A Yandere is a character archetype in anime, manga, and other forms of media that describes someone who is obsessively in love to the point of becoming dangerous. They may start as kind and affectionate but will resort to manipulation, violence, or even murder if they feel their love is threatened.

The term combines two Japanese words:

• Yanderu (病んでる) – Meaning "mentally ill" or "insane."
  
• Deredere (デレデレ) – Meaning "affectionate" or "lovey-dovey."

Not all Yanderes act the same way. While they all share obsessive love, their behavior can vary. Below are the primary Yandere types along with detailed subtypes.


This type expresses their obsession through overwhelming affection and devotion. They may not immediately resort to violence but can be suffocating in their love.

• Clingy Yandere – Constantly follows their love interest and refuses to leave their side. May invade their personal space and become distressed if separated.
  
• Delusional Yandere – Truly believes their love interest loves them back, even if there is no evidence. If rejected, they may deny reality or take drastic action.
  
• Submissive Yandere – Will do anything to please their love interest, even if it harms them. They might allow themselves to be treated badly just to stay close.

A Yandere that cannot tolerate the idea of their beloved being with someone else. They will take extreme measures to ensure their love remains "theirs alone."

• Overprotective Yandere – Wants to "protect" their love interest from harm, even if it means isolating them from friends and family.
  
• Jealous Yandere – Becomes furious at any potential romantic rival. This type may stalk, threaten, or harm anyone who gets too close.
  
• Controlling Yandere – Seeks total dominance over their beloved, dictating their actions, relationships, and even thoughts.

The defining trait of this Yandere is their absolute fixation on their love interest, to the point where it consumes their entire life.

• Hero Worship Yandere – Views their beloved as perfect, treating them like a god or an idol. May become violently defensive if anyone criticizes them.
  
• Codependent Yandere – Cannot function without their love interest, treating them as their sole reason for living. If left alone, they may spiral into despair.
  
• Idealistic Yandere – Has a fantasy version of their beloved in their mind and refuses to acknowledge any flaws. If their beloved acts "out of character," they might react violently.

This type finds pleasure in causing pain to others, especially their love interest or anyone who interferes with their romance.

• Playful Yandere – Teases their love interest in a way that borders on cruelty. They may enjoy seeing them flustered or scared.
  
• Torturous Yandere – Inflicts physical or emotional pain, believing that suffering will "bind" their love interest to them.
  
• Vengeful Yandere – If betrayed or rejected, they will seek revenge. This might involve harming their love interest or making them suffer emotionally.

Instead of harming others, this Yandere directs their obsession inward, punishing themselves for perceived failures in love.

• Suicidal Yandere – Threatens or attempts self-harm as a way to guilt-trip their love interest into staying with them.
  
• Depressed Yandere – Becomes emotionally broken if they cannot be with their beloved. They might isolate themselves, stop taking care of themselves, or waste away.
  
• Martyr Yandere – Willingly sacrifices their own well-being or life for the sake of their beloved, believing that extreme devotion will prove their love.

Rather than using direct violence, this Yandere employs psychological tactics to control their love interest.

• Gaslighting Yandere – Makes their beloved doubt their own thoughts, memories, or perceptions to make them more dependent.
  
• Scheming Yandere – Creates elaborate plans to remove obstacles and rivals without getting their hands dirty.
  
• Framing Yandere – Sets up situations where their love interest or romantic rivals appear guilty of crimes or betrayal.

This Yandere keeps constant surveillance on their love interest, tracking their every move, sometimes without their knowledge.

• Peeping Yandere – Secretly watches their beloved from afar, sometimes using hidden cameras, social media stalking, or even physically following them.
  
• Collecting Yandere – Steals personal belongings (e.g., hair, clothing, notes) to create a shrine to their love interest.
  
• Obsessive Research Yandere – Gathers extensive information about their love interest, memorizing schedules, passwords, and personal details.

This Yandere refuses to acknowledge their own obsessive behavior, even when confronted about it.

• "Just a Friend" Yandere – Claims they have no romantic interest while secretly sabotaging any potential relationships their beloved may have.
  
• Unaware Yandere – Truly believes their extreme actions are normal and justified, failing to see anything wrong with their behavior.
  
• Split-Personality Yandere – Shifts between a normal persona and a Yandere mode, sometimes not even remembering their more extreme actions.

Yanderes come in many forms, from affectionate and clingy to manipulative and violent. What makes them so fascinating is the way they twist love into obsession, turning devotion into something terrifying.

Which type of Yandere do you find the most intriguing (or disturbing)? Share your thoughts below!