The yandere trope is a character archetype commonly found in anime, manga, and related media. A yandere is someone—who is obsessively in love with another character to the point of being mentally unstable. The term blends "yanderu" (病んでる, meaning mentally or emotionally ill) and "deredere" (デレデレ, meaning affectionate or lovestruck). Yandere characters often start off sweet and devoted but reveal intense possessiveness, jealousy, and sometimes violent tendencies. Their love can become dangerously obsessive, leading them to harm others—or even the object of their affection—if they feel threatened or rejected. This trope is known for its blend of cuteness and horror, highlighting the extremes of love twisted into obsession and control. Yandere characters can be tragic, terrifying, or darkly comedic, depending on the tone of the story.