3. Yukako Yamagishi
Role: Side character, temporary antagonist
Anime: Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure – Diamond is Unbreakable
Genre: Action, Adventure
Episodes: 39
Stream available on: Crunchyroll, Netflix
originalYandere.
Yukako initially appears to be an unimportant character, who is saved by Koichi Hirose in the best “damsel in distress” fashion. This act is so impactful for Yukako that she instantly falls in love with him and tries to build a life together with him – whether he wants it or not.
Like most important characters in the JoJo universe, Yukako has an unusual power – the ability to manipulate her hair.
Even if Yukako slightly lags behind the “fame“ of other Yandere characters, she is considered by many to be the true, first archetype of this waifu variant. Because she existed before Yuno or Satou (who follows on the next page). And you all know: In the end, it is all just a JoJo reference.
What terrible thing has Yukako done?
After Yukako is initially portrayed as cute and loving, her obsession with Koichi Hirose quickly becomes apparent. When he does not clearly reciprocate her feelings, it leads to strong mood swings and violent outbursts.
Yukako subsequently captures Koichi and locks him up in her house. While doing this, she tries to brainwash him into becoming a “better version of himself” and a perfect husband for her. She uses her hair as a weapon to grab objects, strike, or – in particularly cruel cases – to “infect” bodies with her hair and control them like puppets to impose her will on others.
Although Yukako evolves into a somewhat more moderate character over the course of the story, her obsessive love is regarded as the basis for the Yandere archetype.
