Akuyaku Reijou wa Ringoku no Outaishi ni Dekiai Sareru [Season 1 Episode 2]

“Aquasteed Marineforest Saves the Day: Why Episode 2 of Akuyaku Reijou Feels Like a Villainess Trope Remix”

Let’s cut to the chase: if you’ve seen one villainess isekai, you’ve seen… well, most of them. But Akuyaku Reijou wa Ringoku no Outaishi ni Dekiai Sareru (let’s just call it Villainess Prince Rescue for sanity) tries to shake things up in Episode 2—even if the result is less “groundbreaking” and more “comfort food with extra cheese.”

First, let’s recap the chaos. Tiararose, our supposed “villainess” who’s actually just a nice girl stuck in an otome game, is about to get executed for crimes she didn’t commit (classic). Then bam—enter Aquasteed Marineforest, the prince of a neighboring kingdom with hair darker than a storm cloud and a voice smoother than butter. He’s been crushing on Tiararose forever, and he crashes her execution like, “Hold up, she’s mine now.” Cue gasps from the crowd, a very confused ex-fiancé (Hartknights, whose name sounds like a bad energy drink), and Akari—the “heroine” of the otome game—throwing a fit so dramatic it’d make a telenovela star proud.

If you’re rolling your eyes thinking, “I’ve seen this before,” you’re not alone. Fans on MyAnimeList are split: some are here for the “slop” (their words, not mine—though let’s be real, we all love a guilty pleasure), while others are begging for something new. One user summed it up perfectly: “Every new season I keep hoping the villainess genre will finally do something new, and every single time I end up disappointed… obviously lol.”

But let’s give credit where it’s due: Episode 2 leans into the absurdity, and that’s its secret weapon. Take Akari, for example. In the otome game, she’s supposed to be the sweet, innocent protagonist who steals the prince’s heart. But here? She’s a petty queen. After Tiararose gets saved by Aquasteed, Akari goes full “mean girl” mode—trying to seduce Hartknights one second, then throwing shade at Tiararose the next. Fans are loving this twist: “Is it just me or is the supposed ‘heroine’ more of a villainess than the villainess herself?” one user joked. Another added, “Akari is a fucking bitch”—and honestly, same.

Then there’s Aquasteed. His name alone is a meme (Marineforest? Really?), but his over-the-top devotion is weirdly charming. He doesn’t just save Tiararose—he declares his love in front of the entire kingdom, like he’s starring in his own romance novel. Fans are eating this up: “At last a prince that truly acts and speaks like a prince!” one user gushed. “Aquasteed Marineforest, I’m on my knees!” (Relatable.)

But let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: the animation. Oh, the animation. Tiararose’s eyes are so big and lifeless, they look like she’s perpetually staring into a void. “I don’t remember the last time I dropped an anime because of the animation,” one user admitted. Another added, “The way they animated her eyes… threw me for a loop.” It’s a bummer, because the story has potential—if only the characters didn’t look like they’re one bad day away from becoming horror movie villains.

So, is Episode 2 worth watching? If you’re a diehard villainess fan, yes. It’s the same old trope, but with enough silly moments (looking at you, Aquasteed’s name) and petty drama (thanks, Akari) to keep you entertained. If you’re tired of the genre, though, this won’t change your mind. As one user put it: “You can take the synopsis of this anime, change out a few proper nouns, and it would match half a dozen different recent anime.”

But here’s the thing: sometimes, you don’t need groundbreaking. Sometimes, you just need a pretty girl, a dramatic prince, and a mean rival to yell at. And if that’s what you’re craving? Villainess Prince Rescue Episode 2 delivers—even if it’s just “water flavored” vanilla.

P.S. The ending song, “Mahou no Oto” by Ayahi Takagaki and Yu Shirota, is a bop. Don’t skip it.

Final Verdict: 6/10. It’s not reinventing the wheel, but it’s a fun ride—if you can look past the eyes.