is a Japanese term for a character who appears to not have emotions. They are often stoic and expressionless, and they remain calm in stressful situations.
In contrast to tsundere and yandere characters, whose archetypes revolve around change in their behavior, kuudere characters often keep the same core traits throughout a narrative. Other kuudere characters traits include being aloof, being level-headed, and serving as the voice of reason during conflict.
The word is derived from the terms ('cool, calm') and ('to become affectionate'). The term refers to one of four popular Japanese character types, the others being tsundere, yandere, and dandere. Rei Ayanami of Neon Genesis Evangelion is thought to have played a major role in the popularization of kuudere.
Relation to tsundere
In his 2008 paper on the tsundere character archetype, Professor Junichi Togashi of Daito Bunka University mentioned that tsundere characters who do not use standard tsundere expressions could be classified as kuudere.
In the book "Basic Knowledge of Modern Terminology 2007", it is stated that sunao kuuru (素直クール) ('honest cool') can be thought of as the opposite of tsundere. The term is used to refer to characters who casually mention strange topics in a calm and irreverent manner, causing embarrassment to the listener. This term has since been used to refer to both kuudere and tsundere characters.
Examples in media
Rei Ayanami from Neon Genesis Evangelion
C.C. from Code Geass
Minami Iwasaki from Lucky Star
Yuki Nagato from Haruhi Suzumiya
Kanade Tachibana from Angel Beats
Akame from Akame ga Kill! Saber (Fate/stay night) from Fate/stay night Violet Evergarden, a titular character from Violet Evergarden Boa Hancock from One Piece Baek Nam-bong from Dr. Frost Mai Minakami from Nichijou Sakaki from Azumanga Daioh Mashiro Shiina from The Pet Girl of Sakurasou