Highlights
- Isekai villainess manga bring a fresh twist to the overused reincarnation trope, adding mature themes and unorthodox narratives.
- Cross-dressing isekai villainess Cecilia Sylvie merges two eccentric tropes for an amusing premise, saving herself from doom.
- The One Within the Villainess flips the script by reawakening the original villainess, adding vengeance and unique plot twists.
Deviating from the conventional framework of embarking on fantastical adventures, isekai villainess manga have carved out an entirely new subgenre that has revolutionized the overused reincarnation trope. With the inescapable fate of the villainess forcefully thrusted upon the protagonist, a race against time ensues for these contrived villainesses to undo their doom-ridden fate.
Although the premise of villainess storylines tends to teeter on the comedic side of things, a few mature themes are often embedded in the narrative. The villainess trope has traditionally been confined to otome (dating sim) settings, but recent isekai villainess manga have introduced rather unorthodox narratives. Some denounce their villainess origins, while others play the game to their advantage, though the bottom line remains the same — doom is inevitable.
8 Cross-Dressing Villainess Cecilia Sylvie
MyAnimeList Rating: 6.87/10
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Release Date |
May 22, 2020 |
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No. Of Chapters |
24+ |
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Author |
Hiroro Akizakura |
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Japanese Title |
Akuyaku Reijou, Cecilia Sylvie wa Shinitakunai node Dansou suru Koto ni Shita. |
At the age of five, the arrogant and entitled Cecilia Sylvie regains her memories of a past life, accompanied by the realization that she is the villainess of an otome. With every route leading to her eventual demise, Cecilia decides to improvise by cross-dressing as a boy named Cecil.
Cecilia’s cross-dressing antics may save her from her fate, but only if she can maintain her guise. As one of the few cross-dressing isekai villainess manga out there, Cross-Dressing Villainess Cecilia Sylvie merges two eccentric tropes for a truly amusing premise.
7 The Villainess Wants to Marry a Commoner!!
MyAnimeList Rating: 6.92/10
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Release Date |
Mar 6, 2018 |
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No. Of Chapters |
16 |
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Author |
Riko Anzutei |
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Japanese Title |
Akuyaku Reijou wa, Shomin ni Totsugitai!! |
As a fan of the game ‘Love Magical,’ the would-be villainess always had her eyes set on the supporting character named Ursch, even forgoing the game’s main leads. After being reincarnated as villainess Isabella Ali Rottenstein in the same game, she no longer has to fawn over Ursch through her screen.
Isabella may be the villainess, but a fickle title like that won’t stop her from winning Ursch over. The Villainess Wants to Marry a Commoner!! stays true to its namesake, with the transmigrated villainess denouncing her evil origins simply to be with her favorite commoner.
6 My Lady Just Wants to Relax
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.0/10
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Release Date |
Mar 5, 2019 |
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No. Of Chapters |
34+ |
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Author |
Beni Mitsuki |
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Japanese Title |
Reijou wa Mattari wo Goshomou. |
A Japanese office lady finds herself reincarnated to the last novel she read right before her demise. Taking on the role of Ronia, the villainess eventually defeated and banished in the novel, the transmigrated protagonist remains aware of the eventual punishment that awaits her.
Instead of trying to change the course of the storyline, Ronia accepts her exile and decides on opening a café in the countryside. My Lady Just Wants to Relax features a rather laid-back approach to the isekai villainess trope, with a protagonist who simply wishes to relax.
5 With One Day Left I’ll Break All the Destruction Flags: “Serves You Right!” RTA 24 Hour Record
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.58/10
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Release Date |
Dec 24, 2021 |
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No. Of Chapters |
18 |
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Author |
Shun Fukutome |
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Japanese Title |
Nokori Ichinichi de Hametsu Flag Zenbu Heshiorimasu: Zamaa RTA Kiroku 24Hr |
With just one day left before her condemnation, Alexandra regains her memories and realizes that a doom-ridden fate awaits her in less than 24 hours. With her life on the line, Alexandra tries to reroute the game’s course, all while avoiding any death flags that would speed up her impending doom.
With One Day Left I’ll Break All the Destruction Flags: “Serves You Right!” RTA 24 Hour Record might be similar to other isekai otome narratives, yet the 24-hour deadline adds a unique sense of urgency to the premise.
4 The Fed Up Office Lady Wants to Serve the Villainess
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.66/10
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Release Date |
Aug 23, 2022 |
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No. Of Chapters |
17+ |
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Author |
Nekotarou |
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Japanese Title |
Genkai OL-san wa Akuyaku Reijou-sama ni Tsukaetai |
After losing her job for an absurd reason, Midori Natori finds herself siphoned into her favorite novel RPG game. Instead of transmigrating into the game as either the villainess or the heroine, Midori maintains her own identity within the game, without being bound by the game’s storyline.
With the game’s villainess Lapis Tenebrae standing before her, Midori pledges her allegiance to the wicked character, vowing to serve her till the very end. The Fed Up Office Lady Wants to Serve the Villainess switches things up in the narrative by introducing a protagonist willing to root for the villainess.
3 Accomplishments of the Duke’s Daughter
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.72/10
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Release Date |
Dec 22, 2015 |
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No. Of Chapters |
65+ |
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Author |
Suki Umemiya |
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Japanese Title |
Koushaku Reijou no Tashinami |
Accomplishments of the Duke’s Daughter starts off right after the transmigrated villainess fails to undo her fate. Despite being banished to the Church to spend her life as a nun, Iris luckily convinces the Duke to grant her a position of power within the kingdom.
Equipped with the knowledge of her past life, Iris sets out to modernize the world of this otome game. With a mix of political intrigue, business strategies, and policymaking, Accomplishments of the Duke’s Daughter presents a more mature take on the isekai villainess narrative.
2 An Observation Log of My Fiancé Who Calls Herself a Villainess
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.76/10
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Release Date |
May 7, 2018 |
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No. Of Chapters |
38 |
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Author |
Shiki |
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Japanese Title |
Jishou Akuyaku Reijou na Konyakusha no Kansatsu Kiroku |
As a natural genius, the trivialities of everyday life became a bore for Crown Prince Cecil, though his grievances finally came to an end the day he met Bertia Ibil Noches, his would-be fiancé, who calls herself a villainess. Claiming to be in an otome game, Bertia decided to take on the role of a villainess rather earnestly, though her actions would only come off as sincere to others.
With Bertia and her villainess eccentricities, there’s never a dull day in Prince Cecil’s life. An Observation Log of My Fiancée Who Calls Herself a Villainess features the whimsical side of the isekai villainess trope with a narrative that stands out.
1 The One Within the Villainess
MyAnimeList: 8.25/10
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Release Date |
Nov 19, 2021 |
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No. Of Chapters |
19+ |
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Author |
Makiburo |
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Japanese Title |
Akuyaku Reijou no Naka no Hito |
Isekai villainess manga usually center around the protagonist transmigrating into the villainess’ body, but The One Within the Villainess flips the script by reawakening the original villainess after the protagonist succumbs to her doom-laden fate. Once the original Remilia reawakens, she vows to inflict vengeance on those who wronged the transmigrated girl in her body.
Isekai villainess narratives tend to erase the original villainess after the protagonist takes over their body, making The One Within the Villainess’ premise a first within this trope. With a well-established plot and intriguing characters, this isekai manga does the trope justice through its creative novelties.
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