he is still the proud tsundere known and loved by countless fans.
2 Asuka Langley Soryu
Evangelical Neon Genesis
As the headstrong pilot of Evangelion Unit-02, Asuka’s personality contrasts sharply with her soft-spoken teammate, Shinji. However, her hot temper is a front for her deep insecurity, which viewers can witness in both her dreams and her inner monologue. Despite the mental walls Asuka has erected, she and Shinji seem attracted to each other. In a classic tsundere move, she kisses Shinji out of “boredom,” although the audience certainly knows better. Asuka’s emotional complexity has helped her become a fan favorite and one of the best characters in the Evangelion franchise.
1 Kyo Sohma
Fruit basket
As the cursed cat of the Sohma family’s zodiac sign, Kyo has been ostracized his whole life and has put up many walls in response. From his fierce battles with the rat of the zodiac, Yuki, to attacking Tohru Honda and immediately feeling guilty, Kyo is your typical anime tsundere. As he gradually heals from the traumatic things that happened to him, Kyo finally learns to let others in, but at heart he is still a cat with claws to match. That’s what makes his healthy relationship with his mentor, Kazuma, and his blossoming romantic interest in Tohru, such healing experiences for him as well as fan.
Tsundere is a prime example of why audiences are attracted to anime in the first place. In the real world, it’s not always possible to understand what’s going on beneath a hot-tempered person’s exterior or see their more compassionate side. Thankfully, in fiction, it’s almost guaranteed that viewers will get a better understanding of a well-written character, especially if they fit the tsundere stereotype. There’s a lot to love about best tsundere anime charactersand although they will keep their distance from people for a while, watching them greet others is the greatest reward.