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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