The word ‘yandere’ is a term often seen everywhere in the anime world online. It is a character trope that is often portrayed in romance stories that have a darker tone. They can be present in other shows with different genres as well. But some anime watchers, especially new ones, may be wondering what a ‘yandere’ is.
Etymology
Let’s have a little word history first! The word ‘yandere’ comes from the Japanese word, yanderu, which means being sick, and dere dere, which means loving or affectionate.
To combine these two words together means to describe a character who is lovesick. Absolutely lovesick.
Read More: What Is a Tsundere?
Being a Yandere
When a character is a yandere, they are obsessive of another character, commonly found in some romances. It is to the point of doing excessive things just to get the attention of their love interest. Notably, they can go to an extent of kidnapping or forcing their love interest to reciprocate their feelings. They can also injure or kill their rivals as well.
This is why yanderes are often in darker stories, as they do not have much an ounce of sanity in them. They are all too fixated to their love interest that they will disregard any sense of morality. Any sense or logic just goes out of the window.
Yanderes may also have reasons why they are so attached. It can be that their love interest was the very first person to show kindness. It can be that their love interest saved them from danger and became a hero figure. Or sometimes it can be as simple as finding their love interest attractive in all aspects. They can also have darker or more twisted reasons as well.
Adding to this, yanderes usually revolve around romantic love. It can also be applied to friends and family members as well.
Yanderes also indicate that the characters are not mentally well, and they needed to be checked.
They also do not view the character they are obsessed in as a human. They have this fantasized idea about them, and it will be imposed. In other words, the character they love is an object that should be owned from their perspective.
Yandere Tactics
Distinguishing a yandere character is relatively easy. Observing their words and actions when the subject of their obsession is around is enough. But there are some tactics yanderes can employ, in which you may be able to find.
- Elimination – this is probably the most common tactics attributed to them. They will threaten or even try to harm other characters that gets in the way. In extreme cases in romance, yanderes can even kill their rivals. Worse, they can even try to harm their love interest if the latter does not comply or cooperate.
- Manipulation – yandere characters will do their very best to twist various situations in their favor. This was usually done when they have the goal of securing the subject of their obsession. In romantic love, a yandere may manipulate their love interest so that the latter will also love them back.
- Isolation – yanderes can also kidnap their subject of obsession as well. This is to ensure that they will be the only ones to receive attention. In romance, this can be interpreted that the yanderes wanted their love interest to be around, thus forcing the latter to be with them.
- Submission – yanderes are also extremely devoted, and will be willing to do just about anything just to please the subject of their obsession. Even when they are instructed to do absurd things – like eat poop or something, they will most likely do it. If it meant securing affection, they will do it without a doubt.
Difference with Yangire
Some may have heard the term ‘yangire’ and may have confused it with yandere. The two tropes are similar when it comes to the morally questionable actions they will commit, but their motives differ.
While yanderes’ motives are out of love, the yangire have a variety of reasons instead. A yangire is attributed to a character who has no qualms of torturing or killing others. They may even feel justified about it.
Read More: Why Did L Die in Death Note?
