Dandere characters can range from a wide array of interpretations in anime. Sometimes they are portrayed as shy. Hinata from Naruto is a great female example. Due to past trauma, she is afraid of speaking her voice even though she has a lot of feelings to share. Dandere characters can also look completely emotionless.
Whatever the case may be there seems to be more female dandere characters out there compared to males. That doesn’t mean there are any shy, emotionless men in anime. Some of these characters are from the most popular anime around. They may stretch the meaning of dandere a bit but they should still count.
8 Alphonse - Fullmetal Alchemist
Alphonse is from Fullmetal Alchemist. He loses his body when he and his brother, Edward, try and bring their mom back from the dead. It doesn’t work. His body is gone while Edward only losses an arm and a leg.
Because his soul is bonded to a suit of armor, most people think he is the big, stronger brother. The opposite is true. For such a big fellow, Alphonse is more of a sensitive, shy character. He will do whatever he needs to for his loved ones though even though he might be afraid sometimes.
7 Gowther - The Seven Deadly Sins
Gowther shares a bond with Alphonse. He’s from The Seven Deadly Sins anime and is in fact one of the legendary knights of the same name. Most think Gowther is a big strong titan. However, the armored body some are used to is only a golem created by Gowther.
The character himself is like a hollow suit of armor as well. He was created. That’s why his emotions are always off base. He doesn’t understand humanity or even that betraying friends is a bad thing. Gowther certainly has some arcs in the anime.
6 Noto - Fire Force
Noto doesn’t get much time to shine in the first season of Fire Force. He does get to show off his wild moves in the second half of season two though. The main crew even gets to visit his homeland where he is able to sass with his mom in their southern twang.
It was fun to see Noto get out of his shell because he is pretty quiet up to that point. He doesn’t think his abilities are that strong compared to his comrades. He also has no ambition to fight. He’s afraid. The second half of season two changes that fear into power, lighting a fire in his soul.
5 Heero - Gundam Wing
Heero is an ace mech pilot from Gundam Wing. He was born for war meaning he is disposable. He knows that. The command behind this secret unit knows that but they still wish for Heero, and the other Gundam pilots, to succeed in their mission.
Everyone else in the unit displays emotion. Some more than others. Heero shows no emotion whatsoever from the first episode to the last. He does have some growth but for the most part, he is a cold stoned killer that means business.
4 Amajiki - My Hero Academia
Amajiki is from My Hero Academia. He is also known as Suneater. He is one of the most powerful students at U.A. but he doesn’t believe in himself. He thinks his powers are both lame and useless.
Strange as they may be, it’s what makes Amajiki strong. His classmates know this. If only he could awaken his heart and not be so nervous all the time. Koda is another strong silent type that barely says a word until a few seasons in. He’s more comfortable with animals.
3 Mob - Mob Psycho 100
Mob is the titular character from Mob Psycho 100. He’s an awkward child that looks simple on the outside but inside is a strong aura of psychic energy. He is the strongest psychic in the world. Mob just can’t control himself which is why he usually doesn’t try to push the limits.
Thankfully he has a teacher, Reigen, to guide him even though he is a con artist. Reigen still means well for the boy although it takes a while for him to get Mob out of his shell. It’s a learning process for all.
2 Shinji - Neon Genesis Evangelion
Shinji is an oddball but it’s not entirely his fault. His father, Gendo, seemingly abandoned him after his mother passed. Grief-stricken, Gendo clones his dead wife into a child, Rei. Gendo both loves Rei as a daughter, taking the place of Shinji, and as a wife although he doesn’t act like it.
That’s only part of the reason why Shinji doesn’t know how to talk to people in Neon Genesis Evangelion. He also pilots a giant mech, which also may be his mother, to fight angels. This is one messed-up anime.
1 Yukiteru - Future Diary
Yukiteru, or just Yuki, is from Future Diary. That anime is about people killing each other to become god. It’s like a Battle Royale game only contestants have cellphones with magical future sight powers.
Yuki was awkward before this mess started. He’s even more messed up after it begins. He doesn’t want to kill anyone or be killed but death keeps happening around him. Let’s not forget that there is a girl, Yuno, obsessed with him. Some might say he is a lucky guy, but there is a twist as to why Yuki should be warier of Yuno and this game overall.
