New Manga Release: I was reincarnated as the heroine of an otome game, but I was already being admired by the villainess
The world of manga and light novels just got a bit more exciting for fans of the isekai and otome genres. Today, March 26th, marks the official release of Volume 1 of Yoshiko Murase's latest work, titled "I was reincarnated as the heroine of an otome game, but I was already being admired by the villainess ~I'll give up on love and master magic!~". This new series is actually a comic adaptation of the original popular novel written by Rin Sakurada. This interesting school-themed story is currently being serialized on Akita Shoten's dedicated web manga platform, Yanchan Web, and it has already started gaining some good traction among readers who enjoy a twist on the classic reincarnation trope.
A Heroine in a World Turned Upside Down
The story follows Jessica, a student at the prestigious Royal Academy of Magic. Life isn't exactly easy for her because she is constantly being bullied for her status as a commoner. However, things take a very sudden turn when she suddenly regains memories of her previous life. She realizes that she is living inside the world of an otome game that she absolutely loved before. Not only that, but she has actually been reborn as the game's main heroine! At first, Jessica is quite thrilled about the possibility of meeting her favourite characters or maybe even finding a hidden route that she missed in the game. It’s the kind of dream scenario many of us would love to experience.
But reality hits her hard. In this version of the story, the game's designated villainess, Raptse, is the one being ridiculed and treated poorly. However, Raptse is far from helpless. Using a very clever and ruthless strategy, Raptse manages to flip the script entirely. Now, it is Jessica—the supposed heroine—who is being treated as a villain by the entire school community. This massive misunderstanding sets a very different tone for her academy life, making it more about survival and magic than romance. Many readers feel that I was reincarnated as the heroine is a must-read fantasy adventure because of how it challenges these usual tropes.
Intriguing Characters and Special Bonuses
Amidst all this chaos and the school's hostility, Jessica crosses paths with Owen, an enigmatic exchange student who has come from a neighbouring country. His arrival adds a new layer of mystery and potential support for our struggling protagonist. The dynamic between a "villainous" heroine and an outsider like Owen is definitely something to look forward to as the chapters progress. For those who want to dive deeper into the lore, the first volume also includes a special short story penned by the original author, Rin Sakurada herself. This gives fans a bit of extra content that isn't available in the serialized version.
- Protagonist: Jessica, a commoner student with memories of her past life as a gamer.
- Antagonist(?): Raptse, the original villainess who has successfully framed the heroine.
- Key Support: Owen, the mysterious exchange student with unknown motives.
- Setting: The Royal Academy of Magic, a place full of spells and social hierarchies.
If you are planning to pick up a physical copy, there are some nice perks available. As a special purchase bonus, Melonbooks is distributing exclusive illustration cards for a limited time. These cards feature beautiful artwork of the main characters and are quite a treat for collectors. Given the unique premise, many are saying I was reincarnated as the heroine is a must-read fantasy adventure for anyone tired of the same old "perfect heroine" stories. We really can't wait to see how Jessica manages to clear her name and master magic in this upside-down world.
