Leaving one’s mundane existence behind for a new life of adventure is the tried-and-tested premise of isekai anime, yet some deviate from this narrative and offer an entirely new concept. Not all isekai protagonists are lucky enough to be reincarnated as heroes in their next lives, as some get the short end of the stick when they find themselves as villains in the new world.
Isekai villainess anime are an emerging subgenre within the isekai landscape, as viewers are enticed by the interesting dynamics between the newly transmigrated villainess in an entirely new world. These anime series often take place in otome game settings, which leaves these characters with no choice but to take on the role imposed upon them. These isekai anime have a charm of their own as they follow the main character’s journey of avoiding the grim, predestined fate of an otome villainess.
Updated November 12, 2025, by Mark Sammut: We have added Fall 2025’s new isekai villainess anime to the official rankings, as enough episodes have been released to warrant that. Furthermore, the galleries have been tweaked, and a section dedicated to time loop villainess anime has been added at the end of the article.
11]. The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess
Living Through Her Own Story
The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess is a unique take on the isekai villainess concept. The protagonist, Konoha, is reincarnated as the prologue villainess, Iana, in the story she wrote as a teenager, so she has to deal with all her adolescent eccentricities. The result is a show that ventures into shojo parody territory, as the characters are meant to be quite cliché. Hopefully, as the anime goes on, it will start to do more with its personalities.
A neat twist is that the MC absolutely loves the story’s heroine, who was written as a self-insert. She does not particularly care for the villainess, who is only really meant to be a significant player in the first part of the story. Outside of that somewhat unique idea, this anime is quite run of the mill and forgettable. Nothing offensive, but nothing that sticks in the mind either.
10]. Special Mention: Endo and Kobayashi Live! The Latest on Tsundere Villainess Lieselotte
OK, here is an inspired take on the villainess concept, although it is only loosely connected to the isekai genre. Endo and Kobayashi Live! The Latest on Tsundere Villainess Lieselotte has an otome game, an uppity villainess, a charming prince, and “normal” male and female protagonists who are just trying to navigate the fictional world. Basically, the anime has all the required ingredients to be a traditional isekai villainess anime. However, it has one important twist: the normal MCs are not sent into the otome game. Instead, they become god-like beings who can speak directly to the characters, enabling them to steer the story’s direction.
Endo and Kobayashi regularly meet after school to play MagiKoi. When they realize that they can broadcast their voices into the game and speak to the characters, Kobayashi’s goal becomes to create a happy ending for the story’s villainess, Lieselotte. A harsh tsundere who constantly pushes Siegwald, the crown prince and her fiancé, away, Lieselotte is pretty much the typical otome game villainess. However, with Endo and, especially, Kobayashi’s guidance, she gradually begins to change her behavior and, eventually, her present and future.
9]. The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess To Savior
In an otome game, Pride is a heinous ruler with several crimes against her very own people. After she is slain, however, a Japanese high school girl is reincarnated to take her place, forcing her to become the new villainess in this world. Knowing how the game plays out, the new Pride now tries to right her wrongs by altering the game’s timeline, though her efforts are mostly in vain as the game corrects itself every single time. Each time she corrects her actions, the game forces other characters to carry out the goal, forcefully correcting the original timeline.
However, Pride is dedicated to mending things in her new kingdom, becoming a benevolent leader in the world of The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen. Unlike its isekai counterparts, the series spends a considerable time fleshing out its characters and focusing on worldbuilding. Romance and harem antics also take the backseat in this villainess narrative, presenting a storyline that does the theme justice without relying on the usual clichés of the isekai genre.
8]. I’ll Become A Villainess That Will Go Down In History
Isekai villainess anime have deviated considerably from the original premise of a transmigrated villainess desperate to fight off her unfortunate fate. I’ll Become A Villainess That Will Go Down In History is no different, as it presents a transmigrated villainess who has vowed to become the greatest villainess of all time.
After realizing that she is in the body of her favorite otome game character, Alicia sets off on an intriguing endeavor to become the greatest villainess known to mankind. The series takes a different path from its otome counterparts in several ways, whether it’s the heavy focus on kingdom-building and politics or the lack of romantic interest early on in the series. Moreover, Alicia is a determined character whose sole focus lies on being the perfect villainess, though this aspect of her persona also leads to several amusing moments.
I’ll Become A Villainess That Will Go Down In History is not a bad show by any stretch of the imagination, but it does take quite a while to really pick up steam. During the first half of the series, Alicia does not accomplish all that much, as she is still quite young and fairly weak. However, we get to see her change as the episodes (and in-universe years) pass, growing into a villainess who blends intimidation and nobility well. If you do not love the first few episodes, I recommend trying to stick around until about the halfway point of the season.
7]. Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady With The Lamp
Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp presents a premise that is certainly a first within the isekai genre. Dr. Aoi Takamoto is a famed surgeon devoted to helping others, yet her previous existence as villainess Elise de Clorance was quite the contrary. Her selfish antics led to her family’s demise, including herself, though she realized the error in her ways after being reincarnated as Dr. Aoi.
However, her second go at life is cut short after a tragic plane crash, but she miraculously opens her eyes once more in her original body as Elise. With the memories of two past lives intact, Elise vows to right her wrongs and relinquish her previous villainess existence. Being a case of reverse isekai and double reincarnation, Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady With The Lamp doubles down on its isekai elements. The series is one of the few manhwa-adapted anime out there, and its success showcases the potential for manhwa within the anime industry.
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