Top 10 Tsundere Girls in Anime

Script written by Allen-Michael Harber

Top 10 Tsundere Girls in Anime

It’s not like we like you or anything. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Tsundere Girls in Anime.

Tsundere describes a love stuck anime character who is initially cold and hostile towards those around them, especially their object of their affection. In the end, tsundere often warm up to other people and may even confess their feelings to the one they secretly love. To qualify for this list the girl’s need to display full Tsundere behaviour so borderline Tsunderes like Hitagi Senjougahara from “Bakemonogatari” will not appear here. And since most of these girls are the main character and love interest in their series, there may be a few spoilers ahead.

#10: Shana

“Shakugan no Shana” (2005-06)

Yuji Sakai was just a normal high school student until he learned about the existence of the Crimson Realm. This realm was the home of Denizens who can wield a special kind of magic by using a biological beings life force as fuel. This is also when he meets a girl who’s job is to protect the balance of both worlds, and is so dedicated to her job she doesn’t even have a name. Yuji names her Shana taken from the name of her sword. Unlike some other Tsundere’s she isn’t inherently violent towards Yuji, but her dedication to protecting both worlds makes her seem indifferent at times. However, as they continue to protect both worlds she eventually opens up.

#9: Kagami Hiiragi

“Lucky Star” (2007)

This high school anime stars four girls as they go through their daily lives with each girl playing a different archetypal role. Hiiragi plays the part of the Tsundere girl, only she doesn’t have a love interest. Her Tsundere qualities are more geared to the deep attachment she has to her friends, more specifically Konata. She tries to hide this fact by teasing Konata about her short size, her lack of motivation and her habit to get into trouble. She also enjoys playing scrolling shoot ‘em up video games and reading light novels, but as none of her friends share these hobbies, she often feels lonely.

#8: Haruhi Suzumiya

“The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” (2006-2009)

There was always an air of mystery surrounding Haruhi Suzumiya. Nobody knew why she did the things she did, like painting hieroglyphs on the school wall or changing her hairstyle every single day. But this was only due to the fact that she wanted to live and interesting and unique life. To see this ideal come to fruition she started the SOS brigade with fellow students and friends. Due to her eccentricity and attitude she often bullies her friends into embarrassing situations just to spice things up. The male lead Kyon however, may find her behaviour frustrating at times, he does appear to see some potential, and her desire to change.

#7: Chitoge Kirisaki

“Nisekoi” (2014-15)

When Raku Ichijo was young, he made a promise to marry his childhood friend using a locket and a key to symbolize their promise. However, three different girls claim to be that friend and they each have a key, including Chitoge Kirisaki. Chitoge is the daughter of a mafia boss, and must enter a fake relationship with Raku to keep peace between the mafia and the Yakuza. She fills the standard for a Tsundere, but being a mafioso’s daughter she knows how to get violent. Eventually she warms up to and falls in love with him, even though we still don’t know if she was the childhood friend.

#6: Kirino Kousaka

“Oreimo: My Little Sister Can’t Be This Cute!” (2010)

Kirino and her brother Kyousuke had a pretty strained relationship, with neither of them even talking to or acknowledging the other. That all changed when Kyousuke found an erotic computer game which happened to belong to his sister. Turns out Kirino is a huge fan of little-sister themed games and Kyousuke also learns that beneath the overachiever perfect daughter facade is a bratty, immature little sister. After learning her secret Kirino makes her brother play her games and care for the characters only to turn around and call him a pervert. Although she denies to enjoying the time spent together she's a little reluctant to admit that, but hey, if she did, she wouldn’t be tsundere.

#5: Misaka Mikoto

“A Certain” franchise (2008-10)

Academy City is a technologically advanced city that trains people to wield magic through scientific means. Misaka is one of the most powerful espers in the city and is also known as the Railgun, due to her ability to wield electricity. After trying to fight main character Touma and having her power dissipated she demands a rematch, though he tries to avoid her at every turn. Even though Misaka is a tomboy with a short temper, she has an affinity for cute things including the popular frog mascot Gakota. This is one character with a very electrifying personality.

#4: Kurisu Makise

“Steins;Gate” (2011)

At only 18 years old Kurisu Makise is a genius who graduated university while she was only seventeen. Due to her research on the brain’s retention systems and a couple of run ins with Rintaro Okabe she joins the Future Gadget Lab as they discover the possibilities of time travel. Although she is mature for her age and has a passion for science, Kurisu can come off as sarcastic and is often annoyed by Okabe and his “mad scientist” antics. She is also annoyed by the nicknames Okabe gives her, even calling her out for her tsundere attitude from time to time. Despite her cold attitude she can’t resist an interesting experiment, which has also earned her the “mad scientist” title.

#3: Asuka Langley Soryu

“Neon Genesis Evangelion” (1995-96)

Asuka is not only one of the first true Tsundere’s she is also one of the most popular anime characters. She arrives early in the Evangelion series as a capable, if hot-headed Eva pilot, being able to achieve a high synchronization ratio and possessing exceptional combat skills. Much like her aggressive combat abilities, her personality comes off as brash and indifferent towards those around her. She is especially hostile towards protagonist Shinji Ikari, even though deep down she has a lot of respect for her fellow pilot. While she is good at defying orders, which usually get her into trouble, she is not above killing any angels that get in her way.

#2: Rin Tohsaka

“Fate/Stay Night” franchise (2006-15)

When you first see Rin Tohsaka you would think she was nothing more than a model student and loner, but it turns out she is a Magus and as a participant in the Fifth Holy Grail War, she calls upon the servant, Archer. One day while watching fellow student and Holy Grail participant Shiro attempting to jump over a high bar for a fitness test, she fell in love with him for his perseverance. Underneath her model student exterior she is actually tomboyish, abrasive and a slacker. But, this does not stop her from teaming up with Shiro to participate in the Holy Grail War, and eventually falling in love with him.

Before we embarrassingly admit our top pick here are a few Honorable Mentions.

Louise
“The Familiar of Zero” (2006)

Nagi Sanzenin
“Hayate the Combat Butler” (2007-08)

Naru Narusegawa
“Love Hina” (2000)

Maki Nishikino
“Love Live” (2013)

Hana Midorikawa
“Prison School” (2015)

#1: Taiga Aisaka

“Toradora” (2008-09)

Taiga is also known as the “Palmtop Tiger” because of her small size and tendency to snap at almost anyone. After accidentally giving fellow classmate Ryuji Takasu a love letter meant for his best friend, she tries to break into his apartment and try to kill him. She then learns that he is in love with her best friend, and they both vow to help one another. Though Taiga does have a soft side, she is able to go into Tsundere mode at a moments notice and will take out standing anyone in her way. As the series progresses she opens up more to Ryuji and finds herself drawing closer to him.

Do you agree with our list? Who is your favourite Tsundere girl? For more temperamental top 10’s published daily be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com