Kuudere

{{Short description|Japanese term for characters that show little emotion}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}

File:2B_Nier_Automata.png, a popular kuudere character]]

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{{Nihongo|Kuudere|クーデレ|extra={{IPA|ja|kɯːdeɾe|pron}}}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Ayars |first1=Samantha |title=Authenticity vs. Cultural Conformity: The Interpretation of Norse Literature for a Japanese Audience |url=https://www.duo.uio.no/bitstream/handle/10852/96460/Authenticity-vs--Cultural-Conformity_-The-Interpretation-of-Norse-Literature-for-a-Japanese-Audience.pdf |publisher=University of Oslo |access-date=2 February 2023|pages=18–19}}

In contrast to {{Transliteration|ja|tsundere}} and {{Transliteration|ja|yandere}} characters, whose archetypes revolve around change in their behavior, kuudere characters often keep the same core traits throughout a narrative. Other {{Transliteration|ja|kuudere}} characters traits include being aloof, being level-headed, and serving as the voice of reason during conflict.

The word is derived from the words {{Nihongo|"cool"|クール|kūru}} and {{Nihongo|"affectionate"|デレデレ|dere dere}}.{{cite web |title=Tsundere, Yandere, Kuudere, Dandere - Meaning|url=https://www.japanesewithanime.com/2016/07/tsundere-kuudere-yandere-meaning.html#kuudere-meaning |website=Japanese with Anime |access-date=3 February 2023 |date=21 July 2016}}

The term refers to one of four popular Japanese character types, the others being tsundere, yandere, and dandere.{{cite web |last1=Eisenbeis |first1=Richard |title=How to Identify Popular Japanese Character Types |url=https://kotaku.com/how-to-identify-popular-japanese-character-types-1169085239 |website=Kotaku |access-date=3 February 2023 |date=August 20, 2013}} Rei Ayanami of Neon Genesis Evangelion is thought to have played a major role in the popularization of kuudere.{{cite web|author=Robert Hutton|url=https://screenrant.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-influence-impact-anime/|title=How Neon Genesis Evangelion Changed Anime Forever|publisher=Screen Rant|date=5 September 2021|access-date=2 November 2021|archive-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219162919/https://screenrant.com/neon-genesis-evangelion-influence-impact-anime/|url-status=live}}