name string | category string | definition string | core_traits list | behavioral_patterns list | relationship_patterns list | related_types list | common_misconceptions list | term_origin unknown | usage string | _source_path string | japanese string |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bakadere | dere-type | A character archetype who is naive, scatterbrained or clumsy and expresses affection with energetic, unfiltered enthusiasm. | [
"naivety",
"clumsiness",
"energy",
"sincerity",
"lack of self-consciousness"
] | [
"acts on impulse",
"misreads situations or takes things literally",
"creates comic chaos",
"expresses feelings without much subtlety"
] | [
"affection is expressed openly and without much subtlety",
"loyalty and sincerity are their strengths",
"others often look out for them"
] | [
"deredere",
"dandere",
"tsundere"
] | [
"A bakadere is unintelligent in every way.",
"A bakadere is only comic relief and has no depth.",
"A bakadere is the same as a deredere."
] | {
"components": [
{
"part": "baka",
"japanese": "馬鹿 (baka)",
"meaning": "fool, silly"
},
{
"part": "dere",
"japanese": "デレデレ (dere dere)",
"meaning": "lovey-dovey, infatuated"
}
],
"confidence": "commonly-cited"
} | niche | data/bakadere.yaml | null |
Dandere | dere-type | A character archetype who is quiet and socially reserved, often shy, and who becomes more talkative and expressive with people they feel comfortable with. | [
"shyness",
"social reserve",
"quietness",
"attentiveness",
"warmth that is slow to show"
] | [
"says little in groups or with strangers",
"may hesitate, trail off or avoid attention",
"is often observant and listens closely",
"opens up noticeably in comfortable one-to-one settings"
] | [
"opens up through comfort, patience and trust",
"the change from reserved to expressive is gradual",
"pressure or sudden attention can cause withdrawal"
] | [
"kuudere",
"deredere",
"tsundere"
] | [
"A dandere cannot or will not speak.",
"A dandere is emotionally cold.",
"Quietness means the character has nothing to say."
] | {
"components": [
{
"part": "dan",
"japanese": "黙り (danmari)",
"meaning": "silence, keeping quiet"
},
{
"part": "dere",
"japanese": "デレデレ (dere dere)",
"meaning": "lovey-dovey, infatuated"
}
],
"confidence": "commonly-cited",
"note": "The derivation from danma... | core | data/dandere.yaml | null |
Deredere | dere-type | A character archetype who is openly warm, cheerful and affectionate, expressing care for others directly. | [
"openness",
"warmth",
"optimism",
"expressiveness",
"sincerity"
] | [
"expresses affection and enthusiasm openly",
"is encouraging and supportive",
"tends to be friendly toward most people",
"shows feelings readily, including sadness or worry"
] | [
"affection is expressed openly and early",
"care is shown through words, attention and encouragement",
"depth comes from what the character cares about, not from hidden feelings"
] | [
"bakadere",
"dandere",
"yandere"
] | [
"A deredere is cheerful regardless of context.",
"A deredere has no negative emotions.",
"A deredere is the same as a bakadere."
] | {
"components": [
{
"part": "deredere",
"japanese": "デレデレ (dere dere)",
"meaning": "lovey-dovey, infatuated, fawning"
}
],
"confidence": "established",
"note": "The ideophone itself is established Japanese; its use as the name of a character type is fandom usage."
} | common | data/deredere.yaml | デレデレ |
Himedere | dere-type | A character archetype characterized by princess-like expectations, pride, authority, and a desire for admiration or special treatment, who may reveal a softer side toward people they trust. | [
"pride",
"authority",
"high standards",
"desire for admiration",
"expectation of special treatment"
] | [
"expects respect and courtesy",
"may demand special treatment",
"reacts strongly to disrespect or public embarrassment",
"may hide vulnerability behind confidence"
] | [
"values sincere admiration and loyalty",
"may become warmer with trust while keeping their pride",
"may resist openly expressing vulnerability"
] | [
"oujidere",
"kamidere",
"tsundere"
] | [
"A himedere is simply a dominant character.",
"Every himedere is cruel or spoiled.",
"A himedere constantly announces that they are royalty."
