I’m in Love with the Villainess starts out as a silly isekai romance but grows into a story that earnestly advocates for queer people, taking on complex subjects like homophobia, transphobia, and classism. However, the story’s reliance on messy tropes can sometimes muddle its messages.
Mar 6, 2024 • Subscribe
More like this
My Fave is Problematic: Bleach
Bleach means quite a lot to me. It’s the foundation for so much of my work as an artist and writer that breaking it down into its smaller…
My Fave is Problematic: Kakegurui
It soon becomes clear that within Hyakkaou Academy, it's the women who get shit done. That was where I found what had first caught my interest in the…
My Fave is Problematic: Nobunagun
You never know when a series you watch on a whim will turn out to be one of your favorites. That’s how I discovered Nobunagun: I just plopped…
My Fave is Problematic: Free!
One of the biggest gripes I have now with Free! is the amount of fanservice the show throws at you. While the perfectly sculpted muscles of the main…
My Fave is Problematic: Samurai Flamenco
No one has ever asked whether Samurai Flamenco is good, because the question is a loud and simultaneous "no" and "yes." But the question of whether it "counts"…
My Fave is Problematic: Golden Boy
Content warning: Fanservice, harassment, sexualization of minors Golden Boy is an ecchi comedy anime where all women are queens and the main character, Oe Kintaro, considers himself lucky…
My Fave is Problematic: Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
As I took in each new part and new Jojo, I became increasingly invested in the story and characters, and when Stone Ocean was finally adapted, Jolyne was…
My Fave is Problematic: Attack on Titan
As it stands, no matter how Attack on Titan ends, its legacy will be a divisive one: a lauded masterpiece to some and despised propaganda piece to others.…
My Fave is Problematic: Yu Yu Hakusho
The lovable characters have kept me hooked on Yu Yu Hakusho for the past 18 years, in addition to the “fight your enemies head on and defeat them…
My Fave is Problematic: Phantom Thief Jeanne
As Jeanne, Maron steals paintings possessed by demons trying to steal the beauty of human hearts, weaken God, and strengthen the Demon Lord. By doing so, Maron seals…
My Fave is Problematic: Mad Bull 34
Mad Bull 34 cranks up the absurd action of buddy-cop movies in a way only the animated medium can. But the series and buddy-cop movies in general have…
My Fave Is Problematic: Stop!! Hibari-Kun!
The dichotomy of Hibari as both a progressive trans narrative and an ignorant product of its time showcases Japan's complicated relationship with trans women and other marginalized groups.
My Fave is Problematic: The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
From 2007 to 2011 or so, Kyoto Animation’s multimedia juggernaut dominated most aspects of Western anime fandom. Whether getting stormed by a “Hare Hare Yukai” flash mob at…
Anime Like I’m in Love with the Villainess
Overworked office worker Rei Oohashi is thrilled when one day she wakes up as the protagonist in her favorite otome game, Revolution.
Endo and Kobayashi Live! The Latest on Tsundere Villainess Lieselotte, Otherside Picnic, The Executioner and Her Way of Life, The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady
First Impression: I’m in Love with the Villainess
All of us have our unusual picks for our favorite characters in anime or games. But for salarywoman Rae, her favorite is maybe a little more unusual than…
I’m in Love with the Villainess, Vol. 5
By Inori and Hanagata. Released in Japan as “Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijou” by GL Bunko. Released in North America by Seven Seas. Translated by Kevin Ishizaka.…
I’m in Love with the Villainess, Vol. 1
By Inori and Hanagata. Released in Japan as “Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijou” by GL Bunko. Released in North America by Seven Sas. Translated by Jenn Yamazaki.…
Episode 292 - I’m in Love with the Villainess
This week, we're breaking out the yams early! The winter anime season is just getting started and Shaun found it a good time to show Remington 3 episodes…
First Glance: I’m in Love with the Villainess
Alternative title(s): Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijou, WataOshiLight Novel Adaptation by Platinum VisionStreaming on Crunchyroll
I’m in Love with the Villainess Review — B
Like the title says.
I’m In Love with the Villainess 2021 Milestones
2021 was a great year for anime, and most importantly, yuri. It was the year I was introduced to probably one of the greatest yuri series of all…
First Look: I’m in Love with the Villainess
What if a girl reincarnated into an otome game fully of hot male singles ready to mingle, but she was actually gay?
