"Yandere" is a Japanese term for a fictional character who is obsessively possessive and devoted to a love interest, often resorting to violence to maintain control. The term is a combination of the Japanese words "yanderu" (to be sick) and "deredere" (lovestruck). Yandere characters are often portrayed as sweet and innocent at first, but can suddenly switch to displaying extreme, psychotic, or violent devotion.