What happens when you get transported inside a dating sim visual novel and you realize you've been reincarnated as the villain and not the heroine? That's the dilemma facing Katarina Claes, who was originally a 17-year-old Japanese student who was hit by a car on her way to school. She awakens to discover that she's been reincarnated into her favorite otome game, Fortune Lover.
However, she quickly discover that she's been reincarnated as the game's villain, a character that often meets a grizzly end. And thus begins Claes' attempt to avoid all manner of death flags as she seeks to find a "route" that doesn't end in death or exile.
The second season of My Next Life as a Villainess is currently set to debut on July 2. Studio Silver Link is back for the second season after previously adapting the 12-episode first season, which premiered during the Spring 2020 anime season.
The anime is based on a Japanese light novel series written by Satoru Yamaguchi and illustrated by Nami Hidaka, which was first uploaded to the self-publishing Japanese light novel website Shōsetsuka ni Narō in 2014. Since then, the series has released physical copies via the Japanese publisher Ichijinsha, with 10 volumes being released to date.
Most people would prefer being the protagonist of a world full of adventure, be it in a game or in another world. But, unfortunately, a certain girl is not so lucky. Regaining the memories of her past life, she realizes that she was reborn in the world of Fortune Lover—one of the games she used to play.
Unfortunately, the character she was reincarnated into—Katarina Claes—is the game's main antagonist, who faces utter doom in every ending. Using her extensive knowledge of the game, she takes it upon herself to escape from the chains of this accursed destiny.
However, this will not be an easy feat, especially since she needs to be cautious as to not set off death flags that may speed up the impending doom she is trying to avoid. Even so, to make a change that will affect the lives of everyone around her, she strives—not as the heroine—but as the villainess.