Yandere Senpai: A Yandere Guide

Yandere Tropes [Part 2]

[If you haven't read Part 1, please do that before continuing here. Like before, these are opinions, so please don't come at me if you don't like what I have to say...]

1: Stalker Has a Stalker: 

This is an interesting dynamic. When the yandere stalks their target, and discovers that they are being stalked as well, it is a twist that I always love seeing. The mystery and the thrill keep me on my toes. The only time I dislike this trope is when it is a repetitive plot twist. For example- the yandere is stalked, yandere finds out who is stalking them, yandere kills the other stalker (with little resistance may I add), and a few chapters later, someone else is stalking them or the person they love. After a while, it gets repetitive.

2: The Shrine: 

The infamous yandere shrine... While I know plenty of people who despise this, I LOVE IT, and I'll tell you why. Firstly, you never know how crazy a yandere is when you are first introduced to them. When the reader learns that they have a shrine? It is a whole new level of creepy. Second, the obsession is apparent. Yanderes are well known to be lovesick and obsessed. Shrines are an easy and effective way to capitalize on this. And finally... I don't think it is an overused trope. If anything, I barely see it in books, outside of manga and games (ex: Yandere Simulator)!

3: Domestic Abuse: 

Some yanderes are abusive. There have been cases where yanderes will even cripple their love interest if they see fit. In the end, some form of abuse is a given when you are dealing with these sensitive topics. However, I still hate when people use domestic abuse as a relationship dynamic. A yandere may not know the definition of "love", but I find it hard to believe that they would repeatedly harm someone that means so much to them. Especially if their character is to be manipulative and calculating - there are better ways of showing that a character is crazy, evil, or abusive. Emotional or psychological abuse are good examples. Not to mention, they can be so much more effective to the story!

4: Non-Con: 

This is self-explanatory. Can we please just get rid of this trope? I see it constantly in manga, whether it has yanderes or not. It's 2021, it's time for this trope to die off!!

5: Always To The Rescue: 

The yandere is always at the right place at the right time. Main character getting mugged? Have no fear, Yandere is here! Main character getting bullied? Yandere shows up and rescues them in the knick of time. Main character is kidnapped by someone else? Yandere shows up and saves the day... This is another trope I'd like to see disappear. Being to the rescue once or twice is cute and sweet. But when the main character turns into a damsel in distress, and doesn't even question how the yandere knows where they are every time they are in trouble, this trope gets on my nerves.