The anime has various character archetypes, and two popular ones are the Tsundere and Yandere. Tsundere characters tend to alternate between being easily offended and falling in love. In contrast, Yandere characters may initially seem shy and sweet but later reveal a violent and obsessive side.
On the other hand, we have the Deredere characters, known for their sweet and kind nature, always sporting a smile that never fades away. They bring a warm and affectionate presence to the stories they inhabit.
Throughout anime history, we’ve encountered numerous Dere characters, each with unique personalities but all revolving around romantic interests. Deredere characters, in particular, are often depicted as selfless individuals, placing the happiness of others above their own.
From various anime genres, we can find some of the best examples of Deredere characters among the female protagonists. They add a heartwarming touch to their respective stories, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.
Best Deredere Female Characters in Anime
1. Sakura Kinomoto (Cardcaptor Sakura)
Meet Sakura Kinomoto, the lovable protagonist of the anime Cardcaptor Sakura. Don’t let her occasional clumsiness fool you; underneath that cute exterior lies a remarkably athletic and agile girl. She’s even a part of her school’s cheerleading squad!
Sakura’s physical abilities come in handy during battles, where she fearlessly protects those around her. Despite facing moments of sadness, especially when thinking of her late mother, Sakura remains determined to keep a cheerful demeanor not to burden anyone.
With a naturally positive outlook, Sakura is a breath of fresh air for those around her. Whenever her friends are in need, she doesn’t hesitate to lend a helping hand, making her a genuinely caring and supportive companion.
2. Tohru Honda (Fruits Basket)
In the heartwarming anime Fruits Basket, we meet Tohru Honda, who attends the same school as Yuki and Kyo Sohma. Right from the first episode, it’s evident that she’s a genuinely caring and selfless girl, always putting others before herself.
After facing the tragedy of losing her parents, Tohru refused to burden her relatives and instead chose to live in a tent while working a part-time job. When the Sohma family discovered her situation, they willingly welcomed her into their home.
Since moving in, Tohru has become friends with nearly everyone and played a significant role in helping break the Sohma family’s curse.
Her nurturing and thoughtful nature allows her to deeply understand her friends’ emotions, making it easier for her to offer them much-needed support. And her infectious optimism brightens the lives of those around her, making Tohru an unforgettable character in Fruits Basket.
3. Orihime Inoue (Bleach)
In Bleach’s thrilling anime, Orihime Inoue is one of Ichigo Kurosaki’s closest friends. They both attend Karakura High School, where Ichigo’s friendly and approachable nature has earned him admiration from many students.
Orihime, too, is beloved by her peers and excels academically. However, she can be a bit absent-minded and easily gets lost in her thoughts during conversations.
What sets Orihime apart is her incredible perception, especially regarding those she deeply cares about, like Ichigo. She has an innate ability to understand their emotions and needs.
A compassionate soul, Orihime always goes above and beyond to ensure the comfort and happiness of her friends. Seeing others in pain or distress pains her deeply, and she’s willing to make great sacrifices to help them, even if it means putting herself in danger.
Orihime’s unwavering loyalty and selflessness make her an invaluable friend and a remarkable character in Bleach.
4. Eru Chitanda (Hyouka)
In the anime Hyouka, Eru Chitanda is the enthusiastic president of the Classics Club. Eru’s curiosity knows no bounds, and she has a natural knack for unraveling mysteries. Whenever there’s a puzzle to be solved, she eagerly enlists the help of Houtarou Oreki, determined to quench her thirst for knowledge.
When engrossed in a case, Eru’s excitement can sometimes lead her to forget about personal boundaries, displaying an endearing and charming childlike wonder.
Like other female Deredere characters, Eru is polite, and shy and exudes a feminine aura. She’s known for her positive outlook, and it seems almost impossible to harbor any negative feelings, even if someone hurts her.