] | {
"components": [
{
"part": "hime",
"japanese": "姫 (hime)",
"meaning": "princess"
},
{
"part": "dere",
"japanese": "デレデレ (dere dere)",
"meaning": "lovey-dovey, infatuated"
}
],
"confidence": "commonly-cited",
"note": "The meaning of hime is established; the co... | common | data/himedere.yaml | null |
Kamidere | dere-type | A character archetype characterized by god-like self-regard: a strong sense of superiority, a desire for authority or control, and an expectation that others recognize their importance. | [
"sense of superiority",
"ambition",
"desire for control",
"grand self-image",
"confidence bordering on arrogance"
] | [
"speaks and acts as if their judgment is final",
"seeks authority over situations and people",
"dismisses challenges to their status",
"may reveal insecurity when their self-image is threatened"
] | [
"expects recognition, deference or loyalty",
"affection may be framed as granting favor",
"softening usually requires someone who is unimpressed yet loyal"
] | [
"himedere",
"oujidere",
"sadodere"
] | [
"A kamidere is literally a deity.",
"A kamidere is the same as a himedere.",
"A kamidere's arrogance means they cannot care about anyone."
] | {
"components": [
{
"part": "kami",
"japanese": "神 (kami)",
"meaning": "god, deity"
},
{
"part": "dere",
"japanese": "デレデレ (dere dere)",
"meaning": "lovey-dovey, infatuated"
}
],
"confidence": "commonly-cited",
"note": "Refers to god-like attitude, not to lite... | common | data/kamidere.yaml | null |
Kuudere | dere-type | A character archetype who appears calm, composed and emotionally reserved, and whose affection is expressed in understated ways rather than through open display. | [
"composure",
"emotional restraint",
"level-headedness",
"dry or deadpan expression",
"quiet loyalty"
] | [
"stays calm under pressure",
"speaks plainly and economically",
"shows care through actions rather than words",
"lets small, rare expressions of emotion carry weight"
] | [
"affection tends to be understated",
"trust shows in subtle changes: more openness, small gestures, rare candor",
"does not undergo the dramatic switches typical of tsundere or yandere characters"
] | [
"dandere",
"tsundere",
"oujidere"
] | [
"A kuudere has no emotions.",
"A kuudere is cold because they dislike people.",
"Kuudere and dandere are the same type."
] | {
"components": [
{
"part": "kuu",
"japanese": "クール (kūru)",
"meaning": "cool (loanword from English)"
},
{
"part": "dere",
"japanese": "デレデレ (dere dere)",
"meaning": "lovey-dovey, infatuated"
}
],
"confidence": "established"
} | core | data/kuudere.yaml | クーデレ |
Mayadere | dere-type | A character archetype who begins as an antagonist, rival or dangerous figure and becomes an ally or love interest after a turning point, while often retaining an edge from their earlier role. | [
"initial hostility or danger",
"competence",
"independence",
"capacity for change",
"a lingering edge"
] | [
"opposes or threatens the protagonist early on",
"changes allegiance after a turning point",
"keeps traits from their antagonistic past",
"may struggle with trust on both sides"
] | [
"the relationship changes after a turning point",
"affection develops from rivalry, conflict or a change of sides",
"the earlier conflict remains part of the relationship's history"
] | [
"tsundere",
"kuudere",
"sadodere"
] | [
"A mayadere stops being dangerous once they fall for someone.",
"Any reformed villain is a mayadere.",
"The term has a well-documented etymology."
