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"Ijimekko" (JP) is a term for a character who bullies someone weaker than them by physically, verbally, or psychologically abusing them.
A character who is the victim of being bullied is referred to as ijimerarekko.
Etymology
Meaning of the Term
Ijimekko (いじめっ子) is a combination of "ijime" (苛め), meaning "bullying (to inflict violence or harassment on those who are physically or mentally weaker)", and "ko" (子), meaning "kid". The term refers to a child who bullies a weaker child by physically, verbally, or psychologically abusing them.[3]
Even though the definition indicates that it is a child who bullies someone the term can still be applied to those who are adults but still have a childish juvenile mindset.
Alternate Name
A female bully can also be referred to as "ijimekko" (いじめっ娘), using the kanji "ko" (娘), meaning "daughter", in place of the kanji for "kid".[2][4]
History
The archetype of ijimekko is very common in manga and anime, dating back to at least the late 1990s.[1][5][6]
Characteristics
Ijimekko are usually young children who are still in school, as most people leave the childish bullying antics behind when they grow up. However, there are plenty of cases where the ijimekko continues to bully others into adulthood, but now in a work or social setting as opposed to a school setting.
Personality
Ijimekko are characters who bully those who are weaker than they are. This could include verbal abuse, psychological abuse, to even physical abuse. Some common ways that people bully others include:
- Calling them insulting names or making fun of their appearance.
- Spreading rumors or lies about them behind their back.
- Excluding them from a group or activity on purpose.
- Physically attacking or threatening them.
The intensity of the bullying will differ by the ijimekko but it can range from simple verbal abuse, teasing and making fun of them in a hurtful way, to straight up physically assaulting them and leaving them in tremendous pain. In most cases this does not escalate to long-lasting permanent 'physical damage', but it almost always causes the bullied child to be left with permanent emotional damage, suffering from insecurities that the bully picked-on or PTSD whenever they see someone who might bully them again. In the more extreme cases they may even bully someone to the point that they are forced to quit school.
Differences From Other Archetypes
The archetype is similar to thugdere, characters who physically and mentally abuse their love interest to hide their loving feelings, but the biggest difference is the lack of a cute and affectionate deredere side. While a thugdere physically abuses their love interest, they will also be sweet and affectionate with them as well and behave in cute ways or fawn over their love interest when showing their deredere side. However, that is not the case with ijimekko who only torment others. Not only that, but a thugdere does not 'actually' want to harm their love interest since they are still in love with them, even if they're too ashamed to admit it, but an ijimekko does not care about the state of the person they are bullying because they have no such attachement. Of course, it is completely possible that an ijimekko may change over time or bully someone they like specificially to hide their feelings, becoming a thugdere in the process, but this is not required.
Similar Japanese Archetypes
- Ijimerarekko: A term for a character who is the victim of bullying.
- Yankii: A term for a character who is a delinquent.
- Western:Thugdere: A term for a character who often mistreats their love interest by harming them physically and emotionally to hide their true feelings of affection, but is also quite sweet and affectionate to them at times.
List of Characters
Gallery
 Katsuki Bakugou from My Hero Academia  Katsuki Bakugou from My Hero Academia .webp "Jinta Hanakari (Bleach).webp (36 KB)") Jinta Hanakari from Bleach  Jinta Hanakari with Ururu Tsunmugiya from Bleach |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Bimyou ni Yasashii Ijimekko. Shonen Magazine (2018/09/07).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ijimekko (Horror World of Junji Ito). Asahi Shimbun Comics (1998/09/01).
- ↑ Ijimekko. Goo Dictionary.
- ↑ Ijimekko (Junji Ito Collection 51). Asahi Shimbun Comics (2018/01/07).
- ↑ Jimoto no Ijimekko-tachi ni Shikaeshi Shiyou to Shitara, Betsu no Tatakai ga Hajimatta.. Shonen Magazine (2024/04/10).
- ↑ Ijimekko to Ijimerarekko no Bitter na Koimonogatari. Pixiv Comics (2016/11/04).