History Main / TsunDere

The tsuntsun can range from the cold "silent treatment" to the hotheaded "kindergartener who pushes you into the sandbox." The reasons behind a Tsundere's behavior vary widely, but usually boil down to the conflict between their feelings of affection towards a love interest, and their reaction to having those feelings. Though in most examples the reason has something to do with a MadonnaWhoreComplex or at least a fear of SlutShaming.

When paired with a JerkWithAHeartOfGold, together they produce BelligerentSexualTension. If done poorly, the result is an UnintentionallyUnsympathetic JerkSue. Compare with WellExcuseMePrincess, {{Jerkass}}, JerkWithAHeartOfGold, and BruiserWithASoftCenter. Contrast with SourOutsideSadInside, which shares the spiky exterior but has depression and self-doubt rather than kindness hiding underneath. When {{Flanderized}} tends to overlap with MoodSwinger. Also see DontYouDarePityMe and AngerBornOfWorry; both of them likely actions with this character type. The more benevolent examples are very likely to be GoodIsNotNice (or [[AntiHero anti-heroes]]). AloofAlly may show the same hot-and-cold behavior but for differing reasons. Because of their low tolerance for stupidity, they are always EnragedByIdiocy. These character types can fit both variants of JerkassToOne (for the first variant, they only act harsh with their love interest while is gentle with everyone else, and for the second variant, they act harsher with their love interest more than they are with others.) Tsunderes, especially the first type, are often TheUnapologetic; if they warm up to their love interest, don't expect them to apologize for their hostile behavior towards them.

Almost all example of tsunderes are female, but very rarely you'll run into a male one who similarly can't admit their feelings to themselves.