] | {
"components": [
{
"part": "maya",
"meaning": "unclear; fandom sources give conflicting explanations"
},
{
"part": "dere",
"japanese": "デレデレ (dere dere)",
"meaning": "lovey-dovey, infatuated"
}
],
"confidence": "uncertain",
"note": "This is a fan-coined term with n... | niche | data/mayadere.yaml | null |
Oujidere | dere-type | A character archetype characterized by prince-like expectations: confidence, regal or chivalrous self-presentation, and an expectation of respect and elevated treatment. | [
"confidence",
"regal self-presentation",
"pride",
"a sense of duty or chivalry",
"expectation of respect"
] | [
"carries themselves with polish and composure",
"expects to be treated as important",
"may be gallant or protective in a performative way",
"is unsettled when their status is ignored"
] | [
"affection may be expressed through protection or grand gestures",
"becomes more genuine and less performative with trust",
"may struggle when a relationship requires equality rather than admiration"
] | [
"himedere",
"kamidere",
"kuudere"
] | [
"An oujidere is just a male himedere.",
"An oujidere is arrogant with no redeeming qualities.",
"Princely manners mean the character is insincere."
] | {
"components": [
{
"part": "ouji",
"japanese": "王子 (ōji)",
"meaning": "prince"
},
{
"part": "dere",
"japanese": "デレデレ (dere dere)",
"meaning": "lovey-dovey, infatuated"
}
],
"confidence": "commonly-cited",
"note": "Less widely used than himedere; often descri... | niche | data/oujidere.yaml | null |
Sadodere | dere-type | A character archetype who expresses interest or affection through teasing, provocation or playful control, taking evident enjoyment in flustering the person they care about. | [
"playful provocation",
"confidence",
"enjoyment of teasing",
"desire for the upper hand",
"attentiveness to others' reactions"
] | [
"teases, provokes or challenges",
"enjoys making others flustered",
"keeps control of the conversation",
"may become uncharacteristically sincere when caught off guard"
] | [
"affection may involve teasing or control",
"attention from a sadodere is often a sign of interest",
"the dynamic depends on the other person engaging with the teasing"
] | [
"kamidere",
"tsundere",
"yandere"
] | [
"A sadodere is cruel or abusive.",
"A sadodere's teasing means they dislike the person.",
"A sadodere is the same as a tsundere."
] | {
"components": [
{
"part": "sado",
"japanese": "サド (sado)",
"meaning": "sadist, short for sadisuto"
},
{
"part": "dere",
"japanese": "デレデレ (dere dere)",
"meaning": "lovey-dovey, infatuated"
}
],
"confidence": "commonly-cited",
"note": "In this usage 'sado' re... | niche | data/sadodere.yaml | null |
Tsundere | dere-type | A character archetype who initially presents as cold, irritable or dismissive toward someone they care about, while gradually or intermittently revealing warmth and affection. | [
"defensive pride",
"embarrassment about their own feelings",
"outward irritability",
"hidden warmth",
"difficulty admitting affection"
] | [
"denies or deflects affection, especially when observed",
"masks care behind criticism, teasing or practical help",
"becomes flustered when their feelings are noticed",
"acts kindly when they believe it will go unacknowledged"
] | [
"affection emerges through conflict, vulnerability or shared experience",
"the gap between harsh exterior and warm interior narrows as trust grows",
"may revert to defensiveness when feeling exposed"
] | [
"kuudere",
"himedere",
"dandere"
] | [
"A tsundere is simply rude or mean.",
"A tsundere must be hostile in every interaction.",
"Tsundere behavior is an excuse for abuse within a relationship."
