I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss
A villainess rewrites her doomed story by taming the demon lord.
I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss is a Japanese light novel series by Sarasa Nagase, illustrated by Mai Murasaki, that began online in May 2017. It was later published by Kadokawa Shoten and adapted into a manga and an anime television series. The story follows a villainess who uses her knowledge of an otome game to change her fate.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Isekai
Facts from the source article.
Premise
Aileen Lauren d'Autriche, fiancée of Crown Prince Cedric Jean Ellmeyer, regains memories of a past life after he breaks their engagement. She realizes she is the villainess of the otome game Regalia of Saints, Demons and Maidens. To avoid her death, she must prevent the demon lord Claude Jean Ellemeyer from awakening his final powers. She proposes marriage to Claude, but achieving her goal proves more difficult than anticipated.
Characters
Aileen Lauren d'Autriche is the only daughter of the Duke d'Autriche, overshadowed by three older brothers until her engagement to the crown prince gave her purpose. Her dedication made her appear vain and snobbish, leading to ostracization. In her past life, she was a terminally ill Japanese teenager obsessed with the otome game. She aims to create a more equal world for humans and demons. Claude Jean Ellmeyer, the eldest son of the emperor, was disinherited after his half-demon status was revealed. He became ruler of demonkind and was the final boss of the original game, destined to kill Aileen before dying. He is intelligent and capable, growing more open through interactions with Aileen. Cedric Jean Ellmeyer, Claude's younger half-brother, is the heir to the throne. Charismatic but insecure, he was the heroine's main romantic route and ends his engagement to Aileen for Lilia Reinoise. Keith Eigrid is Claude's devoted aide, who followed him into exile after Claude saved him from drowning as a child. Beelzebuth is a demon aide fiercely loyal to Claude, later earning Aileen's loyalty. Lilia Reinoise, the game's heroine, is the main antagonist and the Holy Sword Maiden with powers effective against demons. Almond is a crow in Claude's service, named by Aileen after he enjoys her almond cookies. Isaac Lombard is Aileen's trusted childhood friend, cautious and prudent. Jasper Varie is also listed.
Media
The series began online on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in May 2017. Kadokawa Shoten published it as a light novel under their Kadokawa Beans Bunko imprint starting September 1, 2017, with illustrations by Mai Murasaki. Yen Press licenses the light novel in North America. A manga adaptation by Anko Yuzu ran in Comp Ace from June 2018 to August 2019, collected in three tankōbon volumes, also licensed by Yen Press. An anime television series by Maho Film aired from October 1 to December 17, 2022, on Tokyo MX, MBS, Wowow, AT-X, and BS-TBS. Crunchyroll streamed it outside Asia, and Medialink licensed it across Asia-Pacific. The opening theme is by Rie Takahashi, the ending by ACCAMER.
Reception
By May 2023, the series had sold over 1.3 million copies. Rebecca Silverman of Anime News Network noted that the first light novel volume is not wholly innovative but praised Aileen's awareness of rewriting the plot and the illustrations. She criticized familiar story beats and present tense narration. Reviewing later volumes, she found them full of good giggles, with ducks as a highlight, and called Aileen a mostly engaging heroine despite occasional density.
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