When thinking of JRPGs, larger than life personalities — be they intrepid protagonist or headstrong villains typically take the forefront. That’s not to say the genre is without variety. Tropes of every flavor have their chance to shine. That includes the rare-but-certainly-not-forgotten dandere trope.
Dandere is defined as a character — typically in a romantic setting — who is chronically shy. Neon Genesis Evangelion's Shinji often coming to mind. Some characters are just a little timid due to a lack of self-confidence. Others tremble to their core at the mere thought of speaking to another person. Common convention may have dandere girls outnumbering the boys, but that’s all the more reason to shine a spotlight on the dandere guys who’d probably rather meld into the shadows.
10 Xenoblade Chronicles: Future Connected - Kino
Those who picked up Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition for Nintendo Switch received the bonus DLC Future Connected — an epilogue story that either continues Shulk’s adventures or just gives more beasts to fight depending on one’s interest in the Xenoblade story and its many twists.
While eager to battle alongside his sister Nene, Kino typically hides behind his older sibling when chatting with Shulk and Melia — hardly able to say more than a murmur as a response. Seeing as the most optimal way to play the game is with the sound off while smashing the + button to skip cutscenes, however, most of that may have gone unnoticed.
9 Suikoden - Hix
From new to old, JRPGs may have gone through many convention changes throughout the years. But the dandare trope, while still rare, is eternal. All the way back in the stone ages — also known as 1995 — beloved-by-that-guy-on-Reddit-who-always-knows-more-than-you series Suikoden paved the way for games like Chrono Cross where everyone is a party member... as long as they're not too much of a hassle to unlock.
In Hix’s case, despite coming from the Warrior’s Village, he’s not apt to take part on the front lines. He considers himself weak, but when his soon-to-be-girlfriend Tengaar is in danger, he does what anyone looking for courage does: join an overflowing band of adventurers only to be sidelined after your questline concludes.
8 Rune Factory: Tides Of Destiny - Bismark
The cross-section of “There’s not enough combat in Harvest Moon” and “I wish I could own a farm in this JRPG” finds its sweet spot in Rune Factory. Seeing as romance options in video games are ripe with anime tropes, it's no wonder that this series has a few dandere boys — Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny’s Bismarck notably coming to mind.
Newest entry into the series, Rune Factory 5’s, Ryker leans into the dandere trope too. He may be a little more sleepy than outright timid, but it makes him all the more endearing for those looking to woo a wayward woodsman. Hint: learn to make a mean croquette.
7 Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire - Wally
Compared to some of the other dandere characters on this list Wally isn’t wholly trapped in his shell. But for a Pokemon rival? He’s certainly more lowkey and polite than is to be expected. Or maybe Blue/Gary Oak just solidified the idea that a rival has to be a cocky jerk — something downplayed a little in the latest games.
Given Wally’s situation, it makes sense why he isn’t as boastful of his predecessors. Chronic illness and somehow being a magnet for villains (even if Team Aqua and Magma don't make for the most competent crew) probably haven’t helped his confidence. And all of his hopes of becoming a pokemon master fading away once the protagonist steals the Pokemon League Champion title out from under him.
6 Atelier Ryza - Tao Monarten
Side-character turned DLC protagonist Tao Monarten may not seem too dandere for those who have only played Atelier Ryza 2 — the fan favorite of the series. But in the first game, on top of being younger, he had yet to come into his own. Still a brainy bookworm but lacking the self-esteem to go along with his knowledge, Tao spent his time up until the sequel having his glow-up arc.
Granted, when staring in a game that’s more about picking mushrooms than slaying dragons, it isn’t particularly difficult to muster up some extra confidence. That’s not to dismiss his efforts, however. With the commercial success of the Atelier Ryza series, he'd be better off holding out for a few more sequels until he unbandages his arm and shows off his true potential.
5 .hack//Infection - Elk
Dandere characters often find themselves clinging onto a trusted friend as they navigate through a frightening world. Elk from the .hack// series — a setting where ‘it’s just a game’ isn’t entirely accurate — does this with Amazonian cat mommy Mia. When she goes missing, however, Elk is forced to come out of his shell to save her in true loyal sidekick fashion.
Many credit the .hack// series as the creator of the video game isekai genre. Those who are fans of Sword Art Online are likely familiar with the concept, and luckily enough, the .hack// has plenty of anime series to binge like .hack//Sign which stars Tsukasa, a shy protagonist suspiciously similar to Elk.
4 Tales of Symphonia Chronicles: Dawn of the New World - Emil
Life’s hard when the well-respected protagonist from the last game murdered your parents. Misunderstanding or not, having to stare down your enemy’s memorial statue in the city square is enough to cause anyone to withdraw from society. But for a Tales of game, that's just par for the course — a series where protagonists get more than their fair share of psychological torment. The lore is deep, at least.
Emil's bullies certainly won't be the ones laughing by the end of the game. Granted, his kind nature makes him far from vindictive which is maybe for the best to avoid creating more dandere characters.
3 Final Fantasy 9 - Vivi
Final Fantasy 9 sets its tone and atmosphere early with Nobuo Uematsu’s gorgeous score, a quirky kingdom full of animal people, and of course, the introduction of the party’s black mage Vivi. Who would’ve thought that the same guy Meteor would be tripping over himself and getting accosted by rat boys (the Dark Link of cat boys) just 20 seconds into his screen time.
The Final Fantasy series is no stranger to dandare male characters either. Party mates in the past such as Final Fantasy 6's “spoony bard” Edward and Final Fantasy 13's shy Hope all started off timid and scared before unlocking their true potential. With Final Fantasy 16 coming out next year, one can only wonder if characters such as Joshua are a shoo-in for the dandere trope.
2 Nier - Emil
Coincidentally enough, the second Emil to make his way onto this list is the Nier series’ very own gorgon turned mechanical being. This Emil may not be the protagonist of the series, but those heavily invested in Nier lore will know him as more than just ‘that weird timid guy with the creepy mask’.
Before he was operating a supply shop, Emil was human — a child with a power to turn those around him to stone. And because he has white hair, there’s a small chance he may even end up as a protagonist of a spin-off game in the future.
1 Mother 3 - Lucas
The Earthbound series is influential in many regards with its unconventional setting and goofy antics. When it comes to narrative tropes, Earthbound — also known as Mother 2 in Japan — stripped JRPGs of their sword and sorcery roots and opted for a small town setting that changes forever after a meteor strike.
Mother 3 is no different. The game’s protagonist, Lucas, lacked the self-assurance and outgoing demeanor of JRPG heroes before him. But that made Lucas far from weak. To the contrary, it made his growth all the more narratively meaningful and argument for more dandere protagonists.