Hot & Cold – Spotlight on Tsundere Characters!

One of the things I will always be grateful for in manga is the gift of the weak, blushing mess of a tsundere character. There is something just so pleasing in seeing a character putting on a front, trying to hide their nature, and yet failing at it—sometimes completely, and sometimes by dropping a hint or two that, actually, they might not be as nonchalant as they seem.

It just tickles something in me, you know? Call it S-nature, or simply the fact that it makes me, and a lot of other readers, want to tease them so badly.

But let me back up a bit: In case you weren’t familiar with the term, a tsundere is a Japanese archetype used for a character who displays a hot & cold personality. Truly, a personality that in real life would be exhausting, but that in fiction is more than celebrated! Because oftentimes, a cold exterior just hides a very sensitive soul.

And this Valentine season, I wanted to think back on such characters. Because even if they are a mess, they are a delectable one that should be cherished and appreciated for years to come!

Kyo from Fruits Basket

By Natsuki Takaya

Fruits Basket might be the very first manga for some. As such, Kyo, the attractive student representing the Cat, might be the very first tsundere character readers might have encountered. And what a choice that zodiac animal is, because the boy is nothing but a skittish yet affectionate orange cat. Now, when he was first introduced to us, he’s totally a “bad boy” who doesn’t care about other people’s opinions. I actually find that he is very lucky Tohru put up with his antics, because after being held at arm’s length for so long, I would have just moved on. But that’s where the twist comes: He cares! And he cares a lot. Kyo has a bit of a tragic backstory, so his rough behavior can be attributed to social ostracization by his peers and a troublesome family life, and that really drives the nail in the proverbial coffin for “misunderstood characters.” And aren’t all tsunderes in some way just misunderstood people who try their best? Natsuki Takaya had the blueprint for a lot of later series.

Mikoto from Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun

By Izumi Tsubaki

Mikoto might not be everyone’s first choice when thinking about tsundere characters, but I assure you—there is a very good reason why he has been included in this list. Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun has always been a staple in our Yen Press lineup, thanks to its quirky characters and refreshing story about a young shoujo mangaka (who is a guy—this is very important for you to know). And of such quirky characters is the redheaded flirt Mikoto, who gets awfully embarrassed by his rather cringey actions. Still, the man persists in trying to appear as someone he’s not (Mr. Popular who gets all the girls) while hiding a sensitive and surprisingly purehearted nature. So purehearted, in fact, that he serves as the basis for the heroine in the shoujo manga of his male friend. Mikoto is for the girls who had hoped there was something more behind the facade of the annoyingly popular guy. While reality might be harsh, at least we can look back on Mikoto and sigh with wonders of “what if.”

Jade from My Super-Cute Black Mage!

By Takidon

Nothing makes the heart grow fonder than having a grown man call you a “bxxxh.” Well, maybe there are other things, but I doubt any are cuter than Jade from our upcoming series My Super-Cute Black Mage! Granted, this male lead has a rather foul mouth and abrasive nature, but you need to understand: He is just too shy to express his fragile maiden heart! He’s been bullied by his peers (well, not bullied, because he is far too strong for that, but he definitely doesn’t have a great reputation among the magical community)! And he has a massive crush on the TA of his class! Truly, he is a boy-failure and thus should be treated accordingly. If you like your tsundere characters tall, brooding, and with a knack for daydreaming nuptial vows with his crush (page 48 for the ones who already have a copy), then I assure you that you will find your match in Jade from My Super-Cute Black Mage!, releasing this April!

This list might have been short, but fear not: We have plenty more tsundere characters in our midst! From the Russian beauty Alisa (Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian) to Alice (PandoraHearts), there are a lot to choose from!