Otome isekai series are all the rage right now. Whether it's manga, light novels or webtoons or anime, fans love discovering how modern-day people would handle being in a fantasy or fictional world.
While most protagonists simply want to start anew and live life in peace and comfort, there are some heroines who want to live their lives to the fullest by choosing the villainess' path. However, it seems that even being evil is easier said than done. Try as they might, these five otome isekai villainesses are certainly doing their jobs poorly.
Melissa Foddebrat (All The Men That Loved Her)
Former university student Melissa never thought of herself as a villain her entire life -- until she turned into the despicable villainess in the novel All The Men That Loved Her after dying. Like all isekai protagonists, she thought long and hard about her circumstances. What could a girl fated to be dumped by her fiancé, the crown prince, and become the country's laughingstock do?
In her new body, Melissa Foddebrat could only come to one concrete conclusion: to get rid of all the good for nothing male love interests and save Yuri, the heroine, from a crappy life, in the ultimate role-reversal. But by choosing to become a villain to the male leads, she becomes Yuri's genuine supporter and friend. Therefore, the title 'villainess' is no longer suitable for; instead, she becomes the antihero in the story.
Having foresight of future events and secret information, Melissa successfully intervenes in each of the male leads' attempts to woo Yuri. She simultaneously gains the heroine's favor while putting the men out of the race for her heart. At this rate, Melissa's more likely to end up as Yuri's hero than any of the guys.
Cardinal Browrose (What Should A Villainess Do?)
After surviving a drowning incident, Cardinal Browrose suddenly realizes that she's a villainess in the world of a light novel otome game, What Should a Villainess Do? (Akuyaku Reijoutte Nani Wo Sureba In Dake?) As a pharmaceutical researcher in her past life, she loved reading light novels, especially those under the isekai category. Despite this, she never really got to play any game based on the genre.
Now reborn, she has a chance to play the real-life version of the game. Unlike most protagonists who usually panic or dread the role, Cardinal instead wants to witness the story's development with her own eyes. She even decides to make sure that the heroine gets her happily ever after with the prince by plotting to help them fall in love with her malice.
Of course, nothing goes according to plan when it comes to the world of an isekai villainess. Because of Cardinal's choices, she attracts both of the main leads, becoming the object of their affections. Far from fulfilling the evil role, she becomes the heroine's best friend and the prince's love interest. Not only is she lacking in being a villain, she even ends up taking the female lead's spot. If there were a test for villainy, she'd indeed deserve nothing but an F.
Alicia (I'll Become a Villainess That Will Go Down in History)
Contrary to most otome isekai leads, Alicia, the protagonist of I'll Become a Villainess That Will Go Down in History (Rekishi ni Nokoru Akuji Ni Naru Zo: Akuyaku Reijou Ni Naru Hodo Ouji No Dekiai Wa Kasoku Suru You Desu!) hated the heroine and loved the villainess. She disliked how the female lead got everything quickly and praised the villain's heart and ruthless nature. So, when she recognizes that she's the villain she admires, Alicia only has one goal in this new life: to become the greatest villainess in history.
Without any trace of hesitation, she immediately starts training her mind and body to achieve this goal. As expected in isekai titles, she does wonderfully and quickly excels in her studies and swordsmanship. And yet, things don't play out as she wants. Her character goes from bad to good after her realization and she starts getting positive attention from everyone, especially from the male love interests and the king himself.
Alicia perceives most interactions as an opportunity to display her wickedness. She proudly faces everything and bases her words and actions on how a real villainess would act. Even with this in mind, her arrogance and skills instead endear her to people. The only thing she succeeds in is completely missing the mark as a villainess.
Carnelia Easter (The Villainess Wants a Divorce!)
Reincarnated as the neglected first prince's wife, The Villainess Wants a Divorce!'s Carnelia Easter was doomed to die an early death. Her original role was to serve as the thorn in the prince's side while committing many evil deeds. But now that she's the 'new' Carnelia, she's determined to do everything but die.
Having no other choice, Carnelia decides to support both the hero and antagonist of the story. Although she pities the first prince, if being a double agent means surviving a future execution, then it's her only path. Her sole goal is to one day divorce the prince and live peacefully far away from the chaos of the palace.
Staying true to her role, Carnelia leaks information to both sides while gaining their favor. Unbeknownst to her, though, her actions slowly change the story's flow and the characters' lives. Soon enough, she makes up her mind to help him directly, and all plans for her future escape disappear, along with any traces of her villainy. From being the hidden villainess, Carnelia becomes the prince's heroine.
Bertia Noches (An Observation Record of My Fianceé - A Self-Proclaimed Villainess)
In An Observation Record of My Fianceé - A Self-Proclaimed Villainess (Jishou Akuyaku Reijou Na Konyakusha No Kansatsu Kiroku), Bertia Noches is an isekai villainess unlike any other. While all isekai protagonists usually keep their origin hidden from everyone, Bertia unleashes all the information she knows right away. She happily declares herself a villainess in an otome game she played in her previous life -- and straight to the crown prince himself at that! With sparkling eyes, she states her passionate desire to become a pure and righteous flower of evil, and that her ruin will bring about the prince's happiness with the heroine.
Determined to support the prince's future happiness, Bertia does her best to become a proper villainess. She even goes as far as to make sure that her father gets close to corrupt nobles, intending to turn him to the dark side like in the original story. She also pushes for Prince Cecil's interactions with his fated heroine, Heronia, once she enters school.
Although she does try, each of Bertia's actions causes the opposite of what she wants. Her so-called minions genuinely like her and Cecil has no plans whatsoever of getting involved with Heronia. As the story progresses, it becomes clearer that Bertia doesn't have a shred of evil and has never fulfilled the villainess's role in any aspect. What she has done is become the beloved heroine and bring people closer while spreading happiness everywhere.
