Update Notice This article has recently had its meaning altered or updated after the discovery of new information. Characters are in the process of being removed/transfered to other types to more accurately reflect this change. The following changes have been made:
The meaning of kuudere has been updated to reflect how the term is used in official Japanese media. The following changes have been made: 1. Contrary to popular belief, a kuudere character is required to change in personality over time and become "deredere" (lovestruck, affectionate, lovey-dovey, doting, cute, very emotional, lots of blushing) (the "-dere" part of kuu"dere"). Characters who act "kuu" but do not become "dere" over time fall under the predecessor archetype "sunao cool". 2. Additionally, this is not an archetype for emotionless characters. Characters who are entirely emotionless do not fall under this type and simply appearing to be emotionless does not automatically make a character a kuudere either. 3. A kuudere character is defined by being "cool and unapproachable", with the "unapproachable" part being required. They are characters who create a cold "don't get involved with me" wall around them and are overly honest and blunt with their true feelings, which come out in the form of sharp-tongued statements when they want to be left alone. However, after becoming close to their love they completely change and act just like any regular deredere character would. They are a character with a very drastic gap in their personality. See: kuudere for more details. 4. Since the dandere archetype has also been updated to be for silent and expressionless characters, characters who are calm and expressionless but don't act blunt and cold should only go under dandere.
"Kuudere" is a term for a character who appears expressionless and unapproachable at first glance, but becomes cute, loving, and deredere around their love interest. Although it might not appear like it at first, they are hiding a deep inner love that will come out after becoming close to their love interest. They have a clear separation of their character. They don't behave particularly notably when in a group, taking up a stiff appearance and a cold "don't get involved with me" aura that creates a wall between themselves and other people. They are also harshly blunt and straightforward with their true feelings, both good and bad, which often leads to them making sharp-tongued statements without considering other's feelings. However, they are also someone who will confess their love honestly, and when alone with their love interest they become so spoiled that their usual character falls apart. They usually have a unfriendly cool demeanor, but when they are alone with their love interest they become extremely clingy and have a more loving side than most. They will start behaving in cute ways, showing lots of emotions, blushing like crazy, and wanting their love interest to give them lots of affection. They are a character with a very drastic gap. After spending enough time with their love interest they will even feel comfortable showing this side of themselves in public, becoming a much more cheerful and emotional person overall.
Please let me believe in everything you believed in. Let me believe that life is great. —Kanade Tachibana to Yuzuru Otonashi, from Angel Beats!
Thank you, Yuzuru. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you for loving me. Truly, thank you for giving... my life to me. —Kanade Tachibana to Yuzuru Otonashi after confessing their love, from Angel Beats!
Kimi no Koto ga Daidaidaidaidaisuki na 100-nin no Kanojo
She is intelligent and beautiful, and got perfect scores in all test subjects. She is someone who seeks efficiency in everything she does and, until she met Rentarou, she even dismissed romance as a waste of time. She doesn't show her emotions much on her face, so she appears cool, but she is surprisingly hot and passionate. Her emphasis on efficiency can lead to bold actions. —Character bio of Nano Eiai from Kimi no Koto ga Daidaidaidaidaisuki na 100-nin no Kanojo
Rentarou Aijou... I have fallen for you. I would like you to go out with me. It would seem that I have much to gain from being in love with you. I would like to spend much more "significant" time with you... That I still have yet to discover. —Nano Eiai confessing her love for Rentarou Aijou from Kimi no Koto ga Daidaidaidaidaisuki na 100-nin no Kanojo
Low Melting Point (spoilers)
The girl rumored to have turned down 999 guys. Himuro Rei, also known as the "Ice Princess". As expected, her eyes glistened like ice. —About Himuro Rei, from Low Melting Point
... what? —Himuro Rei when approached, from Low Melting Point
Whaaaa!? Y-Y-Y-You l-l-l-like me? You like me? No way. Is this a trick? Did someone put you up to this? Are you sure you mean me? —Himuro Rei after being confessed to, from Low Melting Point
Onii-chan Dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai yo ne!
Silence, virgin-boy. —Anastasia Nasuhara, from Onii-chan Dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai yo ne!
Nisekoi
Paula: "...Hah? What are you saying? I'll fight with you, so just come at me already!" Kosaki: "You really don't understand... I'm saying this meaningless battle will only lead to unproductive results... Moreover, I... want to get closer to you. And have a fun time together... My, my... aren't your ribbons tilted?" Paula: "Eh-Eh.. Wa-Wait! What is this!? E-E-E-Even if I am very attractive, but...! We-Well, if you really want to, I guess we can? Be slightly... closer together..." —Kuudere Kosaki Onodera confessing her feelings to Paula McCoy, from Magical Pâtissière Kosaki-chan!!
