There are many strong-headed female characters in JRPG history, but which ones among them tend to stand out the most? Intriguingly, an archetype derived from simple bishojo games has become a widespread phenomenon.
The following contains major spoilers for the plots of these games.
A tsundere has an attitude and comes harsh, cold, and standoffish. However, she eventually shows her caring, soft side with time and trust. The 'dere' term has become a part of every anime/manga fan's vocabulary, and the community has come up with their favorites. Video games might not always define that list, but there is no shortage of head-strong women in the JRPG series.
7 Lightning: Final Fantasy 13
Lightning has become iconic in her own right as a Final Fantasy character. Given that she is the second primary female protagonist in the series, it's understandable. Lightning seeks to save her younger sister Serah in the game, resulting in her being ruthlessly focused and independent. At first, she is closed off from her allies; in that sense, she is a bit uncaring overall.
However, as she travels with Hope, she is protective around him and even obliges to teach him in some aspects. Lightning could try to do things differently with how she handled Sarah, as she treats Hope like a little brother. Eventually, Lightning begins to warm up to those around her and feels safe putting her trust in them.
6 Chie Satonaka: Persona 4
One of the playable characters in the game, Chie, is depicted as energetic, loves kung fu movies, and happens to be one of the MC's classmates at Yasogami High School. The thing about Chie is that she's not one of the typical JRPG tsundere.
She is generally pretty friendly to most people, except with Yosuke, but she also will act more like a typical tsundere if players pursue her as a love interest. She has an attitude and short fuse, especially around Yosuke. Throughout the series, there is a juxtaposition between the two; Chie is the outspoken and energetic "extrovert," with Yosuke a shy "introvert."
5 Shionne: Tales Of Arise
Tales of Arise tells the story of a conflict between two worlds: Dahna and Rena, with the latter invading the other and subjugating its inhabitants. The main protagonist's quest is to liberate Dahna and save its people. Shionne is cold, distant, and ruthless in much of the game. She is willing to do whatever it takes as long as she completes her goal of defeating the lords. It sounds like a stereotypical tsundere, right?
Interestingly, her goal is not the only reason she is cold and distant. In truth, she doesn't let people get close to her because they will get hurt by doing so, independent of her will. In reality, Shionne carries a curse called "thorns," which causes anyone who touches her to be zapped with electricity. Because of this, she doesn't allow anyone to get close to her, even if she wants to. It isn't until she meets Alphen, who can't feel pain, that she begins to let her guard down. So Alphen is the only person who can touch her and remain unharmed, so she begins to warm up to him and the rest of her companions.
4 Velvet: Tales Of Berseria
Tales of Berseria tells the story of a growing blight taking over the land, which causes people to turn into demons due to the malice in their hearts. Another interesting notion here is that Velvet, the main protagonist, doesn't start as a tsundere, surprisingly. Initially, Velvet is sweet, energetic, caring, albeit a bit overbearing, especially when it comes to her younger brother Laphicet. However, that all changes when the night of the crimson moon takes place. Laphicet goes missing, and Velvet struggles to find him. She eventually does, but a tad too late. She walks up to see her uncle Artorius kill her younger brother.
In a rage, she charges forward, only for him to turn her into a demon and cast her away to a dungeon for several years, talk about family drama. This defining moment sets her up for the rest of the series, as she is cold, ruthless, violent, and willing to sacrifice anyone and anything if it means getting closer to her goal. It's a peculiar take on showing the reverse process due to a traumatic moment. On her journey, she eventually does open up to the rest of her companions, but only through the premise of mutual benefit.
3 2B: Nier Automata
Nier Automata follows a growing conflict between two entities: androids and machines, with the latter committing to protecting the last remnants of humanity from the former. 2B initially does come off cold and detached, only following orders and rarely showing any emotion. Plus, she continues to act like that when she meets up with 9S, her collaborator in her mission. It's to the point that she even scolds 9S for showing basic concern, saying things like "emotions are prohibited."
However, the truth is that she doesn't want to get close to 9S, not out of disdain, but because of what she must do at the end of each mission. Every time 9S discovers too much truth, she has to kill him every time, and his memory is wiped of the event. She refuses to get close to him, not because she doesn't like him, but because she can't bear to become invested in someone she has to kill repeatedly.
2 Kaine: Nier
Nier, and its remake Nier Replicant, are prequels to Automata and follow the journey of a nameless protagonist determined to save his sister and fight hordes of beings known as shades to do it. Kaine is a bit more on the abrasive side of the tsundere spectrum. She is head-strung, violent, and curses profusely, something the character Grimoire Weiss frequently comments on and is even an opening in one of the trailers. The circumstances of her condition, however, paint a much clearer picture. Kaine is a half shade, which the player doesn't fully understand unless they read more about Kaine's childhood. Kaine was bullied frequently as a child, and her grandma was the only light and solace in the world.
Eventually, the player learns that she has passed away, and a shade comes to take over Kaine's body, hoping to take advantage of her grief. However, she retains her will, and she and the shade co-exist for a time. The trauma of her upbringing, losing her grandma, and wanting revenge could culminate in a person losing all trust and reason, so it is no wonder she attacks the main protagonist when she first meets him. She eventually learns to trust him and his vision but feels ashamed of her condition.
1 Alisaie: Final Fantasy 14
Final Fantasy 14 is an MMO and follows a nameless protagonist, by the moniker "Warrior of Light," and their journey to prevent a calamity from befalling the world of Eorzea. Alisaie falls more on the overbearing side of the tsundere spectrum. While she is undoubtedly bold and lashes out whenever she feels, she has a soft, concerned side and wants to make sure everyone is ok.
She seeks to prepare and research and hates feeling useless. Her Tsundere part comes into play routinely when she is mistaken for Alphinaud, her twin brother. She even scares Estinien, the Azure Dragoon, when he mistakes her for him. In this sense, her tsundere side comes out only when the stakes are high, her friends are in danger, or if someone regards her for her brother. So in this sense, Alisaie is a more protective type of tsundere than an emotionally distant one.