The Captivating Charm of 'I’m in Love With the Villainess': An Audacious Start
I’m in Love With the Villainess captivates viewers with its bold and captivating start, injecting a refreshing Shoujo-Ai perspective into the Otome genre This Fall season's gem offers an enchanting journey through an Otome Bliss, love at first sight, three original routes, and a treat for Otome veterans
Highlights
"Introducing its same-sex storyline, "I'm in Love With the Villainess" sets the pace for the Fall season with an exhilarating and invigorating Otome anime that wastes no time.
Rae Taylor's intense infatuation with Claire Francois, the Villainess, forms the basis of a nontraditional love story. In an unconventional twist, Rae finds pleasure in being demeaned by Claire and actively encourages her to exhibit more cruelty.
However, the presence of three original routes in the game, showcasing the princes from the noble Bauer family, introduces an unusual love triangle that may present challenges to the budding romance between Rae and Claire.
Spoiler warning for I’m in Love With the Villainess, Episode 1, "Rushing Headlong into Life in Another World," now available on Crunchyroll.
With its first episode, I’m in Love With the Villainess has launched the Fall season of 2023, immersing viewers in the captivating world of Otome. The popular light novel's success has paved the way for an anime adaptation, generating high expectations among fans for this dynamic storytelling format. From the start, I’m in Love With the Villainess wastes no time in setting up its premise, diving straight into the action with its main characters.
An Otome Bliss
As an Otome anime, the series revolves around Rae Taylor, the protagonist who finds herself transmigrated into her favorite dating sim, Revolution. Instead of following the traditional route of pursuing the three princes, Rae sets her sights on wooing the Villainess, Claire Francois. The series boldly embraces its Yuri narrative by introducing viewers to a same-sex storyline right from the start. While this subgenre may cater to a specific audience, it undeniably offers a refreshing perspective to the Otome genre.
Similar to other Otome anime, the protagonist of "I'm in Love With the Villainess" is a hardworking Japanese woman who is obsessed with a dating sim called Revolution. Her intense fascination with the game leads to her being transported into the game's enchanting world, where she replaces the main character, Rae Taylor. In the game, "Taylor" serves as the preset surname, while "Rae" represents the young woman's username.
Love at First Sight?
's approach to the Otome transmigration is remarkably casual, as she quickly grasps her reincarnation into the game. However, she swiftly adapts to the new world and exudes excitement at having escaped her previous life. Without hesitation, she cheerfully embraces her destiny and sets forth towards her ultimate objective – winning the heart of the villainess.
The series delves straight into the Yuri elements of the show as Rae's first words in the new world are, "I love you," expressing her immediate affection for Claire Francois. While the series may initially give the impression of a love-at-first-sight scenario, the truth is that Rae had already felt a strong connection to Claire even before being reborn in the game's world.
Rae believes that the villainess is a misunderstood character driven by a desire for acceptance. With this perspective, Rae enthusiastically sets out to win Claire over, albeit using unconventional methods. As the villainess's role is to torment the protagonist, Rae takes pleasure in being humiliated by Claire and even encourages her to be more cruel and sadistic.
The entire first episode revolves around Rae challenging Claire to be even more ruthless towards her. However, Claire finds Rae's aggressive advances and overt displays of affection unsettling. While Rae's feelings may be genuine, her approach appears to be aimed at provoking the villainess further. Rae also risks alienating Claire with her peculiar behavior, forcing her to find an alternative way to express her emotions sincerely.
The Game’s Three Original Routes
Rae Taylor's infatuation with Claire may give the impression that they are meant to be in the game. However, the actual plot involves three princes from the Bauer noble family: Rod, Yu, and Thane. While Rae never considered these routes, the game is designed so that all three princes end up vying for the protagonist.
Rae has already attracted the attention of all three princes, meaning their approaches are imminent in the upcoming episodes. Meanwhile, Claire Francois is in love with Thane Bauer, creating a peculiar love triangle. While Rae may not be interested in pursuing the princes, Claire is completely devoted to Thane. This predicament could potentially pose as one of the many obstacles that Rae and Claire's romance may face.
An Otome Veteran
Rerouting Otome games is nearly impossible due to the predetermined destinies of each character, except for the protagonist and the potential routes. However, Rae possesses comprehensive knowledge of the game, including all events and mini-games. This unique understanding gives her the potential to change the villainess' fate and finally bring about a happy ending.
Rae has confidently claimed to have more knowledge about the game than even its developers, and her exceptional performance on school exams lends credence to this statement. Her unmatched skills and knowledge within the academy allow her to effortlessly manipulate the game's storyline. These early developments in "I'm in Love With the Villainess" hold great promise.
