“I’ll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History” is a comedic isekai series that tells the story of Alicia Williams, a regular Japanese girl who finds herself waking up as the villainess of an otome game she once played. The anime adaptation is based on a popular light novel series by Izumi Okido, with stunning illustrations by Jyun Hayase. Since its debut in August 2019, the light novel series has grown in popularity, with Enterbrain releasing six volumes to date, generating considerable excitement for the anime version.
The narrative centers on Alicia Williams, the eldest daughter of the prestigious Williams family, known for their mastery of dark magic. She perfectly fits the role of a classic villainess, wielding a sharp tongue and exuding a cold, intimidating presence. However, a surprising twist occurs when a young woman from the real world, who once admired the villainess Alicia, is reincarnated into her body at the age of seven after a series of inexplicable events. Armed with her memories from the game, this new version of Alicia is determined to carve out her legacy as the most infamous villainess in history.
However, rewriting the destiny that the game has set for her is no easy feat. The journey ahead proves much more difficult than expected, as the reincarnated Alicia grapples with the challenges of navigating the world she once knew as fiction. The story weaves together her attempts to balance her ambition to embrace her villainous role with the unpredictable nature of her new reality, setting the stage for an entertaining and often humorous exploration of fate and choice.
The much-anticipated anime adaptation is slated to release its first episode in Japan on October 2, 2024, at 12:30 am JST, while international fans can catch the premiere a day earlier on October 1, depending on their local time zones. The anime will air on prominent Japanese networks such as Tokyo MX, BS11, HTB, and AT-X, while globally it will be available for streaming on Crunchyroll. The series is set to run for a 13-episode season, with new episodes dropping weekly until December.
For those outside Japan, additional platforms such as Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, ABEMA, and DMN TV will also stream the series, giving fans multiple ways to follow Alicia’s villainous journey.
The plot of Episode 1 will introduce viewers to Alicia Williams as the young daughter of a powerful noble family in the kingdom of Durkis. The episode is expected to open with Alicia awakening at the age of seven, fully aware that she is now living in the world of the otome game she once played. Instead of aligning herself with the game’s heroine, Alicia finds herself drawn to the villainess. Now reincarnated as her, Alicia sets her sights on becoming a legendary antagonist, determined to change her fate and make a name for herself as the ultimate villainess in history. Episode 1 will set up Alicia’s ambitious goals while showcasing her sharp intellect and strong determination to succeed in her new role.
Behind the scenes, the anime’s production is helmed by MAHO Film, with Yuji Yanase directing. The character designs, brought to life by Yuko Watabe and Eri Kojima, promise to be visually captivating, enhancing the blend of humor and drama that will define Alicia’s story. With Kanna Nakamura voicing Alicia, Kaito Ishikawa as Duke Seeker, and Shouya Chiba as Gale Evans, the voice cast brings depth and nuance to the key characters who will shape Alicia’s journey toward villainy.
Episode 1 is expected to strike a balance between comedic moments, dramatic stakes, and Alicia’s evolving understanding of the world around her. As she begins her quest to solidify her place in history as a villainess, the episode will introduce important figures who will influence her path and the challenges she will face along the way. Fans of the genre can expect a unique twist on the traditional isekai and villainess tropes, with plenty of surprises in store as Alicia embarks on her unconventional journey.