Tonari no Kuuderella o Amayakashitara, Uchi no Aikagi o Watasu Koto ni Natta
It's the complete opposite from the lovely smile she showed me earlier. She has a wicked expression that would deter anyone from getting close... —Katagiri Natsuomi noticing the change in Yui Villiers when they're at school, from Tonari no Kuuderella o Amayakashitara, Uchi no Aikagi o Watasu Koto ni Natta
Good... Morning... About that... I think I'd like to try to change myself a little bit. —Yui Villiers talking to Katagiri Natsuomi at school, from Tonari no Kuuderella o Amayakashitara, Uchi no Aikagi o Watasu Koto ni Natta
Yui: "I came to Japan because I wanted to change, but if I hadn't met Katagiri-san I don't think I would've had the opportunity to change." Katagiri:: "You're overreacting. I don't think that's the case." Yui: "No. I do think that's the reason." *big loving smile* —Yui Villiers confessing to Katagiri Natsuomi that he's the reason for her change in mood, from Tonari no Kuuderella o Amayakashitara, Uchi no Aikagi o Watasu Koto ni Natta
Quotes from Cartoons, Comics & Graphic Novels
Avatar: The Last Airbender
I'm sorry I can't be as high-strung and crazy as the rest of you. —Mai, from Avatar: The Last Airbender
Ducktales
I've found it's clearer to convey no emotion whatsoever. —Violet Sabrewing, from Ducktales (2017)
Quotes from Video Games & Visual Novels
Final Fantasy
Don't really care. —Cloud Strife, from Final Fantasy VII
...Whatever. —Squall Leonhart, from Final Fantasy VIII
(Why do people depend on each other? In the end you're on your own. I'm fine by myself now. I have all the skills I need to survive. I'm not a child anymore... That's a lie. I don't know anything. I'm confused. I don't want to depend on anyone. How can I do that? Someone tell me... Someone? So I'll end up depending on others after all...) —Squall Leonhart, from Final Fantasy VIII
(Am I that untrusting...? Maybe I'm this way because I'm scared. Nothing lasts in this world. It feels great to have friends who believe in you, and adults you can rely on. That's why it's so dangerous, especially if you become used to it. Someday you're bound to lose everything. Everyone around you will be gone. Then what are you left with? Nothing. Nobody... It's so miserable. And it's inevitable. It's so hard to recover from something like that. I never ever want to deal with that again. I can't. Even if it means being alone...) —Squall Leonhart, from Final Fantasy VIII
...A speech? Forget it. Cut the mic! —Squall Leonhart, from Final Fantasy VIII
Genshin Impact
Because I never speak or change expressions, people often mistake me for a puppet... this kind of misunderstanding can prevent unnecessary social interactions, so it's actually quite nice. —Lynette, from Genshin Impact
...Now that's rare. People wanting me to start a conversation is a rather infrequent occurrence. After all, in most cases, this would just mean falling into an uncomfortable silence like this. —Lynette, from Genshin Impact
I find it difficult to express my emotions... because I cannot fully understand myself. —Neuvillette, from Genshin Impact
My first impression of him was that he's not one to smile. After meeting him again more recently, however, he's still as reserved as ever, but... he seems a lot more relaxed now. Maybe he... met someone special. —Shenhe about Xiao, from Genshin Impact
Horobi no Yurikago
Her name is Mikuri, and she has cold eyes. —Narrator about Mikuri, from Horobi no Yurikago
KALEIDO STELLA
Human Emotion is a mere Obstacle. It is that unreliable Concept that causes you Earthlings to Struggle and Stray from your bestowed Path. —Edea, from KALEIDO STELLA
If this is to be the girl's role, then she would prefer to have no emotion at all. She could watch all the destruction happen without any sympathy that way. She would not have to fight against obligation. Her heart would not waver feeling the warmth of another, seeing their pain, seeing the death of another. She would not feel the tightening of her chest each time it happened. She might be happier had she been born a robot, enacting each mission with mechanical efficiency. Yet... She is thankful for owning a heart. A flower that can only blossom once shines radiant in her heart. A heart can love. The girl is grateful that the Savior is who he is. I love you, Manako. I am grateful I was able to love you. Thank you for allowing me a heartbeat of a blossoming love. —Edea, in the "Happy End: Kaleidoscope Stella" from KALEIDO STELLA
Kuudere Simulator
I don't care who Senpai is dating. Senpai can do whatever he wants. A Senpai would only make my life more complicated. —Kuudere-chan, from Kuudere Simulator
Blink. I don't really care. It doesn't make any difference. —Kuudere-chan, from Kuudere Simulator 2
I don't see the point. It's ok, I guess. —Kuudere-chan, from Kuudere Simulator 2
Senpai is safe now. Or something. I guess. —Kuudere-chan, from Kuudere Simulator 3
Mass Effect
Liara: She was so cold when I first met her, completely focused on her duty. Shepard: I don't know that she's lightened up that much. Liara: She has. Believe me, you have no idea how much you've changed her. —Liara and Shepard about Miranda Lawson, from Mass Effect 2
Nikki Up2U
People are puppets of desires, while I dominate the stage. —Qin Yi, from Shining Nikki
Street Fighter
Family? Friendship? What good comes from those things... —Charlie, from Street Fighter V
Vanilla: Shinpan no Sono
She was expressionless as always. She rarely showed any emotion. Her words, too, were neutral, and didn't show whether she was sad or happy. What would she look like smiling? I wanted to see her smile. Each day, that desire grew stronger. When I asked her out on a date, despite looking like she didn't want to, she agreed. I thought she'd forced herself to come, but somehow I saw her expression as somewhat happy. Despite being expressionless, she might have had an interest in romance. —Shirou about Hakana, from Vanilla: Shinpan no Sono
Quotes from Live-Action & Novels
Kamen Rider
I am not malfunctioning, I am serious. I know becoming a human is impossible, but at least I wish to have comparable emotions, so that I can help those that I wish to. —Chase, from Drive Saga: Kamen Rider Chaser
Nina Kisaragi: "Hey Chase... I know it's just a driver's license picture, but don't you look a little too serious?" Satsuki Yamabuki: "Yup, you're not a mannequin, you know? Why don't you try smiling a bit." —Nina Kisaragi and Satsuki Yamabuki describing Chase, from Drive Saga: Kamen Rider Chaser
Quotes from Other Sources
Titan Academy
Like I said, we really don't have to talk. —Bella, from Titan Academy
Please let me believe in everything you believed in. Let me believe that life is great.