dere

Dere is a Japanese slang term used in anime, manga, and fan communities to describe how a character expresses romantic affection. It derives from the phrase dere-dere, which describes someone who is lovestruck or openly affectionate. In practice, dere functions as a suffix in a family of character archetypes that map how a character behaves in romantic or flirtatious situations.

Origin and usage: The concept gained popular use in doujin culture and online discussions during the 1990s and 2000s, and has since become a common shorthand in analyses, wikis, and debates about character dynamics. It is mainly a descriptive tool for talking about personality presentation rather than a formal literary category.

Common subtypes include several variants, each with characteristic patterns. Deredere describes a character who is openly affectionate and upbeat about love. Tsundere refers to someone who alternates between harsh or aloof behavior (tsuntsun) and affectionate moments (dere), often with a noticeable emotional shift. Yandere describes a character who is loving on the surface but possessive or unstable, sometimes dangerous, beneath. Kuudere denotes a cool, emotionally restrained exterior who reveals warmth under certain circumstances. Dandere describes a shy, quiet character who speaks softly and opens up only around trusted people. Himedere characterizes someone who behaves like royalty, demanding admiration and special treatment. Kudere denotes a cool and controlled demeanor, expressing affection in a calm, understated way. Kamidere refers to a character who treats love with a god-like seriousness or idealization.

Notes: Dere is a flexible taxonomy used for discussion and analysis; many characters blend traits or transition between types over time. It is not a rigid system and is best understood as a heuristic in fan culture.