] | {
"components": [
{
"part": "tsun",
"japanese": "ツンツン (tsun tsun)",
"meaning": "aloof, standoffish, sulky"
},
{
"part": "dere",
"japanese": "デレデレ (dere dere)",
"meaning": "lovey-dovey, infatuated, fawning"
}
],
"confidence": "established",
"note": "Both elemen... | core | data/tsundere.yaml | ツンデレ |
Yandere | dere-type | A character archetype whose affection for someone is intense and can become possessive or obsessive, in fiction sometimes escalating to extreme or dangerous behavior. | [
"intense attachment",
"devotion that can become possessive",
"jealousy",
"a sweet or loving surface",
"willingness to cross boundaries for the object of affection"
] | [
"shows extreme devotion and attentiveness",
"reacts strongly to perceived rivals or threats to the relationship",
"may switch abruptly between affectionate and menacing",
"rationalizes controlling behavior as love"
] | [
"attachment can become obsessive",
"the relationship is often the center of the character's world",
"tension in stories usually comes from the gap between loving surface and dangerous undercurrent"
] | [
"deredere",
"sadodere",
"tsundere"
] | [
"Every yandere is violent.",
"Yandere behavior is a model of romantic devotion.",
"The term is a diagnosis of a real psychological condition."
] | {
"components": [
{
"part": "yan",
"japanese": "病んでる (yanderu)",
"meaning": "to be sick, especially mentally or emotionally"
},
{
"part": "dere",
"japanese": "デレデレ (dere dere)",
"meaning": "lovey-dovey, infatuated"
}
],
"confidence": "established"
} | core | data/yandere.yaml | ヤンデレ |
Dere Types
Structured definitions of Japanese-inspired dere character archetypes, for fiction, roleplay and AI character design.
Source of truth: GitHub repository. This dataset mirrors the machine-readable data from v1.0.0.
Definition
A dere type is a character archetype used to describe recurring patterns of personality, affection, social behavior and emotional expression. The suffix dere comes from the Japanese ideophone dere dere (デレデレ), meaning lovey-dovey or infatuated; each type pairs it with a word for the character's distinctive way of being, such as tsun tsun (aloof) in tsundere.
Dere types are not psychological diagnoses or scientifically validated personality categories. They are fictional archetypes used in storytelling, fandom, character design and roleplay.
| Type | Quick definition | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Tsundere | Cold, irritable or dismissive toward someone they care about, while gradually or intermittently revealing warmth and affection | core |
| Yandere | Intense affection that can become possessive or obsessive, in fiction sometimes escalating to extreme or dangerous behavior | core |
| Kuudere | Calm, composed and emotionally reserved; affection is expressed in understated ways | core |
| Dandere | Quiet and socially reserved, often shy; becomes more talkative and expressive with people they feel comfortable with | core |
| Deredere | Openly warm, cheerful and affectionate, expressing care directly | common |
| Himedere | Princess-like expectations, pride, authority, and a desire for admiration or special treatment | common |
| Kamidere | God-like self-regard: superiority, a desire for authority, and an expectation of recognition | common |
| Oujidere | Prince-like expectations: confidence, regal or chivalrous self-presentation, and expected respect | niche |
| Sadodere | Expresses interest through teasing, provocation or playful control | niche |
| Mayadere | Begins as an antagonist or rival and becomes an ally or love interest after a turning point | niche |
| Bakadere | Naive, scatterbrained or clumsy; expresses affection with unfiltered enthusiasm | niche |
Usage is an editorial label: core terms are widely recognized and documented in reference works; common terms are widely used in fandom; niche terms are fan-coined and less consistently used.
What's in this dataset
data/dere_types.jsonl: 11 records, one per type, converted from the repository's YAML files without changes. Fields:
name,category,definition,usagecore_traits,behavioral_patterns,relationship_patternsrelated_types,common_misconceptionsterm_origin: the Japanese components of the name, their meanings, and aconfidencelabel for how certain the origin is_source_path: the YAML file it came from
The schema is in the repository: schema/dere-type.schema.json. Human-readable pages for each type, including guidance on character consistency and memory in AI characters, are in types/.
Limitations
- Definitions describe common usage in fiction and fandom; usage varies, especially for niche terms.
- Origins of fan-coined terms are less certain; each record states its confidence.
- English definitions; Japanese appears only in term origins.
License and citation
MIT, as in the repository. Cite the concept DOI 10.5281/zenodo.23195713 (all versions); v1.0.0 is 10.5281/zenodo.23195714.
Maintained by Garret E. Williams with support from ChatBrat.
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