Typically restricted to anime and visual novels, the yandere trope is a divisive one. So smitten that reason or the lives of others matter little, yandere characters are determined to have their love interest requite their emotions. Forming a loving, supportive bond is one solution, but so is slaughtering anyone who stands in their way.
Many complain that the damsel in distress trope is tired and overplayed. Are yandere female characters a step in a better direction? Or maybe just a case that one extreme isn't made better by another. It's all entertainment at least! Finding any of these characters in real life would be a clear message to run.
10 NieR: Automata – Simone
A quest for beauty leads NieR: Automata’s early boss Simone to cannibalize her own kind. White-haired duo 9S and 2B just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But if one bad reason for large-scale murder wasn’t enough, it’s the reveal that it all was for her beloved that makes the situation yandere.
After the fight, the protagonists — 2B being quite a tsundere herself — even discuss their enemy’s motives. Can machines truly love? Apparently! And so much so to get caught up in jealousy and rage.
9 Skies of Arcadia – Clara
Anyone referred to as the ‘nicest stalker’ is bound to be somewhere on the yandere scale. Clara from the pirating world of Skies of Arcadia is in it for the long haul. She chases down Vyse on the rare chance that he may one day reciprocate her feelings. Is she successful? Not really, but at least it doesn’t end in murder.
‘Benign yandere’ is still yandere nonetheless. And when Vyse is kidnaped, he’s uncomfortable enough with the thought of Clara rescuing him that he considers remaining in his cell. If it were a side quest to rescue Clara, there's not a high chance that Vyse would reciprocate.
8 Final Fantasy 10-2 – Leblanc
What more could the leader of a successful crime syndicate ask for? More money and power? No, just the heart of a political activist possessed by a vengeful spirit. The Final Fantasy series has its fair share of crazed villains. Leblanc may have nothing on the likes of Kefka or Sephiroth, but blowing kisses to a golden statue of the man she loves doesn’t speak to her stability.
Through her own admission, Leblanc only became a sphere hunter to remain in Nooj’s good graces. If she knew that she was merely helping him summon an ancient evil? She’d probably still do his bidding regardless.
7 Disgaea 3 – Sapphire
When first introduced, the turn-based tactical game Disgaea 3’s Sapphire proves to be far less cute and sweet than she initially appears when she pulls a gun on a classmate and nearly blasts him to bits. Already with a homicidal streak — unintentionally or otherwise — it’s when Almaz protects her that she’s given more fuel for her bloodlust.
In Disgaea 5, there’s also the option for the player to obtain their own faithful yandere maid, assuming they can handle all that entails. Would she be a contender for best JRPG maid? Well, she'd seek and destroy if she wasn't included anyway.
6 Shin Megami Tensei – Yuriko
Introduced all the way back in the first Shin Megami Tensei game (not to be confused with the first game in the entire Megami Tensei series), Yuriko is a demon who haunts the protagonist in his dreams — first in a ploy to lead him to his death and later to keep him in her clutches. Her obsessive nature may have cooled in later games, but a desire to execute anyone who dares catch the eye of her dear protagonist makes her yandere status clear.
The game’s roots in the Digital Devil Story novels make it surprising that there aren’t more yandere villains. A tale of star-crossed lovers summoning demons and love acting as the ultimate justification for violence? That’s just spawning ground for yandere and fun but brutal games.
5 Legend of Mana – Sandra
Everyone in Legend of Mana — debatably the best game in the Mana series — is a little off-the-wall. With just the right gentle nudge from the protagonist, total destruction may be averted... or homicidal maniacs just feel all the more emboldened.
Traveling to the aptly named Gate of Sappho will allow the party to confront Sandra who, after revealing that her true identity has more syllables, will explain that she only tried to slaughter her entire race for love. The Jumi, a race of humanoid people possessing a crystal core and a potential inspiration for the TV show Steven Universe, were doomed to death. So Sandra took the yandere route and slaughtered everyone so that their crystal cores may protect her beloved Florina.
4 Tales of Berseria – Velvet
There’s a healthy range of overprotectiveness that one can feel for their younger sibling. Going full-demonic with an arm that could entice Ryouji Minagawa to consult his legal team stretches beyond that. One could argue that it was the initial trauma of losing her brother that caused Tales of Berseria’s Velvet to snap. As far as naming a new party member after said brother and molding him into Laphicet 2.0? Yeah, it’s harder to make excuses.
Unfortunately for Velvet, her obsession and trauma make her a useful tool for the story’s villains who — before the power of friendship prevails — use her to summon the powerful being Innominat. It turns out that manipulating a yandere character only works if they don’t switch their obsession to someone else.
3 Arc Rise Fantasia – Adele
Often remaining under the radar (likely due to its Wii-exclusive release), Arc Rise Fantasia may not appear unique at first glance. Turn-based combat? Check. Wooden voice acting? Check. A yandere party member who betrays the crew because the protagonist has a new healer in his party? Uh, there’s something memorable.
Adele did get the short end of the stick in all fairness. Her love interest, L’Arc, communicates to her exclusively through negging, and she has Alf foaming at the mouth for her rebound phase. Add to that an entire empire out to kill her and L’Arc pushing her away was just the final straw.
2 Xenoblade Chronicles – Azami
With her eerie gaze and unwavering dedication, it was always clear that something was ‘off’ with Xenoblade Chronicles’ Azami. Sinking ships to be beside her beloved and listing strangling as a fun cooperative activity settles any confusion about how yandere she truly is. That's just par for the course in these types of games.
Taking a look at her skill tree proves that her obsession is more than just narrative fluff. ‘Pain of Longing’ increases affinity when her Driver takes damage. And her Vendetta voiceline, "Nothing can stand in the way of us now, don't you agree?" is the final nail in the coffin for anyone who dares stand between her and her love interest.
1 Fire Emblem Fates – Camilla
Many likely know the saying, “If you love someone, let them go.” However, Fire Emblem Fates’ Camilia subscribes to the school of thought that says, “If you love someone, slaughter their entire family so they’ll be forced to come back to you.” Her success just depends on whether someone bought Fire Emblem Conquest or Birthright.
Regardless, protagonist Corrin needs to remain on their toes. Getting smothered due to love or hatred matters little when death is the final result. Great stats though.