I didn’t like manhwa until the villain genre changed my mind

When it comes to manhwaSimilar to anime and manga, the medium has something to offer fans of every genre, niche and trope. One such genre within the Manhwa and Subscribe to Medium is Otome Isekai, better known as the villain genre due to its extensive use of the popular villain trope. While such stories are undoubtedly a dime a dozen and often bleed into one another, the Otome Isekai genre is what made me fall in love with manhwa, and it’s all because of one main reason that sets the genre apart.

Isekai Fantasy Manhwa like Single levels And Viewpoint of the omniscient reader were some of the first manhwas I read when I first discovered manhwas. While I undoubtedly enjoyed reading these series and was enamored by the bright and beautiful design of the medium, it wasn’t until I came across the villain manhwa that I really started devouring manhwas.

On the surface, Otome Isekai may seem like a frivolous romance, especially for those hesitant to embrace shoujo and josei series. However, after reading many of the best manhwa the Otome Isekai genre has to offer, it is clear that these manhwa offer their protagonists much more character depth than their Shonen counterparts while dealing with complex, mature themes This happened to resonate deeply with me.

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What is Otome Isekai and how does it compare to regular Isekai Manhwa?

Otome Isekai and Shōnen Isekai Manhwa are two sides of the same coin

At their core, otome isekai manhwas aren’t that different from other fantasy isekai, as the general premise is that the protagonist (in this case, a woman) is transported to another world and must adapt to it. In shōnen series, this new world usually takes the form of a high fantasy novel or role-playing game.

In light of Single levelsDue to the popularity of , many manhwa have also started using the concept of reverse isekai, where the fantastical world is imposed on a seemingly normal world through the appearance of some sort of gate or portal. Meanwhile, otome isekai settings usually take the form of a historical novel or otome game, where the characters are thrust into aristocratic society.

While Otome Isekai usually see their protagonists reborn as the villains of the storyShōnen isekai generally have their protagonists reincarnated as weak characters who are then given extraordinary abilities that help them become stronger. In both cases, the main goal is usually survival, but while shōnen isekai protagonists evade death at the hands of monsters and magical beasts, otome isekai protagonists must navigate the complicated protocols and social conventions of noble society, where as the antagonists of the story, death and ruin are an inevitable fate.

In this sense, both sides of the Isekai genre are probably very similar, but at the same time very different with very common but entertaining writing styles found in each. However, there is one area where the otome isekai genre excels over the rest, and that is its heavily character-driven writing style.

Otome Isekai Manhwa should develop its protagonists better

The genre explores surprisingly mature themes

While the protagonists of Shōnen Isekai Manhwas undoubtedly have their quirky traits and comedic moments, very few are given any personality beyond that. As much as I love Single levelsJinwoo has arguably as much personality as a piece of cardboard, and while his loss of emotions is arguably a major plot point, his character seems superficial even before that. Most Shōnen Isekai Manhwa do not give their protagonists memorable or unique backstories either. Most character creations revolve around the protagonist being bullied or condescending in some way, which then forms the basis for a general power fantasy.

This is not to say that all Shōnen Isekai Manhwas or Power Fantasy Manhwas are bad, because I have found that I enjoy series like The largest real estate developer, Teenage Mercenary, Viewpoint of the omniscient readerand myself The beginning after the end. The fact that I could not recognize myself in these protagonists had nothing to do with gender or demographics but simply the fact that these characters lacked conviction. Although I enjoyed these stories, I was not inclined to read more of them until I discovered Otome Isekai Manhwa.

The Otome Isekai genre was not afraid to tackle more mature, complex issues such as abuse, trauma and even eating disorders. For example, Ruby from How do I win over my husband? is shaped through and through by the abuse she endures in both her past and present life. Her difficulty trusting people and her constant need for validation due to her abusive past are seen in each of her relationships in the series, resulting in a mature, grounded portrayal.

Otome Isekai includes diverse and even flawed characters

Another aspect that really surprised me was that the Otome Isekai genre was not afraid of accept flawed protagonists. Penelope from Villains are destined to die is a prime example of a protagonist who is inherently flawed and constantly teeters on the edge of frustration with her choices. Her inability to see the characters around her as real people with feelings rather than pawns, and her own desperation to survive, ultimately distort her judgment and cause her to make questionable decisions throughout the story.

Although many protagonists are typically portrayed as villains, each manhwa probably takes a different path. Some protagonists like Meldenique from The Villain’s Stationery Shop choose to avoid a life of villainy and pursue their dreams, while others Roxana Agriche Find out from Roxana herself what makes a true villain and take on the role of the antihero or follow a path of revenge.

Otome Isekai Manhwa offer much more than simple romance

As the word Otome suggests, many of these stories involve romance, but is not always the focus and is never the only goal. Some protagonists decide to use their new life to follow their dreams, as in The Villain’s Stationery Shop where Meldenique, the titular protagonist turned villain, decides to use her second chance in life to open her own shop and delight young children with unique snacks and candies.

Meldenique remembers a rare kindness shown to her in her previous life as a child in such a shop and wants to pass on this happiness. In this case, as with many other manhwas, Love is something that Otome Isekai protagonists simply find along the way, often in the most unexpected ways.

From toxic relationships like those in I tamed my ex-husband’s crazy dog And I wish you were dead to romances full of healthy communication like Bring the love And Amorous malice, Otome Isekai Manhwa explores such a wide range of relationships and romances that it’s impossible not to find a story you can relate to.

Overall, the Otome Isekai genre is still highly underrated for what it offers, but fortunately there are anime adaptations of series like Doctor Elise have begun to draw attention to the genre, which is honestly much more than the Villainy Tropes. Otome Isekai Manhwa has made me an avid manhwa reader and might do the same for you too.