Eru’s presence brightens the room, and her sociable nature draws her friends close. Their laughter and joy are a testament to the warm and friendly person she is.
5. Rinko Yamato (Ore Monogatari)
There’s something extraordinary about the love shared between two people, even if others can’t fully comprehend it. And that’s precisely what happened with Rinko Yamato’s feelings for Takeo Gouda.
Rather than being attracted to Takeo’s handsome best friend, Rinko’s heart chose Takeo himself. It’s a love that’s pure, honest, and utterly sincere.
Being the sweet and genuine girl, Rinko made a list of all the reasons she adores Takeo. Her desire to be his only is heartfelt and touching. It’s heartwarming to see them blush over the simplest things, like holding hands – a testament to the tenderness of their relationship.
6. Kouko Kaga (Golden Time)
Kouko is a fresh-faced law student and Banri Tada’s girlfriend in Golden Times. Coming from a wealthy and strict upbringing, Kouko learned to present herself with politeness and kindness to strangers. However, when she’s with her friends and loved ones, her true nature shines through.
Once she started college and became Banri’s girlfriend, Kouko proved fiercely loyal to her friends and unafraid to express her feelings for him. She often blushes and feels embarrassed due to her unpredictable emotions around him.
Kouko is not shy about openly confessing her love, and some might describe her as a bit clingy, which aligns with the characteristic traits of the female Deredere character.
7. Ochako Uraraka (My Hero Academia)
Ochako is a student at UA High School in the anime “Boku No Hero Academia” (My Hero Academia).
Her Quirk, Zero Gravity, allows her to manipulate gravity, and she chose the hero name Uravity, cleverly combining gravity and her name Uraraka. On the battlefield, she excels in using her skills to devise brilliant strategies that prioritize the safety of citizens.
Ochako Uraraka is known for being cute, sweet, and incredibly friendly, treating everyone as a friend. Her kindness knows no bounds, and she can sense when one of her friends is feeling down, using her bubbly personality to cheer them up.
While she may appear a bit spacey at times, this endearing trait falls into the Deredere category, adding to her charming character.
8. Emma (The Promised Neverland)
Emma is one of the children living at Grace Field House in the anime “The Promised Neverland.”
Her closest friends are the quiet and reflective Ray and the intelligent and strategic Norman. However, she has a warm and friendly relationship with everyone in the house. Emma’s sweet and playful personality endears her to everyone, and the other children see her as a big sister figure.
Emma’s kindness seems to know no bounds. She is determined to save all the children from Grace Field House, even if some of them may hold her back on their journey to freedom.
But her selflessness goes even further. Emma makes a significant sacrifice by giving up all her precious memories to “The One” in exchange for ensuring her friends, family, and all other humans can be sent to the human world. Her unwavering compassion and bravery make her a remarkable character in the story.
9. Chika Fujiwara (Kaguya-sama: Love is War)
Chika is the student council secretary in the anime “Kaguya-sama: Love Is War.” She’s known for her cheerful and quirky personality and loves playing games. Whenever the other members have free time, Chika comes up with fun games to lift their spirits and bring smiles to their faces.
You can always spot Chika with a beaming smile, and her positivity is infectious. No one can resist being in a good mood after spending time with her.
Although Chika is often depicted as a bit weird and childlike, her unique charm brings her closer to her friends. They appreciate her genuine and carefree nature, making her an endearing character in the series.
10. Nene Yashiro (Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun)
Nene is a first-year middle school student and Hanko’s assistant in the anime “Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun.”
Like many teenagers, Nene fears not being loved and often feels self-conscious about her appearance, like her turnip-colored hair and thick legs. When she hears about a ghost in the girl’s bathroom who grants wishes, she takes the chance to call out to him, hoping that he can help her find a boyfriend.
Nene’s personality aligns with the Deredere type, making her kind and sweet towards others, sometimes leading people to take advantage of her. She prioritizes her friends’ needs over hers and goes to great lengths to support and assist them.
