Every anime has that one character with tsundere characteristics. They are hot-headed, shy, and deny their feelings even if their life depended on being truthful about it. What's more? Some don't even know how to handle their emotions and get all awkward. Yes, Kageyama, I'm looking right at you.
I recently read CBR's list of 10 best hot-headed anime characters. While I agree with most of them, I knew I needed to make a list of my own with what I feel are the ones we can never stop loving.
10 Tsundere We Will Never Stop Loving
Misaki Ayuzawa- Kaichou Wa Maid Sama!
Any tsundere list is incomplete, to me, without the inclusion of a dear demon president, Misaki Ayuzawa. She had all the tsundere characteristics and more-- from being dishonest about her feeling to acting cold towards Usui. She is one of the favorite anime characters of all time and not because she is a hardcore tsundere.
Our Misaki is a responsible teenager and Kaichou, a caring sister, and a dedicated friend. Moreover, she even took her work at the Maid Latter seriously despite not liking it. All this and more cements her place in all our hearts.
Taiga Aisaka- Tora Dora
There is virtually no list of hot-headed anime characters that do not have Taiga 'palm-top tiger' Aisaka in it. She is the epitome of tsundere. and we love every bit of her tsundere-ness. The cherry on top is that her voice actor is the tsundere queen, Rei Kugiyama, known for voicing several tsundere characters.
Not unlike Misaki, Taiga resorts to physical violence or running away when she has to face her own emotions. It is beautiful to see her falling in love with Ryuuji throughout the manga and anime. Being as cute as she is and her innate tsundere characteristics, she will rule our hearts for eternity.
Kaguya Shinomiya- Kaguya Sama: Love is War
Kaguya Shinomiya of Kaguya Sama is not by definition a Tsundere. For that matter, one cannot categorize the enigmatic Kaguya into a character type because she portrays them all. She is a textbook tsundere in front of her friend Hayasaka (when discussing Shirogane), a yandere towards Fujiwara, a dandere and kudere towards anyone outside her close circle, and sadodere when she tries to make Shirogane confess.
However, at the heart of the issue, she is someone who constantly denies her feelings for the student president to herself, Hayasaka, Ishigami, and Shirogane, himself. She schemes and controls herself extremely to make sure no one knows her feelings. That classifies her as a tsundere in my eyes.
Kyo Sohma- Fruits Basket
Kyo Sohma is one of the most hot-headed anime characters out there. From the beginning, he has been constantly refusing his care for Tohru and acting cold towards her like the cat spirit he possesses. It has been a wonderful journey seeing this ginger cat accept his feelings and being open about it. The way he protectively hovers over Tohru and control his temper for her sake, and yet denies any feelings he has for her makes him a cute tsundere we will love forever.
Tobio Kageyama- Haikyuu!
Tobio Kageyama is a surprising inclusion in this list, I know. Haikyuu! is not a shoujo anime, and neither does it have anything to do with romance. And no, he and Hinata are NOT dating. However, Kageyama has typical tsundere characteristics. He is awkward about his feelings and doesn't know how to deal with it.
He is quite appreciative of Hinata and the rest of the Karasuno team's friendship and trust but does not show it quite often. Instead, he scowls at Hinata whenever the poor sod does help Kageyama. It takes him several hundred chapters in the manga to accept the role of the Karasuno team in his volleyball, but only to himself. So yes, he is a tsundere, all right, and you know you love him.
Levi Ackerman- Attack on Titan
Levi Ackerman is yet another must add in tsundere characters male list. He is a textbook tsundere with a rough and tough exterior and soft and sweet center. He is a no-nonsense, high-ranking soldier whose priority is his work and missions. He is pretty strict and cold towards the titan-soldier Eren Jeager and yet ensures his safety. Just tell me, who will not love this deadpan neat freak?
Mikoto Misaka- A Certain Magical Index
Mikoto Misaka from A Certain Magical Index is often debated topic when it comes to having tsundere characteristics. The popular argument is that she is only a tsundere towards Touma and no one else. However, those who have seen other anime with tsundere characters will know that being a tsundere is not always about being violent towards the crush or being equally cold towards everyone or the tsun vs. dere parts.
She is one of those characters that go beyond the scope of the archetype of tsundere. She is warm with her friends and yet embarrassed about her feelings for Touma to a point that she strikes him with lightning.
Kaname Chidori- Full Metal Panic
Kaname Chidori is yet another one of the hot-headed anime characters we love so much. She is constantly under the protection of Sousuke to prevent terrorist organizations from using her 'Whispered abilities.' She likes him, finds him interesting, but he also annoys her when tries to protect her. What's more? She wouldn't even accept her feelings even to her close friend at school. Sigh.
Inuyasha- Inuyasha
Inuyasha starts out being cold and calculating, wanting to be a full demon at the beginning of the series, only to become a loyal friend as the story progresses. He is in every definition of the term a tsundere. He id stubborn, quick to fight, and quite bratty, if you may, but he is always there to protect his friends. He would go the extra mile for his loved ones, especially Kagame.
Maki Nishikino- Love Live!
There is no way we can finish off this list without Maki Nishikino included in it. Hiding her feelings behind fights and getting embarrassed easily are her signs of being a true tsundere. She is perceived to be childish and finds it hard to open up to her peers and friends. She would rather fight than admit her feelings. Need we even mention the way she is around Honoka Kousaka and Nico Yazawa?
Worthy Mentions
Wait, there's more? Of course, there is. The anime world is not shy of tsundere characters. Here are two more of all-time favorites:
Tomoe- Kamisama Hajimemashita
Tomoe is a fox yokai who begrudgingly becomes Nanami Momozono's temple familiar. He is one of the celebrated tsundere characters male lists must include. He goes from being utterly cold towards her and her feelings to genuinely caring for and missing her. Watching this cunning fox yokai fall from our precious Nanami was a treat. Needless to say, we all love this guy.
Innouske Hashibara- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Innouske Hashibara is a new addition to the world of anime. However, there is no doubt of him being one of the most hot-headed anime characters. Brought up in the wild, this boar boy does not know how to handle Tanjiro's kindness and often gets angry at the same. He covers his inability to express and digest emotions with a constant state of competitiveness.
Read Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba review here.
Conclusion
We love our tsundere characters, and there is no doubt about it. The 12 mentioned above are simply the tip of the iceberg. The world of anime is filled with them, and as and when they pour in, our hearts will open for these little awkward teens.
So what do you think of this list? Do you have any additions? Let me know in the comments below!