Even though I love isekai, I didn’t pick up My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! at first because I intended to be not overwhelmed by too many anime to watch, like what had been the case with previous seasons. Since its isekai world is that of an otome game – a romance story-based game that’s targeted towards girls – it seemed like it wasn’t my cup of tea, and thus, I didn’t think it was worth risking getting overwhelmed for. However, midway through the season, I proceeded to catch up with it and follow it from that point on because: a.) one of the spring 2020 anime I picked up, Appare-Ranman!, suspended its airing because of the COVID-19 pandemic, so a slot was opened in my weekly anime viewing; and b.) it was generating much buzz that seemed to suggest it was one of the best anime of the season, if not the best.
The main character of My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! is Catarina Claes, a bratty girl born in a noble family. One day, she bumps her head, causing her to remember her past life. Apparently, she was a 17-year-old otaku who died in our world and got reincarnated as Catarina, who was apparently the villainess of Fortune Lover, the otome game that her previous version was fond of playing. Realizing she would eventually grow up into a horrible, mean young lady who, in all scenarios in Fortune Lover, would end up either killed or exiled, Catarina decides to use her knowledge of the game to plan and prepare countermeasures that will hopefully help her avoid this terrible fate.
From then on, Catarina becomes an entirely different person. Initially a spoiled kid, she begins hanging out more with their servants as she works hard to develop life skills, especially the raising of her own crops, so that she can have something to fall back on if ever she gets exiled. She also starts friendships with the game’s roster of characters, in the hope that once they grow up, they won’t make the same decisions that would lead to events – “doom flags” – that precedes her tragic endings.
While her motivation is self-preservation, it doesn’t necessarily mean she’s not being earnest. In carrying out these preparations, she’s actually being naturally and concurrently amiable, kind, and quirky – touching and endearing the people around her.
While her motivation is self-preservation, it doesn’t necessarily mean she’s not being earnest. In carrying out these preparations, she’s actually being naturally and concurrently amiable, kind, and quirky – touching and endearing the people around her.
This leads to a hilarious outcome: Catarina inadvertently makes herself the center of the game-story! By the time they grow up into teenagers, the other game characters – both boys and girls, including Maria, the playable main character of Fortune Lover – have fallen in love with her. So a harem setup develops with Catarina and her friends, who are now all pinning for her attention and affection. However, the ever simple-minded Catarina is oblivious to all of this, and is still constantly worrying that she’ll get killed or exiled someday.
I’m so glad I eventually picked up My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! for it’s indeed a delightful anime. Even though it’s the first thing of its kind that I’ve encountered, I feel that it has the most clever isekai premise and narrative that can there possibly be out of the concept of an otome game. The characters are extremely likable, and on top of the amusing romantic dynamics, they have this pure friendship going on for them as an ensemble that’s utterly winsome. The comedy is excellent. Hilarity is consistently generated by Catarina’s denseness and the rivalries among her would-be suitors. Meanwhile, the kindness of Catarina and how she touches and inspires the people around her will unfailingly hit you right in the feels.
To sum it up, I love My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!. It’s probably my favorite new anime series from the 2020 spring season, and Catarina is looking to be my early favorite for Best Girl of 2020. My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! isn’t necessarily profound and highly imaginative, but it’s hilarious, heartwarming, and original. And on top of that, it even has a worthwhile moral to share.
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