Best Isekai Villainess Manga

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 thrust 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.

Updated November 22, 2024 by Ahmed Rehan Nasir: The isekai villainess subgenre has delved into all sorts of new themes and narratives, with newer villainess manga straying from the tried-and-tested otome setting.

From fantasy novels to RPG games, mangaka have come up with a number of intriguing settings that offer a fresh spin to the villainess theme. For avid fans of the theme who have exhausted their libraries, this list has been updated with a few more exciting isekai villainess manga.

13 The Villainess Who Became A Nightingale

MyAnimeList Rating: 6.77

Transmigrated villainesses are often portrayed as damsels in distress as they desperately try to evade their eventual fate. The Villainess Who Became a Nightingale manages to avoid this trope, as Leysritt focuses more on what she can offer to this world instead of worrying about her fate.

Being a nurse in her previous life, Leysritt brings her knowledge of modern medicine to this world, giving way to all sorts of new developments to take place. While the premise is akin to Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady With the Lamp, the manga adds a few novelties of its own in the form of Leysritt’s profession and knowledge of the medicinal framework.

12 The Villainess Is Adored By The Crown Prince Of The Neighboring Kingdom

MyAnimeList Rating: 6.79/10

The Villainess Is Adored by the Crown Prince of the Neighboring Kingdom initially follows the same premise as any other isekai villainess manga, with the protagonist regaining memories of her past life right before her trial. In this case, however, things pan out differently, as the prince of a neighboring nation saves the villainess from her doom-ridden fate.

While the manga is bogged down by a few unappealing elements, such as the ridiculously long and absurd character names and overused clichés, it still manages to offer a somewhat novel premise. Moreover, the romantic chemistry between the two primary characters makes up for these pitfalls.

11 Forget Being The Villainess, I Want To Be An Adventurer!

MyAnimeList Rating: 6.91/10

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True to its namesake, Forget Being the Villainess, I Want to Be an Adventurer! features the story of a transmigrated villainess who chooses to become an adventurer, all in a bid to avoid her grim fate. However, straying from the book’s storyline has its consequences, with the original characters from the story interfering with her plans.

While the manga has its unique nuances, Forget Being the Villainess, I Want to Be an Adventurer! is riddled with a few flaws. The age gap between the two primary love interests can seem a bit problematic, though a few time skips mitigate this issue to some extent. Moreover, the focus largely remains on Serefione and her tiger companion, which makes the rest of the manga’s cast feel rather shallow and underdeveloped. Nevertheless, the manga makes up for its flaws with a thoroughly unique premise that meshes together villainess themes with isekai adventure.

10 Cross-Dressing Villainess Cecilia Sylvie

MyAnimeList Rating: 6.92/10

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.

9 The Villainess Wants To Marry A Commoner!!

MyAnimeList Rating: 6.92/10

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.

8 Young Lady Albert Is Courting Disaster

MyAnimeList Rating: 6.97

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The usual premise of isekai villainess narratives revolves around undoing the villainess’ doom-laden fate. Young Lady Albert Is Courting Disaster, on the other hand, has an entirely contrary premise. After realizing she is the villainess of an otome game, Mary Albert vows to go down the same path as the original villainess, despite being aware of the eventual fate that awaits her.

The premise might be unique, yet Young Lady Albert Is Courting Disaster falls into a few common pitfalls. With a rushed pacing, the manga fails to flesh out its ancillary characters, coupled with a lack of reasoning behind the villainess’ actions. Nevertheless, the manga is perfect for those new to the isekai villainess theme, especially since the narrative doesn’t delve into any intricate plotlines.

7 My Lady Just Wants To Relax

MyAnimeList Rating: 7.0/10

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.

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Instead of trying to change the course of the storyline, Ronia accepts her exile and decides to open 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.

6 I’ll Become A Villainess Who Goes Down In History

MyAnimeList Rating: 7.10/10

Similar to any other villainess manga, I’ll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History starts with the transmigration of a young girl in the body of Alicia, the villainess of an otome game. There’s a twist, however, as the newly transmigrated villainess earnestly takes on the role of the antagonist, even vowing to become the greatest villainess of all time.

The manga certainly defies the usual premise that villainess storylines feature, even more so with a focus on political nuances instead of the usual romance-centered themes. The manga’s success has landed the title an anime adaptation that is set to premiere in Fall of 2024.

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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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

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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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.

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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

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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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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