Yen Press, 2023Writer/Artist: Kasai FujiiTranslator: KiKi Piatkowska
Letterer: Chiho Christie
Publisher: Yen Press
Publication Date: Oct 8, 2024
Rating: 18+
Genre: Manga (JPN), Comedy, Girls Love, Nobility
When the Villainess Seduces the Main Heroine by Kasai Fujii is among the new October releases from Yen Press. Fujii’s Alpha Wolfgirl x Omega Wolfboy was licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment, so When the Villainess Seduces the Main Heroine where the prince’s ex-fiance steals his new one, is the artist’s second work to hit the English market.
Yen Press, 2024What’s a woman to do when her incompetent husband-to-be brings a new woman to the palace and she’s soooo your type? The only course of action is to steal her! With her consent, of course.
The prince annuls his marriage to the infamous Akuya Krei Jou in front of a large crowd to belittle her further. Unperturbed, Akuya asks the important question before quietly leaving: does Sei Hi Roin truly intend to stay with this below-average man? Because if Sei were to be with her instead, she’d be showered with Akuya’s undivided attention until she was satisfied. It doesn’t take long, just as the prince’s performance in bed, before Sei runs into the arms of Akuya and they set out to live together.
I was surprised When the Villainess Seduces the Main Heroine was in the comedy section and not LGBTQ+ or romance because everyone knows moving in with your girlfriend the day you meet AND start dating is the ultimate sapphic experience! Akuya and Sei waste no time and embark on their lovey-dovey journey. Their every day is filled with reassurance, bliss, and of course, lewdness.
Yen Press, 2024As Fujii mentions in the afterword, this series was first digitally self-published online, and after gaining traction, was compiled into a printed volume. Each chapter is no more than 5 or 6 pages with cute character introductions or bonus illustrations added in between. Hence, the 25-chapter count for the first volume.
This also means that instead of following a usual story arc, we have vignettes that showcase daily experiences such as how they celebrate Christmas and Valentine’s Day, when Akuya quietly spends her day reading, or when Sei finds a stray cat in the garden.
I know some readers prefer a series to have a continuous flow, a beginning, and an end to a story but a series like When the Villainess Seduces the Main Heroine can occasionally have the upper hand. Especially when you want to sit back and enjoy characters going on about their daily lives without having to go through all the jealousy or misunderstanding tropes volume after volume and right when they are happily together, the series comes to an end.
The panels are as wild as Sei’s demeanor, and probably due to the shortness of the chapters, the pages are jam-packed save for the illustration pages I mentioned above. This density causes some fatigue as you progress into the volume, but it’s understandable since it was originally meant to be read one chapter at a time instead of a volume as a whole.
Another aspect that adds to the density is the intricacy level of Fujii’s character designs, objects, and backgrounds. Both Akuya and Sei’s hair have such volume and detail to them, not to mention their clothes and accessories. The way their eyelashes are drawn makes it clear why characters in romance manga go on and on about their crush’s eyelashes; these women are simply gorgeous! Still, your eyes can’t help but want to catch a break sometimes.
To expand on the characters a little; Akuya is a collected and cool young woman who’s a killer beauty. The bad rumors about her have reached far and beyond, exaggerated and shrouded in mystery as they spread. However, far from being a villainess, she’s attentive, kind, well-educated, and quick-witted. The lines she comes up with to seduce Sei are powerful and sensual enough to bring a whole nation to its knees.
Yen Press, 2024Sei, on the other hand, is originally a commoner. She accepts being adopted by a noble and studies hard so she can join the high society. The only reason she tries to marry the prince is money. But now that she has chosen Akuya, Sei’s receiving love and care no one else can provide. She’s energetic, usually bold and flirty, but melts into a puddle at the touch of Akuya. I mean… who wouldn’t?
To sum up my review, I highly enjoyed (and often blushed) reading When the Villainess Seduces the Main Heroine! The only crime this series committed is not being a bit more explicit, and nothing else. It’s easy to go through, delightful, and just enough spicy that you’ll feel tingles. The series will be complete with the second volume which will be out in January next year so it’s short and easy to commit. Surely Girls Love fans will not miss it, but even if you’re a stranger to the genre, you’ll enjoy your stay.
The illustration in the header is taken from Kasai Fujii’s X (previously Twitter).
When The Villainess Seduces the Main Heroine from Kasai Fujii will be out digitally and in print on October 8th, 2024 from Yen Press.
English (US) · 