Summary
When it come tomanhwa , much like anime and manga , the medium has something to volunteer for sports fan of every genre , niche , and trope . One such musical genre within the manhwa andwebtoonmedium is otome isekai , well known as the villainess music genre due to its extensiveuse of the pop villainess figure of speech . While such stories are no doubt a dime a twelve and often blend into each other , the otome isekai genre is what made me precipitate in beloved with manhwa , and it ’s all because of one main intellect that set the genre aside .
Isekai fantasy manhwa likeSolo LevelingandOmniscient Reader ’s Viewpointwere some of the first manhwa I read when I first discovered manhwa . While I undoubtedly relish reading these serial publication and was trance by the vivid and beautiful art of the mass medium , it was n’t until I come across villainess manhwa that I really lead off raven manhwa left and right .
On the surface , otome isekai may seem like frivolous romances , peculiarly to those hesitant to embrace shoujo and josei series . However , after reading many of the proficient manhwa the otome isekai genre has to offer , it is clear that these manhwaoffer their protagonists much more character deepness than their shonen counterparts while also explore complex , mature issuesthat materialize to deeply resonate with me .
Manhwa is an increasingly saturated medium , with isekai trends being especially cod , but some of their underrated gems go overlooked .
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
Down to their bare pearl , otome isekai manhwa are not very different from other fantasy isekai in that the world-wide premise is that the protagonist(in this slip female ) gets transported to another world and must adapt to it . In the instance of shōnen series , this fresh world usually takes the bod of a gamy fantasy novel or function - run game .
In Light Within ofSolo Leveling ’s popularity , many manhwa have also begin employing the concept of inverse isekai , wherein the fantastical world is imposed on a seemingly normal macrocosm through the appearance of some form of gate or portal . Meanwhile , otome isekai configurations usually take the build of a historic novel or otome secret plan wherein fictional character are stuff into aristocratic society .
While otome isekaimostly see their admirer reincarnate as the villainesses of the story , shōnen isekai mostly have their protagonists reincarnate as weak character who are then given some extraordinary skill that helps them grow stronger . In both compositor’s case , the independent goal is usually survival , but while shōnen isekai champion fend off death at the hired hand of fiend and magical beasts , otome isekai protagonists must navigate through the elaborate protocol and social convention of noble society where , as the antagonist of the story , death , and ruin are an inevitable luck .
Custom Image by Merlyn De Souza
In this horse sense , both side of the isekai musical genre are arguably very exchangeable but also very different at the same timewith very dominant yet enjoyable writing tropes plant in each . However , there is one area where the otome isekai writing style edge out the rest , which is its strong case - driven writing .
Otome Isekai Manhwa Better Flesh Out Their Protagonists
The Genre Explores Surprisingly Mature Themes
While shōnen isekai manhwa friend no doubt have their quirky traits and comedic moments , very few are given much of a personality beyond that . As much as I loveSolo Leveling , Jinwoo arguably has just as much personality as a canvass of cardboard , and though him mislay his emotion is arguably an crucial game point , his lineament seems shallow even before the fact . Most shōnen isekai manhwado not give their protagonists memorable or alone backstorieseither . Most character origins revolve around the protagonist being bullied or looked down on in some form or another , which then becomes the basis for a generic big businessman fancy .
While I could delight these stories , I was n’t incline to read more of them until I discovered otome isekai manhwa .
This is n’t to say that all shōnen isekai manhwa or tycoon fantasy manhwa are forged , as I have notice myself love series likeThe Greatest Estate Developer , Teenage Mercenary , Omniscient Reader ’s Viewpoint , and evenThe Beginning After the ending . The fact that I could not see myself in these protagonistsdid not have anything to do with gender or demographicsbut simply the fact that these fiber lacked judgment of conviction . While I could enjoy these stories , I was n’t inclined to say more of them until I light upon otome isekai manhwa .
The otome isekai musical style did not shy aside from tackling moremature , complex themes like abuse , injury , and even eating disorders . For example , Ruby fromHow to Win My Husband Overis shaped through and through by the contumely she suffers both in her past and current biography . Her difficulty trust people and her constant need for reassurance arising from her abusive past times can be seen in every one of her relationships throughout the serial , making for a fledged , ground personation .
Otome Isekai Embraces Diverse and Even Flawed Characters
Another vista that truly surprised me was how the otome isekai genre was n’t afraid ofembracing blemished protagonists . Penelope fromVillains Are Destined to Dieis a prime example of a protagonist who is inherently flawed and incessantly toes the line of frustration with the decisions she makes . Her unfitness to see the theatrical role around her as real mass with feelings instead of secret plan part and her own despair to survive cease up warping her judgment and direct her to make questionable pick throughout the story .
As such despite many protagonist typically being incarnated as the villainess , each manhwa arguably takes a different route . Some protagonists like Meldenique fromThe Villainess ' Stationery Shopchoose to avoid a life of villainy and chase their dreams , while others likeRoxana Agrichefrom Roxana find out for themselves what it is that truly hold a villain and comprehend their role as the anti - hero or go down a path of vengeance .
Otome Isekai Manhwa Offer Much More Than Simple Romance
As the word otome implies , many of these fib let in romance , but itisn’t always the centering nor is it ever the sole goal . Some protagonists prefer to use their new lives to follow their dreams like inThe Villainess ' Stationery Shopwhere Meldenique the nominal champion turn villainess decide to use her second chance at life sentence to take off her own workshop and make little children happy with unique bite and sweets .
Meldenique remembers a rarified forgivingness she was present in her former life at such a workshop when she was a fry and wishes to spread that happiness . In this face , as with many other manhwa , love is something that otome isekai admirer just come up along the room , often in the most unexpected ways .
From toxic relationships like those inI Tamed My Ex - husband ’s Mad DogandWished You Were Deadto romances full of sound communicating likeBring the LoveandVillainess in Love , otome isekai manhwa explore such a various range of relationship and romances that it is unacceptable to not find a storey you find yourself relate to .
Overall , the otome isekai genre is still grossly underappreciated for what it offers , but thankfully , anime adaptations of series likeDoctor Elisehave set about to draw attention to the music genre , which is honestly much more than thevillainesstrope . Otome isekai manhwaturned me into an avid manhwa proofreader and might just do the same for you as well .
