"Yandere" is a term combining "yanderu" (meaning "mentally ill" or "sick") and "dere" (meaning "lovey-dovey"), describing someone whose intense love turns into obsessive attachment—and sometimes even violent behavior. Take this 20-question, 2-minute quiz to find out your level of yandere!
'Yandere' is a term from Japanese anime and manga that combines 'yanderu' (meaning 'sick' or 'mentally ill') with 'dere-dere' (meaning 'lovey-dovey' or 'affectionate'). Yandere characters often start with innocent love and kindness, but as their feelings deepen, they become obsessively attached, leading to extreme jealousy and possessiveness—sometimes even violent or controlling behaviors.
Driven by a strong dependency on their partner, they have a deep fear of losing them, which makes them extremely sensitive to others approaching their loved one, often resulting in intense jealousy and even delusional thinking.
Their desire to keep their partner 'all to themselves' may lead them to control or monitor their partner’s actions closely.
Yanderes are often emotionally unstable, balancing strong self-love with underlying feelings of loneliness and insecurity. When their love isn’t reciprocated as they desire, their intense feelings can quickly turn into outbursts of anger or sadness, often leading to extreme behaviors.