Most anime fans have at least passing familiarity with the tsundere archetype. Tsunderes have become a trademark in anime culture over the years as a fan-favorite type of character. Often portrayed as haughty, short-tempered, and cold-hearted, tsunderes become embarrassed and flustered when their love interest compliments them.
Many fans find tsunderes to be overly aggressive for no reason, but there are "good" tsundere characters out there who can make even the staunchest tsundere hater smile Some tsunderes are especially sweet at heart, especially whenever they get flustered because their true emotions and feelings slip out.
10 Rin Tohsaka Will Defend You (Fate Stay/Night)
Fate Stay/Night's Rin Tohasaka is one of the most famous tsundere characters in anime. Many fans are in love with her, and for good reason. She is a strong-willed strategist who, for the most part, won't let her feelings get in the way. Although she tends to get flustered with the main character Emiya Shiro, she doesn't let it get to her.
More importantly, Rin has two traits that have become commonly associated with the tsundere archetype: thigh highs stocking and twin tails. Beneath her tough exterior, Rin is just a lonely girl who's trying her best and craves companionship.
9 Mai Sakurajima Will Die For You (Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai)
Mai Sakurajima is a beloved character who's mature and talented. Unlike most anime characters in romance series, Mai actually starts dating the protagonist, Sakuta, early on in the series. Although Mai often gets flustered by Sakuta, she genuinely loves him, and fans can sense her devotion through her occasionally prickly exterior.
Mai's love for Sakuta is proven in Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, as she literally dies for him by pushing him away from getting hit by a car. Fortunately, Sakuta is able to go back in time to prevent this tragedy, and the couple reunites.
8 Nino Nakano Loves Her Family (The Quintessential Quintuplets)
Nino Nakano is the second-eldest sister in The Quintessential Quintuplets. Although many fans dislike her for her initial aggression toward Futaro, Nino was always trying to act in her sisters' best interests. At the beginning of the series, Nino immediately displays overprotectiveness of her sisters and she views Futaro as a threat.
Eventually, Nino does catch feelings for Futaro. She becomes much more focused on trying to impress him, and flat out confesses to him. It's clear to fans that when Nino has a plan, she won't stop at anything to achieve that plan and she can be quite soft-hearted.
7 Nagatoro Won't Let Others Bully You (Don't Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro!)
Don't Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro!'s eponymous female lead is quite divsive among fans, but despite their opinions, they can't deny that she'll protect her Senpai from other bullies. Despite Nagatoro bullying her Senpai, it's all in good fun as she slowly helps her Senpai gather confidence.
She'll defend him against her friends and strangers alike. She gets defensive when she believes someone else may have an interest in her Senpai. She is also well-versed in self-defense, so if it's ever necessary, she will fight in the name of her Senpai.
6 Kaguya Shinomiya Will Outwit You (Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War)
Kaguya Shinomiya has won many fans' hearts as she gets flustered trying to find ways to trick Shinogame into confessing his love in Kaguya-sama: Love is War. Kaguya also displays her concern for her colleagues. Fans get to see her as she helps Ishigami study despite his fear of her at the beginning of the series.
Kaguya also inspires her underclassman Iino to keep trying, reminding her that she'll get the Presidency sooner or later and that she should focus on doing her best. All in all, Kaguya loves her friends and would do anything for them, even if she gets in trouble with her family.
5 Haruhi Suzumiya Will Do Anything To Defend The SOS Brigade (The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya)
Haruhi comes off as an extremely self-centered character in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, but she does care for the main character, Kyon. Fans can see how easily Haruhi gets annoyed when Kyon doesn't directly pay attention to her and would do anything to get his attention.
This reasoning may not convince many fans that she is a nice tsundere, but they'd be proven wrong with The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya. Kyon and Haruhi meet as strangers and Kyon reaches out to Haruhi for help. Despite her reluctance, she eventually agrees to help, which shows a different side of her character.
4 Taiga Aisaka Is A Sweetheart (Toradora!)
Toradora! focuses on Taiga as she becomes more caring towards Ryuji. Fans get to watch Ryuji help her become tamer and tell her that she doesn't need to be ferocious all the time. When push comes to shove, Taiga deeply cares for Ryuji. Even though she doesn't recognize that she has feelings for him, she would do anything to be with him.
However, she respects Ryuji's wishes and wouldn't fight if things didn't go her way, as fans have seen multiple times in the series. This was especially when Taiga cried alone, yearning for Ryuji to be at her side during the Christmas Party.
3 Maki Nishikino Is A Tomato At Heart (Love Live! School Idol Project)
Maki is beloved by many fans of Love Live! School Idol Project. She becomes easily flustered and would rather be by herself, but she's there for her fellow idols when it counts. Maki is talented and driven and she learns to share the other idols' excitement for winning the Love Live.
She's a talented musician who helped write their first song and she often composes the music they sing. Another bonus is that Maki is rich, so she's able to host training camps for the team. Maki is sweet-hearted deep down, even if she gets into pointless fights with other members.
2 Hitagi Senjougahara Is Starved For Love (Monogatari Franchise)
Time and time again, Senjogahara has been there for Araragi. Throughout the many Monogatari entries, she's always available to support her boyfriend. Fans love Senjogahara because she puts on a strong facade. She is vicious but kind at heart.
Fans also see how she gradually becomes concerned and watches out for others, including Hanakawa, who's also in love with Araragi. Fans are amused by Senjougahara as she's even self-aware that she plays the tsundere trope and, more often than not, will embrace it to the extreme.
1 Kurisu Makise Is Nothing Less Than A Genius (Steins;Gate)
Kurisu doesn't fall short when it comes to intelligence in Steins;Gate. She graduated college at the young age of seventeen and later becomes involved in helping Okabe as he creates the time machine. Despite always getting flustered with Okabe, she does care for him and would do anything to prevent him from getting hurt.
She cares for her friends and colleagues, too, and would put herself in danger if it means protecting them. She will try to call off any plans if it means endangering the safety of others. Fans love her for her gentle nature and her strong will to accomplish anything.
