I'm in Love with the Villainess

 

"I'm in Love with the Villainess"
by Aonoshimo, Inori, and Hanagata

I favor the villainess, better known as I'm in love with the villainess is a compelling yuri that was recently adapted into a popular anime. The plot follows a woman in her 20's (Rei Taylor) being reincarnated into her beloved otome game, transporting her to a fantasy world filled with magic, princes, and the royal academy she's enrolled in. When she was alive, she heavily researched the game to write fanfiction about her favorite character, Claire Francois. Due to her excessive knowledge about the games event and mechanics (as well as the protagonist buff), Rei uses her advantage as a way to keep Claire safe from her early end. The princes she was meant to romance go forgotten, as Rei tries to get closer and closer with Claire (who hates her). Though this series is focused on the evolution of Rei and Claire's relationship from one sided hatred to partners in battle, but it also tackles more serious topics, like bullying, gender dysphoria, and classism. 
I went into this manga expecting a silly love-at-first sight romance, but found that I was completely wrong. Rei's love for Claire is not purely comedic, or in the spur of the moment. It's a slowly developed fondness for Claire's petty evil works and frivolous nature through heavy studying of her character. Rei in no way sees her as perfect by any means, but instead loves the malicious, angry parts of Claire with her whole heart. To see that same development happen the other way around, forcing Claire to look at Rei as more than a simple "commoner" who's obsessed with her was a heart-warming experience that makes this series easily get to my top three yuris. 
I'm in love with the villainess is such a fun and original spin on the reincarnation trope, leaving an unforgettable mark in the yuri community. The manga is still ongoing (as is the anime), and I'm excited to read and watch much more of it in the near future. I hope you'll do the same! 

-Leaf Walker
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Dictionary:
Yuri: Media based around relationships of women
Otome: Dating simulator (think DDLC or if it wasn't horror)
Iseki: The trope of being transported from one world or age to another
Dysphoria: Significant distress about gender incongruence

actual panel from the manga 





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