I’m In Love With The Villainess, Volume 5
I have already read, enjoyed and reviewed this volume twice previously. The first time in Japanese and the second time in digital format, because I did not want…
I’m in Love With the Villainess, Volume 2
Remember how amazed we were in Volume 1, when the characters of Claire, Misha and Rae has a frank discussion of sexuality? Well, I’m In Love With The…
I’m in Love with the Villainess, Vol. 4
By Inori and Hanagata. Released in Japan as “Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijou” by GL Bunko. Released in North America by Seven Seas. Translated by Kevin Ishizaka.…
I’m In Love with the Villainess – Episode 1
A lot of your taste for this one will depend on how you feel about the tsundere and her attached tropes, but there's a lot to hope for…
I’m in Love With the Villainess, Volume 5
“What if you had the chance to remake the entire world in order to save the person you love…and learned that the world was never what it seemed?”…
I’m in Love with the Villainess, Vol. 2
By Inori and Hanagata. Released in Japan as “Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijou” by GL Bunko. Released in North America by Seven Sas. Translated by Jenn Yamazaki.…
I’m in Love with the Villainess, Volume 2
I’m in Love with the Villainess, Volume 2 is a super fun volume of this story. In many ways, it’s the first turn away from goofy comedy to…
I’m in Love with the Villainess, Vol. 3
By Inori and Hanagata. Released in Japan as “Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijou” by GL Bunko. Released in North America by Seven Seas. Translated by Kevin Ishizaka.…
I’m In Love With the Villainess and ‘The Talk’
Welcome back to Reality in Anime Week. ^_^ We’ve already discussed The Power of Hope ~ Precure in Full Bloom~’s honest look at adult life. Today we turn…
I’m In Love With the Villainess Episode 1: Bully Love
It is time. As always: 1: No source spoilers. 2: No comparing the anime with the source.
I’m in Love with the Villainess – 08 – Labors of Love
Well now, our kooky isekai lesbian rom-com has suddenly taken a turn towards the serious and dramatic. Since it’s dealt with serious matters before—like Rae opening up about…
Rambling thoughts on 「I’m In Love with the Villainess」
Thoughts that I had while reading a new favorite light novel.
489th G-View: I’m in Love With The Villainess
We start to wrap up the 2023 G-Views starting with one for one of the most anticipated anime adaptations of the year not only in Yuridom but even…
I’m in Love With the Villainess, Volume 1…again!
It’s not unheard of that we sometimes review the same book more than once here on Okazu. Books that were published by one company, then again by another…
I’m in Love with the Villainess – 05 – Knight Trials
Upon discovering Rae’s new familiar Ralaire, Claire prepares to report it so it can be killed, and isn’t impressed by its lesser tricks. So Rae appeals to Claire’s…
I’m in Love with the Villainess Audiobook, Volume 4
We left Rae and Claire in the Nur empire at the end of Volume 3, and in I’m in Love with the Villainess Audiobook, Volume 4 we get…
I’m in Love with the Villainess – 10 – Princess Perfect
Lene is not replaced, making Rae the only maid tending to Claire at school. But when it comes to little things like brushing Claire’s hair, Rae has a…
I’m in Love with the Villainess Audiobook, Volume 3
When I reviewed Heimin no Kuse ni Namaikina!, Volume 3 (平民のくせに生意気な！), I said I would tell you all about my weakness. Well, as I read this volume I…
I’m in Love With the Villainess Manga, Volume 1
If you’re reading this, you’re probably aware that this particular isekai series has been given a lot of space in Yuri fandom’s head these days. With the successful…
I’m in Love with the Villainess Audiobook, Volume 2
Rae and Claire are about to face their reckoning, once again, in I’m in Love with the Villainess Audiobook, Volume 2. The revolution is upon them, the various…
I’m in Love with the Villainess Vol 1 Review
Well, here’s a first. I’m actually reviewing a manga adaptation of a light novel series where I’ve read the source material (shocking, I know)! The I’m in Love…
I’m in Love with the Villainess – 06 – Claire Brûlée
No sooner do the Academy Knights’ newest members attend their first meeting does President Kruget (Claire’s Flunky #1’s big bro) announce the upcoming Foundation Day Fair, which i…
I’m In Love With The Villainess Manga, Volume 5
In the aftermath of the Commoner’s Movement and her loss of someone important to her, Claire has been listless and resistant to any attempt by Rae to lighten…
I’m in Love with the Villainess Audiobook, Volume 1
If you’ve been reading Okazu for a while, you may know that I love(d) Drama CDs. The Drama C D category here on Okazu has nearly 100 Yuri…
I’m In Love With The Villainess Manga, Volume 4
It’s already been 5 months since I read the fourth manga volume of Watashi no Oshi ha Akuyaku Reijou. This volume is as I said in that review,…
I’m in Love with the Villainess – 11 – Jolene Complex
You’ve probably heard Dolly Parton’s “Jolene”, or her apprentice Miley Cyrus’ cover of same. It’s a gorgeous, song full of pain and longing, and reminded me of R…
I’m in Love with the Villainess: Language of Flowers
In lieu of the release of the 3rd manga volume of beloved series I’m in Love with the Villainess (congrats Inori sensei and Aonoshimo and Hanagata sensei!), I…
I’m in Love with the Villainess – 04 – This is Where the Magic Happens
This week begins with a rather lengthy lecture on the magical system of this world, which isn’t anything fancy. You have your fire, earth, wind, and water, each…