Yandere is one of the most controversial “dere” types in anime, featuring characters who appear sweet and kind at first only to reveal a secret dark side over time. Yandere characters are incredibly possessive of their loved ones, often becoming violent when their relationship is threatened. Despite their disturbing nature, yandere anime characters remain a popular archetype.
However, some yanderes are too much even for the biggest fans. With toxic behavior that takes creepiness to a new level and obsessive personalities that get downright annoying, some yandere characters embody all the worst aspects of the trope.
10 Tohma Seguchi (Gravitation)
Tohma Seguchi is a supporting character in the classic BL series Gravitation, as well as a lesser-known example of a yandere in anime. At first glance, Tohma seems like a perfectly sweet and innocent guy. However, in reality, he’s far from it.
Tohma has a disturbing obsession with Eiri Yuki, driving him to do literally anything for him. He’ll go to any lengths for Eiri’s well-being, and he doesn’t care who he has to destroy along the way. What makes Tohma such an unlikable yandere is his cruelty to protagonist Shuichi Shindo. Throughout the series, Tohma is a source of misery for Shuichi and his treatment of him is utterly painful to watch.
9 Shuu Tsukiyama (Tokyo Ghoul)
It’s debatable whethere or not Tokyo Ghoul‘s Shuu Tsukiyama is a bonafide yandere character, but he’s got many of the classic traits associated with the archetype. He’s a very possessive character, and throughout the Gourmet arc, he’s completely obsessed with Kaneki and his desire to taste his flesh.
Many Tokyo Ghoul fans can’t stand Shuu for his creepy personality and disturbing behavior when it comes to Kaneki. He’s one of the most infamous characters in the entire series, and even as his character improves, many still can’t help but hate him.
8 Sekai Saionji (School Days)
Though most view Kotonoha as the main yandere of School Days, she’s not the only one. Sekai Saionji is fiercely possessive of Makoto, and even as she tries to help him win over Kotonoha, her feelings of jealousy and hatred remain just below the surface. However, Sekai is a far less likable yandere than Kotonoha.
Sekai’s twisted love borders obsession from the start and her actions fuel some of the most infuriating parts of the series. Thanks to her meddling, the story becomes a muddled-up mess full of needless drama. She’s one of the most frustrating yandere characters, ultimately making the story worse with every decision she makes.
7 Misa Amane (Death Note)
Death Note’s Misa Amane has always been a character fans either love or hate. Many view her as one of the worst parts of the series, finding her obsessive love for Light completely cringeworthy.
Misa’s entire existence revolves around Light and Kira, viewing him as a savior and practically worshipping the ground he walks on.
Because Misa’s always so focused on him, she has little to no personality outside of her feelings for him. As a result, many see Misa as not only a poor yandere, but also just an all-around bad character in general.
6 Belarus (Hetalia)
Belarus is one of the few female characters featured in the Hetalia series. Sadly, she’s also one of the worst. Belarus’ personality boils down to one thing: her obsessive love for her older brother Russia. From her very introduction onward, Belarus is seen stalking Russia at every turn, attempting to force him into marriage.
Needless to say, this yandere portrayal of a real-life country is in poor taste. On top of that, the incestuous nature of her love only makes her entire character far worse. Belarus was actually once a very popular yandere character among fans, but nowadays, most can’t help but cringe when they see her.
5 Nina Einstein (Code Geass)
Nina Einstein from Code Geass is one of anime’s most infamous yandere characters. That’s because the object of her obsessive affection is someone she barely knows. After Princess Euphemia steps in to save her from an attacker, Nina becomes utterly obsessed with love for her.
Though Nina and Euphemia rarely even come into contact, that doesn’t stop Nina from developing a disturbing attachment to her. Nina’s yandere-like obsession is nothing short of insufferable, and most fans can’t stand her at all. To this day, she remains one of the most hated Code Geass characters.
4 Lucy (Elfen Lied)
Lucy is the female protagonist of the psychological horror series Elfen Lied. Though she’s one of anime’s most famous yandere girls, she’s far from a likable character. After meeting as kids, Lucy develops an unhealthy attachment to male protagonist Kouta. She becomes so jealous of other females in his life that she gives in to her Diclonius instincts, slaughtering his entire family right in front of him.
What makes this situation even worse is that Lucy gets off scot-free for all the horrible things she’s done. It’s frustrating watching as Kouta forgives her for ruining his life and even falls in love with her despite everything.
3 Toko Fukawa (Danganronpa: The Animation)
Toko Fukawa is one of fifteen students introduced at the start of Danganronpa: The Animation. When viewers first meet her, she’s portrayed as a shy and quiet girl with a bit of a self-esteem issue. But soon, her true colors come out after she falls obsessively in love with her classmate, Byakuya Togami.
From there, Toko becomes a disturbing yandere character, making many creepy remarks and uncomfortable innuendos. Any likability she has prior gets completely thrown out the window, as well as any depth she may have had. Throughout the rest of Danganronpa, she’s one of the most annoying characters that most wish would just go away.
2 Sato Matsuzaka (Happy Sugar Life)
Happy Sugar Life‘s Sato Matsuzaka may seem cute and innocent, but she’s actually one of the most unsettling yandere characters to debut in recent years. Since the series first came out, many have been torn when it comes to this obsessive beauty. Sato has become a very controversial yandere girl, due to her shocking relationship with a young girl named Shio.
After falling head-over-heels for Shio, Sato decides to kidnap her and keep Shio for herself. While this shockingly dark premise is undeniably very interesting, the fact that Sato is in love with a child doesn’t sit well with most audiences. Thus, she’s become an infamous yandere that many feel shouldn’t exist.
1 Yuno Gasai (Future Diary)
Yuno Gasai of Future Diary is basically the poster child for the yandere archetype. She’s the one yandere character everyone knows, even if they haven’t seen the anime she comes from. But though she’s well-loved by many, plenty of anime fans have expressed their distaste for Yuno’s character.
Many feel Yuno is a cliché character that represents all the worst aspects of yanderes. Her obsession with Yukiteru is more annoying than it is disturbing, and many of her creepy moments feel forced and overdone. Essentially, Yuno is a caricature of what a yandere is supposed to be, and a lot of fans don’t like that.
